Here's a study in contrasts... Former New York City mayor Rudy Guiliani told the New York Post that he intends to use Governor Paterson's support for gay marriage as a weapon in his quest to seek the New York Governorship. Guiliani was championed during the Presidential primaries by the Log Cabin Republicans for his on and off support of civil unions.
"This will create a grass-roots movement. This is the kind of issue that, in many ways, is somewhat beyond politics," said Giuliani, a two-term mayor who unsuccessfully sought the GOP presidential nomination last year.
"I think gay marriage will obviously be an issue for any Republican next year because Republicans are either in favor of the position I'm in favor of, civil unions, or in many cases Republicans don't even favor civil unions," he continued.
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"Marriage, I believe, both traditionally and legally, has always been between a man and a woman and should remain between a man and woman," said Giuliani, who has been married three times."And Democrats, including President Obama and Hillary Clinton, have essentially the same position I have, which is let's have civil unions but not go so far as to change the definition of marriage.
However, the New York Daily News is reporting that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seeking the state's largest LGBT group's endorsement and plans to lobby state senators on behalf of Paterson's marriage equality bill.
Bloomberg, who stood with Gov. Paterson last week as he unveiled a gay-marriage bill and pledged to lobby for it in Albany, wants to land the support of the Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA) as he continues his quest to be all things to all political constituencies.
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Bloomberg plans to "influence" Senate Republicans to back the bill, a Bloomberg campaign aide confirmed - a delicate political dance as the mayor also works to appease GOP bigwigs and more conservative voters in the outer boroughs."We hope ESPA endorses us, and quite frankly, if the mayor is running on the Republican line and willing to take this position, I think it's worth noting," the aide said, adding that Bloomberg's likely Democratic opponent, city Controller William Thompson, missed Paterson's news conference.
Thompson was invited late to the event by Paterson and couldn't attend because of a scheduling conflict, his office said. In a statement, Thompson said he has "long been a proponent of marriage of same-sex couples to ensure equality for all."
Bloomberg has been the Senate GOP's biggest financial benefactor in recent years, contributing $500,000 to their failed effort to maintain the majority last year - a move that angered the victorious Democrats.
It's important to note that Bloomberg is forthright in his support for Governor Paterson's legislation while Rudy cites his "support" of civil unions. Maybe Guiliani's forgotten the statement his presidential campaign put out after the New Hampshire state senate passed a civil unions bill?
"Mayor Giuliani believes marriage is between one man and one woman. Domestic partnerships are the appropriate way to ensure that people are treated fairly. In this specific case the law states same sex civil unions are the equivalent of marriage and recognizes same sex unions from outside states. This goes too far and Mayor Giuliani does not support it."
So let me see if I've got this tale of two Republicans right...
- Bloomberg supports full marriage equality for all New Yorkers
- Guiliani doesn't support gay marriage but does favor civil unions unless they're "equivalent" to marriage and then he doesn't.
Wow. If civil unions are "separate but not equal" then what does Guiliani really advocate?
Oh yeah. Marriage should be limited to a man and a woman.
Multiple times, if necessary.
(Crossposted from Bilerico Project)