Obama's gay marriage stance: 4 swing states that may punish him

The president's risky move to come out in favor of same-sex marriage could make it tougher for him to win several crucial electoral battlegrounds

President Obama speaks at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio on April 18: His support of same-sex marriage could spell trouble for him with the state's undecided voters.
(Image credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Obama's historic decision to endorse gay marriage has not only stoked the enthusiasm of his liberal supporters — it has fired up his opposition, too. Obama's declaration seems sure to spur many social conservatives to set aside their doubts about Mitt Romney and rally behind the presumptive Republican nominee, and could lose the Democrat the votes of some independents, too. That complicates Obama's effort to win in several swing states, many of which have passed referendums banning same-sex marriage. Indeed, says Charlie Mahtesian at Politico, "for all the polls showing movement toward greater public acceptance of gay marriage, for all the signs of increased tolerance and changing mores, there's one undeniable fact: A full embrace of gay rights has never been a winner in the political arena." Which states might punish Obama for his evolution? Here are four:

1. North Carolina

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