Dear Friend,

It’s one of my favorite Christmas movie scenes— George Bailey running through the snow, desperate to make sense of the town and people he thought he knew … before everything turned upside down.

Of course, I’m talking about It’s a Wonderful Life, the 1946 classic starring Jimmy Stewart—a movie that says more about the role that you and I play in modern-day American politics than we might expect.

If you’ve seen the movie, you know that Bailey (played by Stewart) has selflessly served the people of his community for years. Then through a sudden cascade of dire circumstances, Bailey wishes he’d never been born. And in a surprising twist, he gets his wish long enough to see how the world would have been without his involvement.

As he desperately runs through the town now known as Pottersville, he’s shocked to see casinos, nightclubs and a rude, harsh culture that was so unlike the family-friendly Bedford Falls he helped to build.

Just as George Bailey made a much greater difference in his life than he realized, so your faithful actions on behalf of Focus on the Family Action™ are yielding greater fruit than any of us might have imagined, especially in this difficult political environment of 2009.

Your support of Focus Action in the last 12 months has helped us “fight the good fight” on behalf of truth and righteousness in dozens of states, not to mention major efforts on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.—with results that are surprising and encouraging!

The battle that could decide marriage … for all of America

Before I get to a rather impressive 2009 “checklist”—and a look ahead at 2010—let me share with you one of the many ways that your support for Focus Action is shining a light in our nation. As you’ll recall, in 2008 the voters of California passed Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that protected marriage and overturned the state Supreme Court’s ruling that had imposed same-sex “marriage” a few months earlier. Focus on the Family® was deeply involved, investing more than half a million dollars in Prop 8.

But that battle isn’t over. In fact, it looks as though the legal battle over Prop 8 may very well be the one that decides the fate of marriage for the entire nation.

That battle starts in San Francisco early next year.

You see, homosexual activists have filed a challenge to Prop 8 in federal district court in the most pro-gay city in the nation. And they are going all-out to win. In fact, they have assembled a legal dream team to argue their case, however far it goes. You may recognize the names of their top two attorneys: Ted Olson and David Boies. They were the two lawyers on opposing sides of the Bush v. Gore case that decided the 2000 presidential election. Now, they’ve joined forces to try to impose same-sex “marriage” on the nation.

Indeed, marriage law in every state is what is at stake here. For whichever side loses in district court will certainly appeal to the infamously liberal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. And from there, an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is virtually guaranteed as well.

Thus, as we’ve anticipated for years, the clock is likely now ticking on a ruling from the highest court in the land on the constitutionality of state marriage amendments. That could potentially have grave implications not just for California, but for every state, including each of the 30 states that have passed marriage amendments.

With so much at stake, Focus Action made the decision to step into the fray in a major way by committing a substantial amount—on a monthly basis, as needed—to the legal defense of Prop 8. Already, this effort has begun to pay off. The first legal brief by our pro-marriage legal team has been called “the most comprehensive and convincing defense of marriage” ever presented in a marriage case. ¹

I have no second thoughts about this ongoing financial commitment, because I believe that this case, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, may very well become the Roe v. Wade of marriage. ² However, this commitment is going to put serious pressure on Focus Action as we seek to engage in dozens of other state and federal issue battles in the months ahead.

To that end, your support of Focus Action is appreciated and needed more than ever. Would you consider a special year-end gift to help us in protecting marriage and so many other important causes around the country?

Your impact on an incredible 2009

Like George Bailey, it can be easy for you and me to get discouraged and think we aren’t making a difference. But the reality is that we are! And just imagine if you and I and thousands of other Focus Action supporters and activists hadn’t been there, how much damage would have been done and how many victories would have been missed.

For starters, look at the impact that you and I had in last month’s elections.

• In Virginia, Focus Action worked with The Family Foundation Action, our state family policy council (FPC), in a major effort to inform voters and increase voter turnout through distribution of voter guides, mailings and other communications. On Election Night, solid pro-family candidates swept the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general races (all winning with at least 56 percent ³), and family advocates made gains in the general assembly as well.
• In New Jersey, Focus Action worked with New Jersey Family First to inform voters in similar ways to what we did in Virginia. With traditional marriage hanging by a thread in New Jersey, this was a critical election. Incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine wrapped himself in the same-sex “marriage” issue, even saying that gay “marriage” was “on the ballot” with him this year. ⁴ But New Jersey voters solidly rejected Corzine, despite his massive financial advantage in the race. And there is some evidence that his strong advocacy for same-sex “marriage” hurt voter turnout among inner-city minorities ⁵, a constituency that Democrats normally count on for support. For the first time in recent memory, New Jersey will have a governor who can generally be considered pro-family.
• The biggest victory of all may have been in Maine, where voters overturned the Legislature’s decision to pass same-sex “marriage” last spring. The six-point loss for same-sex “marriage” shocked gay activists, who saw the Maine vote as their best chance to finally defeat traditional marriage on a statewide ballot. As ABC News® reported, “The tide of extending marriage rights to same-sex couples—which has swept across New England in recent months—has stopped at Maine.” ⁶ Because Focus Action had taken up the slack elsewhere around the nation, our sister organization—Focus on the Family®—was able to spend more than $115,000 to assist the pro-marriage effort in Maine. So, because of your support for Focus Action, score yourself an indirect but important assist on this huge win in Maine!
• In Washington State, where Focus Action was very active, it appears as I write that voters have narrowly approved a domestic partnership measure passed by the Legislature earlier this year. However, that surprisingly narrow margin may have a big silver lining. Gay activists have promised to push through a full-fledged same-sex “marriage” bill, ⁷ but the tight vote on domestic partnerships may chill their enthusiasm for their more aggressive agenda.

In addition to election activity in 2009, you also helped pave the way—through your support, prayers and action—for significant legislative action and other work in state after state:

• In Hawaii, you helped make a major difference in the defeat of a civil unions bill that everyone expected to pass. Focus Action contributed $20,000 for advertising and to help our state FPC organize citizen opposition. ⁸
• In New Hampshire, years of hard work paid off when Cornerstone Policy Research became our 37th associated state FPC. ⁹ Focus Action also worked vigorously with Cornerstone to soundly defeat a transgender “bathroom bill.” ¹⁰ We’ll be working with them again in the 2010 election season to lay the groundwork for repeal of same-sex “marriage.”
• In addition to our work defending Prop 8, your support also helped us engage repeatedly with the California Legislature in 2009, with some success. Although it’s very difficult to stop even extreme bills in this radical legislature, it’s vital that we put up a fight so that California citizens know what’s happening. And there are signs that Californians are waking up. A recent poll found that the California Legislature has a 13 percent approval rating ¹¹—the worst in the state’s history! With continued work, that could mean big changes in 2010!
• In North Dakota, you played a major role in defeating a sexual orientation scheme that had passed the state senate and had lots of momentum in the house. Focus Action resources and calls to action helped our state FPC defeat that bill as well as to pass two important pro-life bills. A woman seeking an abortion in North Dakota must now be told that “the abortion will terminate the life of a separate, unique, living, human being” and must be offered the chance to see an active ultrasound of her baby. ¹²
• In Texas, Focus Action was vigorously engaged in helping our FPC, Free Market Foundation, defeat gambling bills ¹³ and influence state education standards that now require that both sides of the intelligent design versus evolution debate be presented. ¹⁴ Because Texas standards have a huge influence on textbook publishers, this victory will likely be felt around the nation.
• With your help, we were also active in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

We’re also investing in major new technological and informational tools to allow our state groups to more easily adapt and implement successful lobbying strategies from state to state. In a period when donors’ dollars are often stretched thin, this is a great way to leverage resources and help dozens of pro-family groups at the same time. I’m very excited about this economy of scale that your support is helping us to provide to this outstanding network of state organizations.

Fighting—and winning—in Washington, D.C.

As busy as we have been with state activity, we’ve been just as busy in Washington, D.C., this year. Family advocates were understandably pretty gloomy a year ago with President Obama and his allies taking firm control of the White House and Congress. But as I told you last January, we saw opportunities to win some key issue battles and, with your help, that happened!

For example, at the earliest sign that abortion advocates in Congress were pushing for taxpayer funding of abortions, we hit Congress hard. More than 300,000 Americans signed our petition opposing tax funding of abortions, and numerous calls to action produced untold thousands of phone calls and e-mails that made those sentiments clear to congressmen and senators.

With other pro-life groups also turning up the heat, congressional leaders became very nervous about stirring up controversy on this issue. However, it became clear during the summer that abortion backers were stealthily aiming to accomplish much of their agenda through the health care reform plans. Since then, we have already spent more than $400,000 working to defeat ObamaCare.

With your help, we have generated more than 130,000 phone calls opposing ObamaCare into targeted House and Senate offices. We know these phone calls happened because our operators actually connected concerned citizens with their local congressional offices. And we delivered nearly 150,000 petitions to many of those same members of Congress who are considered swing votes.”

In addition, we have used the long reach of the “Focus on the Family” daily radio broadcast—heard on more than 1,000 stations in America—to inform and motivate more than a million listeners to resist this giant government takeover of health care and its abortion mandate.

And on the Internet, our news and commentary videos have been viewed more than 2 million times this year. Some of these videos are incredibly creative and even downright funny—prompting viewers to share them with friends and spread the message even further. Many of this year’s videos have dealt with the problems of ObamaCare. All of this work paid off in a huge way as, suddenly, abortion became a major, publicly discussed “sticking point” in the health care debate. A Google® news search on health care reform and abortion turns up nearly 5,500 news stories, with such striking headlines as this one from The Washington Post: “Democrats’ concerns over abortion may imperil health bill.”

As I write, the battle has now shifted to the U.S. Senate. For many different reasons, this may be the most important battle in Congress in years. We’re going all out to ensure that life is protected and that ObamaCare—or at least its most problematic parts—will be defeated. We’ll be working to the end!

“This is their one shot” —why 2010 is so critical

Of course, in addition to all of the wins, there were also losses in 2009. A good example is the creation of a new category of federal “hate crimes” law which includes sexual orientation and “gender identity” as protected classes. In past years, we were able to swing enough votes our way to stop this dangerous threat to religious freedom. But following the 2008 elections, the numbers were so stacked in favor of “hate crimes” expansion that it was impossible to stop, and President Obama recently signed it into law. ¹⁵

That is a stark reminder that elections matter. That’s why Focus Action is gearing up as never before for next year’s critical mid-term elections. My senior staff and I have already been mapping out creative new strategies for informing and mobilizing pro-family voters. We even held our first candidate training, which was well attended and a huge success.

Pundits on all sides are holding their breath as they anticipate the importance of next year’s elections. Even Vice President Biden recently admitted that the 2010 election could be “the end of the road for what Barack and I are trying to do.” But he also said: “This is their one shot. If they don’t break the back of our effort in this upcoming election, you’re going to see the things we said we’re for, happen.” ¹⁶

As we continue to prepare for election-related activity, we’re going to have our hands full with state and federal legislative action next year. And that’s not to mention our ongoing commitment to defend Prop 8 and the 29 other state marriage amendments. We appreciate your prayers and support in these coming months.

As I close, let me extend to you our warmest Christmas wishes from Dr. Dobson, Jim Daly and the entire Focus Action team. I appreciate so much your prayers, your generosity, your encouragement and your willingness to make your voice heard for truth and righteousness.

Bedford Falls or Pottersville? That question is a good reminder this time of year to stay involved in our communities—and, yes, in politics and public policy—for the good of all people. God bless you for staying faithful and standing strong.

Sincerely,

Tom Minnery
Senior Vice President
Government and Public Policy

P.S. Your support has allowed us to win many battles this year. Thank you for being such a vital part
of this team!

 

Endnotes
1 Statement by Focus Action Legal Analyst Bruce Hausknecht, J.D., 9/24/09.
2 http://www.citizenlink.com/2009/08/perry-v-schwarzenegger-the-roe-v-wade-of-marriage/
3 http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Election_Information/Election_Results/2009/November_General_
Election.html?race=GOV
4 http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20090621__Evolving__Corzine_gives_gay_marriage_big_
spot_in_campaign.html?viewAll=y
5 New Jersey Family First news release, 11/3/09.
6 http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/maine-gay-marriage-law-repealed/story?id=8992720
7 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008678540_apwaxgrdomesticpartnerships2ndld
writethru.html
8 http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_12078824?source=bb
9 http://www.citizenlink.com/state-groups/
10 http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?articleId=f6b7627d-ef95-4dd3-911a-f4fbd321e62c&headline=St
ate+House+Dome%3A+Transgender+rights+in+’bathroom+bill’
11 http://field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2315.pdf
12 http://www.citizenlink.com/2009/09/citizenlink-north-dakota-family-alliance-receives-focus-actions-family-champion-award/13 Emily Ramshaw, “Gambling bills can’t beat the odds; Backers say stimulus funds played into opponents’
hands,” The Dallas Morning News, 14 May 2009, p. 1A.
14 http://www.citizenlink.com/2009/09/citizenlink-free-market-foundation-of-texas-receives-focus-actions-family-champion-award/15 http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/28/hate.crimes/index.html
16 http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/09/22/biden/index.html

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