Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty
wants there to be no doubt that he opposes gay marriage.
The presidential hopeful created a stir
in recent weeks when he vowed to undo repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't
Tell,” the soon-to-be repealed law that bans gay and bisexual
troops from serving openly.
During an Iowa appearance organized by
The Family Leader, a group that opposes gay rights, he told the crowd
that he would support reinstatement of the law.
When asked by Think
Progress' Igor Volsky if he would support “rescinding the funds
for implementation of repeal,” Pawlenty answered: “That would be
a reasonable step as well.”
In
a new interview broadcast Monday on Fox News, Pawlenty made it
clear to host Greta Van Susteren that he is opposed to giving gay and
lesbian couples the right to marry, as well.
“A marital relationship between a man
and a woman is unique. It had, and should continue to have, an
elevated place and position in our society for obvious reasons. And
I'm not at the point, nor will I ever be at the point, where I say
all domestic relationships are the same as traditional marriage.
They're not.”