The Republican presidential field continues separating into those who want to win the Republican primary and those who want to win the general election. Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum reinforced their position in the former category by signing the now infamous Family Leader
pro-slavery, anti-porn "Marriage Vow" pledge. Now, Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty's responses to that pledge have made clear once again that they stand in the latter category.
Even though the slavery bits of the pledge have been edited, Romney isn't signing:
Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul bluntly declared that the pledge "contained references and provisions that were undignified and inappropriate for a presidential campaign."
Furthermore, the Des Moines Register reports that a top Romney backer in Iowa is further speaking out against the pledge. "One of the reasons I support Governor Romney is his support for traditional marriage," said state Rep. Renee Schulte. "However, I am glad he won't sign this ill-advised pledge."
Neither is Pawlenty, though he all but said that he endorses the pledge's principles and is hoping to have his cake and eat it too:
"I deeply respect, and share, Bob Vander Platts' commitment to promoting the sanctity of marriage, a culture of life, and the core principles of the Family Leader's Marriage Vow Pledge. However, rather than sign onto the words chosen by others, I prefer to choose my own words, especially seeking to show compassion to those who are in broken families through no fault of their own.
The differing tones of the two campaigns suggest that Romney is happy to have this as an excuse for a poor showing in Iowa, while Pawlenty holds out hope he might do well in the state's caucuses.