Poll: marriage hasn’t hurt Obama with black voters

President Obama’s evolution on same-sex marriage may be positively affecting the black electorate. (Blade file by Michael Key)

WASHINGTON — A recent poll of black voters shows that they have remained steadfastly supportive of the president even after his announcement that he supports extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.

The poll by the Public Religion Research Institute was highlighted by the Washington Post as evidence that President Obama’s influence remains unchanged in this critical constituency.

“Despite the fact that there is some dissonance between Obama’s position and where black Americans are overall on this issue, there is simply no evidence it is driving a wedge between Obama and black voters.” the Post writes, highlighting additional key findings that black voters not only rank same-sex marriage as a low-priority issue, but also that a solid majority actually approve of the president’s position.