Romney says his views on same-sex marriage haven't changed
Oklahoma City (CNN) - Mitt Romney reaffirmed his belief that marriage is between a man and a woman, hours after the Wednesday announcement by President Barack Obama in support of same-sex marriage.
The presumptive GOP nominee told reporters he believed states should have the ability to extend some rights to gay couples, short of marriage.
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"States are able to make decisions with regard to domestic partnership benefits such as hospital visitation rights, benefits and so forth, of various kinds can be determined state by state, but my view is that marriage itself is a relationship between a man and a woman and that's my own preference," he said at the Oklahoma Republican Party headquarters in Oklahoma City. "This is a very tender and sensitive topic as are many social issues, but I have the same view that I've had since running for office."
Responding to a growing media stir over his stance on gay marriage, President Obama said on ABC News he supported the right of same-sex couples to marry.
His announcement came a day after voters in North Carolina resoundingly approved an amendment to the state's constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
While North Carolina joined a swath of swing states - including Virginia, Florida, Nevada and Ohio - in passing traditional marriage legislation, a Gallup poll released in early May showed Americans are split over the issue.
Romney has long hewn to a conservative stance on marriage, though as Massachusetts governor he reached out to gay rights groups with pledges of support on other issues.
This campaign cycle he signed a National Organization for Marriage pledge in support of a federal marriage amendment.
Even before Obama's comments Wednesday, Romney reiterated his opposition to expanding marital rights to same-sex couples.
"Well when these issues were raised in my state of Massachusetts, I indicated my view, which is I do not favor marriage between people of the same gender, and I do not favor civil unions if they are identical to marriage other than by name," Romney told Colorado news station KDVR. "My view is the domestic partnership benefits, hospital visitation rights, and the like are appropriate but that the others are not."
Following Romney's press conference, Obama's reelection campaign immediately seized on Romney's remarks.
Spokesman Ben LaBolt tweeted: "@MittRomney just refused to say he supports hospital visitation rights at a federal level for gays and lesbians."
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My wife just said that Mitt Romney doesn't support same sex marriage because he believes marriage is between a man and a woman and a woman and a woman and a woman.
Yes indeed Mitt Witts views haven't changed. He supports a marriage between a man and a woman and a woman and a woman ..you get the picture. But wait a minute he could change that in a nanosecond if someone said that they supported a marriage between a man and a man, or a woman and a woman. Cause Mitt he covers all bases he agrees to both sides of an issue that way he doesn't play favorites and he thinks he gets every body's vote. What a piece of......and folks this is the best the republicans have.
The fact that this is a discussion, shows that many people in the world are just backward. There should be no discussion, people of the same sex should be able to get married, period. Gays are humans, they should not be put apart like some different kind of aliens.
That out of the way, we can all focus on important things.
all this is, is the devil at work, if a man and a man where meant to be together then instead of mary and joseph haveing jesus it would have been joseph and matthew that had him ,but no that is not the case and im sure that someone will comment negtively on this and i will forgive you now because the devil will be speaking threw you
What do you liberals complain? Romney is enough to the left to support civil unions. Though as a Mormon he must support polygamy.
What an opportunist- bait and switch when you ran in Massachusets Mitty!
It will be a great day when Obama loses in November 2012. It will be a sad day when the second most liberal president in history is elected in November 2012.
Tell me Mitt ole boy – just how does it hurt you if a gay or lesbian couple get married? How is this going to shake up your world if two people who love each other want to get married? Is the world going to just crumble up and break apart? Of course not. Now, grow up.
Romney: "My views haven't changed"
Maybe they should, dinosaur. Gay marriage has been around for years now in Massachusetts and has had no impact on hetero marriage rates or divorce rates.
Really? Romney, when running for Senate was for gay marraige, so he has changed his tune. Granted, it was a while ago, but Romney has been lingering for awhile, so his flips and flops do have a timeline.
NOT yet has he changed....but if it works to HIS advantage his mind will change.........Y do you think he is CALLED
the flip flopper.....he EARNED that name........................BUT Hey wasn't he for gay rights in the 90's ????
Obama 2012
Some views should change. He`s changed his views and actions on other things.
In due time you will change your mind Mr. Etch A Sketch...I mean Romney
It depends what state Romney is in when he makes a speech. He has 50 different speeches for every state. Don't he realize that people can read the national news on their computers.
Obama,you have disappointed me.this is simpley not right.please,tell me what's next,a legal union between man and animal?
"Romney has long hewn to a conservative stance on marriage, though as Massachusetts governor he reached out to gay rights groups with pledges of support on other issues."
One of my friends was saying that Obama flip flopped on this topic... And Romney is perfect...
Obama 2012 <3
Romneys view havwent changed? That's one in a row.
Bishop Mittens isn't worried. When he leaves this life, he thinks God is going to give him his own planet. I wish I were kidding.
Romney's views on just about every other issue have changed so much we don't know what they will be tomorrow. True they have not changed in same sex marriage; however, they have flipfloped on his support for gays and lesbians. As a Bishop in a church which frowns on divorce and single parent families he would never have the courage Obama has.
Well, at least people can say Obama is a flip-flopper now also. Old Mormon beliefs are rooted in old testament writing. New Mormon beliefs are rooted in new testament. Probably won't get past the censors.
Of course his views haven't changed because his view is 'whatever it takes to get elected'
These days, in order to be a Republican, you just need to wear a button, and vote down party lines.. The standards are pretty low.
Oh how clever Obama is. He is forcing the GOP to show their true colors now. Wait until the next strategic move is to uncover someone in Mitt's family who's gay. Organised religion has brainwashed so many of us...it's time to think for ourselves.
I find it ironic that (R)money can state that he is against same-sex marriage or civil unions, yet his Mormon faith allows polygamy. Which is more moral/immoral??? As a public school teacher who has taught children of gay couples, I can say that they often provide better parenting than heterosexual/dysfuncitonal ones. Keep politics out of the bedroom between consenting adults. I am a hetero, married Republican (and many other labels), who will PROUDLY vote for President Obama...AGAIN!!
Mitt's view is whaatever you want it to be. At least Obama doesn't throw his team members under the bus.