Alex Roarty and Naureen Khan and Peter Bell | January 12, 2013
National Journal's Political Insiders moved closer to embracing gay marriage, in the wake of historic ballot initiatives that legalized same-sex marriage in some states November and the first endorsement from a sitting president.
Asked about their views on the subject, the Democratic insiders were near unanimous in their support of gay marriage, with no Insiders saying their party should oppose it and a mere 2 percent saying the issue should be avoided. Nearly half of Republican insiders, meanwhile, believed that the topic should be avoided, while almost three out of ten were in favor of support and 11 percent hewing to the GOP’s traditional opposition.
The numbers are a dramatic departure from where they stood in April 2009, when the Insiders were first asked for their views. At the time, half of Republican Insiders said their party should oppose gay marriage, while 37 percent said the issue should be avoided. About 60 percent of Democratic insiders supported the idea two years ago.
Which statement comes closest to your political views on gay marriage?
Democrats (109 votes)
Republicans (99 votes)
My party should support it
97%
27%
My party should oppose it
0%
11%
My party should avoid the issue
2%
48%
Other
1%
14%