Retiring N.C. Gov. Complicates Marriage Ban

[William769]

With North Carolina's Democratic governor, Beverly Perdue, retiring, more liberal voters are expected at the polls in May, possibly altering the results of a proposed constitutional marriage equality ban.

North Carolina Democrats will need to pick candidates in May to replace Perdue; they'll also be asked to weigh in on the gay marriage ban. While Republicans need to show up in May to pick their candidates for president, Democrats had no real reason to vote then, other than weighing in on the ban, before Perdue announced she was retiring. Now, Democrats will likely show up in larger numbers for the primary and possibly turn the tide on the marriage question.

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2012/01/28/Retiring_NC_Gov_Complicates_Marriage_Ban/

[xchrom]

1. Du rec. Nt

[dsc]

2. honestly this is a two edged sword

Not every Democrat is a supporter of marriage rights and if we get a socially conservative candidate we could see a bunch of anti marriage Democrats come to the polls. We would have been better off with a Miller/Price primary which would have increased turnout in the most socially liberal Congressional district.

[William769]

3. Thats true. I didn't think about that.

[HillWilliam]

4. I see a possible up-side to this

...well, a couple of them.

My rep, Bill Faison, is jumping in the race. I've corresponded quite a bit with him and find him really fair-minded. He's totally against Amendment One and has listened to my concerns. I like his answers. He won't work against us.

Two, now that there are several big reasons for Dems to turn out for the primaries, there will likely be more votes against Amendment One. My big worry was that Dems wouldn't turn out, but with such a shake-up (Brad Miller not running at all, Gov Perdue stepping down, Rep Faison running for gov, etc) getting more Dems to the polls could be a good thing for us.

I'm not panicking as much about Amendment One as I was with all these recent developments in mind.

[DURHAM D]

5. Hi Bill - I am with you.

This development at least gives us a chance that did not previously exist.