Obama’s Gay Marriage Stance Sets Off Money Rush
Since President Barack Obama’s declaration of support for same-sex marriage this week, messages, emails and calls have poured in to Dana Perlman, a major fundraiser for Obama’s re-election campaign.
“Everybody wants to do something,” said Perlman, a Los Angeles lawyer who is also a top Democratic Party liaison with the gay community.
He is already looking at bigger venues for a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender fundraiser for Obama in June that was originally planned for 700 people.
While it is too early to say how much extra cash is being raised, Obama’s explicit support of the right for same-sex couples to marry is giving a boost to his campaign’s coffers.
But, by the same token, the gay marriage debate is so polarizing for many Americans that it fires up opponents who will now work harder to help Mitt Romney, the likely Republican candidate in November.