September 20, 2010
The first national poll suggesting the majority of Americans back same-sex marriage looked like a fluke.
Today, a second poll finds that a 52% majority back federal legal recognition for same-sex marriage.
In both cases, the questions weren't totally straightforward.
This one asked: "Should the Federal Government give legal recognition to marriages between couples of the same sex, or not?"
In response, 52% said yes.
The earlier CNN poll had gotten almost identical numbers from this question:
"Do you think gays and lesbians should have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid?"
That isn't the same as saying your state should marry same-sex couples. But it's a pretty clear explanation of why this isn't an effective political issue any more. And it suggests that appeals to the Supreme Court may not be as out of step with public opinion as many on both sides of this fight had assumed.