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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyJanuary 15th, 2013
The National Journal hosts a panel they call Political Insiders, consisting of a selected group of about a hundred politicians (current and retired), consultants and strategists from each party. Obviously, the panel isn’t necessarily representative of the larger political class, but it can be a good indication of how the pulse is beating on several issues. A recent Political Insiders question asked the following:
| Which statement comes closest to your political views on gay marriage? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Democrats (109 votes) |
Republicans (99 votes) |
|
| My party should support it | 97% | 27% |
| My party should oppose it | 0% | 11% |
| My party should avoid the issue | 2% | 48% |
| Other | 1% | 14% |
A few select responses:
“Wouldn’t it be fascinating if for once the Republicans were on the front side of a historic wave, rather than thrashed around in the undertow?” one GOP insider asked.
…”The lines have been drawn on this. Such a polarizing topic, and given other pressing issues, this is a red herring with dynamite taped to its back. No good can come from messing with it,” another added.
That second line is indicative of how far we’ve come in such a short time. It was only a few years ago when you’d hear Democrats muttering those rueful sentiments. But now, only 2% of the Dems on this panel want to avoid it, with 97% seeing it as both a winning issue and the right position to take. My, but how the wedge has shifted.
I wonder though, is there any other issue — any issue at all — in which nearly half of the Republican members of this panel think the party should avoid?
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Neon Genesis
January 15th, 2013
“I wonder though, is there any other issue — any issue at all — in which nearly half of the Republican members of this panel think the party should avoid?”
Gun control laws and climate change?
Jim Burroway
January 15th, 2013
I don’t think so. Given the three main choices — oppose, support, and just hope that nobody brings it up — it seems to me that much of the GOP have selected curtain #1 for both of those issues.
Timothy Kincaid
January 15th, 2013
Abortion. Immigration reform.
Jim Burroway
January 15th, 2013
They haven’t been the least bit shy about opposing abortion and taking a pretty hard line at it.
But I do suspect immigration reform might be an area that large numbers might wish would go away.
Timothy Kincaid
January 15th, 2013
Well they have been pretty vocal about abortion in the past but I suspect more are wishin the issue would disappear.
What I find truly fascinating is that more republicans in this group support marriage than oppose it. Way more. More than twice as many. That’s crazy progress, that is.
Neon Genesis
January 16th, 2013
The GOP is still active against abortion but they would rather their more extremist pro-rape members would go away. The NRA would much rather we get distracted by violent video games and Hollywood movies than to actually try to improve the state of our gun control laws.
markanthony
January 16th, 2013
I think this survey shows how difficult it is to find successful leaders in secular fields who personally oppose rights for LGB people, particularly in a diverse and brutally competitive place like DC.
Ben in Oakland
January 16th, 2013
If we don’t talk about it, maybe someone else will do the dirty work for us?
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