The results
of a new CNN poll of likely Republican primary voters
in New Hampshire showed "gay marriage"
barely registers on their radar as an important
issue to be considered in the 2008 election.
The poll,
released this week, asked, "In your opinion,
which one issue is most important to your vote in the
presidential primary?" The results of the
survey showed the crowning issue for Republican voters in
the state is the Iraq war, followed by illegal
immigration and the economy. Same-sex marriage
ranked 17 on a list of 20 potential answers; 19 and 20
were "other" and "no opinion," respectively.
"This poll
of Republican voters confirms what many of us in the GOP
already knew--the GOP primary election should focus on
the issues rank-and-file Republicans care about, and
same-sex marriage isn't one of them,"
said Log Cabin Republicans president Patrick Sammon.
"Republican candidates should focus on issues
that unite our party, instead of using marriage as a
wedge issue in this campaign."
"This poll sends a loud and clear
message to Republican candidates," said Sammon.
"Our party is hungry for leadership on the big issues
of the day, such as the war in Iraq, reforming
immigration, homeland security, and keeping our
economy strong. If we are going to keep the White
House in 2008, we must focus on these issues instead
of getting bogged down by the politics of
division." The poll was conducted by the University
of New Hampshire Survey Center for CNN and WMUR in New
Hampshire. (The Advocate)