over same-sex marriage is heating up this weekend. about an hour ago republican presidential candidate mitt romney defended that position on the issue during a commencement speech at liberty university of evangelical christian college in virginia. culture, what you believe, how you value, how you live matters. now, as fundamental as these principles are, they may become topics of democratic debate from time to time, so it is today with the enduring institution of marriage, marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman. now, several prominent african-american pastors are also voicing their opposition to the president s decision to support gay marriage. and the issue is expected to be a focus of sermons in churches all across the country this mother s day. ahead of sunday s services a group of civil rights leaders, include al sharpton and joseph lowery have written an open letter to the african-american community embracing the president s decision. it says, we c
the president make clear his support is for civil marriage for same-sex couples and he s fully committed to protecting the ability of religious institutions to make their own decisions about their own sacraments. there will be those who seek to use the issue to divide our community as a people, we cannot afford such division. end quote. so the gay marriage debate is heating up across the country since president obama changed his position. wednesday, athena jones joins us with the latest public reaction to the president s decision. what more are you hearing there from that farmer s market? that s right. we have been here all day talking to all kinds of people, more than a dozen people about their opinions on this issue. before i get to that, i want to mention the latest national polling. gallup released a pole late yesterday, the first national pole done since the president made his remarks. that poll showed 51% approve of the president s decision. 45% disapprove. one of the