Bush pollster recommends about-face on marriage

Bush pollster, Jan van Lohuizen's leaked memo warns GOP strategists the party will find itself growing irrelevant should it continue to combat same-sex marriage. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

WASHINGTON — A leaked memo shows a top Republican pollster behind the 2004 Bush/Cheney campaign that pushed constitutional amendments barring same-sex marriage in 11 states, now warns that without a dramatic turn-around on the issue, the GOP could quickly find itself alienating mainstream voters.

Jan van Lohuizen’s memo, according to the Daily Beast, warns research shows “the increase in support [for same-sex marriage] is taking place among all partisan groups,” and that most Republicans polled now agree with extending basic protections to same-sex couples.

“As people who promote personal responsibility, family values, commitment and stability, and emphasize freedom and limited government we have to recognize that freedom means freedom for everyone,” the memo concludes.