Same-sex marriage debate forces GOP contenders to tread carefully
Republican presidential hopefuls are struggling with how to position themselves on same-sex marriage, an issue that is bedeviling a party hoping to avoid social controversies as the 2016 election approaches.
Rapidly changing public opinion has forced much of the field to recalibrate their pitches. Early front-runners have sought balance between the GOP base and the broader electorate — saying that they have no problem with gay people but oppose a national right to gay marriage and favor strong legal protections for business owners who do not want to serve same-sex ceremonies.
It is a difficult task, with the perils on stark display last month in Indiana. Republican state lawmakers encountered criticism when they tried to strengthen religious-liberties laws in the face of legal same-sex marriage in that state. With support for same-sex marriage hovering around 60 percent nationally, opponents also risk being labeled bigots.
At the same time, some conservative strategists see an upside for candidates who boldly oppose same-sex marriage. In arguments scheduled for Tuesday, the Supreme Court will consider whether there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage or whether it should be left to the states. If the court establishes a national right as expected, it could energize Christian activists.
The tensions were evident this week when Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) made headlines at a meet-and-greet hosted by prominent gay New York hoteliers in which he reportedly said he would still love one of his daughters if she came out as gay, and did not discuss his opposition to same-sex marriage.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/same-sex-marriage-snarls-gop-contenders/2015/04/24/6b5a8d18-ea8c-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html?hpid=z4
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