"rcrocket"
Media reports indicate the "no" side had lots more ads on radio and TV than did the "yes" side. The timing was different; "yes" started early and "no" concentrated their ads in the last two or three weeks.
That may be true, but they were not putting their ads or information in the right places then or I would have seen more of them. The Mormons still had a much superior effort and
organization at the grass roots level, and through the use of internet radio, etc.. I live in a conservative county and like I already mentioned, was bombarded with "yes" ads, calls, and signs but the "no" side seemed pretty dead until a week before the election.
In my opinion, the "no" side was unprepared and would have planned a much more aggressive and intelligent campaign (that missionary ad was so poorly done) had they understood the involvement and power of Mormons who were following church leadership. When they finally realized what was happening it was too late. Elder Ballard said in a recent interview something like "when the leaders give us direction we follow it" and "we know how to get things done" about the Prop 8 effort.
He's right.
The "yes" side was derided for deceptive ads as well, but I was involved in the campaign and I didn't see it. Although I disagreed with the little fliers going around saying that ministers could be sued for refusing to perform marriages, and I think I had a hand in stopping some of these sillier arguments, none of that silliness made it into broadcast media. There were no "lies" in the broadcast media on the "yes" side. When you hear that claim made, ask for an example and ask to be pointed to a specific video.
There was a lot of fear-mongering coming from the "yes" side in their ads, internet videos being passed around, and chain e-mails sent to me. For example, the lesbian wedding field trip......... which the real story was nothing like what I had been sent from "yes" supporters.