Same-sex marriage not that big an issue for many Americans

Same-sex marriage not that big an issue for many Americans

Associated Press

A recent Associated Press-Ipsos poll on public attitudes about President Bush, the nation’s
direction, and the upcoming election included a question about the issue of
same-sex marriage. The poll, conducted Monday through Wednesday, was based on
telephone interviews with 1,501 adults, including 1,215 registered voters and
661 likely voters, from all states except Alaska and Hawaii.



When asked how important the issue of same-sex marriage is to them, 22% of
respondents said it was "extremely important," 15% said it was
"very important," 15% said it was "moderately important,"
11% said it was only "slightly important," and 36% said it wasn’t
important "at all." Only 1% of respondents were "not sure."



The poll also asked if, generally speaking, the respondents would say things in
this country are heading in the right direction or are they off on the wrong
track. Thirty-three percent said they thought the country was heading in the
"right direction," 63% said it was on the "wrong track," and
only 4% were "not sure."



When asked if the they approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is
handling his job as president, 39% said they "approve," 60% said they
"disapprove," and 1% said they have "mixed feelings."