It’d be naive to think President Obama’s announcement that he supported same-sex marriage wasn’t in some way politically motivated. But it’s doubtful he thought his talk with Robin Roberts on GMA would score him percentage points in the 
polls.
Those who support marriage equality were already firmly on board Team Barack. And those who don’t, or who are on the fence… well, challenger Mitt Romney has surged ahead with a 7% lead since Wednesday’s announcement (at least according to the latest numbers from conservative pollster Rasmussen).
Where Obama is hoping his statement will pay off is in his campaign coffers: Even gays and lesbians of moderate means have been cutting big checks to support his re-election bid. Within 90 minutes of his statement, Obama’s campaign team raked in $1 million. And they netted another $15 million at George Clooney’s fundraiser just days later.
It’s not a coincidence that Obama 2014 finance director Rufus Gifford is gay.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Now on BarackObama.com, you can even buy LGBT-specific merch like tee shirts, posters, magnets and “My two moms support Obama” onesies. (The beer cozy might be pushing it, though.)
If elections are really about checkbooks, this could be a canny strategy for the President. If not? Well at least he’ll be standing on the right side of history when he moves out of the White House in January.
Click through for more LGBT merchandise from the Obama campaign
Source: NY Daily News
Cam
“”(at least according to the latest numbers from conservative pollster Rasmussen).”
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Rassmusen has been an outlying poll this entire time, being not only the only one that regularly says Romney is ahead, but also being on average 6 points off from all the other polls in favor of the republicans.
During the last election they were approximately 9 points off from the results…once again in favor of the GOP and they refuse to release their methodology.
So any report that only uses Rassmusen is trying to purposely paint a favorable picture for Romney, if they weren’t they would mention more than just that poll.
mc
The latest Rasmussen Poll was taken Saturday May 12 and it had Romney at 48% and Obama at 44% so it’s now a 4% lead. I think it’s too early to see how Obama’s views on marriage equality will affect poll results. Also they poll 500 people daily so I’m not sure how that’s reflective of the population as a whole.
Spike
@mc: These so called polls are based on if the election were held tomorrow, and last I checked, it’s May, and the election isn’t till Nov., oh yea, and isn’t it the republicans who are the ones who have been running for President so far? President Obama has been kinda busy doing President type stuff, I suspect he goes into campaign mode, and has the opportunity to call out Willard on all his lies, mis-information and factless accusations face to face in the debates, today’s polls will be N/A
freddie
“Obama 2014 Finance director”
(roll eyes)
J Stratford
The gays better vote for Obama or else we will all be blamed by the right wingnuts for losing the election.
Anyone who wants to support us will think twice about supporting us ever again… it will have to take a very convincing (2/3) majority of the population for anyone to openly support us.
Hyhybt
@Spike: All right…. yes, polls are based on how people would vote if the election were held now. What alternative would you suggest? “If you knew everything you don’t because it hasn’t happened yet, who will you vote for in November?”
me
@J Stratford who wrote: “The gays better vote for Obama or else we will all be blamed by the right wingnuts for losing the election.”
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Or maybe other bigots in the Democratic Party will blame it on the fact that a black man ran for president. Face it, people who are looking for scapegoats will find them in any flavor that suits their particular nasty tastes in irrational rationalizations for the failure of their side to win.
The economy will be the deciding factor as to whether or not this president will be re-elected.
…’twas ever thus.