Scroll To Top
Marriage Equality

Republican Political Insiders: Marriage Equality an Issue Best Avoided

Marriage_opinionx400

'We increasingly look prejudiced, and not a little stupid, on this issue,' says one Republican respondent to a National Journal poll.

trudestress

Sorry to interrupt...
But we wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading. Your support makes original LGBTQ+ reporting possible. Help us hold Trump accountable.

Republican Beltway types are divided on how the party should approach marriage equality, but nearly half of the GOP respondents to the National Journal's latest Political Insiders Poll saying their party should avoid the issue.

The poll, in which the Journal periodically asks insiders about various issues, shows 48% of Republican respondents choosing "My party should avoid the issue" when asked which of several statements most closely mirrors their view on same-sex marriage. Twenty-seven percent said the party should support marriage equality, 11% said it should oppose it, and 14% chose "other."

One of those who said the Republican Party should avoid the topic commented, "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 said the party should try to stay away from the issue but should take a supportive positive if pressed: Politically, we should probably avoid the issue so as not to alienate the base, but Ted Olson is right. ... This is a basic right, and if forced to a discussion, we should support it."

Supporters offered comments such as "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?" and "We can't be a party that supports a zone of personal freedom and then try to use federal power to curtail it. Plus, we increasingly look prejudiced, and not a little stupid, on this issue."

Trending stories

One hard-line opponent, though, said, "Principles require courage. No one, even gays, will -- or should -- respect a party without principles. And there are very sound and practical reasons for Christian, Jewish, and Islamic opposition to homosexual marriage."

There was, in contrast, little division among Democratic insiders on the issue: 97% said their party should support marriage equality. None said the party should oppose it, while 2% chose "avoid the issue" and 1% chose "other." One of the supporters said, "Duh ... Obama did -- we won."

For the full poll, which also queries insiders on whether President Obama's nomination of Chuck Hagel as Defense secretary was a smart move politically, click here.

Recommended Stories for You

trudestress
The Advocates with Sonia BaghdadyOut / Advocate Magazine - Alan Cumming and Jake Shears

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories