Dear Marriage Supporter,

Good news from Governor Christie speaking in Bridgewater Tuesday morning!

Asked about the same-sex marriage bill that he had promised two years ago to give "a big red veto," Governor Christie told reporters his answer had not changed:

This issue that our state is exploring—whether or not to redefine hundreds of years of societal and religious traditions—should not be decided by 121 people in the State House in Trenton.

The fact is we're discussing huge change and I believe we need to approach this not only in a thoughtful way, not in a rushed way, but also in a way where we're able to get the most input that we can from the public.

So, if New Jersey is seriously looking to overturn hundreds of years of societal, legal and religious tradition, we need to give the issue the weight that it merits.

So, I think that this is not an issue that should rest solely in my hands, in the hands of the Senate President, or in the hands of the Speaker or the other 118 members of the Legislature.

Let's let the people of New Jersey decide what is right for the state.

Let's put the question of same-sex marriage on the ballot this fall, in the hands of the people, at the time where the most people will be voting, in the presidential election year...

So, my message to the Legislature—and this is simple—and I'm doing it today because today is the first day they're beginning to consider it. Let's stop treating this like a political football and let's let the people of New Jersey decide.

That way those who are in favor, those who are opposed, will have the opportunity to make their case over the next nine months to the people of New Jersey. And then, in the year when the most people will be voting, we get a decision. And the people decide whether or not they believe same-sex marriage should exist in this State or not.

I would certainly be willing to be governed by the decision of the people this State, especially in a year that the most people will be voting in the State.

And I would hope that the legislature would be willing to trust the people, the way I'm willing to trust the people.

This issue is too big and too consequential not to trust the people who will be governed ultimately by any change in law or maintenance of the current law.

Governor Christie got it exactly right: "the institution of marriage is too serious to be treated like a political football."

It's time to let the people of New Jersey have a VOTE to decide the future of marriage, and NOM applauds Governor Christie for his principled stance and commitment to veto same-sex marriage legislation pending in the legislature should it reach his desk.

But the threat isn't over.

Senate Democrats yesterday passed the same-sex marriage bill out of committee on a 8-4 party line vote, vowing to press on and send the bill to the governor's desk. Senate President Steve Sweeney accused Governor Christie of trying to squelch the legislative debate: "His announcement today was to try to put a damper on what we're trying to do. It's not happening. We're not backing down. We're not giving up."

And we can't let up, either!

Please click here to thank Governor Christie for being a man of his word and standing firm on marriage—and at the same time, send your legislators a message urging them to let the people of New Jersey vote on this important issue.

Then forward this email to three friends, asking them to join you in contacting your legislators.

Together we can stop this bill in its tracks. But only if we all work together.

Faithfully,

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Tomorrow, the Scottish Government closes a public consultation period on the question of same-sex marriage.

We need your help today to tell the Scottish Government that people around the world understand and support the true definition of marriage.

In what appears to be a desperate attempt to sway the outcome, the Scottish Government has been persuaded to accept responses from outside the UK, allowing gay marriage groups to organize supporters from around the world in their campaign to rewrite Scotland's marriage law.

Please help give the Scottish Government an accurate perception of world opinion on same-sex marriage! ScotlandforMarriage.org has set up an approved web portal at which you can answer the six questions being asked by the Scottish government. All responses will be sent directly to the Scottish Government.

Time is short. Please take action today!

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage

Tune in if you can!

On Monday, we launched a new campaign to Defend DOMA—protecting the one federal statute defining marriage as the union of a husband and wife against increasing attacks in the courts, in Congress, and even from President Obama himself.

In just 48 hours, nearly a thousand of you have already taken action, donating, sending emails to Congress, and spreading the word to your friends.

Thank you! Together, your emails are sending a powerful message to Congress, urging our leaders to stand for marriage, reinforcing the House leadership's decision authorizing Congressional intervention in pending cases challenging the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and denouncing President Obama's unilateral declaration that our marriage laws are unconstitutional.

It's a great start, but we need thousands more! In just 5 minutes, you can send an email to your congressman, urging him to join Rep. Vicky Hartzler as a co-sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 25.

Please click here to tell Congress it's time to stand for marriage!

As of today, the Hartzler resolution has nearly 100 co-sponsors. President Obama's extra-constitutional power grab in declaring marriage unconstitutional has drawn criticism from legal scholars across the political spectrum. It's time for members of Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, to go on record in support of marriage.

We've seen time and time again, what a difference individual voices can make, and working together we send a powerful message to our elected representatives.

In just three easy steps, you can join the effort to protect marriage and defend DOMA:

1. Donate to help us take the message of marriage to millions of Americans from coast to coast.
2. Sign the petition, sending an email urging your congressman to stand for marriage as a co-sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 25.
3. Share with your friends. Help spread the word via Facebook, Twitter, through your own blog or website.

Together, we are making a difference! I hope you'll join us today!

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown

President

National Organization for Marriage

P.S.: As you know, we have received a $1 million matching challenge grant. Over the next four weeks, every dollar we can raise will be doubled up to $1 million dollars. If the federal protections for marriage are lost, every state will be in jeopardy. This is a powerful opportunity to reinforce our federal marriage protections and put Congress on notice that the American people care about marriage. Please make your most generous gift today!

This Thursday at 10am, the House Judiciary Committee will be hearing two bills (HB 437, HB 443) to repeal same-sex marriage in New Hampshire. While strong majorities in both houses favor the repeal of same-sex marriage, prominent House Republicans have publicly argued that the bills should be retained in committee until 2012.

Here’s what I need you to do:

1)    Email the members of the House Judiciary Committee urging them to approve the same-sex marriage repeal bills quickly, sending them to the full House for a vote. Gay marriage advocates pushed same-sex marriage through in 2009 during the worst of the economic crisis, with heavy-handed pressure, backroom deals, and multiple votes. It’s time to undo the damage. The time for action is now – not next year!  Voters expected better.

Your email will go to each of the members of the House Judiciary Committee, with copies also going to your own state representative, House Speaker Bill O’Brien, and House Majority Leader DJ Bettencourt. Click here to send your email now!

2)    Attend Thursday’s hearing. Gay marriage supporters will be out in force, and we need to make a strong showing. NOM Chairman Maggie Gallagher will be among those testifying at the hearing. There has been a lot of misleading information reported in the press lately – come show up in person and let your representatives see the face of New Hampshire families who care about marriage, and expect them to keep their word.

The hearing will begin at 10am this Thursday morning (2/17) in Representatives Hall at the Statehouse in Concord. (Click here for directions.) Please come early to make sure you get a seat, as it’s expected to be a full house.

This is our moment. We have a chance to make New Hampshire the first state to legislatively repeal a same-sex marriage statute. Please stand with us by taking action today!

Over 33 days, we’ll travel more than 6000 miles, holding rallies in 23 cities from Maine to Minnesota to Atlanta and Tampa before heading back to Washington, DC for the tour finale on August 15^th.

Many of the states we’ll be visiting are key battlegrounds in this critical debate, as we work to organize grassroots support for marriage as the union of a husband and wife at both the state federal levels, building support for state marriage amendments and opposing the repeal of DOMA.

Please visit www.marriagetour2010.com for the latest tour information, including the bus schedule, a chance to register for email alerts from the tour, and video footage of each tour stop.

We need your help to make this summer’s tour a success! Please click here to make your online contribution today. $60 would cover a penny per mile! $115 would be $5 toward the costs of each rally. Whatever you can give will go far as we work together to organize support for marriage all across the nation!

Then tell your friends and come out to see us when we come to your hometown this summer!

Background: More Leaked Weigel Emails: http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/

It’s a good start, but with 24 hours remaining, I’m asking you to please make a gift right now to help us reach our goal.

It’s urgent that we finish the trial stage of this litigation fully funded, so that we can begin planning the thorough and comprehensive appeal strategy that will be needed – regardless of how Judge Walker rules in the trial court.  We can’t afford to let financial considerations dictate the outcome of this case.

We don’t have the backing of wealthy Hollywood liberals or gay billionaires – we all need to step up and make sure the Prop 8 defense team has the resources to protect marriage -- all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary. If everyone receiving this email were to give just $10, we would reach our goal many times over. Will you join us today?

Please click here to make an urgent online contribution of $10, $25, $50 or even $500 if you can afford it. All gifts are tax deductible, and every dollar will go toward the Prop 8 litigation expenses.  We have until noon Saturday to reach our goal. Please make your gift right now.

Dear Friends of Marriage,

Victory in California! With your help, NOM played a central role in defeating pro-gay marriage GOP Senate candidate Tom Campbell yesterday.

Back in March, NOM was the first on the air with TV ads highlighting Tom Campbell's liberal record on gay marriage and taxes. In May, we came back with a wildly successful automated phone campaign to 600,000 GOP primary voters, letting them know where Tom Campbell stands on gay marriage. 

All told, we spent more than $400,000 in TV ads, automated phone calls and
internet advertising. Now we need your help to keep the battle going throughout 2010.
Your gift of $25, $50, or even $500 or more is urgently needed to help make sure we have the
resources to stand for marriage wherever the threat arises.
Please make a generous contribution today! 

Gay marriage advocates used to brag that no politician had ever lost a race because of his (or her) support for same-sex marriage. Certainly political races involve many factors, and it's often difficult to pinpoint one particular factor leading to a political defeat.

But today they can no longer make that claim with a straight face. Less than three years after NOM's founding, we have now seen race after race where a candidate's support for gay marriage was significant in leading to that candidate's defeat.

Just ask Dede Scozzafava in New York. Or Jon Corzine and Loretta Weinberg in New Jersey. And now Tom Campbell in California, just to name a few.

When former Congressman Tom Campbell jumped into the U.S. Senate race in California in mid-January, he became the immediate front-runner for the GOP nomination, leading many polls by double digits.

He appeared to be sailing toward a primary victory, set to face incumbent Barbara Boxer in the fall. . . . Until NOM uncovered an editorial he had written opposing Proposition 8: "Ending Marriage Discrimination in California: Why Republicans Should Vote NO on Prop 8."

Were GOP primary voters really going to support a pro-gay marriage Republican candidate for U.S. Senate?

We doubted it, and here's what we found:

1. 80% of GOP voters supported Proposition 8.
2. Just 2% of GOP voters knew that Campbell supports gay marriage; 14% mistakenly thought he opposed same-sex marriage.
3. 55% of Campbell's supporters were less likely to vote for him after being told of his support for same-sex marriage.

That's when NOM launched our educational campaign to make sure California GOP voters knew about Tom Campbell's record supporting gay marriage. 

NOM was the first to stand up to Tom Campbell's liberal record on gay marriage and taxes. And with your help, we changed the game in California.

With your help today, NOM will be able to continue with game-changing campaigns all across the country. Please click here to make a secure online contribution right now.

In mid-March, we launched a $300,000 TV ad campaign (small by California standards!), "Two Peas, Same Liberal Pod," the first to highlight Campbell's support for same-sex marriage, higher income taxes and higher gas taxes -- all positions shared with liberal Democratic incumbent Senator Barbara Boxer. This early ad effort helped set the tone for the race, making same-sex marriage an issue Campbell was forced to address in his campaign.

Fast-forward to May 19th. After a slight dip in March, Tom Campbell had regained a sizeable and consistent lead over opponents Carly Fiorina and Chuck DeVore. The latest poll showed Campbell with a 15-point lead over Fiorina. On May 19th, NOM launched an automated phone campaign to 600,000 likely GOP primary voter households, informing them of Tom Campbell's support for same-sex marriage. We followed up the phone campaign with an internet ad campaign and website: www.StopTomCampbell.com.

Overnight, the next poll, taken May 21-23, showed Carly Fiorina with a startling 23-point lead over Campbell, 46% to 23%, as Campbell's support dropped by one-third. 

Certainly there were many factors that played into that dramatic shift -- by that time, pro-life and pro-family advocates had joined together in the effort to stop Tom Campbell, Fiorina campaign ads were blanketing the airwaves, and Sarah Palin had endorsed the Carly Fiorina -- but only NOM's May 19-21 outreach to 600,000 GOP primary voters can explain the dramatic, overnight reversal in the polls. 

Tom Campbell's campaign never recovered. Within days his donors had dried up, his campaign was in freefall, and his ads were being pulled from the airwaves for lack of funding.

Quite frankly, I was surprised myself at how closely the Campbell polling data tracked our efforts. The last poll showing a Campbell lead over Fiorina (37% to 22%) was taken May 17-19. Our phone calls went live from the 19th through May 21st, and by the next two polls taken May 21-23, Fiorina had not only erased Tom Campbell's lead, but was ahead by more than 20 percentage points.

Take a look at the RealClearPolitics trending in the race (with annotations showing NOM's TV and phone campaigns): 

Daily, I grow more confident that, with God's help and enough resources, we can win this battle for marriage. We have the truth on our side -- truth that resonates with the American people.  Time and time again, we have proven that Americans believe in marriage, not just in red states like Utah, Texas, and Alabama, but also in blue states like California, Maine, New York and New Jersey.

2010 is a critical year for marriage. And your help is critical. Gay Republicans are fighting for the soul of the Republican party. The Democratic party is deeply divided over the issue of same-sex marriage.

After spending $400,000 to stop Tom Campbell, we urgently need your help today.
We must be prepared to carry the fight for marriage to any (or every!) state in the nation on a moment's notice. We cannot sit back while our opponents plot new strategies to redefine marriage. 

We have the Truth. We have the American people.
If we have the resources, we can win. It's as simple as that.
Please use this link to make a generous contribution of $25, $50, $100, or even more 
today if you have the means to afford it.

Please stand with us today. Together we are changing the future of marriage in our nation!

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org

Contributions or gifts to the National Organization for Marriage, a 501(c)(4) organization with QNC status, are not tax-deductible. The National Organization for Marriage does not accept contributions from business corporations, labor unions, foreign nationals, or federal contractors; however, it may accept contributions from federally registered political action committees. Donations may be used for political purposes such as supporting or opposing candidates. No funds will be earmarked or reserved for any political purpose.

Dear Friends of Marriage,

Three polls in the past week show pro-gay marriage RINO Republican Tom Campbell's support has plummeted. His money has dried up and his campaign is in freefall.

What a difference a week makes!

Just a few weeks ago, pro-gay marriage Tom Campbell was leading Carly Fiorina and Chuck DeVore—some polls said by as much as ten points or more. Now, he’s suddenly twenty points behind Carly Fiorina in the race that will determine which Republican has a chance to unseat California’s Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Tom Campbell’s collapse in public opinion is no accident.

NOM's “Two Peas in a Pod” television ad established that Campbell and Boxer are well, two peas in the same liberal pod. His poll numbers slipped. But television in Califorinia is hugely expensive (especially once Meg Whitman started buying up all the air time), so we followed up with a frugal and effective second punch: phone calls to 600,000 likely primary voters, telling them that Tom Campbell is a pro-gay marriage RINO. We think NOM's effort had such a big impact in part because it coincided with efforts of prolife groups to make sure voters know Campbell's record on other social conservative issues like abortion.

Democracy only works when voters hear the truth. All over the country NOM’s Marriage Truth Squad breaks through the lies and the obfuscations, to make sure the public hears the truth about marriage.

And when the truth comes out, marriage wins!

Help us continue to shake up the judges, the politicians, and change the course of
American history. This is the year when everything could change, and you can make it happen! Just $25 will allow us to reach more than 1000 Americans in key places across the country, telling them the truth the mainstream media won’t!

Pray for us and pray for victory for marriage!  Happy Memorial Day, and thanks to all our veterans!

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org

P.S.: Remember, your contribution of just $25 to NOM’s Marriage Truth Squad can help win the battle for marriage all across the country in this history-changing year!

Contributions or gifts to the National Organization for Marriage, a 501(c)(4) organization with QNC status, are not tax-deductible. The National Organization for Marriage does not accept contributions from business corporations, labor unions, foreign nationals, or federal contractors; however, it may accept contributions from federally registered political action committees. Donations may be used for political purposes such as supporting or opposing candidates. No funds will be earmarked or reserved for any political purpose.

The theme of this year's event is "The Blessing of Family," and Mr. Glenn Stanton, Director of Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family, is the keynote speaker. Music will be provided by local band "Servant Song."

Building on last year's phenomenally successful celebration where 800 - 1000 people stood up for marriage and family in Rhode Island, this year's party will feature fun activities for kids of all ages, great food, a wonderful setting, fun competitions between families, and special time of blessing for families. So set aside the day and plan on joining us at the Aldrich Mansion on Warwick Neck on Sunday August 15th. Gates will open at 2:30.

For more info visit the NOM Rhode Island website.

Dear Friends of Marriage,

Many, many thanks if you were able to vote for marriage on the new AmericaSpeakingOut website launched by the House Republicans this week.  

And if you are one of the many who experienced technical difficulties with the newly launched site on Tuesday, I apologize for the trouble.

We now have word that the site's technical glitches have been fixed and that the site is operating properly.

Your vote today is critical. The GOP is using this site to listen to voters as they begin to set the agenda for the elections this fall. Don't let gay marriage groups outvote us and our values!

1)  Click here to place your vote! Vote Thumbs Up to protect marriage as the union of a man and a woman.  

You'll be asked to create a login, then place your vote. And while you're there, use the icons to post to your Facebook/Twitter feeds, or leave a comment for other visitors to read!

"Protect marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Children do best with a married mother and father, and our laws and our judges should respect and defend this most fundamental institution of society."

The earlier you go to vote, the more powerful your vote will be. Over the past two days there have been hundreds of items posted by visitors to the site. Whatever issues win early votes will appear in the top ten issues, generating more votes from latecomers.

Please do it right now . . . vote yes for marriage!

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org

Contributions or gifts to the National Organization for Marriage, a 501(c)(4) organization with QNC status, are not tax-deductible. The National Organization for Marriage does not accept contributions from business corporations, labor unions, foreign nationals, or federal contractors; however, it may accept contributions from federally registered political action committees. Donations may be used for political purposes such as supporting or opposing candidates. No funds will be earmarked or reserved for any political purpose.

Dear Friends of Marriage,

The special election for Congress that concluded last Saturday in Honolulu was a huge win for marriage. For the first-time in a generation, Hawaiians elected a Republican to Congress, pro-marriage Charles Djou!

Both of the Democrats Djou defeated (Colleen Hanabusa and Ed Case) are openly pro-gay marriage.

The National Organization for Marriage reached out to 100,000 likely voters in the last week of the campaign to inform voters that Charles Djou would protect the people's right to vote for marriage.

Like Scott Brown in Massachussetts, Djou refused to concede that a Congressman's seat belongs to any politician or any party: "Contrary to the opinion of the old guard, this congressional seat is not owned by the Democrat Party. It isn't owned by any union or special interest group. This seat is owned by the people. At its core, this belief separates me from my opponents," Djou said on May 17.

Djou's margin of victory was unexpectedly strong, emerging with 40 percent of the vote in a three-way race with two Democrats in a deep blue state.

2010 has the potential for more tremendous victories for marriage all across the country. With your help, we will be positioned for strategic intervention on short notice wherever the need arises.  Help make sure the word gets out . . . Can you give $65 today to help us reach out to 1,000 voters in the future?

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org

Contributions or gifts to the National Organization for Marriage, a 501(c)(4) organization with QNC status, are not tax-deductible. The National Organization for Marriage does not accept contributions from business corporations, labor unions, foreign nationals, or federal contractors; however, it may accept contributions from federally registered political action committees. Donations may be used for political purposes such as supporting or opposing candidates. No funds will be earmarked or reserved for any political purpose.

Dear Friends of Marriage,

Please, if you do one thing for marriage this year, do this.

Vote for marriage.

The Republican Party has launched a new website, "America Speaking Out" to help set the agenda for the elections this fall. Make sure the RINOs don't run away from marriage!  It will take a 2 minutes to register and vote for marriage today.

Do it now. Do it for your country. Don't let Log Cabin types outvote us and our values.

1)  Click here to place your vote! Vote Thumbs Up to protect marriage as the union of a man and a woman.  

You'll be asked to create a login, then place your vote. And while you're there, use the Facebook/Twitter icons to post to your Facebook/Twitter feeds, and feel free to leave a comment, too!

"Protect marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Children do best with a married mother and father, and our laws and our judges should respect and defend this most fundamental institution of society."

The earlier you go to vote, the more powerful your vote will be. Whatever issues win early votes will appear in the top ten issues, generating more votes from latecomers.

2) Then click here to vote NO (Thumbs Down) to same-sex marriage.

Do it right now. Vote yes for marriage!

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org

Contributions or gifts to the National Organization for Marriage, a 501(c)(4) organization with QNC status, are not tax-deductible. The National Organization for Marriage does not accept contributions from business corporations, labor unions, foreign nationals, or federal contractors; however, it may accept contributions from federally registered political action committees. Donations may be used for political purposes such as supporting or opposing candidates. No funds will be earmarked or reserved for any political purpose.