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New Poll Confirms Gay Marriage Not an Issue to New Hampshire Republicans in 2008

Among GOP Primary Voters, 16 Other Issues Trump Gay Marriage

June 13, 2007

(Washington, DC) – According to a new CNN poll of likely Republican primary voters released Tuesday, "gay marriage" barely registers as an important issue. "This poll of Republican voters confirms what many of us in the GOP already knew – the GOP primary election should focus on the issues rank-and-file Republicans care about and same-sex marriage isn't one of them," said Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Sammon. "Republican candidates should focus on issues that unite our Party, instead of using marriage as a wedge issue in this campaign."

The poll asked likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire, "In your opinion, which one issue is MOST IMPORTANT to YOUR VOTE in the presidential primary? Which is next most important? What is the third most important?" Results are as follows:

	1st	2nd	3rd
War in Iraq	36%	18%	9%
Illegal Immigration	11%	18%	10%
Economy	9%	13%	12%
Health care	8%	13%	12%
Homeland security	7%	6%	4%
Abortion	6%	1%	4%
Foreign policy	3%	2%	6%
Terrorism	3%	3%	*
Education	2%	3%	7%
Taxes	2%	6%	7%
Gun control	2%	1%	1%
Budget deficit	1%	3%	4%
Morality	1%	0%	3%
Medicare/prescription drugs	1%	1%	1%
Social Security	1%	1%	3%
Electing a Republican	1%	1%	0%
Gay marriage	0%	1%	2%
Employment/jobs	0%	*	1%
Other	6%	9%	9%
No Opinion	3%	1%	7%

"This poll sends a loud and clear message to Republican candidates," said Sammon. "Our Party is hungry for leadership on the big issues of the day such as the war in Iraq, reforming immigration, homeland security, and keeping our economy strong. If we are going to keep the White House in 2008, we must focus on these issues instead of getting bogged down by the politics of division."

"New Hampshire primary voters have long distinguished themselves as astute voters who understand the nation's priorities," said Sammon. "GOP Party leaders and all candidates for elected office should listen to these voters in the first-of-the-nation primary. 2008 will be a critical election that demands attention on important issues – not divisive politics."

The poll was conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center for CNN and WMUR in New Hampshire. Read the entire poll here.