Thursday, July 12, 2012

Consistent, in his own charmingly inconsistent way

If you want a president who will make things better in the African American community, you are looking at him. 
     -Mitt Romney, candidate for President of the United States, speech to the NAACP Convention, July 11, 2012


There's something to be said for having a Republican who supports civil rights in this broader context, including sexual orientation. When Ted Kennedy speaks on gay rights, he's seen as an extremist. When Mitt Romney speaks on gay rights, he's seen as a centrist and a moderate. It's a little like if Eugene McCarthy was arguing in favor of recognizing China, people would have called him a nut. But when Richard Nixon does it, it becomes reasonable. When Ted says it, it's extreme; when I say it, it's mainstream.

I think the gay community needs more support from the Republican party and I would be a voice in the Republican party to foster anti-discrimination efforts. 

     -Mitt Romney, candidate for the U.S. Senate, interview with Bay Windows, August 25, 1994

No comments:

Post a Comment