I’ll preface any comments I make about the CBS poll that was just released today that it is early and could change, but I found it very interesting especially after Democrats have accused Republicans for declaring a war on women. Not only is Mitt Romney leading President Barack Obama among all voters 46% to 43%, he also leads among women 46% to 44%.
While you aren’t seeing a huge wave of support one way or another over same sex marriage Romney gets more of a boast because of his opposition (23% say they are more likely to vote for Romney, 20% among independents) than what Obama sees from his support (16% are more likely, 14% among independents). 25% of voters registered said they were less likely to support Obama as a result of his endorsement, 22% of independents.
Also nationally 51% of Americans don’t believe same sex marriage should not be made legal. While certainly you see this as a prevailing view among Republicans (81%), a majority of independents (53%) say it should not be made legal and 25% of Democrats say it shouldn’t be. There is, to be expected, a gap when you compare 18-44-year-olds to those 45 or older. A majority among younger voters 55% to 44% believe same sex marriage should be legal. A majority of older Americans believe it shouldn’t be, by a larger margin, 56% to 31%. 50% of those surveyed favor a marriage amendment.
Looking at 2012 while the economy still is the top issue, an issue that Obama will have problems with, his position on same-sex marriage isn’t going to do him any favors either. So from a political point of view his recent endorsement seems like a miscalculation on Obama’s part and will do him more harm than good. Especially when coupled with a struggling economy.
Shane Vander Hart
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Not doing him any favors? He’ll get my vote that I had been planning on using for Romney. I doubt I’m the only person who has changed their mind and decided to vote got Obama because of this HUGE issue.
Jack, that is anecdotal. I doubt you are the only person either, but polling suggests Obama will lose more votes than gain over this issue.
Listen to what he said “for me, personally…” see that, he hasn’t come out and said he’ll be pushing for legalization even if he did nothing would come of it. It’s like the abortion issue, a candidate can say their pro-life but nothing will change. Let’s assume for a second that by some miracle Obama does get gay marriage legalized is it worth the cost of having Obama for another 4yrs? Are you going to reminisce about how Obama got gay marriage passed as you wait 4hrs on the breadline because his policies ran this country and economy into the ground?