Sen. Paul: I didn't think Obama's 'views on marriage could get any gayer'
(CNN) – Sen. Rand Paul on Friday brushed off Barack Obama's recent reversal on same-sex marriage by saying he didn't think the president's views "could get any gayer."
The remarks from the Republican senator from Kentucky scored laughs among those attending an event held by Iowa's Faith and Freedom Coalition, a video uploaded on Saturday to the conservative website "The Iowa Republican" shows.
- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
"The president, you know, recently weighed in on marriage. And, you know, he said his views were evolving on marriage," the first-term senator said Friday evening. "Call me cynical, but I wasn't sure that his views on marriage could get any gayer."
Paul, who is the son of GOP presidential longshot and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, made the comments two days after Obama announced that he supported same-sex marriage, which he had previously opposed, while adding he thought the issue should be left up to the states to decide.
Rand Paul had been advertised as the coalition's "special guest" for its 12th annual spring event. The organization's website also promoted the presence of Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Ralph Reed, who is the chairman of the national Faith and Freedom Coalition.
In the remarks captured on video, Paul spoke against abortion as well as same-sex marriage.
"I think we're in a spiritual crisis as a country," Paul said, "and I think you're going to need leaders beyond your political leaders."
The senator criticized Obama's explanation that the Golden Rule - to treat others how one wants to be treated - and his faith led to his evolved understanding of marriage. The Golden Rule has its roots in biblical verses.
"It did bother me though that he used the justification for it in a biblical reference," Paul said. "He said the biblical Golden Rule caused him to be for gay marriage. And I'm like, what version of the Bible is he reading?
"It's not the King James version, it's not the New American Standard, it's not the New Revised version," he added.
But Paul said his beliefs and those of other social conservatives and Christians do not "mean we have to be harsh and mean and hate people."
"We understand sin and if we believe it's a sin, we still are (sinners) and people sin," he said. "We're not out there preaching some sort of hateful dogma against people. But that doesn't mean that we have to go ahead and give up our traditions."
"Six thousand years of tradition" combined with "anthropological" evidence shows "there's stability in the family unit," he said.
Calls placed Saturday to the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, as well as to Paul's offices and spokeswoman, were not immediately returned.
From CNN Politics
- Supreme Court takes up case concerning Americans with Disabilities Act 'tester' of hotels
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Untitled
- White House scales up 'concern' rhetoric, marking rare involvement in Israeli domestic affairs
- Biden administration threatens veto on House GOP-led energy bill
- Former Fugees member faces federal trial as potential jurors are questioned about star-studded witness list
if i remember right the last century had a little extremist with a mustache went after a group of people because he did not like there religion and thier way of life
What person on this planet could possibly think they have the right to judge another person? Who that has no sin can cast the first stone. Religious fanatics believe what they have been brainwashed to believe. Just a bunch of hippocrits.
This is one of two ways this guy gets any attention. The other is refusing a TSA screening which was put in place by his own colleagues in government. Pretending he's above everyone else. Sad.
There is also an equally long tradition of divorce. Rand Paul, hahahaha!
He couldn't have sounded any dumber.
Your President was a brave man to express his personal view, full knowing there are self-righteous people among you of the likes of Rand Paul.
Note, the Golden Rule is not only Biblical
GOLDEN RULE: The Ethic of Reciprocity - often called the Golden Rule in Christianity - simply states that we are to treat other people as we would wish to be treated ourselves. ... what version of the bible do you read RAND?
So, Rand thinks he doesn't have to give up his traditions? Well, he's right! He won't have to give up his traditions because another person's marriage simply won't affect him or his family to begin with or in the long run, that's why! Is he that dense that he doesn't understand that? If so, what is he doing in Congress? Well, uh, after all it's Congress, smile.
Why do these Republicans insist on proving time and time again how backward, heartless, and ignorant they are?
Ron, you certainly raised a little pig.
What a disgusting petulant little child. If you disagree with the president on the issue of gay marriage, then fine, it's your right to hold that belief (no matter how awful).
But rhetoric like this is disgusting. Grow up, Paul. There are high-schoolers that know to behave themselves better.
Marriage should not be a term that government uses in the first place. This invokes a term defined by the religion you follow, and if you do not follow a religion it really should mean nothing at all. If we called everything a civil union or any other term you can think up that defined what people of today so loosely call marriage, we wouldn't even have this divisive debate. The government calls it a civil union; you and your church can call it a union. We only keep this around to split voters on election year. It's time to solve the problem vs. trying to beat the other side.... civil unions for all as for as governments are concerned.
the Golden Rule is the only rule man need follow in order to have a wonderful life but Christians are one of the biggest offenders of this simple rule.
Rand Paul is just another Tea Party radical doing nothing to improve the economic or social state of the US. Doctor Paul wanted to make drastic cuts in everything except payments to doctors. See anything wrong with that? They want to make everyone else pay but, don't want to make sacrifices themselves. They don't want to include people who are not like them and subscribe to their radical agenda. I wonder if Rand Paul would be OK with gays deciding what's right for him. I suspect he wouldn't but, I'm positive gays would be more respectful of his rights than he is of theirs.
The President's views on gay marriage are not totally gay. He represents the views of lesbians as well. See, I can be totally redundant, too.
Six thousand years of tradition, Rand? So, you actually prefer to go back to the pre-Christian era and embrace THOSE values, huh? Well, that's most telling buddy!
I thought this freak was supposed to be some kind of libertarian. If so, it's the kind of political shtick that's very flexible. As in wet noodle flexible.
Faith and Freedom". Hah. Those buttheads wouldn't know freedom if it punched them in the nose. They're too caught up in their blind unjustifiable faith that everyone has to be just like them.
You're certainly not your father and you're certainly not a libertarian and you're certainly not a true conservative dedicated to, "smaller, less intrusive government." You're part of the southernization of the republican party which has washed away any true realization of a less intrusive government and sided with the religious meddlers who want government to legislate morality. in other words, you're a fake. Goldwater and Buckley and Weld would regurgitate
What does that mean? Are the republicans really that out of touch?
Poor Rand Paul...He can't help it. He was born under a white, hooded robe and by the light
of a burning cross while his father stood by holding hands with the John Birch Society.
I take exception that the Golden Rule has ANY biblical basis. Just the inclusion of the word "unto" doesn't make it biblical. It's CALLED the Golden Rule because it transcends religion. And so called religious people think that those who actually practice it are butts for ridicule obviously.
Moderate away. And take a look at the religious nastiness that you post everywhere else.
Wow. This guy is an idiot. What does religion have to do with politics? Why is there any reference to the bibble on what is "correct"? Ron Paul should be ashamed. At least he keeps to the main, real issues and does not use religious beliefs to promote an idea or pander to a group of voters.
He doth protest too much. Rand Paul is most likely gay himself. President Obama proves time after time that he is a leader for the 21st century.