and polarization and surround this issue. don't forget. part of his base, we saw this in north carolina, just yesterday, is critically opposed to this issue. that is african-americans. >> bret: this is what romney said this afternoon when asked about this issue on the stat statement. >> my view is that marriage, itself, is a relationship between a man and a woman. and that is my own preference. i know other people have differing views. this is a very tender and sensitive topic as are many social issues. i have the same view i have had since, well, since running for office. >> bret: how does it play politically, david? >> it's an interesting question. i think in the immediate it can cut two ways. first, it can energize world voters and voters that have been he is tant or enthusiastic to support mitt romney. on this issue, he has been consistent. n terms of what he did as the governor of massachusetts, court cases there.