What do you get for supporting your gay son? In the case of GOP Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, a drop in the polls.
Portman announced last month that he was supporting marriage equality after realizing that he wanted his son Will to be able to marry. (The message there: no gay son, no hope.) Fellow Republicans were conspicuously silent about Portman’s announcement, but it’s clear Republican voters are unhappy with Portman’s move to the right side of history.
According to a new Quinnipiac University poll, Portman’s support among GOP voters in Ohio dropped from 63 percent to 57 percent in just six weeks, while his unfavorable rating jumped from a mere 8 percent to 21 percent, a 2.5 fold increase. There’s just one reason for the drop: marriage equality.
Portman has a few things going in his favor. He’s not up for reelection until 2016, and the most vociferous opponents of marriage equality tend to be older and have shrinking numbers as time passes (because they are dying). Still, for anyone looking for an object lesson in why Republicans are leery of changing their views on marriage, Portman’s polling numbers provide one obvious answer.
Dionte
Lol @ their shrinking numbers.
MK Ultra
Ah yes. The GOP voter; the rational intelligensia of our country.
I remember when the tea party wing of this group of rocket scientists were protesting Obama being black with such signs as ” get a brian, moran”.
Poetry, I tell you. Poetry!
EJC
All you gays in Ohio, get behind this man, he has a gay son, he maybe not on our team yet, but he is on his way, think about it!
DarkZephyr
I am sick of the hateful Republicans who judge us and judge each other and just judge judge judge judge. Self righteous cretins.
Cam
Stop picking on the Republicans. They’re VICTIMS! Just like if a rapist is stopped from raping he is a victim.
Will L
Was it a drop *among* GOP voters or a drop *in* GOP voters? They are a dying breed. I’m not sure, logically, that I can accept the reason for his drop as a “given.” I wouldn’t rule out the GOP being bastards in lots of other ways.
It’s nice to have him for marriage equality, but his motivation is purely selfish. He doesn’t want it because he feels gays are worthy. He want it for his poor son.
It’s nice he’s for it (anyway) but I wouldn’t go out of my way to encourage the GOP. Vote Democrat.
Ottoman
If history is any guide, Portman will be primaried by a totally batpoo crazy teabagger who will get the Republican nomination and then promptly lose the seat to a Democrat.
erikwm
@Ottoman: I second that.
DOFEK
What more? a dead republican, is a good republican! you have to shot them twice to make sure!. AdamHomo
brent
@Will L: Vote democrat. Vote for the party that is opposed to the keystone pipeline, hostile to charter schools,thinks gun control will solve all crime and worships polar bears. No thanks
GayBacon
@MK Ultra: As a rocket scientist, I take great offense to your comparison.
damon459
@brent: Odd you just named a few reason why I support the democrats.