Oregon gay marriage opponents seek to discourage 2012 ballot measure

http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2011/06/oregon_gay_marriage_opponents.html

Tim Nashif, the Oregon Family Council co-founder who ran the successful 2004 campaign for a ballot measure banning gay marriage in the state, says he is gearing up for a fight he doesn't want.

If Basic Rights Oregon puts a measure on the 2012 ballot to repeal the ban, Nashif said he's confident Oregonians will uphold the ban.

"We'll fight hard for it. We have been working for that end as if they are going to run" a ballot measure, said Nashif. But, he added, "it's a lot of stinking work and it causes a lot of hard feelings."

Nashif was reacting to the latest spate of news surrounding gay marriage. The New York Legislature approved a same-sex marriage bill last week that provided a huge boost to the movement. And a new survey of Oregon voters by Public Policy Polling showed that 48 percent backed gay marriage while 42 percent were opposed.