Socially conservative leaders spoke about same-sex marriage and the 2004 general election campaigns. They talked about using the issue to drive voter registration and participation, the use of religious groups as grassroots campaign organizers, and the success of their social strategies in electing Republicans to office. Mr. Blackwell said that Ohio “had as many church groups bring in new registrations ” as leftist groups," and that the interest by churches in the issue contributed to the results of the presidential election.