Opinion: Proposition 8 and the quiet governor

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Back in April, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vowed to fight any attempt to pass a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. ‘I will always be there to fight against that because it should never happen,’ he told the Log Cabin Republicans at their San Diego convention -- a month before the state Supreme Court recognized the right of gays and lesbians to marry. And after that ruling, the governor again promised to oppose the effort to take away that right -- now known as Proposition 8.

But Schwarzenegger has been awfully quiet about an issue that could use his visible presence. Not that he has switched camps. He just hasn’t been showing up to remind Californians that they generally champion expansive civil rights, not the elimination of such rights. He hasn’t been around to reassure voters that their churches won’t have to conduct same-sex marriages and their preschoolers won’t have to attend gay weddings.

He attends rallies for Proposition 11, on redistricting, but is quiet about opposing Prop. 8.

In May, the Times editorial board, cheering the state Supreme Court ruling, noted:

‘Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he would oppose a ban, and his leadership on this matter is warmly welcomed.’

Opposition, yes. Leadership, no. The governor said in April he would always be there. Guess he never said exactly where.