Arizona Republic refutes another false claim by Prop. 107 opposition

The opposition's comment, by Arizona Students' Association
The passage of Proposition 107 could "harm programs such as the Summer Bridge, which affords everyone an equal opportunity to compete, or even the Hispanic Mother-Daughter program, which helps young women to reach their full potential in college."


The bottom line: The Summer Bridge program at Arizona State University does not have criteria based on race or gender, so Proposition 107 should not affect it. The Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program would have to be expanded to include all races and both genders, or it could likely be shut down. However, at major universities in states where similar legislation has passed, programs tend to stay in existence by moving their criteria away from race and gender.


Read the full analysis

Ward Connerly on Fox News reacts to poll showing 91% of black voters still support Obama

Only 36% of white voters support Obama. Ward was asked his thoughts on the large gap between white and black voters supporting Obama. Ward agrees that racialism is alive and well, although it's not necessarily racism directed towards blacks. Racialism is different from racism, but it's a distinction without a difference. There are two things occurring here; racial solidarity - blacks voted for Obama due to being the same race. Second, there is a victims' gap in voting - blacks and Latinos support Obama because they identify with Obama's victim mentality. Obama cleverly invokes "racial profiling" when talking with black audiences to make sure they identify with him. Even the most successful blacks see themselves as victims, they don't quite relate to the rest of society - like Colin Powell. It's a traditional and lingering view shared by many blacks. You just use the right code words, like "civil rights," and you'll get their vote. Ward said that the reason Latinos support some of this victimhood mentality too is due to the issue of illegal immigration; they're taught that illegal immigration laws victimize Latinos.

Prop. 107 debate this Thursday at the Goldwater Institute featuring Ward Connerly v. David Lujan

Clint Bolick of the Goldwater Institute will be moderating a debate on Prop. 107, which would ban affirmative action in government, this week between Ward Connerly and former state legislator David Lujan. Connerly will be representing Yes on 107, and Lujan will be representing the opposition. Media panelists include Jim Sharpe from KFYI and Kathleen Ingley from the Arizona Republic. The debate will take place from 5:30 - 7 pm. The Goldwater Institute is located at 500 E. Coronado, Phoenix, AZ. 

Yes on 107! launches radio ad

The Yes on Proposition 107 campaign took to the airwaves today with a radio ad encouraging voters to support ballot proposition 107. Prop. 107 would eliminate affirmative action programs that contain preferential treatment based on race or gender in the areas of government contracts, public employment and public education.

The 60-second ad highlights the harmful effects that affirmative action quotas have on victims of government programs that treat citizens differently based on race. State Senator Russell Pearce (R - Mesa), who worked with state Representative Steve Montenegro (R- Litchfield Park) to place Prop. 107 on the ballot, is also featured in the ad. The ad is initially being aired on KFYI talk radio in Phoenix.

Below is the content of the Yes on 107 radio ad:

Female voice: “I don’t call it civil rights when my husband is shut out of a promotion because of an affirmative action quota.

I don’t call it civil rights when my son’s construction firm loses a government contract on account of his boss’s race.

And when my daughter’s good grades can’t get her into a school because she’s the wrong skin color, well that’s just plain discrimination.

Somewhere big government got affirmative action wrong.  Somehow they’ve confused civil rights with quotas that favor one group over another.”

Senator Pearce: “Hello this is Senator Russell Pearce – no one applying for a job, contract or college admission should be rejected because they don’t fill a diversity quota.  That’s why Representative Montenegro and I helped put 107 on your ballot.

A ‘Yes’ vote on 107 amends the constitution so everyone is judged on character and merit, not skin color or sex.

The government should not pick winners and losers based on race or sex.  Everyone – and I mean everyone -  deserves a fair and equal chance to compete for good paying jobs, contracts, and college admission.  Vote Yes on 107.”

Yes on 107 news

YES on 107! Newsletter Here's a quick update on the campaign to end quotas, discrimination and set asides in Arizona: Ward Connerly Speaking at Maricopa County Republican Club about ending affirmative action Ward Connerly, President of the American Civil Rights Institute, a national organization that opposes affirmative action racial and gender preferences, will be speaking about the flaws and failures of racial quotas at the Maricopa County Republican Club on Thursday, October 7th at 7 pm. The meeting is at the GOP headquarters, 3501 N. 24th St., in Phoenix. You are welcome to attend and meet the man leading the fight nationally to end discriminatory affirmative action policies. Arizona Republic editorial: End Affirmative Action Last week, Arizona's largest newspaper - The Arizona Republic, surprised some conservative readers by endorsing a 'YES' vote on Proposition 107 to end affirmative action policies. The Arizona Republic is the first major daily newspaper to support ending race-based affirmative action in Arizona. Read the editorial here. Will University of Arizona President defy law and voters if Prop. 107 passes? University of Arizona President Robert Shelton told the Arizona Daily Star newspaper last week that he would find "creative" ways to "achieve our goals" in the U of A's admissions policies if voters approve Proposition 107. Mr. Shelton further stated that, if 107 is adopted by voters, he "will not back off one bit" from the university's efforts to promote "diversity" and recruit more women and minorities. The university's diversity goals, which are posted on their website, include hiring specified percentages of women and minorities. These hiring quotas include goals for women to comprise 63% of new Assistant Director Administrators, 73% of Animal Technicians, and 56% of the Faculty in Fine Arts. Goals for minority hires include 53% of General Maintenance positions and 59% of Supervisors in Service/Maintenance. Rachel Alexander, Chair of the Yes on 107 campaign issued the following public challenge to the University President, "President Shelton appears concerned that if Prop 107 passes, the university won't be able to put 'diversity goals' ahead of 'most qualified'. I bet there's a woman or a 'minority' that meets the minimum qualifications to be president of the university. I challenge President Shelton to walk his own talk and step down for the sake of 'diversity.' His $549,400 position could be given to an affirmative action applicant. Or perhaps he believes that discriminating quotas should only apply to other people, but not to him?" President Shelton's comments remind some observers of comments made by University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman after Michigan voters banned affirmative action race-based admissions in 2006. President Coleman announced after the election that she intended to ignore voters and continue racial admissions at the University. President Coleman was forced to back off her statement and comply with the law after meeting with Michigan's Attorney General. Sincerely, Rachel Alexander, Chair Yes on 107! www.ArizonaCRI.org

Jen Gratz trounces Kyrsten Sinema in Prop. 107 debate on Fox 10

In a debate last night on Fox 10, Jennifer Gratz from the Yes on 107 campaign took on Rep. Kyrsten Sinema from the opposition campaign, who is considered the most far left legislator in the Arizona legislature. Sinema claimed that Arizona State University does not consider race or gender in university admissions. Gratz refuted this bald-faced lie, reading from a court pleading filed by Arizona State University where it admitted it did take those factors into consideration.


Next, Sinema claimed that Prop. 107 would jeopardize certain programs geared at women and minorities. Gratz responded by pointing out that where this initiative has passed in other states, those kinds of programs have continued to exist.


Finally, Sinema complained that women only make 70 cents for every dollar that men make, so they still need preferences. Gratz retorted that Prop. 107 would equal the playing field for EVERYONE, so everyone would be treated the same, not better or worse. If women are making less than men for the same job, they should be treated the same - not better or worse.

More lies being spread about Prop. 107 by its opponents

A flyer full of misinformation is being distributed by the misnamed "Protect Arizona's Freedom" which opposes Prop. 107 (it really should be named "Protect Arizona's Freedom to Discriminate in Government"). It claims that certain programs which assist women and minorities could be eliminated if Prop. 107 passes. This is false. Where this initiative has passed in other states, these programs have not been eliminated. Not a single one. 


Let's analyze each program that is claimed to be in jeopardy:


City of Phoenix teen parents program
This program is for both moms and dads, not just women, so Prop. 107 doesn't apply. And Prop. 107 doesn't apply for a second reason, this program does not fall within the area of government contracting, higher education, or employment. Prop. 107 only applies to government contracting, higher education and employment. It does not affect other aspects of life involving government such as government health, childcare, etc. 


Programs that encourage women to have careers in math or science
As long as these programs allow men to participate, they can continue. These kinds of organizations have continued by permitting men to participate in states like Michigan where this initiative has passed. It has not hurt their effectiveness - most men could care less about participating in a program geared to women. 


Domestic violence treatment and prevention
These programs are for both men and women, not just women, so Prop. 107 does not apply. And even if there were any that only allowed women to participate, they do not fall within the area of government contracting, higher education, or employment. 


The YWCA Bright Futures Program for young women
This does not fall within the area of government contracting, higher education, or employment. 


The Summer Bridge Program for Native American students
As long as this program permits non-Native American students to participate if they so choose, it will not be eliminated. In addition, if this program receives federal funding contingent upon the preference, Prop. 107 does not apply, there is an exception crafted into the Prop. 107 language for programs that would lose federal funding if race or gender preferences were eliminated.