Gallup shows support for gay marriage declining since 2007, when it stood at 46 percent. That number is now just 40 percent, with 57 percent opposed to legalizing gay marriage. More important politically is the fact that just over half of Democrats favor gay marriage (55 percent), and fewer than half of independents (45 percent) support such unions. Among Republicans the number is 20 percent in favor. All of which means that gay marriage remains a winning issue for Republicans, and one which will remain on front pages throughout the next election cycle. Given the president's much praised powers of persuasion, one wonders whether the decline in support for gay marriage is a result of his oft-stated personal belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. Or maybe the left would prefer to credit Carrie Prejean for taking her case directly to the people.