Former Texas Governor Rick Perry was
asked Tuesday whether he would attend the same-sex wedding of someone
he loves.
Perry, a possible 2016 GOP presidential
candidate, answered that while he remains opposed to marriage
equality, he “probably would” attend.
“But I think the real issue here is
that's the gotcha question that the Left tries to get out there,”
he
told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, who has asked other
Republicans opposed to such union the same question, including former
Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, who
said it would be a “violation of his faith,” and Texas
Senator Ted Cruz, who ducked the question.
Hewitt, however, wasn't the first to
ask the question of possible 2016 contenders. That honor goes to
Jorge Ramos, host of Fusion's America, during an interview
with Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who
said he would attend.
Perry added that compared to the
economy, such unions are “secondary or tertiary to the future of
this country.” However, during the last presidential election
cycle, Perry suggested that marriage equality was to blame for the
nation's economic woes.
“The issue of traditional marriage is
one that continues to bubble forward. And I happen to believe that
if you're going to have a society that is successful – economically
or otherwise – you're going to have to have values that you attach
that society to,” he said.