Oldest State Was “Test Run” for Repealing Prop 8Paul Hogarthbyline‚ Nov. 06‚ 2009I’ve been very discouraged by Question 1 passing in Maine, because our side ran a great campaign that did everything it was supposed to do. And after losing in California, we all believed that marriage equality was “meant” to prevail this time. But the story is not that we failed to learn the lessons of Prop 8 – we were simply fighting on tougher terrain. I always knew that Maine was an old state, but it wasn’t until last night that I realized it has literally the highest median age in the country. “No on 1” did a terrific job turning out its base – and while we could have done better in a few places, there were just too many old people in the rural areas. Losing campaigns rarely get credit for what they did right, and the lessons from Maine – (a) respect your base, (b) find supporters all over the state, and (c) don’t let the opposition take the offensive – are key to what will help us win in California. And for that reason, I’m proud to have been a part of it. |