President Obama’s decision to announce his “personal” support for same-sex “marriage” came after more than three and one-half years of his “evolution” on the issue and three days after his vice president – seemingly unintentionally – so boxed him in with his confessional-style comments that he had no other option. 

Those professing same-sex affinity or advocating for its complete cultural and legal acceptability have great influence in the Obama administration; according to Politico, “It’s hard to find a person in Obama’s orbit who didn’t have a relationship with gay-rights advocates or the highly influential community of gay and lesbian donors who have supported the president”. 

Yet apart from the behind-the-scenes political machinations, or the profound and troubling policy implications of the president’s decision, the decision itself could well determine the outcome of the fall election. That’s not hyperbole, but Electoral College math written as large as it can be. 

Considering that ten of the sixteen key battleground states have marriage amendments that could be overturned by the President’s new policy position on marriage, his announcement almost ensures that marriage will again be a major issue in the presidential election. 

The critical swing states of Ohio, Colorado, Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina, and possibly Pennsylvania, are now much more likely to be won by Mitt Romney in November. Why? 

Realizing the centrality of marriage to the well-being of children, the vibrancy of the economy, and the very nature of our culture, social conservatives are as passionate about preserving marriage as the West and East Coast cultural elites are about changing it – and there are a lot more of us between the two coasts. 

Yes, the cultural elites and homosexual activists are wealthy and give generously to candidates and ballot initiatives sympathetic to their priorities. Their influence within the Democratic Party and its candidates is pronounced, however, they constitute a relatively small number of voters. 

Additionally, there are three other factors that must be considered in any political calculus: 

Social conservatives, especially those animated by their faith

This article originally appeared on: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/05/21/why-obama-gay-marriage-move-weighs-against-his-reelection/