Same-sex marriage views pose little risk to Obama, poll suggests

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(CBS News) President Obama's announcement last month that he supports same-sex marriage may not hurt him politically, a new poll suggests.

An Associated Press-GfK survey released Friday shows that Mr. Obama's announcement hasn't really changed voters' views about the way the president handles social issues: 52 percent said they trust Mr. Obama to do a better job than Mitt Romney when it comes to handling issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, while 36 percent sided to Romney. The poll results were similar to the results from a poll conducted a week before Mr. Obama's announcement.

Since Mr. Obama changed his views on same-sex marriage, more Democrats now say they strongly approve of the president's handling of the issue -- 41 percent say that, compared to 26 percent who said so last August. At the same time, more Republicans now say they strongly disapprove of his handling of the issue (53 percent compared to 45 percent in August).

The poll also showed that views on same-sex marriage have not really changed, with 42 percent of Americans opposing it and 40 percent in support of it. Last August, according to AP, 45 percent opposed same-sex marriage and 42 percent favored it.

Poll after poll shows that the economy is vastly more important to voters than the issue of same-sex marriage, but the issue is a continued subject of debate in Washington and the states. In a federal court filing issued in Connecticut this week, lawyers for House Republicans suggested they could soon ask the Supreme Court to weigh in on the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage for federal purposes as between a man and a woman.

[rennin1]

Gay rights proponents say that homosexuality is not a choice; rather it is genetic. If that is so, then there must be a gay gene that is recessive and that gets passed down from one generation to the next through carriers of this gay gene having sex with opposite sex people. If gay rights proponents had the strength of their convictions they would admit that by attempting to remove the stigma associated with gays getting married to each other they are making it less likely that gays will marry and have children with opposite sex people. This means that it will become even less likely that gays will pass their gay gene onto the next generation. The result is inescapable; legalizing gay marriage will reduce the number of gay children born each year and those who favor gay marriage are doing more to eliminate gays from society than anything that opponents of gay marriage could possibly do.

[nygurl1]

I'm happy you found a way to justify something you know nothing about!

[rennin1]

nygurl1 said, "I'm happy you found a way to justify something you know nothing about!"
Wrong! If someone believes that homosexuality is genetic, then the last thing they should want is gay marriage. This is because gay marriage will reduce the incidence of carriers of the gay gene from having heterosexual sex, thereby reducing the number of gay children born each year. So, ask yourself this question, "who is more antigay, someone who advocates creating an institution that will reduce the number of gays in our society, or someone who tries to warn others about the consequences that gay marriage will have on the gay population.

[JamesSao]

Other than a few gays nobody cares. Just another Obama pandering scheme to buy votes. As a good Chicago boy it's what he knows. Those who love him will vote for him, those who don't; won't. Those in the middle could care less about gays. Think of your failed policies Obama. That's what I care about.

[nygurl1]

You mean those failed policies the reps deep-sixed?

[ObamasGuppies]

It's the economy stupid.

[nygurl1]

Really! In what way? Details please.

[Ulgnud]

It was pointed out before. His position on those who choose the gay lifestyle is a political move. Nothing more.

[ObamasGuppies]

Fascist Obama will kiss anyones as* for a vote/money.

[nygurl1]

It is NOT a life-style! You are born gay or straight! NO CHOICE!

[skithebumps]

Failed to improve the economy.
Failed to lower the unemployment numbers.
Failed to end the war in Iraq.
Failed on all of his promises.
But...oh...he supports homosexual "marriage"!
What a jerk.

Obama: One. Term. President.

[realist2010]

You didn't get a single thing right in your analysis and he is also for letting people who are openly conservative marry and vote. You were born that way and we accept that.

[doubleecho-2009]

I really just HAVE to reply to the comment by vsmit. The Romans did extraordinary well in their extensive conquest of neighboring civilizations, so long as they "incorporated" the beliefs of the conquered into their own belief system. They basically let the "conquered" live as they always did, with the exception of paying Roman tribute.
Once they decided on a strictly christain religious take, it alienated most of the conquered territories(even though they tried to equate christian & pagan religious timing).

[doubleecho-2009]

I just attented a gay wedding last weekend. It was exceptionally "normal". Why be so silly about the situation! As the population has grown, so has grown the number of those who are attracted to the same sex. So What?

[realist2010]

When did the Republican party put out the welcome mat for the profoundly ignorant in this country? It's turned into a club for people who ate lead paint in the 1950's and 60's.

[doubleecho-2009]

It REALLY is a sorry sight! I would WELCOME any chance to actually debate a "current issue", but the mainstream right commentary is now all about bashing Obama, or those that oppose their extremist doctrine.

[nygurl1]

Nah! The paste wouldn't do it. The lead in the water now....

[Misanthrope-Obama]

Homosexuals are of so little consequence whether Obama or Romney win in Nov that the media should keep bringing them up peroid. As far as that goes, they don't matter at all to most people and discount and forget them.

The only reason the media constantly brings them up is for their own political agenda to give them power and credibilty.
No one cares but the media and of course the homosexuals.

[Misanthrope-Obama]

You must live in a "den" of iniquity, Obamaforyou

[hillzhavays]

I think in reality far less people than that approve of same sex marriage but because of the sheer inundation of positive press in the media, it has the appearance of approval.

People not wanting to appear politically incorrect will give false positives.

With an issue like this, a random sample of 1007 people just isn't enough to provide reliable results.

In my personal opinion, I could care less who marries who. I just worry about myself.