::Wednesday, February 11, 2004::
GAY MARRIAGE: A QUESTION OF TIMING?
..The wild card this coming Election 2004 is not Iraq, nor the stock market, neither President Bush's AWOL stint in the National Guard. It is the issue of gay marriage and the symbolism it presents. It will be a question of what party drives its base of voters most to the polling votes. The country is evenly split right now in terms of party allegiance. However, in the issue of gay marriage fully two-thirds of Americans disapprove as evidenced consistently by polls. Call this the religious conservatism that envelops rural America with the Southern states as its stronghold. That gives the Republicans a distinct advantage because of its Christian right core of voters.
The only symbolism that may trump this card is the issue of jobs, jobs, jobs. Although the economy is taking off as shown by strong GDP growth expected in the 4-5% area, people are not feeling it for good reason. The lost jobs are never coming back. What symbol illicits the most passion? Is gay marriage a visceral issue that is more important to most Americans than their economic well-being? Republicans will go the former and Democrats may well just hope it's still the "economy, stupid" argument that served them well under Clinton.
The only symbolism that may trump this card is the issue of jobs, jobs, jobs. Although the economy is taking off as shown by strong GDP growth expected in the 4-5% area, people are not feeling it for good reason. The lost jobs are never coming back. What symbol illicits the most passion? Is gay marriage a visceral issue that is more important to most Americans than their economic well-being? Republicans will go the former and Democrats may well just hope it's still the "economy, stupid" argument that served them well under Clinton.
