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News & ArtsSaturday, May 12, 2012
2012 Mitt Romney Lived Through A Day of Semi-Enlightenment on Gay Adoption
Posted by Paul Constant on Sat, May 12, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Wonkette notes that for nearly one day, Mitt Romney was on the right side of gay adoption. Thursday, he said this:
in my state, individuals of the same sex were able to adopt children. In my view, that’s something that people have a right to do.
Less than 24 hours later, Romney retracted that statement, presumably because it was very nearly a bold thing for a Republican to say:
Well, actually I think all states but one allow gay adoption, so that’s a position which has been decided by most of the state legislatures, including the one in my state some time ago. So I simply acknowledge the fact that gay adoption is legal in all states but one.
What a man! What a spine on this guy! What a hero!
2
What a realist.
Case in point.
Obama says hes "for marriage equality".
Ok, so what is doing about NC?
NOTHING.
He can't -- he's chief executive of the Federal Government, which cannot make or break state laws, only enforce them.
Romney made a true and accurate statement.
To say any more on an issue that as President he would have no power would be wrong.
Now -- if the Supreme Court declared all bans on marriage invalid, and it is up to the President to send in the troops to enforce it...well...then...
3
@2
"Romney made a true and accurate statement."
Yes he did.
So you are advocating that the office of POTUS be replaced by a Wikipedia search routine?
"To say any more on an issue that as President he would have no power would be wrong."
Why would it be "wrong"?
I have no power on a lot of things.
But I still make my opinion known and I stand behind it.
Do you have a problem with a POTUS who has a spine?
"Romney made a true and accurate statement."
Yes he did.
So you are advocating that the office of POTUS be replaced by a Wikipedia search routine?
"To say any more on an issue that as President he would have no power would be wrong."
Why would it be "wrong"?
I have no power on a lot of things.
But I still make my opinion known and I stand behind it.
Do you have a problem with a POTUS who has a spine?
4
Romney's ability to waffle, flip, and flop on command is breath taking. His willingness to stand on his principles then turn around and sit on his convictions is masterful.
But what is most impressive is not that he is so willing to conform to whatever he perceives as being the most normal and popular at the moment, nay to contort himself in remarkable ways to do so;
No what makes Romney so spectacular is his willingness to share this gift with others. To hold them down, despite their pleas, and force the same conformity upon them.
But what is most impressive is not that he is so willing to conform to whatever he perceives as being the most normal and popular at the moment, nay to contort himself in remarkable ways to do so;
No what makes Romney so spectacular is his willingness to share this gift with others. To hold them down, despite their pleas, and force the same conformity upon them.
5
@ 2 Obama could call for an sign a federal marriage equality law, you know like how we had a national civil voter's rights act.
6
@2 is demonstrating normal Republican thinking about Presidential statements...any bully pulpiting by Democrats is either 1: tyrannical dictatorship or 2: inappropriate because they have no power. Bully pulpiting is only for Republicans. You silly liberals, thinking Presidents other than Reagan have traditionally set the course for the nation through their statements.
8
@7, he's backing off from affirming that gay people have the right to adopt.
This begs some follow up questions.
But first, is there any truth to Romney's assertion that "gay adoption" is legal in all but one state?
I guess it hinges on how one defines "gay adoption." If single people can adopt, and gays and lesbians aren't barred from adopting as single people, does that count? Or does "gay adoption" mean that a same-sex couple can adopt?
Single adoption appears to be legal in all 50 states. Adoption by same-sex couples seems to be legal in only 19 states, according to this interactive graphic.
This begs some follow up questions.
But first, is there any truth to Romney's assertion that "gay adoption" is legal in all but one state?
I guess it hinges on how one defines "gay adoption." If single people can adopt, and gays and lesbians aren't barred from adopting as single people, does that count? Or does "gay adoption" mean that a same-sex couple can adopt?
Single adoption appears to be legal in all 50 states. Adoption by same-sex couples seems to be legal in only 19 states, according to this interactive graphic.
9
@5: Obama already effectively supports nation-wide gay marriage by backing the repeal of DOMA. If DOMA is repealed, gays from all over the country can go to a state with gay marriage, get hitched and have their marriage considered valid by the federal government and by any state in the nation because of the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution.
It's not a perfect solution, but it's a way to essentially force the issue on a nationwide level without a Loving v. Virginia type decision or a national law, which might itself be considered unconstitutional.
It's not a perfect solution, but it's a way to essentially force the issue on a nationwide level without a Loving v. Virginia type decision or a national law, which might itself be considered unconstitutional.
10
The job of the executive branch is enforcement.
He can be a "bully pulpit" but ultimately laws are made by Congress, and verified by the Supreme Court.
If Romney "acknowledges" the existence of these laws, he is saying what most mainstream Republicans are saying, that they will uphold the laws of the land.
And how about:
Conservative Pollster Urges GOP To Change Same-Sex Marriage Stance
The memo also points out that people who vote Republican often still support legal protection from discrimination in school and work, hospital visitation rights, and domestic partnership. The point the author seems to be trying to convey is that an opposition to same-sex marriage will be tolerated, but some of the comments made by various socially conservative politicians about gay people, gay culture, and gay lifestyles will not. Promoting fear of the "radical homosexual agenda" will hurt candidates in the long-term as society progresses and becomes more accepting.
http://politics.gather.com/viewArticle.a…
The handwriting is on the wall.
Enforce rights for gays as for all citizens.
End of story...GOP.
11
@7 I had the same question.
Neither statement indicates support for LBGT civil rights. Both read the same to me: Mitt's got nothing to offer regarding LBGT rights but, on this issue, he thinks no action is even needed.
To paraphrase:
Look, I already told you I'm not buying dessert. Not tonight, or ever. Period. However, I think tonight's dinner special already comes with ice cream. Will that stop your nagging?
Neither statement indicates support for LBGT civil rights. Both read the same to me: Mitt's got nothing to offer regarding LBGT rights but, on this issue, he thinks no action is even needed.
To paraphrase:
Look, I already told you I'm not buying dessert. Not tonight, or ever. Period. However, I think tonight's dinner special already comes with ice cream. Will that stop your nagging?
12
@10, are you on crack?
"The job of the executive branch is enforcement."
No, enforcement is the job of the judicial branch. You should consider sitting through high school social studies again.
"The job of the executive branch is enforcement."
No, enforcement is the job of the judicial branch. You should consider sitting through high school social studies again.
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