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Romney refuses to sign anti-gay marriage pledge
Bachmann, Santorum have adopted Christian group's controversial 14-point document
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43736633/ns/politics-decision_2012/
DES MOINES, Iowa — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's campaign said Tuesday that he will not sign a conservative Iowa Christian group's far-reaching pledge opposing gay marriage, making him the first Republican presidential candidate to reject it.
Two of Romney's rivals for the Republican nomination, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, have signed the The Family Leader's 14-point pledge, which calls on the candidates to denounce same-sex marriage rights, pornography, same-sex military accommodations and forms of Islamic law.
Video: Did Bachmann’s clinic try to ‘cure’ homosexuality? (on this page)
When it was first circulated last week, the introduction to the pledge stated that African American children were more likely to be raised in two-parent households when they were born into slavery than they are today.
The group struck that language and apologized after black ministers complained, but it said it stands by the rest of the document.
'Undignified'
Andrea Saul, a spokeswoman for Romney, told The Associated Press in a written statement Tuesday that Romney "strongly supports traditional marriage," but that the oath "contained references and provisions that were undignified and inappropriate for a presidential campaign."
Bachmann and Santorum have been campaigning hard to court the influential social conservatives in Iowa, which holds the nation's first caucuses.
Romney's rejection of the pledge reflects his diminished focus on winning Iowa, where he spent $10 million during his 2008 presidential campaign only to finish second.
None of the other GOP presidential hopefuls, including former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, have said whether they will sign the pledge or not.
Romney, who supported rights for gay couples in Massachusetts, was criticized in Iowa by some Iowa social conservatives during his 2008 campaign, when he finished second in the caucuses after aggressively courting Christian conservatives.
Story: Presidential candidates warn about compromise in debt deal
In his second bid, Romney, who leads in national GOP polls, has cast himself as a national figure more focused on the economy, and has said he would not spend as much time and money campaigning in Iowa as he did during his $10 million effort for the 2008 caucuses.
'Not backing away'
The Family Leader, an organization formed last year and positioning itself to be an influential player in the 2012 caucuses, said Tuesday they stand by the 14 policy positions listed under the promise to "defend and to uphold the institution of marriage as only between one man and one woman."
The points include the promise to be faithful to their spouses, enforce the federal Defense of Marriage Act and support a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
The group said signing the oath is a condition of winning its endorsement before the caucuses.
"We are standing firm that the 14 points of the marriage vow are right on target and we are creating higher standards for the presidential candidates," said Julie Summa, director of marketing and public outreach for The Family Leader.
"We are not backing away from that at all," she added.
Gay marriage has been a volatile issue in Iowa in recent years, and came to a head in 2009 when the Iowa Supreme Court struck down the state's statutory ban on gay marriage, making same-sex marriages legal.
Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman is not campaigning in Iowa, citing his past opposition to farm subsidies, although he also supported rights for same-sex couples as governor of Utah.
Huntsman campaign aides said Tuesday the former U.S. ambassador to China is declining to sign any pledges as part of his campaign.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43736633/ns/politics-decision_2012/
DES MOINES, Iowa — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's campaign said Tuesday that he will not sign a conservative Iowa Christian group's far-reaching pledge opposing gay marriage, making him the first Republican presidential candidate to reject it.
Two of Romney's rivals for the Republican nomination, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, have signed the The Family Leader's 14-point pledge, which calls on the candidates to denounce same-sex marriage rights, pornography, same-sex military accommodations and forms of Islamic law.
Video: Did Bachmann’s clinic try to ‘cure’ homosexuality? (on this page)
When it was first circulated last week, the introduction to the pledge stated that African American children were more likely to be raised in two-parent households when they were born into slavery than they are today.
The group struck that language and apologized after black ministers complained, but it said it stands by the rest of the document.
'Undignified'
Andrea Saul, a spokeswoman for Romney, told The Associated Press in a written statement Tuesday that Romney "strongly supports traditional marriage," but that the oath "contained references and provisions that were undignified and inappropriate for a presidential campaign."
Bachmann and Santorum have been campaigning hard to court the influential social conservatives in Iowa, which holds the nation's first caucuses.
Romney's rejection of the pledge reflects his diminished focus on winning Iowa, where he spent $10 million during his 2008 presidential campaign only to finish second.
None of the other GOP presidential hopefuls, including former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, have said whether they will sign the pledge or not.
Romney, who supported rights for gay couples in Massachusetts, was criticized in Iowa by some Iowa social conservatives during his 2008 campaign, when he finished second in the caucuses after aggressively courting Christian conservatives.
Story: Presidential candidates warn about compromise in debt deal
In his second bid, Romney, who leads in national GOP polls, has cast himself as a national figure more focused on the economy, and has said he would not spend as much time and money campaigning in Iowa as he did during his $10 million effort for the 2008 caucuses.
'Not backing away'
The Family Leader, an organization formed last year and positioning itself to be an influential player in the 2012 caucuses, said Tuesday they stand by the 14 policy positions listed under the promise to "defend and to uphold the institution of marriage as only between one man and one woman."
The points include the promise to be faithful to their spouses, enforce the federal Defense of Marriage Act and support a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
The group said signing the oath is a condition of winning its endorsement before the caucuses.
"We are standing firm that the 14 points of the marriage vow are right on target and we are creating higher standards for the presidential candidates," said Julie Summa, director of marketing and public outreach for The Family Leader.
"We are not backing away from that at all," she added.
Gay marriage has been a volatile issue in Iowa in recent years, and came to a head in 2009 when the Iowa Supreme Court struck down the state's statutory ban on gay marriage, making same-sex marriages legal.
Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman is not campaigning in Iowa, citing his past opposition to farm subsidies, although he also supported rights for same-sex couples as governor of Utah.
Huntsman campaign aides said Tuesday the former U.S. ambassador to China is declining to sign any pledges as part of his campaign.
Oh come on. I am pretty certain you are no Michele fan. And I know you love Teko and Mary! And we would love to have them become Canadians.
Mary...Ryder is a big snuggler. He'll happily go from one to the other..it's what he does with hubby and I. It's like he doesn't want anyone to feel left out..lol.
Mary...Ryder is a big snuggler. He'll happily go from one to the other..it's what he does with hubby and I. It's like he doesn't want anyone to feel left out..lol.
If Michele Bachmann wins the election and becomes president, you guys would move out of the country to Canada???
Don't let ME stop you!
Shoot... I'll help you pack!!!
Don't let ME stop you!
Shoot... I'll help you pack!!!
I love babies.........Am I going to have to fight Teko for baby ?
Love em. And the in law suite comes with a built in grandbaby...lol.
Thank you. I seriously would be getting out- of- dodge. Do you like dogs ?
My inlaw suite is a two bedroom......
That women scares the bajeeezas out of me ! If she gets elected this country would crumble in the first few months of her in office. Scary, scary thought.
Awe! me living in the inlaw room! Me gots clout!!!! I dunno, remember the midterms! Something bad happend! lol
You betcha! In fact our new house has an in law suite in it. It's all yours!!!
I really can't see it happening though. She is just way to extreme. Her views on social issues are sooo rigid, it's hard to imagine her being appealing to the majority. The women is anti everything and thinks everyone should live according to her moral views. How in the heck can that work? I just don't see it.
I really can't see it happening though. She is just way to extreme. Her views on social issues are sooo rigid, it's hard to imagine her being appealing to the majority. The women is anti everything and thinks everyone should live according to her moral views. How in the heck can that work? I just don't see it.
Oh yes she is very scary, and a favorite in IOWA, which is huge. Can you just imagine this woman getting voted in. I dont, if she gets in it will be bought and paid for. Lets hope we have not suck that low. If we have, can I still come live with you? perty pleze!
I know many say he flip flops on issues, and I'm sure he does, but I like this guy. I really do. Everytime I hear him speak he seems focused on what is really important. He is super religious, but doesn't seem to bring it into his politics. He seems like a very well rounded stable guy.
On that note...did anyone see the latest on Michele? Her and her husband own a Christian counseling center and allegedly counsel gay people on becoming heterosexual. Main stream medicine and phsyciatry say that it not only doesn't work but is dangerous. The more I learn about this women, the more frightened I become for my American friends if she wins. I have this vision of the morality police knocking on doors...she is actually kinda scary. I was watching some of her taped old interviews....yikes.
On that note...did anyone see the latest on Michele? Her and her husband own a Christian counseling center and allegedly counsel gay people on becoming heterosexual. Main stream medicine and phsyciatry say that it not only doesn't work but is dangerous. The more I learn about this women, the more frightened I become for my American friends if she wins. I have this vision of the morality police knocking on doors...she is actually kinda scary. I was watching some of her taped old interviews....yikes.
Good for Romney! He is not a sheeple! I like that! I always did like him and once upon a time when I would have voted for pubs, he would have been my man! Oh well, that was then and this is now. Sorry Mitt! I still really really like ya tho!
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