Finally, Republicans are getting it! During last night's debate, Chris Christie inadvertently explained how the Kim Davises of the world resemble radical Islamic jihadists: "what they want to do is impose their faith upon each and every one of us." Davis, of course, is the Kentucky county clerk who defiantly refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land last year.
Christie's unintentional misstep came during the most unique and misguided of political pivots—when he was trying to steer his answer away from the fact that he had previously said a person in Davis's position must follow the law and do her job.
I never said that Ms. Davis should either lose her job or that she had to do it. But what I did say was that the person who came in for the license needed to get it. And so if there’s someone in that organization, and it turns out there was, who was willing to be able to do that, that’s what we should do.
But just as importantly, and I agree with what John said. You know, we all have our own individual interpretations of our faith. And here’s the problem with what’s going on around the world. The radical Islamic jihadists, what they want to do is impose their faith upon each and every one of us — every one of us. And the reason why this war against them is so important is that very basis of religious liberty.
Am I wrong or does that answer not read: Kim Davis = radical Islamic jihadist? Guess it all depends on whether you think Davis was exercising her religious liberty or trying to impose her faith on others. It’s a fine line.
But wow, Christie, that was quite a pivot. Perhaps a little further than I would have gone, but hey, to each his own.