GORE: The leaders of civil rights groups & most gay and lesbian rights groups believe that it is not wise to open up the 1964 Civil Rights Bill in the Republican congress to a process that could lead to it being seriously damaged and even lost. Virtually all of them have followed the leadership of Congressman Barney Frank in supporting the employment nondiscrimination act as a way to get right to the heart of the problem.
BRADLEY: When there is discrimination, you address it with the 1964 Civil Rights Act. would I send such a piece of legislation to the congress if I’d thought the 1964 Civil Rights Act was going to be opened up? Absolutely not.
DEAN: We do have African-American & Latino workers in state government.
SHARPTON: I said under your administration. Do you have a senior member of your cabinet that was black or brown?
DEAN: We had a senior member of my staff on my 5th floor.
SHARPTON: No, your cabinet.
DEAN: No, we did not. [But the cabinet has only] six members.
SHARPTON: Then you need to let me talk to you about race in this country.
DEAN: If the percentage of African-Americans in your state was any indication of what your views on race were, then Trent Lott would be Martin Luther King.
SHARPTON: But I don’t think that that answers the question. If you want to lecture people on race, you ought to have the background and track record in order to do that. Governors import talent. Governors reach all over the country to make sure they have diversity.
DEAN: The Confederate flag is a painful symbol to African-Americans in this country because of what it represented. When we campaign, we’ve got to talk. They say race in the South or anyplace else in America, we’ve got to say jobs, because everybody needs a job, doesn’t matter what color they are or where they come from. We need to talk about the things that everybody needs: jobs, education & health care.
SHARPTON: Blacks in South Carolina are double unemployed to whites. We can’t use a class formula to go around that issue. Secondly, just having conversations with whites without real legislation, without real executive action is to trivialize our problems. We don’t need people talking to whites. We need people to do something about racism and about discrimination. Don’t reduce this to a coffee shop conversation. We need action. And a president leads, like Lyndon Johnson did. They don’t just have a conversation.
A: I’ve spent a lot of time trying to address the issue of youth voter registration. We’ve spent time on campuses in this campaign of all races trying to register young people. I think if we bring young people out, it not only is good for them, it’s good for the country. You can’t just lay down and accept being marginalized. Even if you’re knocked down, that’s somebody else’s fault, you have to get up, that’s your obligation.
BUSH: No es la verdad.
KEYES: Es la verdad, se¤or.
BUSH: One, I expressed concern about it-I don’t
want this town’s business being conducted in Spanish, it ought to be conducted in English. Secondly, I’ve talked to [Texas’] attorney general to make sure that this town was conforming to all the laws of Texas.
I’m for what’s called
English Plus. English is the great language that provides freedom and opportunity. Plus we respect other people’s heritage in this country.
As governor, I will also fight to end conversion therapy, a heinous and despicable practice that has no place anywhere in society. It's torture, not treatment. You cannot "pray the gay away". Being LGBTQ+ is not a disease. We cannot, and we should not seek to "treat" or "cure" it. Iowa can be a leader in the LGBTQ+ community, once again, by joining nine other states that have banned this dangerous and misguided draconian practice.
GORE: The leaders of civil rights groups & most gay and lesbian rights groups believe that it is not wise to open up the 1964 Civil Rights Bill in the Republican congress to a process that could lead to it being seriously damaged and even lost. Virtually all of them have followed the leadership of Congressman Barney Frank in supporting the employment nondiscrimination act as a way to get right to the heart of the problem.
BRADLEY: When there is discrimination, you address it with the 1964 Civil Rights Act. would I send such a piece of legislation to the congress if I’d thought the 1964 Civil Rights Act was going to be opened up? Absolutely not.
The more conservative members of this Republican field--among them Sen. Cruz; Sen. Santorum; Gov. Bobby Jindal; and Gov. Mike Huckabee--have aggressively emphasized their opposition to same-sex marriage. For them, the issue can be used to differentiate themselves not just from Democrats but from mainstream Republicans, like Jeb Bush, who is trying to appeal to a broader audience with an eye to the general election.
Jindal was critical of Republican lawmakers in Indiana and Arkansas who backed down on laws that proponents say protect religious freedom, while Rubio declared that "the institution of marriage as one man and one woman existed long before our laws existed."
The Louisiana governor's speech was interrupted twice by standing ovations as he pledged his support for a religious freedom law in his home state that's as strong as the one enacted in Indiana. The Republican governor there, Mike Pence, prodded his legislature to enact a "fix" after threats of boycotts on the state and massive backlash from the business community.
Jindal said he won't back down. "Corporate America is not going to bully the governor of Louisiana," he said. "Here's my message to Hollywood: the United States of America did not create religious liberty. Religious liberty created the United States of America." Both lines got him standing ovations.
A: We have to have an honest conversation about race in this country. I think Howard’s right on that point. We have to have an honest conversation, because without that conversation we will never get to the point where we can pass the laws, where we can have the orders, where we can do the work that’s necessary to bring us together as one American family.
A: I would work closely with other governments, particularly with Mexico, to work out treaty arrangements, to work out protocols, to work out the kind of arrangements that would give some semblance of order to this process. So that when people come back & forth across the border, they’re not dying in the deserts, they’re not driving cars without insurance, without licenses. We need to give people a sense of being welcome in this land of immigrants.
Q: What are your views on gay marriage?
A: Marriage is between one man and one woman only. It is a license by the state to recognize the unity of a family.
Q: And should the Constitution of the state of Iowa say that?
A: Yes.
Q: How would you go about making that happen?
A: In the state of Iowa I wouldn’t because that would be a state issue and I’m a federal campaign candidate.
Christopher Reed served in the Navy both before and after the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy took effect. “It has caused more disruption by bringing it up than there was beforehand. There are no open homosexuals in the military,” Reed says. “I think it creates a distraction that is unnecessary to the fighting forc
As for th military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, Grassley argues Congress should wait for a Defense Department study before voting to end it. "I think that congress ought to have that information before we vote," Grassley said. "And so I'm going to wait until that study comes out at the end of the year because I don't want to do anything with a program that has worked good for 18 years and has allowed the military to carry out its mission to make it more difficult for a combat organization to do its mission."
A: I'm opposed to government interference in the marketplace, and mandating some fraction of the workforce be women & minorities would be interference. The very idea that a group of Senators, myself included, would know what is the best hiring practice for some business is preposterous.
A: Absolutely. The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence states it pretty clearly; "All men are created equal." If you favor discrimination against one group for behaviors that you don't approve of, what's to stop another group from discriminating against you for a behavior they don't approve of?
Reynolds also said that a vote of the people on the issue would stop "this back and forth" debate over the matter. She did not say when or how that vote should take place.
Reynolds' press secretary clarified the governor's comments after the news conference, saying: "The governor believes that this issue is settled."
Fred Hubbell, Iowa's Democratic nominee for governor, supports same-sex marriage. "Fred is proud that Iowa's Supreme Court led the way in defining equal protection, affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court," said a Hubbell aide.
BUSH: No es la verdad.
KEYES: Es la verdad, se¤or.
BUSH: One, I expressed concern about it-I don't
want this town's business being conducted in Spanish, it ought to be conducted in English. Secondly, I've talked to [Texas'] attorney general to make sure that this town was conforming to all the laws of Texas.
I'm for what's called
English Plus. English is the great language that provides freedom and opportunity. Plus we respect other people's heritage in this country.
DEAN: We do have African-American & Latino workers in state government.
SHARPTON: I said under your administration. Do you have a senior member of your cabinet that was black or brown?
DEAN: We had a senior member of my staff on my 5th floor.
SHARPTON: No, your cabinet.
DEAN: No, we did not. [But the cabinet has only] six members.
SHARPTON: Then you need to let me talk to you about race in this country.
DEAN: If the percentage of African-Americans in your state was any indication of what your views on race were, then Trent Lott would be Martin Luther King.
SHARPTON: But I don't think that that answers the question. If you want to lecture people on race, you ought to have the background and track record in order to do that. Governors import talent. Governors reach all over the country to make sure they have diversity
DEAN: The Confederate flag is a painful symbol to African-Americans in this country because of what it represented. When we campaign, we've got to talk. They say race in the South or anyplace else in America, we've got to say jobs, because everybody needs a job, doesn't matter what color they are or where they come from. We need to talk about the things that everybody needs: jobs, education & health care.
SHARPTON: Blacks in South Carolina are double unemployed to whites. We can't use a class formula to go around that issue. Secondly, just having conversations with whites without real legislation, without real executive action is to trivialize our problems. We don't need people talking to whites. We need people to do something about racism and about discrimination. Don't reduce this to a coffee shop conversation. We need action. And a president leads, like Lyndon Johnson did. They don't just have a conversation.
A: Yes.
Q: Should Iowa restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman??
A: No.
A: Yes.
Q: Public employment?
A: Yes.
Q: State contracting?
A: Yes.
A: Strongly support
A: The things I have seen growing up -- segregation, discrimination -- are a part of everything I am today. We still live in two Americas, and we should be willing to tell the American people that. We have two economies. We have two tax systems. Until we have economic and educational equality in America, we're never going to be able to do things we need to do for African-Americans.
A: What I'll do as president is, first of all, fund the legislation, and second, make sure that every single person in America gets a chance to be on a voter registration roll and that they get a chance to vote no matter what the level of the community that they live in. We need to make sure everybody gets an opportunity to both register and vote.
A: I believe in traditional marriage first and foremost. I've been married 28 years, with 7 terrific kids. But I also believe in civil unions. Because I think this nation can do a better job when it comes to equality. And I think this nation can do a better job when it comes to reciprocal beneficiary rights. And I believe that this is something that ought to be discussed among the various states. I don't have any problem with states having this discussion. But as for me, I support civil unions.
Q: So why are your GOP opponents wrong?
A: They are not wrong. All I'm saying is this ought to be an issue that takes place at the local level of government, that's where these decisions ought to be made. I believe in traditional marriage. But I also believe that subordinate to that we haven't done an adequate job when it comes to equality. That is just my personal belief. Everyone is entitled to their personal belief too.
Republicans of all stripes have been working to attract more women to their ranks and escape the "war on women" narrative that Democrats successfully used against them in 2012.
Ernst: Strongly Agree
During Thursday's Republican debate, the candidates vying for the GOP nomination were asked for their take on same-sex marriage. "I do believe that marriage is between one man and one woman, and I also believe that this is a state's right. And I have a record of this here in the state of Iowa," she said. "It is up to the people to make that decision, so allow the states to make that decision."
Ernst noted her work on a bill in the Iowa state Senate authorizing a vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in the state. Ernst was one of the bill's co-sponsors. But despite her support for the right of the people "to make that decision," she said she would back a federal constitutional amendment barring gays and lesbians from getting married. "If it would come up at the federal level, I would support it," she said.
A: Yes, I absolutely would. And I would because it is obviously better for those immigrants and for the rest of America that they be driving with a license instead of without a license. And if they have a license, they are more likely to be driving with insurance. So it makes no sense to me to punitively deprive them of that opportunity.
A: When Congressman Conyers introduced that legislation, I thought it was a good idea and I would support it. We ought to bring that out again and talk about it, and then talk about what we can do about it. This is going to be more future-oriented in terms of response, to turn around some of the abandonment of people that's gone on under this Bush administration -- fully fund education, raise people up in that way.
"I believe that the definition of marriage is between one man and one woman from a religious aspect," Reynolds said. "That is my belief. I have stated that. I always have believed that."
That considered, Reynolds said she would be open to the idea of civil unions for gay couples. "We could take a look at civil unions," Reynolds said. "There are other options maybe that I would be in favor of looking at." She added, "They can do civil unions. I think they can get to some of the same place that they want to look at."
Whitaker also said he was for traditional marriage. He took a shot at Schaben saying that he disagreed with him, and that his faith does not allow him to hold that position. "If we start saying there are more important things than life and marriage we might as well elect a Democrat," Whitaker stated.
BACHMANN: I support the federal marriage amendment, because I believe that we will see this issue at the Supreme Court someday. And as president, I will not nominate activist judges who legislate from the bench. I also want to say, when I was in Minnesota, I was the chief author of the constitutional amendment to define marriage as one man, one woman. I have an absolutely unblemished record when it comes to this issue of man-woman marriage.
The former governor of Arkansas said it is his "biblical duty" to pray for the members of the Supreme Court as they prepare to rule on same-sex marriage this summer.
"If the courts rule that people have a civil right not only to be a homosexual but a civil right to have a homosexual marriage, then a homosexual couple coming to a pastor who believes in biblical marriage who says 'I can't perform that wedding' will now be breaking the law," he said. "Let me make clear: It's not just saying, 'I'm sorry you have a preference.' No, you will be breaking the law subject to civil, for sure, and possibly criminal penalties for violating the law, depending on how the law is written in communities, states and in the nation."
Huckabee said that he cringes whenever he hears people call a court decision "the law of the land." He said, "how many people passed 9th grade civics? There are three branches of government, not one," adding that when a court rules in favor of same-sex marriage, that does not mean that licenses should be issued the following day.
Huckabee told the pastors that if they do follow their convictions according to the Bible, "your behavior will be criminal. Once the courts have been allowed to run over us and nobody stands up for us in the other two branches of government, then God help us all," he said
(BEGIN VIDEO)Q: Do you stand by that?
ROMNEY: He is pro-choice & pro-gay marriage & anti-gun, and that's a tough combination in a Republican primary.
(END VIDEO)
ROMNEY: That was very early in the process, in March. He wasn't a candidate yet. I think I have a better perspective on his views now. I'd rather let him speak for his own positions. I can tell you that I am pro-life and that I'm opposed to same-sex marriage, and I support the Second Amendment.
GIULIANI: The reality is that I support the Second Amendment. I clearly believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, although I did support domestic partnerships and still do. And [we should] put our emphasis on reducing abortions & increasing the number of adoptions
A: I'd far prefer having the representatives of the people make that decision than justices. But I believe the issue of marriage should be decided at the federal level. People move from state to state; they have children. If one state recognizes a marriage and the other does not, what's the right of that child? What kind of divorce proceeding would there be in a state that didn't recognize a marriage in the first place? Marriage is not an activity that goes on within the walls of a state. Marriage's status should be constant across the country. I believe we should have a federal amendment in the constitution that defines marriage as a relationship between a man and woman, because I believe the ideal place to raise a child is in a home with a mom and a dad.
Nate has consistently fought to protect Iowans' civil rights. When Iowa Safe Schools, an LGBTQ nonprofit advocacy group was attacked by legislators at the Capitol, Nate volunteered legal services and stood up to defend the organization as an attorney. As Governor, Nate would fight to ban conversion therapy and work to ensure that every child, no matter their sexual orientation, can go to school free from harassment and bullying.
Iowans should be proud of our state's legacy of advancing civil rights, and we should honor that legacy by continuing to advance the rights of all Iowans.
GINGRICH: Actually, I didn't describe it as applied to Muslims. I described it as applied to everybody. There is nothing illegitimate about seeking to make sure that people are loyal to the US if they work for the government of the US. I was responding to this insane moment [in a trial of] the guy who built the car bomb from Pakistan, was asked by the judge, who said to him, "But you swore an oath of loyalty to the US." And he said to the judge, "I am your enemy. I lied." The judge seemed mystified at the idea that somebody would have lied. And my point is, we now know there really were communist spies. And I would suggest to you we need security provisions across the board to ensure that those Americans and the American government are loyal to the US.
1,800 delegates to the Republican Party of Iowa's state convention are preparing to meet in Des Moines. The convention's proposed platform includes two planks in opposition to same-sex marriage.
PAUL: No state is going to do that. Really, why do we have to have a license to get married? Just so nobody else forces their definition of marriage on you.
SANTORUM: It sounds to me like Rep. Paul would actually say polygamous marriages are OK. If the state has the right to do it, they have the right to do it. It is not beyond reality; it is exactly what's being offered in other states right now. And it's being litigated in our courts right now, which is exactly how gay marriage came about as we see here in Iowa where seven justices forced gay marriages on the people of Iowa. We can't have 50 marriage laws. This was the approach that the left took on abortion, which is to pick a few states, pick a few courts and then go to the Supreme Court and say "equal protection," you can't have different state laws then you will have nine people up at the Supreme Court deciding what marriage is in this country.
The more conservative members of this Republican field--among them Cruz; Santorum; and Bobby Jindal--have aggressively emphasized their opposition to same-sex marriage. For them, the issue can be used to differentiate themselves not just from Democrats but from mainstream Republicans, like Jeb Bush, who is trying to appeal to a broader audience with an eye to the general election.
Support for same-sex marriage is increasing among Republican voters, but it is still a minority view. That creates a split between conservative Republicans looking to win a primary, and candidates seeking to win a primary without carrying too much baggage into a general election.
PAUL: That is sort of like asking the question if the states wante to legalize slavery or something like that. No state is going to do that. I think marriage should be between a single man and a single woman. And the federal government shouldn't be involved. I want less government involvement. I don't want the federal government having a marriage police. I want the states to deal with it. Really, why do we have to have a license to get married? Why don't we just go to the church? What other individuals do, why can't we permit them to do whatever they call it that is their problem not mine? Just so nobody else forces their definition of marriage on you. That is what we have to prevent. So I would say less government would be better if you have to have regulations let the state governments do it.
I am proud of Iowa's historic leadership on equal rights for all of our citizens. I proudly signed an amicus brief in support of marriage equality in Iowa's landmark Varnum v. Brien case.
Conlin got sustained applause from the crow at the Iowa Democratic Party's weekend fundraiser when she made these vows: "If you sent me to Washington, I will fight to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'; I will fight to repeal DOMA and I will fight to end discrimination in employment."
As for the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, Grassley argues Congress should wait for a Defense Department study before voting to end it. "I think that congress ought to have that information before we vote," Grassley said. "And so I'm going to wait until that study comes out at the end of the year because I don't want to do anything with a program that has worked good for 18 years and has allowed the military to carry out its mission to make it more difficult for a combat organization to do its mission."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)Q: Do you stand by that?
ROMNEY: He is pro-choice and pro-gay marriage and anti-gun, and that's a tough combination in a Republican primary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMNEY: That was very early in the process, in March. He wasn't a candidate yet. I think I have a better perspective on his views now.
GIULIANI: The reality is that I support the Second Amendment. I clearly believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, although I did support domestic partnerships and still do, a contractual relationship. And [we should] put our emphasis on reducing abortions & increasing the number of adoptions
Clovis: Strongly Agree
The Texas lawmaker said this stance was against America's traditional values. Religious liberty, Cruz claimed, was one of the nation's founding principles. "We were founded by men and women fleeing religious persecution," Cruz declared.
Cruz, a long-time opponent of same-sex marriage, seemingly softened his tone on gay rights earlier this week. The White House hopeful reportedly said Monday evening he would still accept one of his daughters if they became a lesbian.
The more conservative members of this Republican field--among them Sen. Cruz; Sen. Santorum; Gov. Bobby Jindal; and Gov. Mike Huckabee--have aggressively emphasized their opposition to same-sex marriage. For them, the issue can be used to differentiate themselves not just from Democrats but from mainstream Republicans, like Jeb Bush, who is trying to appeal to a broader audience with an eye to the general election.
Cruz said advocates of traditional marriage should "fall to our knees and pray" against a court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.
Cruz vigorously defended his appearance at the fundraiser, stressing that it was primarily a pro-Israel fundraiser. "Unfortunately, our good friends in the press caricature support for traditional marriage in terms of animus," he said. "The only explanation that makes sense to reporters is that anyone who supports traditional marriage must be somehow motivated by hatred for those who are homosexuals. It's why this story seems so puzzling to the media."
Cruz said he is concerned that women like the owner of an Indiana pizzeria will suffer because they oppose gay marriage. "Scripture commands us to love everyone, & that ought to be a standard that applies across the board," he said. Cruz said liberals are obsessed with "mandatory gay marriage in all 50 states."
Greenfield: We have systemic racism in all of our systems and have for generations, including our policing system. But that is not saying that our police officers are racist. We need to work together like we did in this state to pass the plan where we attack this kind of racism, requiring racial bias training, requiring de-escalation training, banning chokeholds and so many other things.
Theresa Greenfield: Supports Equality Act, to "prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation."
Joni Ernst: No recent position found. Saw marriage as "between one man and one woman." Would support constitutional ban.
Hoefling: Strongly Agree
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| 2016 Presidential contenders on Civil Rights: | |||
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Republicans:
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX) Carly Fiorina(CA) Gov.John Kasich(OH) Sen.Marco Rubio(FL) Donald Trump(NY) |
Democrats:
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY) Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT) 2016 Third Party Candidates: Roseanne Barr(PF-HI) Robert Steele(L-NY) Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA) | ||
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