Is NJ Court Gay Marriage Stance October Surprise?

#1
CSpindizzy

CSpindizzy

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#1
Seeing how the only way to energize the voting base on the Right at election time is throw out gay marriage, is this court decision what it took to turn the tide? It could turn the NJ Senate race, one in the D column right now. It is also giving other candidates something to talk about to rally a very lethargic Religious Right in this campaign.

Is gay marriage the consistent go-to campaign issue for Rove?
 
#2
#2
Just another ridiculous issue that will bring people, on both sides, to the polls who know absolutely nothing about who they are voting for.
 
#4
#4
I've always wondered just how many people really vote that way. My personal favorites are the people here in my fair state who will base their vote for Govenor on the composition of the state flag.
 
#5
#5
It is issues such as these, that I hope for some kind of poll exam to be instituted in the future. I could care less if the candidates I support lose, as long as the people that vote for their opponents are educated enough to understand the issues.

When ignorant people elect officials to govern nations, ignorant people are elected to govern nations.
 
#6
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GAVol said:
I've always wondered just how many people really vote that way. My personal favorites are the people here in my fair state who will base their vote for Govenor on the composition of the state flag.
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Oh don't you know? They are the majority....couldn't you tell on the last flag vote?

You'd be surprised how many 'family' groups kick into overdrive on these issues. It's what Rove has thrived on and succeeded on. It's these people that keep him successful in elections. Most people go to the center to win elections. Rove goes far right and lures the single issue religious conservatives out en masse.
 
#7
#7
I think the "family" groups in Virginia just got all the motivation that they need.
 
#9
#9
Are there any legitimate studies showing that a sizable portion of the electorate does vote on a single issue such as those mentioned in this thread. I see statements over and over about how dumb voters can be swayed to vote for a candidate by a single issue. Is that fact? How much impact do those voters have?

Or is it akin to saying the average American is dumb?
 
#10
#10
The average american is dumb........

The average american voter drives down his/her neighborhood, finds a neighbor with republican/democrat signs in their yard and votes accordingly.

:whistling:

At least that is what I do......
 
#11
#11
volinbham said:
Are there any legitimate studies showing that a sizable portion of the electorate does vote on a single issue such as those mentioned in this thread. I see statements over and over about how dumb voters can be swayed to vote for a candidate by a single issue. Is that fact? How much impact do those voters have?

Or is it akin to saying the average American is dumb?
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I'm not sure there are really that many voters with a single issue litmus test for every candidate as much as there are a good many voters that tend to be motivated to vote when you hit a hot button. In other words, it's not whether they vote for this guy or that guy as much as it is whether they even vote at all.
 
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GAVol said:
I'm not sure there are really that many voters with a single issue litmus test for every candidate as much as there are a good many voters that tend to be motivated to vote when you hit a hot button. In other words, it's not whether they vote for this guy or that guy as much as it is whether they even vote at all.
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I agree but see that as quite a different issue. Motivating someone to vote (who then votes based on a larger basket of issues) is different than having people vote based on a single issue.

That said, I don't see why it's such a big deal. Both (all) sides do it and it is a standard political tool.
 
#13
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volinbham said:
I agree but see that as quite a different issue. Motivating someone to vote (who then votes based on a larger basket of issues) is different than having people vote based on a single issue.

That said, I don't see why it's such a big deal. Both (all) sides do it and it is a standard political tool.
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Me either . . . I think you're right to a great extent though. More often than not the term "Single Issue Voter" is used to try and marginalize Evangelicals to make them appear simpleminded.
 
#15
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GAVol said:
Me either . . . I think you're right to a great extent though. More often than not the term "Single Issue Voter" is used to try and marginalize Evangelicals to make them appear simpleminded.
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Perhaps, but I still believe that large numbers of evangelicals will come out to vote because of the single issue of gay marriage,and most of them will vote for every republican on the ballot while they are there, which is the only reason it is on the ballot in the first place. Isn't it funny that gay marriage is only an issue during election years?
 
#16
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MyBloodRunnethOrange said:
Perhaps, but I still believe that large numbers of evangelicals will come out to vote because of the single issue of gay marriage,and most of them will vote for every republican on the ballot while they are there, which is the only reason it is on the ballot in the first place. Isn't it funny that gay marriage is only an issue during election years?
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Would you say the same for stem cell research? Are there many who will come out for this single issue and vote every dem on the ballot. Is it hotly debated at any other time like it is around elections?
 
#17
#17
I see these statements about "gay marriage" coming up around election time as if that's some kind of unusual event.

A few comments:

It is during election time that referendums, etc. are traditionally brought.

The gay marriage issue appeared in 2004 and again in 2006 primarily due to court rulings in 2003 (if I remember correctly). Since each state has to make a ruling it is certainly an issue that has a place during these 2 elections. After 2008, it will be a done deal.

As Amendment 2 in Missouri and other stem cell related initiatives are popping up due to recent events, so too has the gay marriage issue.
 
#18
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MyBloodRunnethOrange said:
Perhaps, but I still believe that large numbers of evangelicals will come out to vote because of the single issue of gay marriage,and most of them will vote for every republican on the ballot while they are there, which is the only reason it is on the ballot in the first place. Isn't it funny that gay marriage is only an issue during election years?
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That's exactly what it is. It's just a ploy to get the radical republicans to the polls. After the election, it's forgotten and nothing ever comes of it.
 
#21
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OWB said:
That's exactly what it is. It's just a ploy to get the radical republicans to the polls. After the election, it's forgotten and nothing ever comes of it.
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That's simply not true. It is an important issue to a large number of voters. It is also an issue that tends to have a majority on the side of keeping marriage between a man and a woman.

It happens around an election because that's when people get a chance to vote on it!

There are several democratic candidates for the HoR that are actually opposed to gay marriage!

Just because it is not an important issue to you or others (including me) doesn't mean it's a manufactured issue.
 
#22
#22
Well whatever, as far as issues that Americans should really be concerned about, this should be at the bottom of the list.
 
#23
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OWB said:
Well whatever, as far as issues that Americans should really be concerned about, this should be at the bottom of the list.
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That's the great thing about America. You get to pick whatever battle you want.
 
#24
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OWB said:
Well whatever, as far as issues that Americans should really be concerned about, this should be at the bottom of the list.
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I would imagine that many feel the same way about many of the issues that drive elections.

As for why the gay marriage debate is potentially a bigger issue, for many (including myself) it is not an issue of gay or straight but rather one of under what circumstances can a minority impose it's will on a majority. Does the "equal protection" language in the Constitution really imply a right to gay marriage? It is being construed as such. I could see this opening a floodgate of rulings where minority groups claim they have "rights" and we all lose the ability to devise and create social institutions that have any exclusion whatsoever.

I am mildly opposed to it for this reason. However, it is not a big enough issue for me to choose a particular candidate or vote when I otherwise would not. The initiative was on the ballot in 04 in Alabama and I abstained from vote on that issue. However, I can see where many would see this as a larger issue that has nothing to do with homophobia.
 
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