The Myth-Making on Prop 8 Begins

Associated Press headline: "Poll: Calif gay marriage ban driven by religion."

Reality: Pretty much every other demographic group in the poll voted yes on Prop. 8 as well.

Differences in support for Proposition 8 are evident across party lines, with three in four Republicans (77%) voting yes and two in three Democrats (65%) voting no, while independents were more divided (52% yes, 48% no). The measure was supported by a majority of those without a college education (62%), while a majority of those with a college degree voted no (57%). Evangelical or born-again Christians (85%) are far more likely than others (42%) to have voted yes. Whites (50%) are less likely than Latinos (61%) to have voted yes; 57 percent of Latinos, Asians and blacks combined voted yes (sample sizes are too small to report Asians and blacks separately). Voters who supported Obama (30%) were far less likely than those who supported McCain (85%) to vote yes. Support for Proposition 8 increases with age (43%) for ages 18–34; 50% for ages 35–54, yes; 56% for ages 55 and older) and declines with income.

Misleading headline aside, the AP story at least mentions the other demographics who voted in favor of the measure. If you only read the LA Times' blog entry on this poll, you'd come away thinking the proposition passed solely on the strength of Christian and Republican votes.

posted by Slublog at 01:20 PM

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