Gay marriage suddenly defining issue for Romney
The gay marriage issue is not of his choosing; during last year's gubernatorial campaign, he took pains to finesse questions of gay rights, and such issues have hurt him previously in his political career. Now Romney is struggling to find a middle ground on a subject that polarizes voters, and he may find his political fortunes tied to how he handles the highest-profile issue he has faced thus far as governor.
"Governor Romney has an eye on the White House, and this presents an enormous obstacle from here to there," said Jeffrey Berry, a political science professor at Tufts University. "For the national Republican Party, the court's decision was a gift Christmas came early. But not so for Governor Romney. He has a decision here that can affect the future of his career, and I don't think he's figured out what he's going to do."
Romney has sold himself as a moderate Republican, reaching out to independent and swing voters with middle-ground positions on abortion and health care for the poor, and by offering a low-tax, business-friendly message in a state dominated by Democratic elected officials. It worked in last year's election, as he succeeded in keeping social issues largely in the background.
The Supreme Judicial Court's ruling that same-sex couples are permitted to marry presents a minefield for a governor who is looking to establish a national Republican profile while not alienating the Democrats and independents whose support he needs to stay in office.
Romney has already begun staking out a centrist position in a debate prone to be defined by extremes. Barely an hour after the court's opinion was made public Tuesday morning, he delivered a nuanced, carefully prepared response that included elements to satisfy both ends of the political spectrum.
The governor denounced the court ruling and came out strongly against gay marriage, promising to work to amend the state constitution to ban such unions. He quickly added that he'll work with the Legislature on a "parallel" track to establish some rights for same-sex couples.
Wednesday, he repeated his position to a far wider audience, on NBC's "Today Show" and ABC's "Good Morning America."
"I agree with 3,000 years of recorded human history, which frankly is a contradiction of what the majority of the Supreme Judicial Court said," Romney said on the "Today Show." "Of course, at the same time, we should (be) providing the necessary civil rights and certain appropriate benefits" to same-sex couples.
Comments
- Funds for new courthouse approved 1:48 a.m.
- Godfrey vetoes Ogden budget 1:48 a.m.
- Odd Fellows Hall move 1:47 a.m.
- 2 country groups to perform 1:47 a.m.
- Rumor has Boozer with Bulls 1:20 a.m.
- Jazz in back of line for free agents 1:19 a.m.
- Okur signs two-year extension 1:18 a.m.
- Marion to Mavs, Stackhouse to Griz 1:16 a.m.
- Price for redistricting plan challenged 1:04 a.m.
- Basketball campers learn service 1:02 a.m.
- Rumor has Boozer with Bulls
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- AK will not play for Russia this summer
- Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando
- Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
138 - Letters: Palin mistreated
136 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
134 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
122 - Rumor has Boozer with Bulls
82 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
73 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70 - Letters: Time for a revolution
69
Through the years, I've always raised eyebrows whenever I tell people...
The recent Poly camp in Bountiful opened the eyes of recruiters to at...
Blazers get the unbalanced trade they seek while not signing Millsap away...
Ricky Bobby - THE JAZZ DO NOT WANT TO TAKE BACK EQUAL SALARIES. They want to...
Despite the fact that logging has all but stopped in the pacific northwest...
My understanding of what FAIR is trying to do, is to provide well thought out...
Jazz will resign Milsap. If they don't it will be ahuge mistake. First off,...
I was waiting for it to be burned on the big metal structure right by the...
Hey Ute fan... the Utes had a good season. And keep throwing that BCS bowl...
Tyrus Thomas is in the last year of his contract too so what is the point for...
CougarKeith, people don't know how to properly retire the flag, what they did...
It is just talk but since it was brought up: IF we can get Prizbilla &...


You can be the first to comment on this story.