He’s counting on Romney and the GOP to fumble the issue. Romney is not going to make it a major feature of his campaign. He’ll respond with the “I’m personally opposed” line if asked, but won’t hold Obama’s feet to the fire. The media will turn this into a “homophobia” circus, dragging out inflammatory statements from any registered Republican they can find and then putting Romney on the spot as to whether he thinks the comments are appropriate. Because Romney won’t argue the issue on the basis of core values, he will let the media and Obama define the issue. As happened in Canada (where the Conservative Party soft-pedalled its opposition), the failure to seize such an important issue will cost Romney votes on both sides. Those conservatives who want this to be a major campaign issue will scream in frustration at the GOP’s ineptitude and will have yet another reason to stay home in November.
As long as the Reps make the election a referendum on Obama and his policies, the Reps will win. The GOP would be stupid to make gay marriage or any other social issue a centerpiece of its campaign. The people now know where Obama stands on this issue along with a number of other issues. He is painting himself in a corner that will make him look more and more extreme--out of touch with the American people.
Obama is becoming more radical because he is more desperate. I am sure his internal polls are showing a giant disaster looming. Many Dem candidates don't want to be seen with him and will be distancing themselves from him on the campaign trail. Let's see how many Dem incumbents start supporting gay marriage on the stump.