Earlier this month, some polls implied that President Obama’s support among Latinos was so high that he was “close to maxing out” his lead over Mitt Romney. Think about that — Obama statistically could not get any more popular with Hispanics. The president might explode or something.
But then Obama went ahead and said that he supported gay marriage, and Republicans shouted that Latinos were so outraged that they were going to abandon the Democratic Party and vote for Romney, who of course, is semi-pseudo-quasi Mexican. The only problem with this GOP wishful thinking is that it is not based in reality.
Although accurate polling numbers following Obama’s announcement are not yet available, there is no reason to believe that the president’s popularity with Latinos will take a serious hit. The primary reason for this is that despite the Republican Party’s earnest insistence, Hispanics simply are not as socially conservative as the GOP thinks. In fact, support for gay marriage is actually stronger among Latinos than it is among the general population, and Latinos are more likely than Americans overall to say that homosexuality should be accepted in society. One reason for this may be because Hispanics tend to be younger and more open to the idea of two men or two women saying “I do.”
Still, we all know Hispanic culture and Catholicism are strongly intertwined, so perhaps Latinos who listen to the pope are more likely to be stewing in rage. Well, actually, it seems that “a majority of Latino Catholics… support marriage equality.” Furthermore, among Catholics, “69 percent said that good Christians should accept all people as God’s creation and not cast judgment.” Incidentally, that number (69 percent) is also the same percentage of Latinos who favor “allowing gay or lesbian couples to marry in their church.” Yes, you read that correctly — right there in church in front of God and everybody.
So, who are these socially conservative Latinos who refuse to vote for Obama because he’s in favor of gay marriage? Apparently, they are quite similar to white social conservatives, in that they are born-again evangelicals. Latino evangelicals, who now constitute about 15 percent of the Hispanic population, “are twice as likely as those who are Catholic to vote Republican.”
But these Latinos were unlikely to vote for Obama in the first place, once again verifying that the president’s announcement will probably not cost him much support among people named Garcia or Lopez.
In essence, Republicans may hope that gay marriage will convince Hispanics to forget how the GOP has treated them for the last few years, but clearly they have to come up with a new strategy.
Either that, or they should just brace themselves for the sight of Adam and Steve dancing together at Obama’s second inaugural ball.
About Daniel Cubias
I think we need to revisit those statistics. I don’t think the majority of Hispanics are in favor of gay marriages or in redefining the marriage amendment. Coming from a Hispanic background and a large Hispanic community, the majority do object.
Horrible to think that Christian beliefs are being changed to accommodate something that God has set as wrong.
To each is own i dont care what gays want to do with “civil unions.” i agree partners deserve equal rights or whatever to insurance and taxes.
but why holy vows? Why in the house of God? It’s an abomination to the religion and followers of Christianity. Ugh ridiculous, and “believers” who feel this is Acceptable really need to go back to the drawing board in their faith..
Also what’s with this shoving Obama down our throats with the posts all the time? Journalism- neutral not biased
It hasn’t affected my vote considering the alternative. I will and have always been for Obama’s reelection.
Not at all.
It makes me want to be the first one to the polls to vote for him!! Just adds on to why i voted for him in the first place
If anything it made me respect him more. Because he is the first sitting President to actually living President to endorse same-sex marriage. This is a debate that shouldn’t even be a debate it should be clear as promised in the Constitution one prevents Congress from passing laws respecting religion (1st Amendment this is what was done with the passage of the Defense of Marriage act) and another prevents the states from barring equal protection (14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause) under the law which is actually the reason why gay people are fighting states are barring the rights. Surprisingly no one is seeing the elephant in the room and calling anti-gay rights laws what they are UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Because they violate the SPIRIT AND LETTER of the Constitution.
Yes, and No. He already had my vote for re-election and now with his support of Gay marriage, he’s definitely the right choice.
I feel like Obama is meddling a little too much in affairs that don’t concern him. I haven’t completely decided whether or not it’s a good thing. But he for instance wants to force chaplains in the military to perform same sex unions. Those types of unions violate the chaplains religious beliefs, and though I feel same sex marriage should be allowed, I don’t feel any religious institution or person should be forced to perform the function bu the government.
Not a bit, the president has no authority when it comes to marriage or intimate unions. He is a federal official. Besides, he’s proven that he has a “bigger boot” to place on the throat the American economy.
I will NEVER vote for him…for many reasons!
Wasnt voting for the Pinche Negro anyway
Am I proud of Obama for standing up for same-sex marriage? Yes. Is same-sex marriage a priority right now? No, but Obama still has my vote.
Not one bit. I was going to vote for his reelection. This just shows that Obama is willing and ready to move forward and take us all with him. Some people are just not seeing the big picture.
Not one bit. I was going to vote for his reelection. This just shows that Obama is willing and ready to move forward and take us all with him. Some people are just not seeing the big picture.
Obama 2012 YES WE CAN AND YES WE WILL!
Obama 2012 YES WE CAN AND YES WE WILL!
gay marriage in Mexico has been legal for a long time – seriously get real and stop describing latinos as a single group with views similar to the few latinos you hire to do research which by the way are mostly middle aged.
gay marriage in Mexico has been legal for a long time – seriously get real and stop describing latinos as a single group with views similar to the few latinos you hire to do research which by the way are mostly middle aged.
I’m not voting neither candidate is for the ppl. So I’ll keep mine tucked away for a better purpose.
It wouldn’t matter to me. I regret voting for him the first time around.
Not at all, he’s the first president since I starting voting that for the middle class
Solidified my vote for sure!
Solidified my vote for sure!
Will not vote for him…………..
That was the Democratic party’s plan.. Perfect timing, obviously their not dumb and their using this to manipulate the public; taking their minds off of more important pressing issues. Not that gay equality isn’t important just that it shouldn’t be the main focus of the polls at this time as other things .. Such as the impending war were about to set off.. This is an issue of state not “country” per se.. Regardless didn’t sway my vote..
OBAMA. 2012
OBAMA. 2012
@ Jose Carmen bravo…ese pinche negro, as you call him, is your commander-in-chief and our president. You can dislike his policies but show some respect at the same time. At least that is what my parents told this latino…btw…did not vote for Obama last time, will definitely vote for him this time and I am not voting solely on one issue. The alternative plans to destroy the middle class
@ Jose Carmen bravo…ese pinche negro, as you call him, is your commander-in-chief and our president. You can dislike his policies but show some respect at the same time. At least that is what my parents told this latino…btw…did not vote for Obama last time, will definitely vote for him this time and I am not voting solely on one issue. The alternative plans to destroy the middle class
It’s not “Forwards”, it’s Vorwärts 2012.
It’s not “Forwards”, it’s Vorwärts 2012.
NO! I don’t care about that! What I care about is: immigration reform, the economy, jobs & women’s reproductive rights!
Adriana, did you even read the article? It disaggregates Latinos into different groups to highlight different perspectives when it comes to this issue. Also, who are you referring to when you say “you hire to do research”?
My vote is even stronger for him now…. it bothers me when you have a latino making racial coments callin Obama a “pinche negro’… something is wrong with that… how disgusting! We are human..humanity is one race! And the other will “tuck away ” the RIGHT to vote… while others are strugglin for that right…what a shame… OBAMITA 2012 whether u like it or not! <3 my President!