California Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, the billionaire former CEO of eBay, was a major supporter of Proposition 8, the recently passed ban on same-sex marriages. But in her first policy interview since declaring her intent to run for office, Whitman now says marriages before the ban should be recognized.
Confused? So was the Los Angeles Times which described Whitman's grasp on policy as that of an "ill-at-ease novice" whose newly-found "positions are likely to complicate her run for office in 2010."
"I don't know the answer to that question," Whitman responded when asked her stand on school vouchers, a perennial issue of importance to the conservatives who dominate her party's primary.
Views that could potentially attract or alienate all manner of voters emerged on the subject of gay marriage.
Explaining her support for Proposition 8, the November measure that banned same-sex marriage, she called it a "matter of personal conscience and my faith."
But Whitman, a Presbyterian who supports gay civil unions, said the thousands of same-sex marriages that took place last year before the ban should be legally recognized—a sentiment opposed by many Proposition 8 backers. Moreover, she said, gay and lesbian couples should be able to adopt children.
Whitman did not register as a Republican until 2007 and says she was too "busy" to vote in many California elections. "As an 'extraordinarily busy' mother and traveling executive, she said, she 'didn't vote as often as I should, and it's something I regret. And no good excuses for it. Wish I had. Should have.' "
Coulda woulda shoulda ...
Adoption by gay couples in California is not necessarily a controversial issue in California. Whitman's triangulation on gay marriages performed before the ban—now that's bound to cause some problems in the primary. It is timely to note that Whitman described herself as a Presbyterian who supports civil unions. This week the Presbyterian Church USA announced it was forming a committee to study same sex unions and would issue a report by 2010.
GOP Gov. Candidate Whitman Outlines Stands [LAT]
Presbyterians to Study Same Sex Unions [NCR]
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Prop 8 Supporter and Billionaire Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman to Run for California Governor
[R20]
What a crock! First off how can the 18,000 or so who tied the knot be "recognized" and those who want to or were stopped and denied??
And, I thought she was a Mormon, or at least that was what was reported, did she change faiths since her money was donated to the Yes on 8/hate campaign as being a Presbyterian is easier to the public than Mormon?
Already a liar and flip flopper on the issues as evidenced by the fact that her voting record is a lie as well, too bad someone as allegedly computer savvy as she is supposed to be can't keep track of her lies .
Posted by: Luther | 12 February 2009 at 16:14
(Cough)
Posted by: Andy Niable | 12 February 2009 at 21:25