Acceptance of gay marriage has increased at a significant rate among traditionally Republican demographics, including blue-collar workers, seniors and Southerners, according to an analysis by FirstRead of polls from NBC News and the Wall Street Journal.
Blue-collar workers’ views on gay marriage have actually shifted more than any other group since 2004. Eight months before George W. Bush was re-elected, just 18 percent said they were in favor of same-sex marriage, and 80 percent were opposed.
Eight years later, a plurality was in favor. In the December NBC/WSJ poll, 47 percent said so versus 43 percent who remained opposed.
Though older voters remain opposed to same-sex marriage, they have nevertheless demonstrated a 43-point shift on the issue. Voters in the conservative South have likewise shown a 43-point shift on the issue.
