http://www.365gay.com/blog/061511-republican-candidates-heart-dadt/As most of you know there was a debate this week. Seven Republicans, all looking to kick the Obamas out of the White House, shared a New Hampshire stage on Monday. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was discussed and the results were, alas, predictable.
Let’s go to the two guys who have no shot of winning. Herman Cain and Rep. Ron Paul see no problem with getting rid of the policy.
“We have to remember, rights don’t come in groups,” Paul said. “We shouldn’t have gay rights. Rights come as individuals.”
Paul’s opinion isn’t that surprising, considering his liberation streak. As for Cain, the pizza guy, DADT wasn’t anything he actually cared about, but if elected he wouldn’t waste time to bring it back.
“Our men and women have too many other things to be concerned about rather than have to deal with that as a distraction.”
Considering the Tea Party love Cain has, this response is surprising. Tea Party folk for all their budget talk (where were they before 2008?), just want us to accept their savior Jesus Christ.
As for the rest of the candidates, you can predict their responses. Present day front runner Mitt Romney wants the policy to end….only when the country isn’t engaged in wars. Rep. Michelle Bachmann and Rick Santorum, the guy with the Google problem, would gleefully return gay soldiers to the closet. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and used to be Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty are certain the military was forced to accept the policy change by that Kenyan, Muslim, socialist sitting in the White House (loose paraphrase of course).
Sigh. There is some comfort Romney was willing to give an answer that had glimmers of hope (they could only be seen after multiple cosmos). Yet it speaks volumes about the present GOP that only two candidates, with no chance of leading the party, are willing to support gay troops.
(thanks to Time for the quotes)