Hate preachers lead to reduced support for equal marriage among Republicans, African-Americans in MD

[BolivarianHero]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/10/AR2010051004668.html

A conservative Anne Arundel County state delegate tried unsuccessfully to impeach Gansler, and a coalition of black pastors and conservative Christians repeatedly traveled to Annapolis this spring to hold rallies in hopes of pressuring lawmakers to pass bills that would have rolled back the attorney general's decision.

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The shift in the poll numbers was driven by increasing support among the state's Democrats and independents, who make up nearly three-quarters of the population. Republicans, however, have moved in the other direction. Their support has dropped from 36 percent to 25 percent, with 69 percent opposed.

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The poll shows a notable dip in opposition to legalizing same-sex marriage among African Americans since the last Post poll. Blacks in Maryland are now nearly equally divided over the issue. In the District, where black clergy have been among the most vociferous critics of a measure that took effect this year allowing gays to marry, a slight majority of blacks oppose same-sex marriage, another Post poll has found.

Interesting to note that support equal marriage has increased overall even though it has decreased among the demographic groups most heavily influenced by the ignorance of evangelical preachers. Also, the African-American numbers are within the margin of error of the overall numbers.