[x]

The flaw in the theory is that Republicans aren't so much battling state populations or legislatures as state courts that impose decisions on states and their governments. There would be a serious conflict if a state decided on its own for gay marriage. Consistency might make some Republicans or conservatives, or federalists support marriages between persons of the same sex, but given the way things are, they are justified in opposing court-mandated gay marriage.

So far, no state has wanted "gay marriage" or opted for civil unions without court prodding, so I don't see any glaring contradiction among conservatives. To be sure, this may change in the future.

Is "domestic partnership" marriage, though? There may be plenty of wiggle room between accepting another state's "domestic partnership" or "civil union" laws and instituting "gay marriage."

[antiRepublicrat]

so I don't see any glaring contradiction among conservatives.

That's just one issue. Many conservatives also support other violations of states' rights, like the federal drug laws.