WASHINGTON — The dramatic Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage is forcing Republican leaders to cope, in bright daylight, with something they'd rather handle discreetly: the careful balance between placating their conservative base and reaching out to centrist voters crucial in presidential elections.

Top GOP leaders showed notable restraint ;ast week, while conservative activists fulminated against the court's decision, which requires the federal government to recognize same-sex marriage.

It's a delicate political dance that establishment Republicans perform whenever divisive social issues gain new prominence. Republicans are unified and confident in their anti-tax, small-government principles. But nonfinancial issues cause more problems.