"There’s something to be said for having a Republican who supports civil rights in this broader context, including sexual orientation. When Ted Kennedy speaks on gay rights, he’s seen as an extremist. When Mitt Romney speaks on gay rights he‚Äôs seen as a centrist and a moderate. It’s a little like if Eugene McCarthy was arguing in favor of recognizing China, people would have called him a nut. But when Richard Nixon does it, it becomes reasonable. When Ted says it, it’s extreme; when I say it, it’s mainstream. I think the gay community needs more support from the Republican Party and I would be a voice in the Republican Party to foster anti-discrimination efforts.
The other thing I should say is that the gay community and the members of it that are friends of mine that I’ve talked to don’t vote solely on the basis of gay rights issues. They’re also very concerned about a $4 trillion national debt, a failing school system, a welfare system that‚Äôs out of whack and a criminal justice system that isn’t working. I believe that while I would further the efforts Ted Kennedy has led, I would also lead the country in new and far more positive ways in taxing and spending, welfare reform, criminal justice and education. That’s why I believe many gay and lesbian individuals will support my candidacy and do support my candidacy," – Mitt Romney to the Boston gay paper, Bay Windows, in 1994.
Romney is on record supporting the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act for gay and lesbian workplace protection. He is on record supporting leaving the question of marriage to the states. He is on record supporting an aggressive outreach to gay and lesbian voters and is on record speaking of sexual orientation in the clear context of civil rights. How can he therefore be favored by the Christianist wing of the GOP? Can Hugh Hewitt support a candidate with these positions, which are diametrically opposed to his own? And if Romney has reversed himself on all this, is it not appropriate to ask: why? Was he lying then or is he lying now? What does he really believe? Or is he prepared to say anything that serves his career interests at any given time?
More analysis here.
(Photo: Paul Sancya/AP.)
The Dish 