A new Alliance Defense Fund-backed poll released today found that an overwhelming majority (some 62 percent) of Americans believe that marriage should be defined as one man and one woman. According to Public Opinion Strategies, which conducted the survey, 52 percent of Americans surveyed “strongly agreed.”

The results of the poll are in stark contrast to three recent surveys conducted by non-partisan groups and media outlets. Gallup, CNN/Opinion Research Corporation and CBS/Washington Post polls, all conducted in 2011, found a growing majority of Americans support legal recognition for same-sex couples.

Public Opinion Strategies has an impressive client list. Most of its clients, however, are Republican politicians.

Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss, Georgia Reps. Jack Kingston, Tom Price and Lynn Westmoreland (all Republicans) utilize POS' polling service.

POS doesn't shy away from the fact it helps its clients get the results they want either. They say so right on their website:

We work closely with our clients to develop the research that is tailored to meet their specific needs. Over the years, we have successfully employed a number of innovative research methodologies and research strategies. Each client and each case requires a unique approach, and we are very responsive to the interests of every client.

No joke. I'm going to go ahead and call baloney on this poll. The shadiness of the results aside, marriage foes have jumped on the findings as proof Americans do not support gay unions.

“Americans recognize that marriage provides a strong foundation for a thriving society,” said ADF Senior Counsel Brian Raum on the ADF website in response to the results.

“The union between husband and wife benefits society – especially children – in unique ways that cannot be duplicated by any other relationship. Throughout history, diverse cultures and faiths have recognized this universally defined ideal as the best way to promote healthy, natural families for the good of future generations,” Raum added.

The Alliance Defense Fund said that in addition to a nationwide poll of 1,500 adults, some 14 focus groups were held across the country. The poll's methodology can be found here.

ADF has advocated against same-sex marriage and supports efforts to ban such unions. According to its website:

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.

Of course an anti-gay, conservative organization conducting a poll would want the results to reflect their views.

For the poll's summary, click here.