Freddie's trouble started when he was asked if he would support a federal civil unions law. (Does that sound like a trick question to you?)
The comical candidate responded: "Soviet Union?"
"No, civil unions," replied the New Hampshire resident.
"Oh. No, I would not be in support of that," said Grandpa Fred.
Freddie's trouble continued when he elaborated. The clownish candidate did not appear to understand the difference between civil unions and same-sex marriage. Thompson answered the question as if the two are one and the same. Fred's response also indicated that he had no knowledge of the legal status of civil unions in New Hampshire, or anywhere else for that matter.
In short, the 'aw shucks' candidate confused soviet unions, er, I mean civil unions with same-sex marriage and proceeded to get it all wrong.
Concord Monitor:
[Fred Thompson] stumbled over a question about a federal civil unions bill, which he said he would not support.
He blamed courts for compelling states to allow same-sex marriage or civil unions and criticized judges' interpretations that the constitutions in those states required it.
"The controversy that is before us is basically, so far, a judge-made controversy," he said. "No state governor has signed off and introduced legislation on the state level that has endorsed marriage between two people of the same sex."
Actually, New Hampshire passed a bill legalizing civil unions earlier this year, without a court ruling requiring lawmakers to do so. Gov. John Lynch signed the bill June 1, giving same-sex couples the same "rights, responsibilities and obligations" as married couples. The law will go into effect Jan. 1.
Edward Paul, who asked the question, said Thompson gave a "Republican answer" that didn't surprise him, but he doubted whether the candidate's stance will earn him votes in a state that just passed a civil unions law.
"He's given his answer on discrimination, loud and clear," Paul said.
Graphic via Down with Tyranny
Fred Thompson New Hampshire Tennessee Gay Politics News Civil Unions Gay Marriage Republican Dummy Discrimination
