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More Republicans Back Gay Marriage

Party realizes need for unity.

It seems the GOP is finally coming around. Six years ago, George W. Bush’s anti-gay marriage stance was a key position with Republican voters in his bid for reelection. But today, perhaps realizing the party can no longer afford to ostracize gays, more Republicans are happy to publicly back same-sex marriage. According to a Washington Post poll, six in 10 Republicans under 30 support it, while an increasing number of self-confessed social conservatives are also changing their views. "Our nation is at a crossroads, and conservatives are trying to rally together to turn back the Obama-Pelosi-Reid agenda," said one leader of a gay Republican group. "That's why we've seen people like Glenn Beck saying, 'Look, same-sex marriage isn't hurting anybody.' Because he sees a need to create a broad-based conservative movement." Former first lady Laura Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney are among the most prominent supporters of same-sex marriage within the party.