It looks like Barack Obama’s decision to support gay marriage is hurting him in the polls. A CBS/NYT poll out tonight gives Mitt Romney a 3-point lead among voters, 46 percent to 43 percent. A Rasmussen poll conducted after Obama’s announcement on gay marriage gave Romney a 4-point lead. And in the Gallup daily tracking poll (which is based on seven days’ polling), Obama’s only 1 point ahead today.
Overall, the CBS/NYT poll found that 25 percent of voters are less likely to back Obama because of his new position on gay marriage, while 16 percent are more likely. Twelve percent of Democrats, 23 percent of independents, and 43 percent of Republicans are less likely to support him. On the flip side, 29 percent of Democrats, 14 percent of independents, and 2 percent of Republicans are more likely to support him.
UPDATE: Oh, and among women, Romney’s two points ahead, 46 percent to 44 percent.