WTF is wrong with Zogby?

[Ian David]

Get this question:

Which of the following policies do you support for same-sex couples in America - they should be allowed to form civil unions that grant them legal rights and recognition or they should receive no legal recognition?

Civil unions
No legal recognition
Not sure

---

Excuse me??

What about EQUAL MARRIAGE!

http://interactive.zogby.com
For comments on this survey, please email [e-mail].

[EFerrari]

1. Is that the 11/09 poll? nt

[unpossibles]

2. what? you want equal rights for all American citizens?

How gauche! How sinister! We have to save marriage for the likes of Britney Spears!

:)


what's next? You want everyone to be able to vote without problems?

[robbedvoter]

3. A lot more than just this, but yeah, this too..

I believe there were some gay marriage questions in that poll, but it's clear where he's leading (his questions are as leading as any)

[Ian David]

4. Okay, the survey actually gets a little better...

Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that allowing same-sex couples to form legally recognized civil unions is a reasonable compromise between full marriage rights and no legal recognition?

Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree
Not sure

In your opinion, are domestic partnerships the same as marriage or different than marriage?

Same as marriage
Different than marriage
Not sure

<snip>

Do you think Congress should strengthen laws protecting gays and lesbians from job and housing discrimination, or do you think Congress should not pass any new laws protecting gays and lesbians?

Strengthen
No new laws
Not sure


Do you think gay and lesbian couples are denied basic legal protections, or do you think that they have mostly the same rights as everyone else?

Denied basic legal protections
Have mostly the same rights
Not sure


What is of greater concern to you - that Democrats will push gay and lesbian rights too far, or that Republicans will be too intolerant toward gays and lesbians?

Democrats will go too far
Republicans will be too intolerant
Not sure


What concerns you more, that gay activists will not stop with domestic partnership and push for marriage rights, or that anti-gay activists will take away basic legal protections from gays and lesbians?

Gay activists will go too far
Anti-gay activists will take away legal protections
Not sure

[eleny]

5. Wasn't there also a question about marriage, too?

I recall answering a question about how I felt about civil unions and one about marriage. I didn't copy and save the questions so it's too late to go back now to verify. But I thought they asked about each.

I came away from the poll feeling like I was able to get my views across - that being that I supported same-sex marriage.

[sweetladybug]

6. I think this is a fair question, because

most people I talk with (here in TN) believe a marriage is between a man and a woman. But, they believe that gay couples should have the right to civil unions that would grant them legal rights and recognition. To me, if civil union are granted this would be a compromise and gay couples would have their legal rights and recognition.

[EFerrari]

8. Why should gay couples compromise? Isn't that like asking

black citizens to sit in the middle of the bus?

[sweetladybug]

11. The way I see this issue is

something is better than nothing. So if gay couples are able to have their legal rights and recognition, that is the most important issue. Over time perhaps laws can be changed to a marriage is between 2 loving people. Again, the most important issue at this time is for gay couples have legal rights and recognition.

[EFerrari]

15. Well, that sop would be unconstitutional. n/t

[eleny]

18. Yes, it's a civil rght issue

The majority ought not be able to vote on civil rights. The constitution guides us on those. That's how I see it.

The courts may have to decide. I understand that's risky these days. But my basic opinion is that marriage is a civil right between consenting adults.

I don't have a problem with it being between more than one adult, either. I wanted one husband and am happy with that. But so long as it's consenting adults, it's their business.

[Ian David]

10. That only works if there were such a thing as a FEDERAL Civil Union

that was equal to marriage in all its rights, privileges and obligations.

[sandnsea]

13. So we pass it

That's what legislators do.

[AllegroRondo]

7. did you get the coffee question?

"Which coffee do you think best represents you:

A - Starbucks
B - McDonalds
C - other

WTF??

[Ian David]

9. Mine asked Starbucks or DunkinDonuts or Other. n/t

[eleny]

19. That one made me chuckle!

[sandnsea]

12. Reframing the issue

Gay marriage goes down every single time it comes to a vote. It is a basic reality. Most people accept civil unions. This poll is intended to put the focus on what people already accept. Protection not perfection.

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. I thought civil unions are marriages minus the religious component?

[KittyWampus]

16. That is how I frame the issue and then say 'civil union contracts' for EVERY couple

gay, straight, whathaveyou.

State licenses should be called Civil Union Contracts. And available for all desirous couples.

Marriages are an optional ceremony afterwards.

[Czolgosz]

17. I also thought that the frame of "civil unions" as distinct from marriage was

a useful way to communicate that "we're not making your church recognize this union but there are over 1,000 civil benefits and rights bundled together with marital status and we want those rights and benefits to be equally available to all Americans without affecting with your religious beliefs or forcing your church to agree or disagree with this purely civil matter."

I think this could be an effective frame to advance the agenda.