On D-Day For Prop 8 Appeal, Wingnuts Launch Last Ditch Effort With Lt. Governor

Today is the deadline for the state government of California to file an appeal of the overturn of Proposition 8, something Gov. Schwarzenegger and AG Jerry Brown have steadfastly refused to do. But, aha! Schwarzenegger is in CHINA this week and THAT means anti-gay Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado is legally in charge. Via Christian Newswire.

A group of conservative leaders led by former attorney general candidate John Eastman have asked to meet with Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado to discuss his support of an appeal in a federal court suit regarding Proposition 8. While the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled a December hearing of a lower court’s decision overturning the voter approved initiative, there is some question whether the proponents of the measure have standing to argue the case before the court. The Attorney General and the Governor clearly have authority to file the appeal. But, both Jerry Brown and Arnold Schwarzenegger have refused to do so based on their personal opposition to Proposition 8. But Abel Maldonado is a supporter of Proposition 8 and hopefully more willing to honor the obligations of his office than the current Attorney General has been” says Eastman. “Importantly, while the Governor is traveling outside of the State, all of the rights and responsibilities of the office of Governor rest with Mr. Maldonado.”

Maldonado is running against SF Mayor Gavin Newsom for Lieutenant Governor. Christianists say he could win lots of points with them if he files the appeal.

"Proposition 8 will be an issue in Mr. Maldonado's race for Lieutenant Governor" notes Karen England, Executive Director of Capitol Resource Institute. "After all, he is running against Gavin Newsom. This is Maldonado's chance to make clear that no one individual should be able to disregard a law, as Newsom did, or fail to defend a law as Brown is doing." Mike Spence, former President of the California Republican Assembly notes, "more than a few conservatives are still angry with the Lieutenant Governor for votes while he was in the California Legislature. The simple act of filing this appeal could wipe away many bad memories."

Stand by, folks.