RNC Chairman Says Gay Marriage Burdens Small Business

Republican National Committee Chief Michael Steele argued against  gay marriage at the State convention in Georgia last Saturday on the premise that it would will financially burden small businesses, according to AP.

"Republicans can reach a broader base by recasting gay marriage as an issue that could dent pocketbooks as small businesses spend more on health care and other benefits, GOP Chairman" commented Steele.

The RNC Chief said that was just an example of how the party can retool its message to appeal to young voters and minorities without sacrificing core conservative principles.
Steele said he made the argument weeks ago while chatting on a flight with a college student who defined herself as fiscally Republican but socially liberal on issues such as gay marriage.

"Now all of a sudden I've got someone who wasn't a spouse before, that I had no responsibility for, who is now getting claimed as a spouse that I now have financial responsibility for," Mr. Steele told Republicans. "So how do I pay for that? Who pays for that? You just cost me money."

In recent weeks, the states of Maine, Vermont and Iowa have officially legalized gay marriage.  Earlier this month a Quinnipiac University survey established that 57 percent of the people included in the poll support civil unions that provide marriagelike rights. Despite the fact that 55 percent said they opposed same-sex marriage, overall the poll indicates a shift toward more acceptance.

Steele has been criticized by some social conservatives following a GQ magazine issue in which the GOP Chairman was quoted as saying he opposed gay marriage but wasn't going to "beat people upside the head about it."

Steele, a Catholic and former Maryland lieutenant governor, was elected chairman of the Republican National committee earlier this year.