GOP: Gay marriage an issue, but not like economy

**rlg94086** · #1 May 12, '12, 8:24 am

Republicans say they'll now use President Obama's stance on the issue -- public opinion is about evenly split -- to paint him as a flip-flopper and to boost Mitt Romney's image in the eyes of conservatives who are still warming to him.

Across the Republican Party, from leaders to activists interviewed since Obama's announcement, there's been wide agreement to use the gay marriage issue selectively. They want to use it in battleground states that have banned gay marriage, for example, while keeping the party's national political focus on Obama's stewardship of the economy.

"I'm going to stay focused on jobs, thanks," House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican, said repeatedly when asked about Obama's announcement on gay marriage. "The president can talk about it all he wants. I'm going to stay focused on what the American people want us to stay focused on."

Romney is taking a similar approach, avoiding any discussion of the issue unless he's questioned about it and focusing on the economy.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012...#ixzz1ufZ5SYPd

Califman831 · #2 May 12, '12, 8:33 am

I disagree that the flipflopper picture would work, most people already saw him as soft on gay issues. I think the dem tactic is to paint republicans as racist homophobes and take light away from the lousy economy and obama's extreme leftist stance on a multitude of issues.

**rlg94086** · #3 May 12, '12, 8:37 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Califman831

I disagree that the flipflopper picture would work, most people already saw him as soft on gay issues. I think the dem tactic is to paint republicans as racist homophobes and take light away from the lousy economy and obama's extreme leftist stance on a multitude of issues.

Yes and no. There are some Democrats and Independents who oppose gay "marriage" and we're assuaged by Obama's statements that he was against gay "marriage." For those voters, he has flipped on the issue.

Btw...for those with FoxNewsophobia, here is a link to the original article:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...05-12-03-51-31

_Abyssinia · #4 May 12, '12, 8:42 am

I think the gay 'marriage' support from Obama will be a winner with the far left, especially in Hollywood, but not with most other people. I think he said it now out of desperation to try and garner some of the intense support among the left in 2008 but has dissipated to a large degree. All these Hollywood fundraisers, Obama taking cash straight from the '1%' which is really hypocritical considering his remarks about the '1%.' Obama looks very elitist and out of touch with mainstream America.

Gay 'marriage' is a distraction from a terrible jobs report from April. The 2012 Obama campaign will be nothing but distraction to take away from the economy.

**rlg94086** · #5 May 12, '12, 8:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Abyssinia

I think the gay 'marriage' support from Obama will be a winner with the far left, especially in Hollywood, but not with most other people. I think he said it now out of desperation to try and garner some of the intense support among the left in 2008 but has dissipated to a large degree. All these Hollywood fundraisers, Obama taking cash straight from the '1%' which is really hypocritical considering his remarks about the '1%.' Obama looks very elitist and out of touch with mainstream America.

Gay 'marriage' is a distraction from a terrible jobs report from April. The 2012 Obama campaign will be nothing but distraction to take away from the economy.

I agree. That's why the GOP will try to keep focus on the economy. In another news report, though, Santorum is recommending Romney pummel Obama on the gay "marriage" issue. My guess is he'll take a balanced approach. Today, he spoke at an evangelical university and focused on the importance of family, including marriage. Obama may have inadvertently helped Romney reach out to the social conservatives a little more.

Crescentinus · #6 May 12, '12, 8:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Abyssinia

I think the gay 'marriage' support from Obama will be a winner with the far left, especially in Hollywood, but not with most other people. I think he said it now out of desperation to try and garner some of the intense support among the left in 2008 but has dissipated to a large degree. All these Hollywood fundraisers, Obama taking cash straight from the '1%' which is really hypocritical considering his remarks about the '1%.' Obama looks very elitist and out of touch with mainstream America.

Gay 'marriage' is a distraction from a terrible jobs report from April. The 2012 Obama campaign will be nothing but distraction to take away from the economy.

Problem is, Hollywood and the mainstream media outlets have sway over how most Americans view the world. This is the mostly the case with many American youth today. Even the Occupy movements would be fooled.

EmperorNapoleon · #7 May 12, '12, 8:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Califman831

I disagree that the flipflopper picture would work...

I agree; especially in light of Romney's record.

Havard · #8 May 12, '12, 9:00 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Califman831

I disagree that the flipflopper picture would work, most people already saw him as soft on gay issues. I think the dem tactic is to paint republicans as racist homophobes and take light away from the lousy economy and obama's extreme leftist stance on a multitude of issues.

Don't forget that Republicans hate kittens, too.

Pfaffenhoffen · #9 May 12, '12, 9:05 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlg94086

Republicans say they'll now use President Obama's stance on the issue -- public opinion is about evenly split -- to paint him as a flip-flopper and to boost Mitt Romney's image in the eyes of conservatives who are still warming to him.

Across the Republican Party, from leaders to activists interviewed since Obama's announcement, there's been wide agreement to use the gay marriage issue selectively. They want to use it in battleground states that have banned gay marriage, for example, while keeping the party's national political focus on Obama's stewardship of the economy.

"I'm going to stay focused on jobs, thanks," House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican, said repeatedly when asked about Obama's announcement on gay marriage. "The president can talk about it all he wants. I'm going to stay focused on what the American people want us to stay focused on."

Romney is taking a similar approach, avoiding any discussion of the issue unless he's questioned about it and focusing on the economy.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012...#ixzz1ufZ5SYPd

In war, every weapon is valid.
Once you get into Presidency, that is another whole completely different story.

exnihilo · #10 May 12, '12, 9:11 am

Every election is a battle for the middle. Each side has the party faithful locked up. The candidates fight for the moderates, which is why they shift their positions from the party middle to the voter middle after the primary. President Obama already had the Democrat faithful. One of the largest groups against gay marriage, at least in the South, is Black churchgoers. They just helped get the amendment passed in NC, but they are mostly a guaranteed Democrat vote and will be voting for Obama in November.

On the Republican side a significant group of party faithful could care less about moral issues and are only concerned about economic issues. They would prefer the Republicans give up stances against abortion and homosexuality because they believe it cost them votes.

I think the 'moderate' vote is almost entirely driven by economic issues.

I think the GOP nationally will give enough lip service to being against gay marriage to keep the conservative religious base on board but not enough to turn off the moderates.

Of course both parties get lots of votes by promising to 'fix' something. They are both reluctant to ever actually fix the problem because that eliminates a good vote getting issue. Both parties have a strong incentive to talk and do nothing. So long as nothing is done marriage is somewhat safe, although I realize the courts can destroy it at any time.

**rlg94086** · #11 May 12, '12, 9:14 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by exnihilo

Every election is a battle for the middle. Each side has the party faithful locked up. The candidates fight for the moderates, which is why they shift their positions from the party middle to the voter middle after the primary. President Obama already had the Democrat faithful. One of the largest groups against gay marriage, at least in the South, is Black churchgoers. They just helped get the amendment passed in NC, but they are mostly a guaranteed Democrat vote and will be voting for Obama in November.

On the Republican side a significant group of party faithful could care less about moral issues and are only concerned about economic issues. They would prefer the Republicans give up stances against abortion and homosexuality because they believe it cost them votes.

I think the 'moderate' vote is almost entirely driven by economic issues.

I think the GOP nationally will give enough lip service to being against gay marriage to keep the conservative religious base on board but not enough to turn off the moderates.

Of course both parties get lots of votes by promising to 'fix' something. They are both reluctant to ever actually fix the problem because that eliminates a good vote getting issue. Both parties have a strong incentive to talk and do nothing. So long as nothing is done marriage is somewhat safe, although I realize the courts can destroy it at any time.

Why would you consider GOP opposition to gay "marriage" "lip service?" Is there any indication the stance is not genuine?

_Abyssinia · #12 May 12, '12, 9:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by exnihilo

Every election is a battle for the middle. Each side has the party faithful locked up. The candidates fight for the moderates, which is why they shift their positions from the party middle to the voter middle after the primary. President Obama already had the Democrat faithful. One of the largest groups against gay marriage, at least in the South, is Black churchgoers. They just helped get the amendment passed in NC, but they are mostly a guaranteed Democrat vote and will be voting for Obama in November.

On the Republican side a significant group of party faithful could care less about moral issues and are only concerned about economic issues. They would prefer the Republicans give up stances against abortion and homosexuality because they believe it cost them votes.

I think the 'moderate' vote is almost entirely driven by economic issues.

I think the GOP nationally will give enough lip service to being against gay marriage to keep the conservative religious base on board but not enough to turn off the moderates.

Of course both parties get lots of votes by promising to 'fix' something. They are both reluctant to ever actually fix the problem because that eliminates a good vote getting issue. Both parties have a strong incentive to talk and do nothing. So long as nothing is done marriage is somewhat safe, although I realize the courts can destroy it at any time.

I do not see how Obama can reach out to the middle this time; he is not a moderate on any issue.

Jeanne S · #13 May 12, '12, 10:17 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Abyssinia

I do not see how Obama can reach out to the middle this time; he is not a moderate on any issue.

Agreed.I happen to know of more than a few people,who voted for Obama in last election,that will vote forvRomney this time around.They did strss however,this is only because they don't see him as radically conservative. It is a fact that the moderates are the ones that determine our elected officials.Must be nice to have that much power

Michael Mayo · #14 May 12, '12, 11:00 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlg94086

Why would you consider GOP opposition to gay "marriage" "lip service?" Is there any indication the stance is not genuine?

If it is a matter of smaller government intrusion into rights Republican might agree with Obama that gay rights belong at the state level of determination.

exnihilo · #15 May 12, '12, 12:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlg94086

Why would you consider GOP opposition to gay "marriage" "lip service?" Is there any indication the stance is not genuine?

Because I consider politics and politicians fundamentally dishonest. The goal is to obtain power. In America this means to get elected. The kind of person who does well in politics is typically the kind who can say what he needs to in order to win. This is especially true the more power at stake. Specifically regarding the GOP their lack of doing anything substantial regarding any of their conservative positions, abortion, funding of Planned Parenthood, Department of Education etc. indicates this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Abyssinia

I do not see how Obama can reach out to the middle this time; he is not a moderate on any issue.

I wouldn't disagree but then again I'm increasingly surprised and distressed at what the moderate American believes. The never failing ability for the average American to be fooled in the same way time and again works to Obama, and any politicians favor. Also America has been marching steadily to the left. What the average conservative believes is nowhere near what I consider conservative. But my idea of conservative is stuck in the past. Conservative really means holding the status quo. Obama has set a new status quo and therefore shifted the middle ground.