In a shocking and unexpected move, Mitt Romney today affirmed that he now believes all people™ should be able to merge with whomever they choose, regardless of the gender or orientation of executives or board members.
The announcement, sure to send shockwaves through the GOP and socially conservative circles, came as Romney addressed a modest gathering in Sacramento organized by Corporations Have Human Hearts, a newly-formed lobby that advocates for the civil rights of American businesses.
Romney, in a rare moment of candor, explained his evolution on the issue:
This is something I've been struggling with for some time, particularly since I've always believed that companies are people™. And with all the attention this issue has received since Citizen's United, I just figured that, well, it's important that I come out and affirm that I now support gay corporate marriage.
[...]
It's just the right thing to do. I mean, corporations are people™, and they deserve the basic right to merge and be happy with whomever they choose, regardless of whether or not an executive is male or female, gay or straight. I know I've opposed such marriages in the past, but times change. And so have I.
When asked by an audience member about whether or not this evolution meant that Romney would also support gay marriage between individual American citizens, Romney appeared perplexed. "I just said I support gay corporate marriage," he answered.
But after having it explained to him that there are individual citizens – unconnected to corporations – who also seek basic civil rights, Romney explained his view:
I really feel, and this I've always been consistent on, that only corporations deserve basic protections and allowances under the law when it comes to civil rights and freedoms. I'm a deeply proud conservative, after all.
Some pundits speculated that Romney's announcement was precipitated by President Obama's recent
support for gay marriage. However, it's a notion Romney rejected out-of-hand:
"I'm proud to stand up for corporations, and don't need any motivation to do so. Though I do think this establishes a strong contrast between myself and Mr. Obama."
A strong contrast indeed.
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