Poll: 60% of US Republicans still oppose gay marriage
According to a poll that has just been released by Reuters/Ipsos, almost two-thirds of Republicans oppose the Supreme Court’s decision to back same-sex marriage.
However, they would struggle to make opposition to same-sex marriage successful in next November’s presidential election as more than half of American’s support the decision, an online survey revealed.
Despite this, the clear majority of Republicans, 63 percent, still think that the Court’s decision last month to legalise same-sex marriage was wrong.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee could be given a boost as they are all same-sex marriage opponents.
Walker described the Court’s recent decision as a “grave mistake” and called for a constitutional amendment to allow each state to decide whether or not to allow it.
The poll also revealed that 42 percent of Republicans said that same-sex marriage laws should be made at state level and by referendum, which is a view that is only held by 24 per cent of the population.
Cruz vowed to put his opposition to same-sex marriage “front and centre” of his campaign. He has also urged some states to ignore the courts ruling.
Huckabee has been a vocal opponent of gay rights for a number of years.
The University of Northern Iowa’s political science professor, Christopher Larimer, said their positions might appeal to the older, more Conservative Republicans who vote in the Iowa caucuses, the first nominating contest on the 2016 White House race.
“Part of it’s a generational thing.” He added.
Former Florida Governor, Jeb Bush has voiced support for marriage between a man and a woman, but have shied away from the criticism of the Supreme Court.
When they were asked in general whether or not they would support allowing same-sex couples to marry, 51 percent of Americans said they would, while 35 peercent said they would oppose it.
Forty-eight percent of independent voters back gay marriage, which would make it difficult for a Conservative Republican to gain general election votes regarding the issue.
This poll was carried out between June 26 and July 8 among 3,632 people.
