Former Republican Presidential Candidate Jon Huntsman on Marriage Equality

Gold Griffin · Feb 21, 2013

The below was part of an article written by Former Governor of Utah, Former Ambassador to China and Singapore, and contender for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination Jon Huntsman:

While serving as governor of Utah, I pushed for civil unions and expanded reciprocal benefits for gay citizens. I did so not because of political pressure—indeed, at the time 70 percent of Utahns were opposed—but because as governor my role was to work for everybody, even those who didn’t have access to a powerful lobby. Civil unions, I believed, were a practical step that would bring all citizens more fully into the fabric of a state they already were—and always had been—a part of.

That was four years ago. Today we have an opportunity to do more: conservatives should start to lead again and push their states to join the nine others that allow all their citizens to marry. I’ve been married for 29 years. My marriage has been the greatest joy of my life. There is nothing conservative about denying other Americans the ability to forge that same relationship with the person they love.

All Americans should be treated equally by the law, whether they marry in a church, another religious institution, or a town hall. This does not mean that any religious group would be forced by the state to recognize relationships that run counter to their conscience. Civil equality is compatible with, and indeed promotes, freedom of conscience.

Marriage is not an issue that people rationalize through the abstract lens of the law; rather it is something understood emotionally through one’s own experience with family, neighbors, and friends. The party of Lincoln should stand with our best tradition of equality and support full civil marriage for all Americans.
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Rest of the Article (a bunch of other good points the GOP should listen to as well): Marriage Equality Is a Conservative Cause | The American Conservative

It's sad that the most sensible and decent of the serious 2012 Republican nomination candidates will never get nominated by a party hijacked by the Tea Party.

Mike92 · Feb 21, 2013

Gold Griffin said: ↑

The below was part of an article written by Former Governor of Utah, Former Ambassador to China and Singapore, and contender for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination Jon Huntsman:

While serving as governor of Utah, I pushed for civil unions and expanded reciprocal benefits for gay citizens. I did so not because of political pressure—indeed, at the time 70 percent of Utahns were opposed—but because as governor my role was to work for everybody, even those who didn’t have access to a powerful lobby. Civil unions, I believed, were a practical step that would bring all citizens more fully into the fabric of a state they already were—and always had been—a part of.

That was four years ago. Today we have an opportunity to do more: conservatives should start to lead again and push their states to join the nine others that allow all their citizens to marry. I’ve been married for 29 years. My marriage has been the greatest joy of my life. There is nothing conservative about denying other Americans the ability to forge that same relationship with the person they love.

All Americans should be treated equally by the law, whether they marry in a church, another religious institution, or a town hall. This does not mean that any religious group would be forced by the state to recognize relationships that run counter to their conscience. Civil equality is compatible with, and indeed promotes, freedom of conscience.

Marriage is not an issue that people rationalize through the abstract lens of the law; rather it is something understood emotionally through one’s own experience with family, neighbors, and friends. The party of Lincoln should stand with our best tradition of equality and support full civil marriage for all Americans.
Click to expand...

Rest of the Article (a bunch of other good points the GOP should listen to as well): Marriage Equality Is a Conservative Cause | The American Conservative

It's sad that the most sensible and decent of the serious 2012 Republican nomination candidates will never get nominated by a party hijacked by the Tea Party.
Click to expand...

I knew there was a reason why I didn't mind Huntsman.

Sadly, you're right. The crazy whack job Tea Partiers have made even the sensible Republican candidates shift to the far right at times to get votes (see moderate Romney having to go far right thanks to crazy Santorum).

It's not a winning strategy.

photoguy93 · Feb 21, 2013

Who?

Just kidding! Gov. Huntsman was the one "hmmm" candidate for my Democrat self. I really liked him. I thought he had potential.

Yet, we Americans can't really see too far past what is put in front of us. Which is sad.

But I do find this article to be.... ready for it? Logical!

Marriage is a very "conservative/family values" issue. I personally loved reading the comments. One person, in particular, talked about the "bigger issues.... changing the definition of marriage. It's like saying someone doesn't need a mommy, or that a Daddy is optional." Yes, dumb ass, a Daddy is optional when you slept around with your intern and knocked her up.

Meropspusillus · Feb 21, 2013

He would've won the general election in a landslide.

UndercoverGypsy · Feb 21, 2013

It's sad that even in 2013, there are so many homophobes out there. It's good to see that even someone from such a heartless, corporate party has enough balls to stand up to the rednecks and christians to fight for equal marital rights. I honestly can't believe I'm backing a republican here...

photoguy93 · Feb 21, 2013

UndercoverGypsy said: ↑

It's sad that even in 2013, there are so many homophobes out there. It's good to see that even someone from such a heartless, corporate party has enough balls to stand up to the rednecks and christians to fight for equal marital rights. I honestly can't believe I'm backing a republican here...
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As with most everything that happens, the amount of brain cells used to tell me I'm "sinning" isn't being used to do math or reading skills. Sigh....

Whiteboymdew · Feb 21, 2013

I believe that former Governor Jon Huntsman should run for U.S. Senate I mean he would make a bold statement and would be a leader on civil rights if he were to get elected. I mean we are talking about Utah here I guess. I mean I would assume he wouldn't even have a chance now. I know that recently longtime Senator Orrin Hatch will retire and not run in 2018. I mean I know thats over 5 years away, but maybe Huntsman should run for that. I mean I can't see him getting back into politics anytime soon.

If John Huntsman was on the ballot in my state I would consider voting for him
But, he should replace Laura Bush in the Respect for marriage advertisement.

Mike92 · Feb 21, 2013

Whiteboymdew said: ↑

I believe that former Governor Jon Huntsman should run for U.S. Senate I mean he would make a bold statement and would be a leader on civil rights if he were to get elected. I mean we are talking about Utah here I guess. I mean I would assume he wouldn't even have a chance now. I know that recently longtime Senator Orrin Hatch will retire and not run in 2018. I mean I know thats over 5 years away, but maybe Huntsman should run for that. I mean I can't see him getting back into politics anytime soon.

If John Huntsman was on the ballot in my state I would consider voting for him
But, he should replace Laura Bush in the Respect for marriage advertisement.
Click to expand...

...or he should run for president in 2016 again.

I'd strongly consider voting for him if Bob McDonnell didn't run.

SupremeEmperor · Feb 22, 2013

A Mormon Republican from Utah endorses marriage equality, did not see that coming.

Former Republican Presidential Candidate Jon Huntsman on Marriage Equality

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