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Published: November 6, 2008
Anatomy of defeat
Exit poll lays failure of Proposition 4 at feet of unmarried, unchurched and childless
Self-described Catholics, Christians, married couples and parents approved of Proposition 4 – the family notification before a minor’s abortion initiative – by wide margins on Nov. 4, but their support was not enough to pass the measure. The Secretary of State reports that Proposition 4 failed by a margin of 52.1% no to 47.9% yes.
Details on the breakdown of how Californians voted were published yesterday in an Election Day exit poll commissioned by the Sacramento Bee and conducted by the polling firm Edison/Mitofsky, which interviewed 2098 voters.
 According to the Sacramento Bee exit poll, 60% of voters who identified themselves as Catholic voted in favor of the family notification initiative, while 59% of those who described themselves as “Protestant/Christian” voted yes. Respondents who said they belonged to no religion voted 84%-16% against Proposition 4.
Among voters who said they attend church weekly, the margin was 76% yes to 24% no, while those who said they attend church “occasionally” voted 56% to 44% against the initiative. Those who said they never attend church voted 78% to 22% against Proposition 4.
Married voters, according to the exit poll, favored the measure 59% to 41%, with unmarried voters opposing it 66% to 34%. Parents approved of Proposition 4 by a 10% margin – 55% yes to 45% no.
The poll also identified respondents by race, finding that whites voted 54% to 46% against the initiative; African-Americans favored the measure 54% to 46%; Hispanics voted 55% to 45% in favor; and Asians voted 58% yes to 42% no.
Proposition 4 lost among Democrats and independents, the Bee reported, with Democrats voting 63% no to 37% yes, and independents rejecting the measure 54% to 46%. Republicans overwhelmingly favored the initiative, 70% yes to 30% no, the poll found.
Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 12:09 AM By Dan
And the democratic party is the truly pro-life party? What say you, Kmiec?
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 6:36 AM By Ray'C55
AGAIN, A FAILURE OF OUR RELIGIOUS LEADERS, IN OUR CASE BISHOPS, PASTORS, PRIESTS, TO GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS TO OUR "FAITHFUL" THAT THEY ARE
REQUIRED TO FOLLOW TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH THAT ARE INFALLIBLE.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 7:34 AM By Maryanne Leonard
There are few surprises here, and we see the sad results of how our society has changed by studying this article and seeing the election results.
At least California voters support the idea of marriage being between a man and a woman, but sadly, not by a great margin. My friends and I feel that this last election proved that the America we grew up loving is now officially being renounced, and we are in mourning.
I hope that the one good aspect of the presidential election, that a black was elected to our country's presidency, will be a beacon of hope to the previously disenfranchised. It feels as if those of us who still believe in good old-fashioned Catholic values are now the disenfranchised.
We do need to work harder on a daily basis to influence our culture to re-embrance the values that made our country strong, and we need to work harder to bring back fallen away Catholics to the Church as well. Although I've been working at all of this, I am determined to work harder now that I see our country is truly in danger of going down for the count. Please join me in working to save our country and our culture and promoting Catholic values at every possible turn.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 7:52 AM By Camille
In a state where the voters chose a "healthy lifestyle" for chickens over human babies and teen girls, what can one possibly say?
On the other hand, winning prop 8 is a defeat for the same crowd that opposed prop 4 - Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and Equality California.
The work of pro-life Californians is not over. We must begin today to pick up our spirits, resolve to reach out to those who woud kill the soul.
Demand that your church officials speak for life from the pulpits, the newspapers, the legislatures. Don't let our state Catholic Conference stand with PP and the ACLU on legislation which carries death to preborn babies as they have been doing.
Now that an ACLU proponent has become president of our country I predict that our religious organizations will be held hostage to the federal and state tax dollar compelled to do the bidding of the state or risk losing our tax status.
We must not weaken, we must grow stronger in our resolve to work to defend and protect human life so that we may be free to work towards salvation.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 7:58 AM By Margie
For all the prochoice Democrats, Independents and Republicans out there who claim they want to see abortion as a rare procedure: I don't believe your rhetoric and your vote belies your claims. YOur no vote on Prop 4 has reassured the child predators of California that they can continue to have secret, sexual relationships with your underage daughters. Your no vote has reassured Planned Parenthood and other abortion facilities that they can perform surgery on children ages 12-17 behind the backs of their parents. Sounds like there is not a lot of mercy left in California. Sounds like our minor daughters are on their own. God protect them because our laws surely won't! Lord, have mercy on those who shirk their parental duties.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 8:10 AM By john Zakharia
I think only one in ten churches mentioned it. How sad. We blaming others but we can't see how luke warm we are and hypocritical.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 8:18 AM By Fr. M.P.
I saw a another poll which showed that those Catholics who did not attend Church weekly voted for Obama by a margin of 2:1. It goes to show how a faithless people gets the government it deserves. And the statistics on this poll show how democrats are very much the party of death.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 9:13 AM By John D
A child's right to choose? Very discouraging. Much work needs to be done to proclaim, celebrate and serve the Gospel of Life.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 9:43 AM By Life Lady
As the mother of a fallen away Catholic, this makes so much sense. His response to me as to why he did not vote in favor was that he thought it was too intrusive a measure. You can imagine my shame at that statement. He was neither adamantly opposed, and not in favor. He was mostly indifferent to the idea. Well, he and his lovely wife are expecting their first child, a girl, in February. He needs so much prayer, and the child, especially. God willing, his lack of volition will not come back to haunt him in the future. Prayer, lots of prayer for all those poor people with no mind for the love of God, and the love of neighbor.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:51 AM By Laurette Elsberry
The Catholic hierarchy, priests, and religious in California are to blame for the defeat of Prop 4. For the most part, they did nothing to educate Catholics about what the proposition really was, but allowed the continual disinformation and false information on the proposition to be promoted by Planned Parenthood, the ALCU, democrats, the media, and others who worship at the altar of abortion. God is not mocked. There will be a price to be paid.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 11:47 AM By Angelo
I blame the Bishops, Priests, and Religious. For more than 40 years dissension against the Holy Father and the teachings of the Church, have been the norm. Traditional Catholicism has been treated as the abnormal. Older Catholics lost their faith, younger Catholics have never had it.
So, why are we surprised at how Catholics voted?
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 12:14 PM By Elizabeth
If nothing else, Prop 4....
Just made 'common sense'.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May God have mercy on us.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 12:29 PM By Maria C
I live in California. I can tell you that it is a very liberal and can be with some immortal state. Even some Catholic and Christian churches are very lukewarm here too. I am also not surprised that Prop 4 failed as well because there are many parents here that do not care about their kids. They do not teach them what's right and wrong, they condone every evil behavior without any circumstances. I say this because I see this in the youth, they have no respect for their elders, many do not understand what an abortion truly does to the unborn, some don't care and many deceive their parents behind their backs. That is why I am trying to raise my kids to be good and Godly children in our faith. Perhaps they can be a good example to others but it is a battle for them too because many kids come from broken families, some have been molested, they have shack up parents with no concept of moral. They have not been churched. It is a real battle out there. I hope we can reach out to our youth before it is to late for them. Why do you think the homosexual agenda is trying to recruit children as early as Kindergarden? We need to teach our kids good moral values and help others as well to combat all the junk that is being fed onto them.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 2:01 PM By garvan
I'm looking for Obamanite Kmiec to find a silver lining in the defeat of Prop 4.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 2:38 PM By Miguel
If homosexuals had as much passion and fervor for the rights of the unborn as their own rights they might get more sympathy. Where is the outrage and lawsuits for the unborn?
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 3:03 PM By JLS
Amazing how those against 8 and 4 rail against government intrusion inot the home ... but 4 is exactly that, whereas 8 is exactly keeping govt out of the home. The homosexualist crowd has no consistency, by plasters any rhetoric they come up with onto their demands, regardless of whether it makes any sense.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 5:31 PM By Angie
Miguel, if devout catholics had this much passion and fervor, not just for the rights of the unborn, but for the protection and safety of all children, they wouldn't have time to mix into the private lives of consenting adults. And I agree, "Where IS The Outrage", not just for the loss of life among the unborn, but also, the lost lives, futures and spirits of the sexually victimized children of our church.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 6:30 PM By ssoldie
NOW comes F.O.C.A.- so much for Maryanne L's remark"that the one good aspect of the presidental election that a black was elected etc..this black is the one who promised Planned Parenthood and all the pro-death groups he would implament the infamous F.O.C.A. God help us.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 8:03 PM By JLS
More white parents voted against prop 4 than for it, if I got my stats right. This means to me that more white parents prefer the government to manage their daughters without their knowledge. This is nothing less than parents by hundreds of thousands choosing to give their family responsibilities over to the government. No wonder Islam is claiming the end of the west.
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Posted Thursday, November 06, 2008 9:58 PM By Victoria G.
There are those who walk in darkness; and there are those who walk in the light of truth. Someday, the truth will set you all free. GOD Bless those who have the courage to live, and love, without the chains of prejudice. No matter what THEY say, GOD Loves You, And Understands.
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Posted Friday, November 07, 2008 12:12 AM By Eileen
God Blesses those who obey all of His Laws.,,,No matter what the Gavin Newsoms within the Church say. When it comes to God's Justice, the obstinate and disobedient will be held accountable for offending God.... "Whether they like or not!"
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Posted Friday, November 07, 2008 12:24 AM By JLS
Victoria G., is there anyone else you know who walks in the light, other than yourself? *** Angie, here is what you say you want: Outrage for victims, and privacy for consenting adults. There is nothing Catholic or loving about your wants. Prolife is different, as it wants to stop abortion and end the abuse you refer to. The Church does not make a god out of the "right to privacy" ... in fact, according to Scripture, there is no such thing, as any sin will find its way to the king.
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Posted Saturday, November 08, 2008 1:07 PM By Miguel
Angie, if single people had more fervor and passion for choosing a person they have sex with we would not have unwanted children. If you had this much passion and fervor for exposing all victims of sexual abuse and not just by the church we would have more sympathy.
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Posted Monday, November 10, 2008 7:21 AM By Angie
No, Miguel, I have been in the trenches fighting for the rights of children for years now. Besides, we clergy abuse victims cannot do it all alone. There comes a point when all people must acknowledge that children should come first in all things. Where are those so called, "Good Bishops" you people are always writing about? Why aren't they out there on the streets with us kneeling on the cold hard cement in front of abortion clinics? Also, What Have YOU Been Doing To Protect Children, Miguel?
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Posted Monday, November 10, 2008 2:03 PM By Miguel
Well first of all, I have raised my daughters in the tradition of the Catholic faith. I have also told them that to share your body with a man is the single biggest gift you can give a person and not to cheapen this gift for anyone. I know that seems a little old fashioned in this "if it feels good" do it crowd. My sons are taught that sex is not entitled or free by any means. It is an adult act, it is the greatest gift God has given us to express love between a Man and a Woman. There are consequences if it is abused. It is not there for us to "explore" with someone we do not intend on having a child with. You could get pregnant and be forced to prematurely to care for a child you are not ready for. Abortion is not an option. So maybe you should adapt your behavior accordingly. Not to brag but all of them have grown up to have wonderful families, not perfect by any means, but the core is good. I know this philosophy will never be taught to today's children. This makes me sad because this is real freedom, not the perverted, promiscuous lessons we are bombarding our children with today. Then God loving, taxpaying people like have to pick up the cost for the fundamental breakdown of the American family. Then they take the money to fund abortions and sex-ed for kindergardeners like books about two kings marrying. So maybe I'm not out in the trenches fighting for the rights of children, I'm working paying my taxes and bills and trying to make sure my children and their children and not in the trenches.
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Posted Monday, November 10, 2008 6:08 PM By Anne T.
Miguel, God bless you! In this day and age I am sure there is a special place in heaven for good fathers.
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Posted Monday, November 10, 2008 7:17 PM By Angie
Miguel, in other words, you are doing NOTHING. Like most people you think that as long as it doesn't involve you or your family, it doesn't concern you. Don't worry though, we, clergy abuse survivors, and prolife advocates, are speaking up for the rights and safety of children, ALL CHILDREN. We will keep fighting for the rights and dignity of the innocent; and, who knows, someday the children we save, just might be yours.
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Posted Monday, November 10, 2008 10:36 PM By JLS
Angie, what is it about the Gospel work done by Miguel in raising his family that you don't respect? Why not?
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Posted Tuesday, November 11, 2008 6:15 AM By johngael65
Clearly the mention of abortion immediately opens old wounds, polarizes the dems', and their big money backers.
Why don't we put a similar proposition on the next ballot that requires that parents or guardians of children under 18 must approve any medical procedure offered to their children. Without mentioning abortion we could prevail!!!!!!
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Posted Tuesday, November 11, 2008 7:08 AM By Miguel
Well doing NOTHING sure felt like a lot of work. But, maybe if other people did nothing like me we wouldn't have abused and neglected children. I assure you if you had to save my children I really would have done nothing. Charity starts at home, how can you be a crusader for others if your own family is in disarray?
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Posted Sunday, November 16, 2008 8:14 PM By Dan Taylor
It is VERY ENCOURAGING to read all of the above comments. I highly recommende the NATIONAL CATHOLIC
REGISTER for news on life issues. Even for non-Catholics
it can be a great resource. Let's pray, strategize, and edu-
cate people so that this measure, which is GOOD for
EVERYONE, even our opponents, will get passed next time.
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