Republican Political Insiders: Marriage Equality an Issue Best Avoided

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

20 lesbian movies you probably haven't seen but really should

My magical and affordable escape to Portugal

Season 4 of The Switch on resilience & radical self-love returns this spring

EDC Weekend Desert Days hits Sin City with Ultra Load

How climate disasters hurt mental health in young people

Discover the power of Wellness in your life

Why Harvey Fierstein deserves his Tony for Lifetime Achievement

French Polynesia doesn’t need Pride flags to earn its place on every LGBTQ+ bucket list

'The Boulet Brothers' Dragula' & 'Titans' are back — here's what else the diabolical duo announced

'Drag Race' winner Venus shares apology video to Mexican people

Which 'All Stars 10' group is strongest? All returning 'Drag Race' queens' track records

Walton Goggins will poke your eye out in sexy new Speedo pics

France becomes world’s first country to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

Cathay Pacific expands its reach with inaugural Dallas to Hong Kong route and a new level of luxury

Elon Musk uses burner accounts on X, doesn’t fact-check: report

Broadway's best raise over $1 million for LGBTQ+ and HIV causes

Watch Jennifer Beals flirt with Kelly Clarkson: "I heard you like your women older"

Pete Buttigieg says he met Chasten on the apps—reacts to Grindr surge at RNC claims

Gerald Garth is keeping people of color happy and healthy through trying times

Joe Biden has tied the record for most LGBTQ+ judges confirmed in federal courts

500,000 Children at Risk: PEPFAR Funding Crisis

'Drag Race All Stars' season 10 cast ru-vealed — why we're excited about the returning queens

K-pop star JUST B’s Bain comes out: 'Proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community'

All 6 rogue Mississippi cops got long prison sentences in 'Goon Squad' torture of 2 Black men

Turn your Easter into the colors of the rainbow with these Pride-themed shortbread treats

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8

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.