Politico.com: on Civil Rights

Ben Carson: Apologized for likening homosexuality to pedophilia

Carson came under scrutiny when he appeared to liken homosexuality to pedophilia and bestiality, sparking the outrage of the LGBT community. "My thoughts are that marriage is between a man and a woman. It's a well-established fundamental pillar of society and no group, be they gays, be they NAMBLA, be they people who believe in bestiality, it doesn't matter what they are, they don't get to change the definition," the doctor, who is the director of pediatric neurosurgery, said on Hannity's show.

Ben Carson: Marriage should not be extended to same-sex couples

Ben Carson: Give gays rights, but not marriage, because it's a choice

"Absolutely," Carson replied. Asked why, he went on to explain his prison theory. "So did something happen while they were in there?" he said. "Ask yourself that question."

He continued, invoking his argument against same-sex marriage: "Why do gay people want to get married? Because they want to have various rights," he said. "Property rights, visitation rights--why can't any two human beings, I don't care what their sexual orientation is, why can't they have the legal right to do those things?"

Later in a statement to CNN, Carson backed down a bit from his morning remarks. "I do not pretend to know how every individual came to their sexual orientation," he said. I regret that my words to express that concept were hurtful and divisive."

Blake Masters: Highlights opposition to critical race theory

Bobby Jindal: I pledge support for a religious freedom law

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.

Chris Christie: Gay marriage is settled in NJ, but keep debating nationally

Still, he added, the issue is "settled" in New Jersey, unless there's an unexpected change in the state's solidly Democratic legislature. Christie, who opposes same-sex marriage, drew flak from conservatives for deciding to halt a court battle over the issue last year. He said that he made the call because he would have lost anyway: "When I know that I've been defeated, you don't bang your head against the wall anymore and spend taxpayer money to do it," said Christie. He said the issue should be left to the states, noting that "an overwhelming majority of states currently still ban same-sex marriage."

Claire McCaskill: Government should not limit marrying who you love

McCaskill has long threaded a needle on gay marriage. In 2004, she said she opposed gay marriage while also opposing a state constitutional amendment to ban it, arguing a provision in state law was sufficient.

McCaskill cited her experiences with gay friends and family as the cause of her conversion: "As many of my gay and lesbian friends embrace long term committed relationships, I find myself unable to look them in the eye without honestly confronting this uncomfortable inequality," she wrote. "Supporting marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples is simply the right thing to do for our country, a country founded on the principals of liberty and equality."

Deval Patrick: 1985: defended community activists in Alabama voter case

While the former governor has been out of office for more than three years, he was one of a handful of surrogate campaigners for Democrat Doug Jones against Republican Roy Moore in the December Alabama Senate special election.

Patrick sat for an interview in May where he discussed his 2006 gubernatorial bid, his time campaigning in Alabama and the need for the Democratic Party to open up to outsiders. "It was so much fun. I was in places I had spent time in before, in Selma and Birmingham . going back to my days litigating Jeff Sessions way back when. Yes indeed," he said.

Ed Gillespie: Increase share of African-American vote in midterm elections

He reminded the audience that for a time in the early 2000s, the GOP "increased its share of the black vote" slightly, though "it's kind of pathetic to be bragging" about going from 9% to 11% support. In the past two elections, however, the GOP has floundered with minority voters. "I think we can increase our share of the African-American vote in the midterm elections. I believe we definitely can, and certainly in the next presidential election," the Senate candidate said. "And we've got to."

Ed Gillespie: Maintain state same-sex marriage ban, but leave it to states

Warner switched his position to endorse gay marriage in March 2013.

Elena Kagan: Defend Defense of Marriage Act, since it is the law

Kagan's biggest vulnerability is her position against "don't ask, don't tell," the ban on gays openly serving in the military, which led to her decision as dean of Harvard Law School to bar military recruiters from the school's career office.

Elena Kagan: OpEd: Conservatives see Kagan as sure vote for gay rights

Kagan's biggest vulnerability is her position against "don't ask, don't tell," the ban on gays openly serving in the military, which led to her decision as dean of Harvard Law School to bar military recruiters from the school's career office.

Critics and supporters alike are also focusing on the other clues to her positions. During her solicitor general confirmation hearing, for instance, she asserted that "there is no federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage."

Kamala Harris: Reparations for blacks should include HBCU and reforms

"We have got to recognize [that] people aren't starting out on the same base in terms of their ability to succeed," she said. "So we have got to recognize that and give people a lift up."

As she outlined her agenda--highlighting plans for historically black colleges and universities, tax proposals to address poverty and criminal justice reforms--Harris defended President Barack Obama when asked about African Americans who say the former president didn't do enough for the black population.

"None of us can do enough. And we all know that," Harris said. "If you are a parent raising a child, you know we can never do enough. As leaders, we can never do enough. It's important to acknowledge that. But let's also give people credit for what they have accomplished."

Kamala Harris: There is no vaccine for racism--we've got to do the work

Keisha Lance Bottoms: Disgraceful to spread misinformation & interfere with voting

Larry Pressler: I was wrong to support 1996 Defense of Marriage Act

Marco Rubio: One-man-one-woman marriage existed before our laws

Mark Warner: Switched to supporting same-sex marriage in 2013

Warner switched his position to endorse gay marriage in March 2013.

Mike Huckabee: Same-sex marriage leads to criminalization of Christianity

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."

Mike Huckabee: Courts cannot unilaterally allow same-sex marriage

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

Richard Carmona: AdWatch: accused of disrespect for women in the workplace

Carmona's spokesman responded: "Republicans twice tried to recruit Dr. Carmona to run for office because they know he is a lifelong independent who has broad appeal to Arizona's diverse electorate. It's no secret Dr. Carmona disagreed with Ms. Beato's attempts to politicize the Office of the Surgeon General--but these accusations simply aren't true. Dr. Carmona is saddened that our politics has been reduced to malicious and false personal attacks launched by partisans. These baseless accusations do nothing to move our country forward."

Scott Walker: Constitutional amendment to prevent federal gay marriage

Ted Cruz: Liberals obsessed with mandatory gay marriage in 50 states

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."

Thom Tillis: Supports eparations as a bipartisan process

It was Tillis himself who first proposed the bill to protect Mueller in a conversation with Coons last summer, an important bipartisan partnership that's survived tough battles over taxes and health care.

Sen.Coons (D-DE) was struck by Tillis' fight for reparations for black victims of a North Carolina eugenics program. And Tillis was impressed that Coons was willing to fend off Democrats who wanted to pile on to the special counsel bill and turn it into a partisan attack on Trump. "He was pretty clear," Coons said, recalling how Tillis threatened to drop his support unless each new Democratic co-sponsor was matched by a Republican.

Tom Steyer: Mike Pence alienates LGBT Americans

Though he's raised money for Clinton in the past, Steyer only endorsed the presumptive Democratic nominee last month after the primary process had wrapped up.

Steyer noted that Pence was the first governor to sign a bill specifically discriminating against homosexuals. "Indiana was the first state," he said. "I think that's unconscionabl

Tom Vilsack: 2011: Gay marriage at state level only, for now

Still, Vilsack wouldn't comment on whether that view on same-sex marriage extended nationwide. "I don't know what that's got to do with the Secretary of Agriculture," Vilsack told POLITICO. The USDA chief said the question of gay marriage was a distraction to the issues that farmers, ranchers and rural Americans faced. "I will be happy to answer that question someday," he said. "That day is not today."

Tom Vilsack: Appointed judges who said yes to gay marriage

Cornel West: Focusing on diversity is a very narrow criteria to use

WEST: This began with reparations--an attempt to repair some of the damage done by the barbaric slavery and the vicious Jim and Jane Crow. It shifted to diversity, and that became a very narrow criteria to use. And now that's being called into question.