House races won't hang on Obama gay marriage move, says a top Democrat
Obama’s new stance in favor of gay marriage is unlikely to have a big impact on Democrats’ fight to take control of the House, says Rep. Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Washington
President Obama’s decision to come out in favor of gay marriage is unlikely to have a major impact on Democrats’ fight to regain control of the House, says Rep. Steve Israel (D) of New York, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).
The battle to take control of the House in the 2012 elections will be "razor close" and is "still uphill for Democrats," who need a net gain of 25 seats to win the majority, Representative Israel said Thursday at a Monitor-hosted breakfast for reporters. He argued that the president’s position on gay marriage would not dramatically alter Democrats' chances.
“I just don’t think it is going to be a huge dynamic in specific congressional races, because our candidates reflect the priorities and the values of the districts in which they are running,” Israel said. “I don’t think it is that relevant. I am a big believer that each candidate should run their own race. We told our candidates, 'If you agree with the president, state your agreement. If you disagree with the president, state your disagreement.' And it is just that simple."
IN PICTURES: Same sex marriage
The American public is split on the issue of gay marriage. A March 2012 ABC News-Washington Post Poll found that 52 percent said gay marriage should be legal, while 43 percent said it should be illegal.
