HI, I'M STEADFAST, THIS IS MY OPPONENT, NUANCE:

Survey points to Bush edge: State's voters oppose gay marrige -- a possible selling point for the president. (Clea Benson, June 4, 2004, Sacramento Bee)

President Bush's opposition to same-sex marriage could help him make up ground against John Kerry in California, according to statewide survey results released Thursday.

Bush has steadfastly opposed gay marriage and has proposed a constitutional amendment defining matrimony as a union between a man and a woman. Democratic presidential contender Kerry has taken a more nuanced position, saying he opposes gay marriage but favors same-sex civil unions.

A nonpartisan Field Poll found that both undecided voters and voters overall in California were against same-sex marriages by a margin of 5-to-4.

That helps Bush because his position is clearly in line with the majority, said poll director Mark DiCamillo.

"It could be significant in certain markets where they're trying to get swing voters," DiCamillo said. "This poll shows that even in California, (the same-sex marriage issue) has the potential of adding some support to the president."

When news stories read like your "negative" ads you're controlling the dialogue.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 4, 2004 5:26 PM