Note Walker's spin, denial, evasion and general unwillingness to give straight answers or volunteer much of anything about what he thinks, what might come next, etc. The transcript editing is mine, and begins with this question:
Question: "Do you believe the state will prevail, and do you also believe the ban ought to still be supported?"
Gov. Walker: "I don’t know. I’m not a lawyer, obviously... the Governor doesn’t have a say in that...it's something that most voters, most constituents don’t talk to me about...I’m not going to pretend to tell a federal judge, in that regard, what she or he should do about it...On this one, again, it’s up to the Attorney General...whether it’s upheld in federal court, again, that’s not my area of expertise."
Question: What’s your feeling on if that same vote were held today, where do you think that would go?
Walker: "I don’t know, it’s hard to say. Polls are one thing on any of these issues, but votes are completely different oftentimes. So I don’t know what I think...I don’t know what it means...I haven’t been widespread and outspoken about this, because that’s not what voters talk to me about. The only question I got in the 2010 election came in a forum by one of the members of the media, and I find out it was in the Constitution and it didn’t really have a bearing on who the governor was. And to me I don’t think anything’s changed since then."
He may be trying to duck now, but in 2013, Walker "stated that he still opposes gay marriage. But he said he is more focused on economic issues and that voters care most about those matters.
ReplyDeleteWalker has long backed the 2006 amendment to the Wisconsin constitution that banned gay marriage and similar arrangements such as civil unions. Walker has also refused to defend in court a 2009 law that allows gay couples to register with counties to secure some but not all of the benefits that married couples enjoy."
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-addresses-presidency-talk-gay-marriage-m697004-198820411.html
2011: Walker is literally going out of his way to prevent two people in a loving, committed relationship from visiting one another at the hospital.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/05/17/wisconsin-governor-scott-walker-to-prevent-same-sex-couples-hospital-visitation-rights/
Yes, Scotty. Those "family pictures" you did for NOM? You didn't mean that, did you? C'mon Scotty, why don't you ask the people of Wisconsin to decide this issue in November, and follow their will?
ReplyDeleteWhat's with all the hiding from our "Unintimidated" Governor? :P
Friends of ours, a gay couple, already married in California (the first time it was legal, before it became illegal, then legal again) who may want to relocate or retire here in good ol' Wisconsin. But they won't be spending their discretionary dollars here, nor buying property and paying taxes here, nor inviting out-of-state friends to visit here unless their marriage (and 30-year relationship) is recognized and they can exercise their rights as a married couple. I told them I wouldn't either. Don't come back until it's safe. They can't be the only gay couple in such circumstances. Forget weddings: this could be a real jobs creator-thing--just to be a welcoming state for prodigal gays and lesbians.
ReplyDeleteI also said that now the ban has been overturned, get back here quick, register to vote, and help us go Scott Free in November!