Some of the leading candidates vying to
replace Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele
oppose gay marriage.
The candidates discussed their views on
the subject with National Organization for Marriage (NOM) Chairwoman
Maggie Gallagher.
NOM is the nation's most vociferous
opponent of gay marriage. The group backed successful efforts to
repeal gay marriage in California and Maine. Its next targets appear
to be New Hampshire and Iowa, where Republican lawmakers increased
their numbers on November 2.
Gallagher discussed the issue with
several leading candidates, including Wisconsin GOP Chairman Reince
Priebus, Save American Jobs Project Chairman Saul Anuzis, former RNC
political director Gentry Collins and former Missouri Republican
Chairwoman Ann Wagner.
The four candidates were interviewed
via Skype and their responses were posted on the
NOM website.
Collins said gay marriage “devalues
the relationship that is shared by my wife and I and a number of
committed married couples.”
Marriage, Anuzis said, was an American
institution essential to society.
“Marriage is an institution that has
been around for 3,000 years. It's part of our faith. It's part of
out culture,” Anuzis said. “It's important to have a mother and
a father … People care that you're a family person.”
Opposition to gay marriage is a
“pillar” of the Republican platform, Wagner said in her
interview.
“I think that's where the American
people are. They believe in traditional marriage. They want to lift
that up. … It's important that we hold true to those tenants and
values that I think are a pillar of our Republican party and our
platform.”
Priebus said marriage was given to us
by God and needs to be protected from “activist judges.”
“I believe marriage is a gift from
God and the sanctity of marriage ought to be protected … and I
don't believe the comedy clause in the constitution allows for
activist judges to redefine what marriage is,” he said, referring
to the constitution's Full Faith and Credit clause. (The video is
embedded in the right panel of this page.)
The RNC will elect a new chairman next
month. Its current chairman, Michael Steele, is looking to keep his
job. Steele has previously said that he opposes gay marriage because
it hurts small business.