Richard Tafoya
Dec 9th, 2006, 10:56 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/09/AR2006120900837.html
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) is facing new questions about his beliefs on gay issues after the emergence of a letter he wrote during his 1994 U.S. Senate run, in which he promised to be a stronger advocate for gays than Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D).
...
Citing Kennedy's record of advocacy for gays and lesbians, Romney wrote: "For some voters, it might be enough to simply match my opponent's record in this area. But I believe we can and must do better. If we are to achieve the goals we share, we must make equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern. My opponent cannot do this. I can and will."
A gay-oriented Massachusetts newspaper, Bay Windows, has also released a transcript of a 1994 interview with Romney during the Senate race.
"I think the gay community needs more support from the Republican Party, and I would be a voice in the Republican Party to foster anti-discrimination efforts," Romney said, according to the transcript.
Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, said Romney's comments were "quite disturbing."
"This is going to create a lot of problems for Governor Romney," Perkins told the New York Times. "He is going to have a hard time overcoming this."
Conservative activist Paul M. Weyrich told the Times, "Unless he comes out with an abject repudiation of this, I think it makes him out to be a hypocrite."
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) is facing new questions about his beliefs on gay issues after the emergence of a letter he wrote during his 1994 U.S. Senate run, in which he promised to be a stronger advocate for gays than Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D).
...
Citing Kennedy's record of advocacy for gays and lesbians, Romney wrote: "For some voters, it might be enough to simply match my opponent's record in this area. But I believe we can and must do better. If we are to achieve the goals we share, we must make equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern. My opponent cannot do this. I can and will."
A gay-oriented Massachusetts newspaper, Bay Windows, has also released a transcript of a 1994 interview with Romney during the Senate race.
"I think the gay community needs more support from the Republican Party, and I would be a voice in the Republican Party to foster anti-discrimination efforts," Romney said, according to the transcript.
Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, said Romney's comments were "quite disturbing."
"This is going to create a lot of problems for Governor Romney," Perkins told the New York Times. "He is going to have a hard time overcoming this."
Conservative activist Paul M. Weyrich told the Times, "Unless he comes out with an abject repudiation of this, I think it makes him out to be a hypocrite."