If you once promised to amend the Constitution banning marriage equality, now say it's a state issue,
you might have
#Romnesia.
Way back when, oh, all the way back to last August, one Mitt Romney, desperate to run away from his declaration he'd be better on gay rights than Ted Kennedy signed a pledge from the notorious anti-gay group, National Organization for Marriage. In it he promised he'd amend the Constitution to stop the spread of marriage equality across the states.
Candidate Mitt Romney signed a pledge to amend the Constitution in August 2011. (
Equality Matters)
A funny thing happened on the way to the spin room after Tuesday night's debate. Romney surrogate Bay Buchanan said, "nevermind..." staking out what is apparently new (more moderate) ground for her candidate. Julie Bolcer of
The Advocate reports (emphasis mine):
Bay Buchanan, a Romney surrogate, said the debate spoke to LGBT voters in terms of her candidate’s promise of a “a strong economy.”
“He is opposed to same-sex marriage. He’s made that very clear,” she said. “Nothing has changed. But he is very supportive of opportunity for everyone.”
Asked how his positions, which include support for DOMA, would help families led by same-sex parents, Buchanan responded that Romney would not get in the way of what states decide to do on marriage and adoption.
“He very much supports traditional marriage, but he’s also a very strong advocate for the Tenth Amendment,” she said. “It’s a state issue.”
Sorry fundies in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and the District of Columbia. If it's still burning you up the gays around you can get married, looks like the Romney administration will not defend your marital bliss from the gays.
Guess he signed NOM's pledge on his Etch-A-Sketch.
Double update:
From the Republican held in New Hampshire, candidates are asked specifically if they would work as president to overturn New Hampshire's marriage equality law.
Jon King specifically frames it as "is gay marriage a state's decision or should there be a constitutional amendment?
State's decision: Herman Cain, Ron Paul.
Amendent: Tim Pawlenty, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum.
(Bachman effectively answers both, saying she supports an amendment but wouldn't overturn state law. HUH?!)
When he gets to Romney, King says [2:30]:
"Governor Romney, Constitutional amendment or state's decision?"
"Constitutional."
And the walkback...
Because it wouldn't be Romney without a near immediate walkback,
Buzzfeed is now reporting...
UPDATED: Senior campaign adviser Bay Buchanan said last week that the candidate supports states' choices. This afternoon, though, she told BuzzFeed he still supports the amendment proposal.
Who knows where these people are on any issue?