Mehlman in 2005: ‘I Don’t Know’ if Homosexuality is a Choice
EmailHere's some of the late Tim Russert's interview with then-RNC Chair Ken Mehlman from Meet the Press, on June 5 2005.
MR. RUSSERT: Will the president continue to push for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage?
MR. MEHLMAN: The president strongly believes that marriage in this country ought to be between a man and a woman. He also believes it is something that ought to be decided by the people. He doesn't believe that judges ought to impose their will on the people. And because there have been a number of judicial decisions, most recently in Nebraska, that have made that decision for the people. He believes that a constitutional amendment is appropriate so the people can weigh in. It's something that's before the United States Senate. It's one of their agenda items they intend to move on this year, and I think we can expect to see them do that.
MR. RUSSERT: You've been trying to broaden the base of the Republican Party and yet Log Cabin Republicans, gay Republicans, issued this statement in the course of last year's election: "…it is impossible to overstate the depth of anger and disappointment caused by the President's support for an anti-family Constitutional Amendment. This amendment would not only ban gay marriage, it would also jeopardize civil unions and domestic partnerships. … Some will accuse us of being disloyal. However, it was actually the White House who was disloyal to the 1,000,000 gay and lesbian Americans who supported him four years ago in 2000. Log Cabin's decision was made in response to the White House's strategic political decision to pursue a re-election strategy catered to the radical right. … Using gays and lesbians as wedge issues in an election year is unacceptable to Log Cabin…"
MR. MEHLMAN: I would respectfully disagree with their statement on that. I think this is an issue in which there's some disagreement. The fact is if you look at the exit polls about 23 percent of gays and lesbians voted for this president, so lot of folks disagreed with what the Log Cabin Republicans said. I'm glad they're supporting the president's position on Social Security. But I think that fundamentally for the president and for millions of Americans, this is an issue of principle. Who should decide on a critical question of how we define marriage in this country? Should it be decided by an activist court or by the people? We believe the people should make this decision.
MR. RUSSERT: Do you believe homosexuality is a choice?
MR. MEHLMAN: I don't know the answer to that question. I don't think it matters to the fundamental question here because at bottom, this president believes in non-discrimination. He believes in equal treatment. He believes in respect for all. He also believes, separate and apart from that question, that the fundamental question of marriage ought to be defined in the way it's been defined for more than 200 years of our nation's history, which is by the people's representative at the state legislatures.
MR. RUSSERT: But the Log Cabin Republicans will say if you're born gay, it's a biological determination, not a matter of choice.
MR. MEHLMAN: And that's–that may be, but the fact is that's irrelevant to question of the public definition of marriage. They're two totally different issues.
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Mehlman is a real piece of work, hiding in the closet while the gop hated and promoted hatred of gays. he should be ashamed of being a wimp deluxe!
Posted by: james todd | August 26, 2010, 8:06 am 8:06 am
MR. RUSSERT: Will the president continue to push for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage?
I hope he doesn’t do that, it is totally unnecessary.
Just call it what it is, Garriage.
That way it separates it from Marriage as the different thing that it is.
At which point the gay community can work to get whatever rights they want for Garried people.
Problem Solved.
Posted by: Noz | August 26, 2010, 8:14 am 8:14 am
Blanche Lincoln is going to lose big in Arkansas, because progressives (and workers in general) will stay home on election day. The press will run its usual nonsense about Arkansas turning to the right.
Posted by: Flash Override | August 26, 2010, 8:14 am 8:14 am
MR. MEHLMAN: And that’s–that may be, but the fact is that’s irrelevant to question of the public definition of marriage. They’re two totally different issues.
=======
That is absolutely true.
And hey…Why should Democrats get a pass on marriage issues? Their party stance, and the stance of their presidential candidates (and Presidents) is virtually identical to Republicans.
Posted by: MayBee | August 26, 2010, 9:38 am 9:38 am
Mehlman is typical of Republicans…they are all hypocrites.
Posted by: Plano | August 26, 2010, 10:25 am 10:25 am
And just how does this affect me? Whatever, get in line like everyone else…sheeeze. Dems really need to do their homework on Repubs…most of us lean socially liberal and fiscally conservative…just too busy trying to stay employed under Obama’s failed policies than too worry about what some guy does after hours…how arrogant to assume like I would give a big one…….
Posted by: Parallex View | August 26, 2010, 10:44 am 10:44 am
Ok, everyone, once for all being gay is NOT a choice. If it was then you would have had a choice too. Don’t tell me that when you reached puberty that you were automatically attracted to the opposite sex. If gays have a choice so do hetrosexuals. So tell me you hetrosexuals, what age were you when you chose the opposite sex and just what helped you chose? Get it now? We don’t have a choice in our sexual orientation. We do with our life styles, but we do not with our sexual orientation! Quit listening to those man-made religions!!!
Posted by: jackson | August 26, 2010, 11:53 am 11:53 am
I can see the oh so compassionate and understanding high-minded liberals have come out to play on this issue. Pretty classy guys.
Posted by: Aaron | August 26, 2010, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
He’s been long rumored to have a preference for black men. That was an open secret in DC.
What’s sad is how much a weak soul will sell themselves out for a paycheck.
Posted by: kravitz | August 26, 2010, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
“I can see the oh so compassionate and understanding high-minded liberals have come out to play on this issue. Pretty classy guys.”
Don’t even go there! Do YOU realize that this was a man that was promoting for a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT to willfully discriminate???
“He’s been long rumored to have a preference for black men. That was an open secret in DC.”
…and why this does not surprise me. SHEESH! I do declare…
Posted by: mytakeonthis61 | August 26, 2010, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
Why does it have to be only one choice. Think there are many influences and not just ‘genetic’ and so it can be ‘either’ case; born that way. . .or environmenetal issues, crafted one’s choice. Think those Gays who give up and go ‘hetero’ – perhaps – were under childhood – or later – influences. Think those ‘born that way’ – do not turn; as least, not sucessfully.
Posted by: catherine t. | August 26, 2010, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
FYI. . .the GOP never ‘promoted’ hatred of Gays. The did promote disdain for the Gay agenda; and still do, for the most part. (An agenda that reaches down into ‘early childhood’ education or soon will and adoptivie issues et al.) Easier to allow a ‘hatred’ than accepting an alternative view and dealing with; yes, so much easier and requires no real ‘thought’ whatsoever’.
Posted by: catherine t. | August 26, 2010, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
catherine t I’m tired about all of the lies about the GOP hating gays.The reason why the the California gay marriage law was passed was because of black Christian opposition to homosexuality.Many if not most Republicans are libetarians at heart-what happens at home,especially the bedroom is nobody’s business.
Posted by: Nephron | August 26, 2010, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm
.Many if not most Republicans are libetarians at heart
—
Untrue. Most Republicans are cultural conservatives and neoliberals. Very few are libertarians. In fact, libertarians get purged from the rolls.
As Will Wilkinson puts it, and I’d expand this to the GOP and conservative movement, “The average Tea Partier is, like the average voter, a collection of reflexes, prejudices, resentments, and demands that add up to no coherent philosophy at all.”
Posted by: dawn_marie | August 26, 2010, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm
“I’m tired about all of the lies about the GOP hating gays.”
Good point. There are a few Republicans who actually believe in equality.
But its only a few.
The reason people think the GOP hates gays is because the GOP and the right wing are the ones pushing to ban gay marriage, to ban gay adoptions, to keep DADT etc etc.
“The reason why the the California gay marriage law was passed was because of black Christian opposition to homosexuality.”
I had no idea there were so many African American Christians in CA that they swung an election?
African American are roughly 7% of the population of CA.
Even with large turnouts by African American voters they are but a small slice of the electorate.
But hey the right wing found something to play a divisive game with so they ran with it.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 26, 2010, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
Homosexuality is a choice if that individual is bisexual in orientation. Otherwise, how can someone choose to be something that they dont feel on the inside. In my opinion, any adult who wants to marry another consenting adult should be allowed to love, cherish and be there for that person. People who disagree with homosexuality just shouldnt practice it. Its wrong to deny two adults the right to love. As a believer in Jesus I know its stated that homosexuality is a sin from the bible…. and all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Loving one another is a commandment.
Posted by: TV | August 26, 2010, 8:10 pm 8:10 pm
Call centre workers are becoming as cheap to hire in the US as they are in India, according to the head of the country’s largest business process outsourcing company.
Posted by: Flash Override | August 26, 2010, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
” the GOP and the right wing are the ones pushing to ban gay marriage” – Ryan Coldheart
Impossible Ryan, there is no such thing as gay marriage.
You can’t ban something that doesn’t exist.
The word you are looking for is Garriage.
I bet Republicans are not against Garriage, try asking a few.
Posted by: Noz | August 27, 2010, 7:38 am 7:38 am
It’s sad that folks want the government in our bedrooms in the first place.
Posted by: RigidPrinciples | August 28, 2010, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
The National Library of Medicine pubs confirm that sexual orientation is natural, biologically induced in the first trimester of pregnancy, morally neutral, immutable, neither contagious nor learned, bearing no relation to an individuals ability to form deep and lasting relationships, to parent children, to work or to contribute to society.
From the American Psychological Association: homosexuality is normal; homosexual relationships are normal.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Asociation and American Psychiatric Asociation have endorsed civil marriage for same-sex couples because marriage strengthens mental and physical health and longevity of couples, and provides greater legal and financial security for children, parents and seniors.
America’s premier child/mental health associations endorse marriage equality.
Posted by: shadow_man | August 31, 2010, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
This was taken from another poster that shows why we need to legalize gay marriage. If you don’t feel for this person after reading it, you simply aren’t human.
“I am not sure what our President thinks of this dicission but coming from a poor family and knowing what discrimination is all about I would assume he would not care if “Gays” have equal rights. The whole reason why they are asking for rights to be considered married is from the same reason why I would be for it. My own life partner commited suicide in our home with a gun to his heart. After a 28 year union I was deprived to even go his funeral. We had two plots next to each other. But because we did not have a marriage cirtificate “(Legal Document)” of our union his mother had him cremated and his ashes taken back to Missouri where we came from. That is only one example how painful it is. His suicide tramatized me so much and her disregard for my feelings only added to my heartach. That happened on March 21 of 2007 and I still cannot type this without crying for the trauma I have to endure each day. Oh did I mention I am in an electric wheelchair for life? Yes I am and it is very diffacult to find another mate when you are 58 and in a wheelchair. “
Posted by: shadow_man | August 31, 2010, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm