Majority of Michigan Democrats say
President Barack Obama's endorsement of gay marriage makes them more
likely to vote for him. However, Republicans and independents
disapprove of the president's move.
The survey of 600 likely Michigan
voters was conducted by public relations firm Lambert, Edwards &
Associates and polling firm Denno Research, according to MLive.com.
Forty-one percent of respondents said
they were less likely to vote for Obama because of his new stance,
while 25 percent said they were more likely.
Of those supportive of the president on
the issue, 57 percent identified as Democrats, 29 percent as
Republicans and 17 percent as independents.
“The fact that only 17 percent of
polled independent voters were supportive of the president's stance
on gay marriage – and that 41 percent indicated that they were less
likely to vote for him as a result – may be some cause for concern
with this crucial group,” said Jeff Lambert, president and managing
partner of Lambert, Edwards & Associates.
“President Obama needs to focus his
electoral efforts on other issues – like job creation – if he
wants to gain the independent vote in Michigan,” he added.
Participants were not asked whether
they support or oppose marriage equality or to what extent the issue
would influence their vote.
(Related: Obama
likes Gay Pride.)