Presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann
on Sunday would not answer whether she believes being gay is a choice
but added that as president she wouldn't judge people based on their
sexual orientation.
The Minnesota Representative, who is
opposed to gay rights, and, as
a Minnesota State Senator, pushed for an amendment to the state
constitution banning gay marriage, was asked if as president she
would nominate a Supreme Court justice who favored marriage equality
during an appearance on CBS'
Face the Nation.
Bachmann told host Bob Schieffer that
New York's Friday decision to legalize gay marriage would inevitably
lead the Supreme Court to rule on the issue.
“Ultimately, it will go to the
courts. As President of the United States, I will only nominate
judges who are not activist judges, who are not legislating from the
bench,” Bachmann said.
“Would that be a litmus test for you,
someone who was for same-sex marriage?” Schieffer asked.
“My primary test will be the
constitution,” she answered. “They need to be a strong
constitutionalist and recognize that just as the justices should not
act outside of the bounds, neither should the Congress, neither
should the president.”
“Do you think homosexuality is a
choice?” he asked.
“I firmly believe that people need to
make their own decisions about that,” Bachmann said. “But I am
running for the presidency of the United States. I am not running to
be anyone's judge. And that's where I'm coming from in this race.”
Earlier, in a Fox News Sunday
interview, Bachmann
said she was OK with New York's decision to legalize gay marriage.
Bachmann's remarks contradict her
support for controversial youth pastor Bradlee Dean, an
anti-gay minister who believes gay people are criminals.