Early Peak for
Obama Spells Trouble for Prop. 8

It's nerve-wracking in the Boiler Room, and No on 8 volunteers are wondering: Could Obama's win be Prop 8's loss? "He's got a little too much good news a little too early," mutters one guy.

"There's voter suppression; we don't know why," says Trina Olson. Around her, strategies fly. "Text message everybody! "It's not over on Prop 8!"

No on 8 volunteers fear that with the election all but won for Barack Obama, California Democrats who would have otherwise waited in line after polls closed might be inclined to call it a night -- bad news for Prop. 8.

Volunteers from around the state are reporting that voter turnout has tapered off in predominantly gay areas including San Francisco's Castro and Los Angeles' West Hollywood and Silverlake.

Zone captains in cars are driving around polling places on various turfs, looking for denser crowds where No on 8 volunteers could move and thus have more impact. Door-knocking is also underway.

" South Pas', Echo Park": Driving directions are barked over phone lines.

"I don't know where you're at, Thomas," says somebody. "Regina's pulling them out in Studio City and Hollywood," says somebody else.

"Don't mistake this for spontaneous panic," statewide field director Sarah E. Reece says. "We're just activating plans B, C, D, and E. We've been well aware that an early Obama victory might be called and we happen to be on the West Coast. Now we've got 70 minutes to execute our strategy really well." (Anne Stockwell, The Advocate)