By Eddie Gutierrez

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's political future rides on how his package of propositions fares in the Nov. 8 special election, and recent behind-the-scenes moves show that the governor is doing whatever it takes to win.

Though he rode into office on a wave of popularity as a rich action hero promising to "kick butt," reform government, and not sell out to special interests, press reports indicate that Schwarzenegger has repeatedly bowed to GOP special interests. The governor advanced the right-wing agenda by vetoing the marriage equality bill, and he has raised more money from special interests than Gray Davis, the governor he replaced in the recall election. Schwarzenegger even refused to meet with President Bush at an event honoring the late President Ronald Reagan because, the governor complained, Bush was siphoning away money that could have gone to him.

As his $60 million special election draws closer and the governor's poll ratings flounder, it looks like he is willing to do whatever it takes to pass Propositions 73-77.

Circumventing his less than 18 percent approval rating among Latinos, Schwarzenegger has spent more than $1 million in Latino voter guides featuring pictures of families instead of him. He is also spending about $1.7 million in Spanish-language ads in key Univision markets like Los Angeles and Fresno.

The latest move is the hiring of Bush re-election campaign operative Gary Marx to turn out right-wing voters by hyping and skewing the parental notification measure, Proposition 73. This is the same tactic used last year to pass 11 state constitutional amendments to ban marriage equality. If the strategy works, it'll be used against the LGBT community next year when we face the proposed constitutional amendment to repeal legally recognized domestic partnerships and permanently ban marriage equality. Anti-gay groups are also using union support of the marriage equality bill to divide rank and file members to support Proposition 75.

It's a pre-determined strategy. "When Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes the homosexual marriage bill," GOP Assemblymember Chuck Devore wrote in a conservative publication, "he will galvanize much-needed conservative support behind his soon to be announced re-election campaign. His actions will remind conservatives that the Governator is the only thing standing between them and the extreme liberals who run the California State Legislature."

LGBT groups have joined a coalition of families, teachers, firefighters, and nurses battling the Schwarzenegger propositions. We need to show the governor that there are political consequences for playing politics-as-usual when he takes back his promise to be the governor of the people. When asked why we should get involved with these non-gay groups, we must remind them that LGBT people are families, teachers, firefighters, too. Sharing knowledge and working in strong coalitions is how we will achieve and maintain full equality.

Civil rights movements, in particular the women's and LGBT movement, have a long history of supporting each other. It is time we show some muscle and make sure we get out and vote and are finally counted as a viable political force that cares.

Eddie Gutierrez is the communications director for Equality California.