Republican Wisconsin Governor Scott
Walker has shifted his position on gay marriage, saying Friday that a
constitutional amendment would not be a top priority if he was
elected president.
When the Supreme Court in June struck
down gay marriage bans in all 50 states, Walker called the ruling a
“grave mistake” and called for a constitutional amendment
allowing individual states to decide the issue.
Though he said Friday that he still
supports such an amendment, Walker appeared to shift his position on
the issue, saying that the focus should be on “defending religious
liberties.”
“To me, I think the most appropriate
and timely focus for the next president is to focus on defending
religious liberties,” he told a crowd of about 60 people at a town
hall in Red Oak, Iowa.
In response to an audience question,
Walker reiterated his opposition to marriage equality, but added that
altering the U.S. Constitution is a daunting task that requires
Congressional approval and ratification by three-fourths of states.
“Clearly, though, that is a difficult
standard,” Walker said. “Not just on this amendment but on any
out there.”
“We need a president and an
administration who's going to stand up and defend religious liberties
in this country: The freedom of religion, not freedom from religion,”
he later added, according to The
Washington Post.