Election Post Mortem: Stunning Victories for Marriage Despite Anti-Christian Animus, Struggles Ahead in Battle to Protect Life

In many respects last night was a rough night for pro-family voters, with the election of the most extreme pro-abortion president in U.S. history and a Congressional majority likely to support his pro-abortion policies (including pro-abortion “Catholic” Gerry Connolly here in Fairfax County). Additionally, pro-life ballot initiatives in Colorado and North Dakota lost. However, there was some significant silver lining with what appears to be a stunning trifecta victory for marriage in Arizona (56% of voters supporting Proposition 102, a stunning reversal of a similar amendment’s failure in 2006, the only example of a marriage amendment ever failing once brought to the people), Florida (62% of voters supporting Amendment 2), and most crucially, California (Proposition 8). Additionally, Arkansas stood up for the idea that no children should be willfully denied a mom or a dad with the passage of an amendment (Initiative 1) which limits adoption to married couples prohibits adoption by non-married couples cohabiting in a sexual relationship.

As of 10:30 this morning, the California Marriage Amendment (which we have discussed here in some detail leading up to Election Day) seems to be holding on to tight but clear victory of 52-48%, with 95% of precincts reporting. A cursory look at those precincts yet to report seems to indicate no major liberal strongholds remain unreported so it is likely marriage will have carried the day by 300,000-400,000 votes. This is the first time a state that has radically redefined marriage via judicial fiat (Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California being the only states to have done so) has then put the issue back to the people for a vote. The fact that liberal California, of all places, despite hostile wording on the ballot and an incredibly well funded anti-marriage campaign grounded in overt animus towards people of faith, may have rolled back the court’s reckless decision and reaffirmed marriage is simply spectacular. We want to temper our hopes as the outcome is not yet declared, but it seems that those who seek to redefine marriage under a false banner of equality have been routed on their home turf.

An interesting side note, it was encouraging to see that faithful Christians (i.e. those who attend mass/services regularly) appear to have strongly supported the pro-family candidates in the election, despite much deceptive marketing encouraging them to do otherwise.

UPDATE: It appears the major victory in California will hold up.  Incredible considering the breadth of opposition in one of America’s most liberal states:

Most of the state’s highest-profile political leaders — including both U.S. senators and the mayors of San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles — along with the editorial pages of most major newspapers, opposed the measure. PG&E, Apple and other companies contributed money to fight the proposition, and the heads of Silicon Valley companies including Google and Yahoo took out a newspaper ad opposing it.

Also, over at NRO’s The Corner, marriage advocate Maggie Gallagher has some insightful comments on yesterday’s impressive marriage victories:

California is huge, of course. It proves that when it comes to marriage, there are no blue states/red states. Americans believe unions of husband and wife really are unique and deserve a unique status in our culture and law.

Florida is huge because we had to get to 60 percent — and we surpassed that with 62 percent of the vote.

Arizona is huge because Arizona was the only state ever to reject a marriage amendment in 2006. This year, Arizonans decided to correct that anomaly, bringing to 30 the number of states that protect marriage in their state constitutions.

And also: giving marriage a perfect 30 out of 30 record of victory at the ballot box.

All victories are temporary in a fallen world. But this one is sweet.