Gay Marriage And The GOP

The Atlantic ^ | 04 Dec 2008 | Andrew Sullivan

[Lorianne]

In so many ways, it's a very small issue, directly affecting only 2 to 3 percent of the population. But the gay issue really is becoming a defining catalyst for Republicanism in many ways. New polling on Prop 8 reveals the kind of political coalition that focusing on same-sex marriage has created for the GOP:

Evangelical or born-again Christians (85%) were far more likely than others (42%) to vote yes.

Three in four Republicans (77%) voted yes, two in three Democrats (65%) voted no, and independents were more closely divided (52% yes, 48% no).

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate John McCain were far more likely than those who backed President-elect Barack Obama to vote yes (85% vs. 30%).

Latinos (61%) were more likely than whites (50%) to vote yes; and 57 percent of Latinos, Asians, and blacks combined voted yes. (Samples sizes for Asians and blacks are too small to report separately.)

Voters without a college degree (62%) were far more likely than college graduates (43%) to vote yes.

The trouble for the GOP is that this is one of very few issues on which Asians, Latinos and blacks vote for them. But it reinforces the identity of the party as primarily that of white, less educated fundamentalist voters. I've no doubt there's a place for such a party in American politics. I also have little doubt it will never be a majority.

[jessduntno]

Confusing poll numbers without secret key: yes means no and no means yes.

[misterrob]

Hey Randy Andy...

Obama doesn’t support you marrying your boyfriend either and yet you voted for him!!!!!

[musicman]

[marktwain]

“In so many ways, it's a very small issue, directly affecting only 2 to 3 percent of the population.”

---

The above is an absolutely false statement. It directly affects 100% of the population. “Gay” marriage is just a peripheral part of the issue. When you say that it is a constitutional right for any two people to marry, it effectively destroys the institution of marriage as a part of the laws of our society.

[Lorianne]

I wonder why we never hear about that!

[goldstategop]

Traditional values will never go out of style... no matter what Andrew Sullivan says!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[fifedom]

Anything by this flake should have ‘barf alert’ in its title.

[goldstategop]

It affects all of us. Perhaps Sullivan can explain why amendments backing traditional marriage passed in 30 states in the country if as he contends, the social conservative viewpoint will be a minority one in American politics in the future.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[AmericanGirlRising]

Andrew Sullivan doesn’t get the pleasure of telling Republicans how to run their party. Although he seems more interested in chatting about the GOP than in shenanigans in his own party, his opinions are unwelcome and not to be taken for anything other than ridiculous drivel. This advice from the same desperate hack that spread the rumor online that Trig Palin was not the child of Sarah Palin but belonged to Bristol Palin.

Shame on you Andrew Sullivan.

[calcowgirl]

But it reinforces the identity of the party as primarily that of white, less educated fundamentalist voters.

Aw, shucks! And I thought the party was known as a bunch of big-business war-mongerers that wanted to destroy the planet!

[goldstategop]

And all those Latino and Black voters are "less educated fundamentalists" too? Sullivan won't go there. But hey - bashing whites is politically correct!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[fortunecookie]

Obama doesn’t support you marrying your boyfriend either and yet you voted for him!!!!!

You said it. That is really starting to get on my nerves. The gay community is thrilled to pieces with Obama, yet he doesn't support gay marriage. The Dems in NY want to abstain from the gay marriage vote despite the fact that the community mobilized and donated to help get/keep them in office, yet the gay community is protesting the FL governor's wedding, not the NY Dems. No one is batting an eye when Rosie (who is married, isn't she?) refused to step up and campaign against Prop 8 yet the gay community is harassing those who did vote for Prop 8. So much hypocrisy, so little time.

[JSDude1]

More likely Andrew S. is really just trying to (pre-emptively) strike now against his fear-that this coalition would really happen in the US. Well it is possible..and may be the saving grace of the Republican Party (or the Conservative movement, at least)! IT will happen, and be a permanent governing majority, Andrew. Then we can recriminalize “sodomy” ;)!

[SuziQ]

The trouble for the GOP is that this is one of very few issues on which Asians, Latinos and blacks vote for them. But it reinforces the identity of the party as primarily that of white, less educated fundamentalist voters. I've no doubt there's a place for such a party in American politics. I also have little doubt it will never be a majority.

Andrew just keeps on mis-underestimating the Republicans. But it does point up something very important. The Republicans DO need to reach out to Hispanic and Black voters, who share our conservative mindset. If that happens, the Democrats, and not a few RINOs will be scared spitless.

[dbz77]

And all those Latino and Black voters are "less educated fundamentalists" too?

Every precinct in the west side of Long Beach (where I grew up) voted for Prop. 8. About half of the population there are Mexicans, and at three-sevenths are Filipino.

[Grunthor]

Another of those “queers good” “God bad” articles?