there were four states that had gay marriage related referenda, but overall were sort of aimed toward legalizing gay marriage. they were all successful for the pro-gay marriage side. that was a huge development because there had not been a ballot win before that, and so you did see among the republican base some opposition still lingers. remember, you had the chik-fil-a protests in new york. there was at least one primary that was lost by a state senator who had voted in favor of gay marriage at the state level in new york. generally speaking, you re right. in a general election framework, more nationally beyond the party base and in the middle there has been movement on this. i think it s worth noting when you re talking about the cross tabs of where opinion has changed, african-americans now in most polling show a majority support for gay marriage. that s a big change.
toward leadizing gay marriage. they were all successful for the pro-gay marriage side. that was a huge development because there had not been a ballot win before that and so you did see among the republican base some opposition still lingers. remember, you had the chik-fil-a protests in new york. there was at least one primary that was lost by a state senator who had voted in favor of gay marriage at the state level in new york. generally speaking, you re right. in a general election framework, mosh nationally beyond the party base and in the middle there has been movement on this. i think it s worth noting when you re talking about the cross tabs of where opinion has changed, african-americans now in most polling show a majority support for gay marriage. that s a big change. that s the reason john derry is secretary of state rather than president. because in 2004 the issue was in ohio people got together there, our friend what s his name, karl rove, got together with don king and go
what persuaded the republicans who changed their minds, how the pro-game marriage side came together. the rich guy republican donors, conservative donors who met secretly with the staft fers and said they would help him out even though he is a democrat. within days the wealthy republicans sent back word they were on board each of them cut six figure checks to the lobbying campaign for gay marriage rights. those wealthy republicans who bankrolled the pro-gay marriage fight in new york were three hedge fund zillionaires, three conservative hedge fund zillionaires supporting gay marriage last year in new york state. all three of them now supporting mitt romney for president.
post morten came together, what motivated the governor to do it and push hard, what persuaded the republicans who changed their minds, how the pro-game marriage side came together. the rich guy republican donors, conservative donors who met secretly with the stastaffers a would help him out even though he is a democrat. within days the wealthy republicans sent back word they were on board each of them cut six figure checks to the lobbying campaign for gay marriage rights. those wealthy republicans who bankrolled the pro-gay marriage fight in new york were three hedge fund zillionaires, three conservative hedge fund zillionaires supporting gay marriage last year in new york state. all three of them now supporting
marriage on the offensive. that s what they say. executive director of the family institute of connecticut said friday, quote, if anything, this increases the chances of the traditional marriage side. the oesh pobama policy is much honest than it was just 24 or 48 hours ago. the president of the human rights campaign and he s joinings now live from washington, d.c. joe, thanks for your time. gay rights groups got good news from the president, but you can see that it s certainly lit the fire under proponents of traditional marriage. how do the human rights groups, like yours, now respond? well, i think, first and foremost, it s important to remember what it is that we re responding to. the issue in this case really is whether or not couples in states where marriage equality is legal, like massachusetts, ought to be afforded the same federal benefits that all married couples in massachusetts should be afforded. president considered that question. he determined that it was not only unfa