Messina: GOP’s 2016 Nominee Won’t Back Gay Marriage

[DonViejo]

Count former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina among those skeptical that the Republican Party will field a presidential nominee who embraces marriage equality in 2016.

In an interview with BusinessWeek's Josh Green, Messina cited the GOP's conservative primary electorate and a recent ABC/Washington Post survey that showed older Republicans still very much opposed to gay nuptials.

“Given who their primary electorate is and given the fact that the ABC/Washington Post poll showed that 60 percent of older Republican primary voters still oppose it,” Messina said. “I think you will see people talk less about it. But I don’t think they’re showing any signs of moderating.”

The ABC/WaPo survey did, however, show a slight majority of Republican voters under the age of 50 supporting same-sex marriage.

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http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/messina-gops-2016-nominee-wont-back-gay-marriage?ref=fpb

[Happyhippychick]

1. He's not necessarily any kind of authority but I hope he is right.

[davidpdx]

2. I can't say for certain

But it seems like he's calling them on their so called "reforms" and saying their bullshit. In a way he's egging them on.

[JoePhilly]

4. That was my first impression as well ... his tweaking them, maybe trying to

get a response ... get them to fight with each other.

[DFW]

3. They don't have to

All they have to say is that they won't oppose it if it becomes the law of the land, and the Log Cabin Republicans will be on board.

Actually, I think the Log Cabin Republicans would vote for Ted Cruz if he were the nominee. Money seems to be more important to them than their own happiness.

[sakabatou]

5. Not surprised

[SpartanDem]

6. I think 2016 could be a real shit show on this issue for them

with both pro and anti equality candidates. I think there's good chance Christie will come around by 2016, but you're going to have an arch conservative like Rick Santorum that'll want the status quo.

[NYC Liberal]

7. They'll pick another Romney or McCain...

someone who doesn't come off as overtly crazy but whose policies are totally reprehensible and will turn a lot of people off once they're exposed.

Romney and McCain were "moderate" candidates who got exposed once pit under the spotlight.