GOP Candidates Talk Faith In Iowa
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
It was a night of faith and tears for the GOP candidates in Iowa. 6 of the 8 top tier candidates were at a forum hosted by the conservative Christian group The Family Leader in Des Moines.
The evening promised to be different from the multiple debates the candidates have attended. With moderators promising to allow complete answers and no questions that would but the candidates at odds with each other. The night was also to focus on how the faith would guide them as President. Texas Governor Rick Perry, never shy about his religious views, didn’t blank on any of his answers tonight. Especially when asked how he views the role of faith in political leadership.
“I’ve been driven to my knees multiple times as the governor of the state of Texas making decisions that are life and death,” Perry said, “the idea that I would walk into that – without God almighty holding me up with scare me to death.”
But even at a faith based forum, there was time for the governor to slip in his calls to create a part time Congress and repeal the federal health care law to allow states a chance to come up with their own health care solutions. But the governor did give one answer that depending on your view was either out right false – or at the very least playing fast and loose with terminology. When asked about passing a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage Perry said there were things the states could to do before an amendment was passed.
“I think it is an issue that you can address at the federal level. And passing a federal marriage amendment is one of the ways to do that. But until that does pass that as in the state of Texas, a gay couple can not adopt a child in the state of Texas,” Perry said.
He’s right when he says a gay couple can’t adopt. State law only allows a male and female couple to adopt. But nothing stops a single gay person, even if they have a partner, from adopting. A gay person can even be a foster parent in Texas. The candidates now head to Washington D.C. for debate on foreign policy and national security.
Podcast: Download (1.0MB)
