The mainstream media are quick to report that the important issues with voters are Iraq , gas prices and the economy, but there is another important issue they are ignoring — protecting the definition of marriage.  

A new study released Thursday by the Family Research Council reveals that voters are more likely to vote for a presidential candidate who supports state marriage amendments by a whopping two-to-one margin.

The results of a commissioned national survey demonstrate the potential for significant political impact of marriage protection amendments on the November ballot in California , Florida , and Arizona .  Sen. John McCain has publicly expressed support for the state marriage amendments, while Sen. Barack Obama has expressed his opposition.  

The survey conducted by Wilson Research Strategies asks likely voters if they "would be more or less likely to vote for a presidential candidate" who supports measures on the November ballot that would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. 

The results of the poll demonstrate that marriage is an issue that many American voters care deeply about and one that could affect their choice for President. 

• 58% of likely voters would be more likely to support a presidential candidate that favors state marriage protection amendments as opposed to only 29% who said that they would be less likely to support such a candidate. Intensity is strongest among those favoring state marriage amendments.
  
• 54% of Independents are more likely to support a candidate favoring marriage amendments. 
  
• 75% of Republicans and 47% of Democrats are more likely to support a candidate favoring marriage amendments.

The full poll results can be downloaded at http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF08G19.pdf