Thursday, April 30, 2009

Changes in attitudes

Andrew Sullivan comments on a new poll (Watch out Ms California with the bionic bosom; you may be further out of it than you realize):
The newest ABC/WaPo poll suggests a serious underlying shift in public opinion on several issues..... But there is now a tiny national majority in the ABC poll in favor of marriage equality - 49 - 46
The surprise is that the shift has occurred across ideological groups. While conservatives are least apt to favor gay marriage, they've gone from 10 percent support in 2004 to 19 percent in 2006 and 30 percent now -- overall a 20-point, threefold increase, alongside a 13-point gain among liberals and 14 points among moderates. (Politically, support for gay marriage has risen sharply among Democrats and independents alike, while far more slightly among Republicans.)
Call me crazy (and they do) but that 30 percent of self-described conservatives now favor marriage equality is a massive achievement in terms of moving public opinion. But these folks are not conservative Republicans - which is why this issue could suddenly become a real problem for the GOP.
Believe it or not,Dr Laura and Howard Stern have both come out in favor of gay rights, even of gay marriage. Dr Laura says "gay couples are a beautiful thing".

What's that sound I hear?

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