subject: Proposition 19 Makes Closing Argument [print this page] Proposition 19 Makes Closing Argument Proposition 19 Makes Closing Argument
Former Clinton/Gore spokesman Chris Lehane and California Democratic strategist Dan Newman, the advisors of Proposition 19, circulated a memo yesterday evening, presenting their closing arguments for the bill they have helped lead to the ballot. Lehane and Newman addressed that Prop 19, the movement to legalize small quantities of marijuana in California for people over 21, is a yes initiative,' meaning that it requires the burden of proof to convince voters. Despite this however, they claim an element of no,' also presents itself, the question of whether prohibition of marijuana has worked thus far.
Lehane and Newman, along with the supporters of the bill 42 percent in poll results released this morning), believe the answer to that question is no and that the response to the problem is yes, for Prop 19. Drug Cartels, border wars, overcrowding in jails and excessive funds spent on persecuting pot-related crime could all be avoided should Prop 19 pass, they say in their closing argument.
In last night's memo Lehane and Newman investigated the no' element of the bill
"1. Prohibition has not worked and reform is needed;
2. 19 will allow us to fight the drug cartels by taking away the black market;
3. 19, by treating marijuana like alcohol, will make it harder for kids to get marijuana; and
4. 19 will generate massive new revenue for the state."
In addition, they went on to describe how despite sliding polls, Proposition 19 is likely to pass tomorrow. The memo asserts that Proposition 19 is expected to benefit from the same boost first time voters gave to President Obama in the 2008 elections as well as general voter frustration with current drug prohibition. Furthermore, they insist support is undercounted as a result of the unwillingness of people to come forward on a controversial issue. They cite the swollen support of Prop 19 in automated surveys versus live interviews as evidence of this.
