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Republican Party Presidential Debate: Marriage and Military Policy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The six Republican presidential candidates, including Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Herman Cain, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), Representative Ron Paul (R-TX), former Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), former Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA), and former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), participated in a presidential debate sponsored by CNN, WMUR-TV, and the New Hampshire Union Leader on June 13, 2011. The debate focused on marriage and military policy, with the candidates sharing their views on constitutional amendments and the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Representative Michele Bachmann supports a constitutional amendment on marriage between a man and a woman but would not overturn state laws on marriage.
  • Herman Cain would not have overturned "don't ask, don't tell" in the first place but would leave the policy in place as president.
  • Newt Gingrich helped author the Defense of Marriage Act and believes a constitutional amendment is necessary to define marriage, citing the importance of consistency across the country.
  • Representative Ron Paul expressed that rights come as individuals and would not work to overthrow the "don't ask, don't tell" policy but emphasized that behavior, not group affiliation, should determine individual rights.
  • Tim Pawlenty would take cues from military commanders on the impact of the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal on the military.
  • Mitt Romney stated that he would leave the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in place as president and emphasized the importance of focusing on the economy and jobs.
  • Rick Santorum believes in a constitutional amendment to define marriage, citing the importance of consistency and involving the states in the process.

Statistics:

  • Three-quarters of the states would be required to ratify a constitutional amendment on marriage.
  • The weekend debate took place at the Sullivan Arena, Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.
  • The debate was sponsored by CNN, WMUR-TV, and the New Hampshire Union Leader.
  • The debate ran from 8:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. EDT on June 13, 2011.

Sources:

  • CNN
  • WMUR-TV
  • The New Hampshire Union Leader
  • Federal News Service, Inc.
  • Copyright 2011 by Federal News Service, Inc.

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