Will Obama’s Gay Marriage Stance Cost Him the Muslim Vote?

Pundits in Washington are scrambling to assess the political fallout of US President Obama’s “evolution” on the issue of gay marriage. During his 2008 presidential campaign, Obama said he did not support same-sex marriage. Two years later, he told Americans his views were “evolving.” This week, in an exclusive interview on a major US television network, Obama brought his views out of the closet, saying he now supports same-sex marriages. … over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together; when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained…because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage…I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married. US President Barack Obama, Wednesday, May 9, 2012, in an interview with ABC News Some analysts say this move will likely cost him votes in conservative swing states like North Carolina, where a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage passed Tuesday. Others believe attitudes toward gay marriage are softening in America, pointing to a new poll released this week which shows that Americans have gradually changed their views on same-sex marriage: 50% now say they believe gay marriages should be legally recognized. But it also shows Americans are divided on the issue along political and religious lines. 65% of Democrats support gay marriage, as opposed to only 22% of Republicans. Catholics (51%) and Protestants (38%) and those with no religious identity (88%) Read more at Middle East Voices: http://www.middleeastvoices.com/2012/05/will-obamas-gay-marriage-stance-cost-him-the-muslim-vote-59970/#ixzzG3mDecSEI