Oh, T-Paw. While the standard GOP line is that they love gay people and have a ton of gay friends, but are just interested in keeping "the [darned] gays" from marrying, T-Paw takes it one step further
Here is the key exchange about a 1993 law Pawlenty voted for:
Yes, gay-rights activists regarded you as a pretty cool guy at the time.
We overbaked that statute, for a couple of reasons. If I had to do it over again I would have changed some things.
Overbaked?
That statute is not worded the way it should be. I said I regretted the vote later because it included things like cross-dressing, and a variety of other people involved in behaviors that weren't based on sexual orientation, just a preference for the way they dressed and behaved. So it was overly broad. So if you are a third-grade teacher and you are a man and you show up on Monday as Mr. Johnson and you show up on Tuesday as Mrs. Johnson, that is a little confusing to the kids. So I don't like that.
Has the law been changed?
No. It should be, though.
Oh, poor T-Paw. Clinging desperately to the hope that he can become the GOP's 2012 "None of the Above" vote, he needs to be seen by the teabaggers as right-wing-crazy enough, so he is willing to even start rolling BACK gay rights in Minnesota so that a vote from 16 years ago (on the rather easy issue of whether gays should be free from employment discrimination) doesn't sink him with "The Base."
My Suggested Follow Up:
So, T-Paw, you really have been unhappy with this gay rights measure for 16 years? "Yep." Ever try to get it amended or repealed? "Well, do you mean formally tried or...." Well, you have been Governor for a long time, I am sure you campaigned on this "roll back gay rights ASAP" platform a couple times, right?? Right??? T-Paw.
I really am torn as to whether he or Palin would be the better President.