Poll: New York State Favors Legalizing Gay Marriage
The new Siena poll in New York State shows that a majority of registered voters here favor legalizing gay marriage -- a push that currently has the support of Gov. David Paterson and others, but is not guaranteed passage in the state Senate.
The numbers: 53% favor, 39% oppose, with a ±3.8% margin of error. The internals show all regions of the state (New York City, the suburbs and Upstate) support it by various margins.
Among religious sub-groups, only 41% of Protestants favor it to 53% against, Jews favor it 64%-32% -- and Catholics favor it by a 49%-41% plurality. In the racial cross-tabs, Whites are in favor 56%-36%, Latinos are for it 57%-31%, and African-Americans oppose it with 44% in favor to 49% against.
The interplay of racial and religious politics could very well determine whether this proposal sinks in the Senate, or ends up signed into law.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Ah yes, I can see it now. The next big wedge issue; "abortion" for the oughts.
This oughta be good for about 1 to 1 1/2% Republican gain among Black voters... :-P
April 20, 2009 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Gay Marriage issue seems to finally be taking hold across America, and the GOP seems to be falling on the wrong side of the issue. But for how long? Check this out:
April 20, 2009 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Republicans have been against gay marriage because they figured that the fundie sheep would come to the polls for them in record numbers and would allow them to overwhelm the Democrats. They have found out that, while the fundies may come to the polls, the rest of their party has deserted them. Once they make the calculation that this is another loser issue for them, the Repugs will bail on gay marriage in order to appear to be more tolerant and to try and win back some of the former party members who have fled in disgust.
April 20, 2009 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Smart politics for Paterson, the perception of him will go from ineffective to activist.
April 20, 2009 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
It looks like much of the North and West may eventually allow gay marriage, and much of the South and Southwest may not.
I think this will become a new "Mr.Mason-Mr.Dixon line", north of which Mr.Mason and Mr.Dixon can get married and south of which they are discriminated against.
April 20, 2009 6:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, but polls in California also showed the same level of support for marriage equality when Proposition 8 was placed on the ballot. Hundreds of millions of church dollars later, the vote went the other way. Polls are done in politics to plan strategy, not to determine who will win the ultimate vote.
April 21, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink