Gay marriage comes to the fore

NORFOLK, Va. – In the final stretch before Election Day, embattled Republicans feel as if they have received a gift from an unlikely donor: advocates of gay marriage.

The GOP thinks last week’s ruling by New Jersey’s Supreme Court ordering equal rights for gay couples – seven of whom had sued for the right to marry – is re-energizing Christian conservatives who had been losing their interest in and passion for politics.

Republicans predict the ruling could draw more conservatives to the polls next week, especially in the eight states that will vote on proposed amendments to their state constitutions to ban gay marriage.

The eight states are Virginia, Tennessee – two states with razor-close Senate races that could decide which party controls the Senate next year – Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Getting conservative Christians to the polls also could help Republicans in some close races for the House of Representatives, such as the one in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. It’s home to Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network and Regent University and includes a large number of Christian conservatives.

“It will improve turnout on our side,” said Republican Rep. Thelma Drake, who is in a close re-election battle with Democratic challenger Phil Kellam. “We all work very hard for turnout. This is a plus for us.”

Nearby, Sen. George Allen, R-Va., visited two largely black churches Sunday, where he invoked the New Jersey ruling as a potent reminder of the need to pass the proposed amendment to the Virginia Constitution to ban gay marriage.

“The Supreme Court decision in New Jersey showed even more importantly to the people of Virginia why the Virginia marriage-protection amendment is so important,” he said afterward.

After years of increased political participation and helping Republicans win, Christian conservatives have been pulling back this year, frustrated by their inability to win significant victories in public policy such as a ban on abortion and perhaps disillusioned by the page sex scandal in the House.

One sign: The ranks of Christian conservatives with favorable views of the Republican Party dropped from 74 percent two years ago to 54 percent this year, according to the Pew Research Center.

“Evangelicals remain the (Republican) party’s most supportive group – but at levels significantly diminished from where they were in the 2002 and 2004 elections,” a recent Pew analysis said.

If a rally Sunday in Norfolk is a guide, however, the threat of the New Jersey ruling could bring some evangelicals back into politics.