Marijuana initiative could make or break Obama in Colorado

[bluedigger]

[div class="excerpt" style="border-left: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-right: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-radius: 0.3077em 0.3077em 0em 0em; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px #bfbfbf;"]Marijuana initiative could make or break Obama in Colorado[div class="excerpt" style="border-left: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-bottom: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-right: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-radius: 0em 0em 0.3077em 0.3077em; background-color: #f4f4f4; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px #bfbfbf;"](Reuters) - Throughout his presidency, Barack Obama hasn't exactly been a friend to marijuana users. Sure, he has acknowledged smoking pot as a young man, but he has disappointed marijuana advocates by opposing its legalization, regulation and taxation like alcohol.

And the Justice Department's occasional crackdown under his administration on medical marijuana dispensaries, which 17 states and the District of Columbia allow, has angered others.

So now, with Obama facing a stiff challenge from Republican Mitt Romney in the November 6 election, it's ironic that his chances of winning the key state of Colorado could hinge on marijuana legalization, supported by a growing number of Americans.

At issue is whether Obama will get a boost from young voters expected to be among the most enthusiastic backers of a Colorado ballot initiative that would legalize possession of up to an ounce of pot for recreational use - and give the state the most liberal marijuana law in the nation.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/02/us-usa-campaign-colorado-idUSBRE85109120120602

[bluestateguy]

1. IsIs there evidence to back this up?

As in, do marijuana initiatives boost turnout of young voters? Any past examples to draw upon?

[bluedigger]

2. It's a fairly lengthy article.

But I don't think we know yet.

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Now, that's a damn interesting question.

There are a couple of test cases that ought to be analyzed: the Washington Dem AG Primary & a New Mexico election (details slip my mind at the moment). Be interesting to see about the age distribution of the voters in those 2.

Ironic as hell if BO had to endorse pot legalization in order to pull that young crowd across the country.

But of course that would cost him a lot of drug co., law enforcement, prison industry & booze peddler money.

[Stardust]

4. The guy really can't win with this one. He just needs to "follow his conscience" and withstand the

ensuing shitstorm.

[Woody Woodpecker]

6. As a Coloradan, an attempt in 2008 was made, but still failed, but it was VERY close.

The majority now is swinging in favor for legalization here in Colorado - the key thing is legalization as in major job industry, and will increase pressure on Obama to tell his DoJ to back the fuck off for good in all key and legal MMJ states, fire Holder, and appoint a pro-MMJ AG, sign an EO removing marijuana from Schedule I for good.

[bluestateguy]

8. And I do hope you are right

Yes, polls today may show a majority for legalization, but if it is only a thin majority, I might not be content.

You will have to withstand a very well-funded and polished ad campaign from the prison-industrial complex, chock full of scare tactics, BS sob stories and demagoguery. All of which can erode what the polls show now and today on this issue.

Then throw in the laziness of a lot of young voters ("I uh, never got around to voting. When is the election again?&quot on election day and that majority can suddenly slip away.

[Woody Woodpecker]

5. The minute Obama backs this, then

Colorado will be the the leader in marijuana products for sale.

[musiclawyer]

7. If POTUS even said

That he's neutral because it's a state issue for the voters to decide, he would will by 10 points. In COL and WA

[MagickMuffin]

9. I don't really understand the title of the article

1. Are they not going to vote for Obama?

2. Are they going to vote for Rmoney?

3. Are they going to vote for Gary Johnson?

4. Are they not going to vote for any presidential candidate?

1.a. If they don't vote for Obama, then how will their vote end up if he loses?

1.b. Wouldn't it be more destructive to consider the alternative?

2.a. Voting for Rmoney definitely would be a diaster.

They think it's bad under Obama, it would definitely be a lot worse under Rmoney.

3. a. A Johnson vote would / could benefit an Obama win, but who really knows with this one.

As Obama campaign slogan during 08 "We are the Change we have been waiting for" it seems as though this initiative is exactly what he meant by his slogan. He didn't say I am the change you've been waiting for. Nope, he distinctly said WE not me. This action is what he was talking about. We must continue to drive the Change bandwagon. We have the power to make changes. It isn't going to happen if we wait for someone else to do the hard work.

This is the reason this initiative is on the ballot. It is because the collective "we" made it happen.

How do you think the fundies managed to make inroads into the political arena? It was using the power of organizing within their power structure i. e. their base. They used the bully pulpit. They got the media to pay attention to their every whim. This is how to make the changes that matter to us.

Organize, organize, organize.

[RainDog]

10. Romney gains nothing by having the initiative on the ballot

At a recent campaign stop in Colorado, a CBS news reporter questioned Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney on a number of issues relevant to Centennial State voters. Among them was marijuana. Romney, appearing visibly agitated, did not take kindly to the inquiry.

“Aren't there issues of significance that you'd like to talk about?” Romney barked, before veering off into prototypical Reefer Madness territory: “I think marijuana should not be legal in this country. I believe it is a gateway drug to other drug violations. The use of illegal drugs in this country is leading to terrible consequences in places like Mexico -- and actually in our country.

http://www.alternet.org/story/155605/how_many_antipot_politicians_will_be_ousted_before_they_realize_the_will_of_the_majority?page=entire

Gary Johnson and Obama are the two candidates who may benefit. Johnson is pro-legalization and from a near-by state, so he has that. The article notes a strong libertarian bent among some there.

But Obama can actually win an election, while Johnson can't, so more pragmatic voters will go for Obama for the electoral college votes - if they want less conservative social policy and more options on fiscal policy. But, of course, the Senate needs to go blue, too.

I don't think it's a huge issue for Obama but if the raids hadn't happened, I think he would draw more votes from those voting for legalization who might be aggravated enough not to vote. Let's hope they get over that, if that's where they are.

[MagickMuffin]

11. That's the response that makes sinsemilla to me ;=}

That is why the title of the article seemed kinda stupid.

Yeppers, they do need to access what the outcome will be by how they decide to cast their ballot. I know how I would vote, but alas I don't live there.

I would think voting for Johnson would benefit Obama in the long run and hurt Rmoney. I've been down that road before myself. However, I prefer the one I'm traveling now. It isn't a perfect road, but all roads have their bumps and curves. That's what makes it interesting I suppose.

And once again to illustrate the need to organize to be the change WE want. This is exactly how it is done.