Will President Obama's support of gay marriage cost him black votes?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
While President Obama's support for gay marriage is sure to fire up parts of the liberal base, it could alienate others - including black voters.
In other words, backing same-sex marriage might be a risky position for the president in an election year when it comes to one of his core voting blocs.
In 2008, African-Americans were crucial in making Mr. Obama the nation's first black president. Exit polls showed 96% of black voters supported him and they made up 13% of the electorate.
Fast forward four years: While polls suggest America on the whole is moving toward support of same-sex marriage, ABC/Washington Post polling shows 55% of black voters are still against it. That compares to 43% of whites.
And this opposition from blacks could hurt the president - particularly in the South.
Just this week in North Carolina, blacks voted two-to-one in favor of the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
North Carolina is a swing state where near-unanimous black support for Mr. Obama secured his 2008 victory.
So what if even some black voters in a state like North Carolina choose to sit this election out due to the president's support of same-sex marriage?
Groups on both sides of the issue like to compare gay marriage rights to the struggle for civil rights; but many blacks don't like that comparison. And black churches tend to see the issue in religious terms, with ministers playing a big role in the opposition to gay marriage.
While it's unlikely blacks will suddenly decide to vote for Mitt Romney over this, if some of them decide to stay home, it could make a difference in the outcome of the election.
Here’s my question to you: Will President Obama's support of gay marriage cost him black votes?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 4pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Why won't our leaders focus on the problems that are destroying our country?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
"America's problems are still big. It's most of our leaders who have gotten small."
That's a quote from a terrific piece today on Politico by Roger Simon.
He hits the nail on the head in describing a Congress which used to do things, but now specializes in not doing things.
Simon writes that Congress today is about making sure nothing gets done.
Because if something actually gets done, then one party or the other will take credit for it.
What a sad state of affairs. Our leaders, who used to be able to reach across the aisle, will no longer budge.
And those who are seen as bipartisan - people like Republican Senators Dick Lugar and Olympia Snow or Democratic Senators Jim Webb and Kent Conrad - are being voted out or are not bothering to run again.
Simon describes Congress as collapsing "from its former state of sluggishness to one of paralysis."
Even when it comes to issues that both sides support, like low interest on college loans, they can't get it done.
According to The New York Times - this week's Senate vote on student loans was the 21st time Republicans have successfully filibustered a Democratic bill since January 2011.
Meanwhile, our country is drowning in troubles - from skyrocketing deficits and more than $15 trillion in debt, to high unemployment, an ongoing housing crisis, and record poverty and food stamp use.
But the people we elect to represent us turn a blind eye to things that, if left unattended, will bring us down. No foreign enemy will have to fire a shot.
Here’s my question to you: Why won't our leaders focus on the problems that are destroying our country?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Recent Comments