Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who looks all but ready to run for president, says he’s fine with the fact that state of New York passed a law approving same-sex marriage.
Huh? My evangelical radar is up and something tells me this is not going to play well. Read below from the Associated Press and then check out the Brody File analysis of the situation.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a potential Republican presidential candidate, said Friday he supports state rights so much that he's fine with New York's approval of gay marriage but still called himself an "unapologetic social conservative."
Perry, who has been weighing a presidential run, said he opposes gay marriage — but that he's also a firm believer of the 10th Amendment.
"Our friends in New York six weeks ago passed a statute that said marriage can be between two people of the same sex. And you know what? That's New York, and that's their business, and that's fine with me," he said to applause from several hundred GOP donors in Aspen, Colo. "That is their call. If you believe in the 10th Amendment, stay out of their business.”
This sort of issue could be a big problem for Perry. I’m sure the majority of conservative evangelicals are big believers in the 10th amendment but the fundamental question seems to be this: When does a federal constitutional amendment trump the 10th amendment? What issue qualifies? Isn't marriage one of those issues?
Perry is basically saying anything goes for each state. His take seems to be if you don’t like gay marriage, don’t move to New York. We have amendments to our constitution abolishing slavery, giving women the right to vote, etc. Wouldn't protecting traditional marriage qualify?
Food for thought: When does being a pure state's rights guy become problematic? When does sipping too much tea become an issue?
It’ll be interesting to watch if Perry shifts on this as time goes by. His stance will open up a can of constitutional worms. Let the debate begin.