The GOP May Regret Its Lasting Battle Against Gay Marriage

[onehandle]

Same-sex marriage is supported by most Americans. And after last week’s landmark Supreme Court decision, it’s also the law of the land. But how it will play out in the presidential campaign is far from settled. While the 2016 Democratic presidential candidates were quick to embrace the Supreme Court’s decision, the Republican candidates — beyond saying that marriage should remain between a man and a woman — were split.

Some Republicans, including Marco Rubio, said the country must abide by “the law of the land.” Jeb Bush essentially agreed, calling for additional protections for those who object to the decision on religious grounds. The candidates further to the right, including Scott Walker and Ted Cruz, took a stronger stand, calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn the court’s ruling and allow for states to ban same-sex marriage. Cruz even said the Supreme Court decision was part of the “darkest 24 hours” in the nation’s history.

A look at public opinion on same-sex marriage and what drives party affiliation suggests that Cruz, Walker and the other candidates on the right may be risking the party’s appeal in the general election. The Republican Party’s opposition to same-sex marriage is one of the top positions that may have kept voters from identifying with and potentially voting for the GOP.

Polling generally suggests that same-sex marriage is not a top issue for most voters. A February CNN/ORC survey found that just 17 percent of Americans said the issue of gay marriage would be “extremely important” in choosing a candidate to support for president — the lowest of any of nine issues tested.

But digging deeper provides a different perspective. Beyond the importance voters place upon it directly, gay marriage may have symbolic power because of the messages it sends to voters about the parties.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-gop-may-regret-its-lasting-battle-against-gay-marriage

[iandhr]

1. I am amazed how fast the politics have turned

on marriage equality

[Xipe Totec]

3. Faster than unpasteurized milk on a hot day. nt

[Agschmid]

2. Kick.

Fools.

[madville]

4. Add it to the list with their 100 other regrets

I wish I had a $1 for every post about GOP regrets or that a certain issue was going to be their downfall, they just keep sticking around and winning elections like cockroaches.

Most polling I've seen shows an even split on the marriage equality issue, usually around 45% both for and against gay marriage and 10% who don't care. This issue helps just as much as it hurts, it's a wash politically.