Gay Endorsements Have Scant Impact on Voters

[Hissyspit]

Source: Reuters

Gay endorsements have scant impact on voters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - It does not matter to most voters in three key states whether a presidential candidate has the backing of gay rights groups, according to a new poll on Wednesday.

Ahead of a Thursday night debate for Democrats in Los Angeles devoted to gay issues, Quinnipiac University's Swing State Poll asked about the impact of campaign endorsements by gay groups on voters in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

In Ohio, 54 percent say such endorsements make no difference, while 34 percent said it would make them less likely to support a candidate and 10 percent said it would make them more likely to back a campaign. The numbers were similar for Pennsylvania and Florida.

At the same time an endorsement by a labor union was an overall negative in all three states. "Being perceived as the candidate of gay rights turns off more voters than it attracts, although in general being considered the candidate of a special interest group seems to be a political loser," said Peter Brown, assistant director of Quinnipiac's polling unit.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070808/pl_nm/usa_politics_gays_dc

[msongs]

1. people vote in FAVOR of their prejudices nt

[Ian David]

2. Every gay rights organization needs to endorse the Repuke candidates!

In Ohio, 54 percent say such endorsements make no difference, while 34 percent said it would make them less likely to support a candidate and 10 percent said it would make them more likely to back a campaign. The numbers were similar for Pennsylvania and Florida.

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. For me, it depends greatly as to WHICH gay organization is endorsing

Sell-out groups like the Human Rights Campaign, I could not care less as to their opinion. Groups that actually work to support my rights, such as Pride At Work, and local organizations such as the Seattle Metropolitan Elections Committee (SEAMEC)... I take those endorsements seriously.

[xchrom]

4. i used to give money to HRC -- when they started out.

today -- i'm not even sure they know they are out of step with most politically savvy gay folk.

[Solon]

5. What I find as news is the fact that Unions are considered "special interest groups" at all...

and why the fuck would it be a negative? What, caring about workers is a bad thing now?