Poll: Gay marriage amendment 2 percent shy of passing. Margin of error: 3.5 percentage points.

From Saturday's Miami Herald report by Lesley Clark and Jose Pagliery about a current Miami Herald-St. Pete Times poll of Floridians' attitudes on state issues:

The survey of 800 voters was conducted Sept. 14 to Sept. 17 and has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

Support for the proposed constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a man and a woman falls short of the 60 percent approval threshold. Voters in the poll support the ballot Amendment 2 by 58-37 percent, with 5 percent undecided. Republicans favor the amendment 74-21 percent, while Democrats oppose it 50-44 percent.

Eldon suggested support for the amendment may have reached a plateau: ''The yes side should have the momentum,'' he said. ``You would think at this point they'd have the base mobilized. Picking up swing voters is going to be a challenge if they haven't done it yet.''

Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway disagreed, saying she expects ''plenty of mobilization'' by pro-amendment forces. She suggested the numbers may be lower because the proposed constitutional amendment goes farther than similar efforts by also banning both civil unions and publicly recognized domestic partnerships.

Comments

[Steve]

Excellent news on the huge percentage of Floridians supporting this amendment! May God help it pass!

[torqueflite]

Just wondering why, of all the major papers in Florida, the MIAMI HERALD has not editorialized or endorsed on Amendment 2? Florida Red & Blue lists 10 papers in opposition to this heinous initiative and the HERALD could contribute materially to its failure by editorializing against it and by urging a NO vote. Thanks for the opportunity to respond.

[Steve Rothaus]

I just spoke with our editor, Joe Oglesby, who said The Miami Herald will be making a recommendation sometime soon on Amendment 2. Thank you.

[torqueflite]

Thanks very much, Steve.