Mitt Romney Addresses Gay Marriage, Religion In Liberty University Commencement Address (VIDEO)i.huffpost.com
Mitt Romney Addresses Gay Marriage, Religion In Liberty University Commencement Address (VIDEO)
Made popular 377 days ago in Politics
huffingtonpost.com — Mitt Romney reinforced his stance that marriage is "between one man and one woman" while delivering the commencement address at Liberty University on Saturday.

"The American culture promotes personal responsibility, the dignity of work, the value of education, the merit of service, devotion to a purpose greater than self, and, at the foundation, the pre-eminence of the family," Romney said. "As fundamental as these principles are, they may become topics of democratic debate. So it is today with the enduring institution of marriage. Marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman."

Despite a top Republican pollster's warning that the GOP's views on gay marriage could be risky, Romney's remarks were well-received at the Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia. A senior Romney adviser told reporters Friday that Romney planned to use the speech to "mention the fact that marriage is an enduring institution which deserves to be defended."

Romney's comments came just days after President Barack Obama made news by becoming the first sitting president to announce his support for same-sex marriage.

"I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally," Obama told ABC's Robin Roberts, noting he has "concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married."

After addressing marriage, Romney touched on the subject of religious freedom, which he said has "become a matter of debate."

"It strikes me as odd that the free exercise of religious faith is sometimes treated as a problem, something America is stuck with instead of blessed with," Romney said. "Perhaps religious conscience upsets the designs of those who feel that the highest wisdom and authority comes from government."

"There is no greater force for good in the nation than Christian conscience in action," Romney continued.

Ahead of Romney's address, the Obama campaign stressed that there is a "strong contrast" between the president and the presumptive Republican nominee when it comes to values that are important to religious Americans. Rev. Derrick Harkins, the director of religious outreach for President Barack Obama's re-election campaign, said on a Friday conference call Obama stands for "values like loving our neighbors, being our brother's and sister's keeper and dignity for all" and "has stood up for Christian principles."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8RG1ubtUys
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Posted by AUpolls
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Could Romney's strong stance against gay marriage & reversal on gay adoption just recently turn off moderate voters thus helping Obama?
Strong Yes
10%
Yes
19%
Strong No
11%
No
60%
This is not a scientific survey, click here to learn more. Results may not total 100% due to rounding and voting descrepencies.
User Comments
james2044
Posted 377 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
While you hope so, the fact is the Independents have been voting "NO" on what the Democrats are forcing on the public.
AUpolls
Posted 376 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
james2044, Just as in interracial marriage?
james2044
Posted 376 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
@AUpolls

I don't know if Blacks will like "progressives" linking their race to being gay. it isn't the same but "progressives" never have much logic in what they say.
AUpolls
Posted 376 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
@james so "all men are created equal" does not extend to everyone in the GOP? It seems like "conservatives" are the ones who never ever have any logic in there beliefs. How can you uphold the constitution and bill of rights and say you are a patriot if you ignore key pillars of those documents?
james2044
Posted 375 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
@AUpolls

Created equal "yes". However, it is not the role of goverment to make all of us equal changing the process that makes us unequal.
AUpolls
Posted 375 days ago
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@james2044

But should an unequal process be in a country that says that "all men are created equal"?
lastbaldeagle
Posted 375 days ago
0 up votes, 0 down votes
Interracial marriage is also an Obamanation. Ask the children of those relationships, plus the fact that the female normally has to provide the income. Welfare as a vocation! Equal? Yes if you actually have some pride and take responsibility for your children. Not a biggie in the African-American community.
AUpolls
Posted 375 days ago
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@lastbaldeagle Is an "Obamanation" like a "Bushism"?
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