In the four liberal states where advocates for same-sex marriage won their victories, the redefinition of marriage proved much less popular than Barack Obama. In Maryland, for instance, Obama cruised to victory with 62 percent of the vote, but same-sex marriage squeaked by with just 52 percent. In other words, more than one out of six of Obama supporters voted with Republicans, not their fellow Democrats, against same sex marriage.

In Maryland, Maine, Washington and Minnesota, opposition to gay marriage averaged more than 48% but Romney averaged only 41%. In other words, traditional marriage is more popular than the GOP itself – providing a way to win over new votes, not to lose them.