National media ignore major progressive victories in WA State (Marriage equality)

[uppityperson]

OK, it isn't truly marriage equality, but I keep changing the subject line, hoping for the sexiness that will draw people in. Referendum 71 IS passing!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/11/4/800585/-Natl-media-ignore-major-progressive-victories-in-WA

Out here in Washington State (the "other" Washington), we're pretty much used to being ignored by the national television networks and newspapers on a regular basis. Heck, local companies here like Sterling Savings Bank frequently riff on that theme in their advertising.

But there's a good reason for progressives to be excited about what happened in Washington State last night: We won... and we won BIG. Follow me below the jump for full details... on Approve Referendum 71, NO on Initiative 1033, and Dow Constantine for King County Executive.

First, Referendum 71. There's been a lot of attention focused on Maine Question 1, and for good reason. It was hoped that we could avoid the fate of California Proposition 8 there, but alas, we came up short yet again. I know it's a heartbreaking loss, but as an earlier diarist pointed out, Maine wasn't the whole story. Kalamazoo, Michigan passed an ordinance outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. And here in Washington, voters are Approving Referendum 71. Not by huge margins, but our lead is sizable enough and it will hold.

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Voters also said NO to Tim Eyman's latest ballot measure to wreck Washington State, Initiative 1033. For those not familiar with Eyman, he is like the Douglas Bruce/Bill Sizemore/Howard Jarvis of Washington State. He is what we at NPI like to call a Grover Norquist clone....(more@link)

Edited to add link to SOS website with numbers. You can click on "county" to see how each county voted.
http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?RaceTypeCode=M&JurisdictionTypeID=-2&ElectionID=32&ViewMode=Results

[uppityperson]

1. one kick for my own post

[Toasterlad]

2. Sorry. I Can't Get Excited About Faux Marriage.

Although I am happy for those Washington citizens who will have additional protection under the law.

[uppityperson]

3. I am excited that the populace did not vote to take rights away. That is what this was about.

[Lagomorph]

4. I'm a married, straight, white male...

...living in Everett and I voted to approve Ref 71. Take that, you haters!

[uppityperson]

5. So you voted Yes to keep the rights. Thank you for doing so.

see my sig line

[Lagomorph]

6. Yes, I voted for their rights.

You can't restrict and limit your way to freedom.