Most Texans don't oppose same-sex unions, but they're split in their support for marriage or civil unions. While more than a third (36%) oppose either arrangement, 32% said they would support civil unions and another 25% think same-sex marriages should be permitted. The poll found a distinct partisan difference, with civil unions as the preference of 29% of Democrats, 31% of Independents and 37% of Republicans; same-sex marriage the preferred alternative of 36% of Democrats, 25% of Independents, and 14% of Republicans. Allowing neither of those alternatives was the preference of 29% of Democrats,35% of Independents, and 43% of Republicans.The partisan make-up of the state is also following the national trend of many Republicans becoming independents:
Also like most Americans, Texans are willing to give President Obama's efforts on the economy a chance to work:More respondents (46%) identified themselves as Independents than as Republicans (25%) or Democrats (28%). More of those who don't identify with a party said they lean Republican (29%) than lean Democrat (22%). Asked about their political outlook, more consider themselves Conservative (46%) than as Moderate (35%) or Liberal (19%).
About the same number of those polled said they are "certain" or "likely" to vote in each party's primary (Republicans, 31%; Democrats, 30%), and another 17 percent said they intend to vote in a primary but haven't yet decided which one.
Texans are confident that the economic stimulus is helping to make the downturn less severe than it would otherwise be (58%), and most are willing to wait to decide whether the Obama Administration policies are working. Their patience varies: 24% will wait two or more years; 20% will wait two years; 29% will wait a year; and 23% said they're already out of patience.Texans are pretty split on trade policies, capping greenhouse gas emissions, and stem cell research, but they are unfortunately very in favor of that terrible "voter ID" legislation (though many, especially the Democrats and minorities in favor, likely don't understand what it does or its intended purpose) and Gov. Perry's decision to turn down stimulus funds for unemployment insurance (buying the argument that too many strings are attached). Predictably, the poll respondents think the federal government is spending too much money but want more money spent on infrastructure, education and health care, and tax cuts (but - surprise - not on bailouts), despite deficits.
All in all, the results are pretty interesting and you can read them in full (it's not long) here.
UPDATE: More polling shows Texans approve of President Obama's performance so far and are very undecided on our upcoming primary races (which makes sense since we don't even know who all if running, and for what, yet).
1 comment:
I'm going to get on my soapbox and say this again; the changing numbers on gay marriage have a lot to do with the fact that gay marriage was legalized by "judicial activists" in Connecticut. As a result, people have been permitted to say that when gays get married, the world will not implode and this has made it easier for other state courts and state legislatures to follow suit.
I say this because I tire of those who STILL are arguing (especially in the wake of Prop 8) that gay marriage advocates shouldn't pursue a legal strategy, but should pursue a strategy of winning gay marriage in state legislatures on a state-by-state basis. For one, if like me you believe marriage is a fundamental right, then it is absurd to argue that people should not pursue a remedy for denial of that right in the courts. I find it belittling and insulting for people to say that gay marriage is a less tenable right than inter-racial marriage, such that gays should not turn to courts for the vindication of their rights.
Second, the legal strategy has worked in two ways, by winning gay marriage in states like CT but also by making gay marriage a known commodity to other Americans. In light of these positives, I don't know how it's possible for anyone to argue that gay marriage advocates to "be patient" and not "push too hard" or "railroad" people with court cases pressing for recognition of gay marriage.
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