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Will Same Sex Marriage Matter in 2016?
Support for same-sex marriage has increased dramatically over the past decade, but there are substantial differences in opinions across generations. Currently, 68% of Millennials favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally, compared with 55% of Gen Xers, 48% of Boomers and 38% of the Silent generation.
Interesting graph here:
So, will it be a big issue in 2016?
My take, no smart GOP candidate is going to wrap themselves around this boat anchor of an issue and jump in.
Yea, they will express their disapproval of the SCOTUS decision to appease the base, and then quickly move on to something else.
Huckaboo, and Santorum, whose stock and trade are social issues will continue to hammer on it, and do well with the base, but they aren't going anywhere.
Jindal, who is trying to out conservative all conservatives will destroy his little campaign if he doesn't move on soon.
Walker better get the memo soon as well.
Of course, getting the early support of evangelicals in Iowa and South Carolina is an alluring prize. Will the mainstream candidates resist the urge to flock like moths to a flame around the anti-gay position.
Big mistake if they do.
The GOP needs to give the culture wars a rest. I know that they have been a reliable cash cow. But, if trends continue, the days of beating up on gays, immigrants, and agnostics for votes may be coming to an end.
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The GOP needs to give the culture wars a rest. I know that they have been a reliable cash cow. But, if trends continue, the days of beating up on gays, immigrants, and agnostics for votes may be coming to an end.
I agree. While we face much, much bigger issues to wrestle with, focusing on social engineering projects is not a good strategy anymore.
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While we are on the topic of same-sex marriage, I agree with the ACLU's stance on this issue:
The Kentucky branch of the ACLU said in statement that the clerk “has the absolute right to believe whatever she wants about God, faith, and religion, but as a government official who swore an oath to uphold the law, she cannot pick and choose who she is going to serve, or which duties her office will perform based on her religious beliefs.”
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Times have changed, but the ACLU's reasoning is identical with what I felt about PA AG Kathleen Kane refusing to defend this state's Defense of Marriage statute against the ACLU suit.
The AG stated publicly that she agreed with the plaintiff.
Those who take an oath of office must either do their duty, resign, or face impeachment and removal from that office.
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That's a fair point, Tarnation.
It is the AG's duty to defend the law against suits, in this case until the People have the wisdom to change the law, or the Courts declare it unconstitutional.