CONCORD (New Hampshire) - IOWA and New Hampshire traditionally offer presidential candidates vastly different political landscapes when they seek their party nominations.
Yet legalizing gay marriage, as both states have now done, is unlikely to have much impact in 2012 because of party dynamics and the different emphasis voters place on social issues.
NEW HAMPSHIRE IS MODERATE
That isn't the case in New Hampshire, where Republicans tend to be more fiscally conservative and socially moderate.
New Hampshire has allowed civil unions since 2008; Iowa never allowed them.
Gay marriage became legal in Iowa in April after the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that denying gays the right to marry is discriminatory.
In New Hampshire, the Legislature approved a gay marriage bill Wednesday that will take effect Jan 1.
While some see opposition to gay marriage easing nationwide, that's not the case among Iowa Republicans - especially the relatively small number who dominate the state's leadoff precinct caucuses. Social and religious conservatives dominate that group, and their opposition to gay marriage is solid.
To be competitive among Iowa Republicans, presidential candidates likely will have to toe that line, key strategists said.
'I'm guessing that most of the serious candidates will be for a constitutional amendment to define marriage,' said David Roederer, a veteran activist who managed John McCain's campaign in the state. 'I don't think there's going to be much of a difference.'
Steve Scheffler, head of the Iowa Christian Alliance, said the debate over gay marriage is part of a larger discussion of what he sees as the declining social culture of the country. Candidates must address that, he said, and gay marriage is a key element.
'I think there's a whole wide range of issues they need to address - the state of our economy, the decline of our culture. All of those things have to be put on the table,' said Scheffler. 'It's absolutely essential, and it would behoove them to talk about it. I don't think they can dodge it or duck.' -- AP
