Emmer dodges question on gay marriage

During a debate on Twin Cities Public Television’s Almanac on Friday evening, GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer dodged a question on whether Minnesotans should have a vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The question was requested by an anti-same-sex marriage group, according to host TPT’s Kathy Wurzer. Emmer has authored a bill for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota and has pushed against legislation that would give even a few rights to same-sex couples.

“As a citizen I have a view that is well known. As a governor, it’s not going to be up to the governor. Whether it’s somebody that says they have to oppose it, it’s not up to the governor. It’s up to the legislature,” Emmer said. “And you know what, this election is not about those issues, this election is about the economy, and it’s about jobs.”

Wurzer interrupted Emmer, “But there are a lot of issues in a campaign…”

Emmer responded, “People are trying to distract us from what we have to do, which is get the economy…”

Wurzer interrupted again, “We spent the entire hour talking about the economy. Would you let voters… Do you think voters should vote on a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage?”

Emmer finished with, “That would be up to the legislature.”

While Independence Party candidate Tom Horner said he agreed with Emmer, it was for different reasons.

“I agree with Rep. Emmer,” he said. “I think we do need to focus on jobs. I think we do need to focus on the economy, and we have. But I’ll also say that part of our economy, part of creating jobs, is being a state in which people people can thrive, people are healthy, in which the best talent is attracted here.”

He continued, “So simply to say that equality isn’t an issue that as governor we are going to have to deal with, I think that is wrong. I think we do need to deal with equality as part of having a healthy, strong, economically viable state.”

DFL candidate Mark Dayton also said it’s an issue for the governor whether or not the governor votes on it. “It is about leadership, and the governor certainly influences the legislature,” he said. “Even if he doesn’t have a final vote on the matter. I believe the founding principle of this country is that all men are created equal, endowed by our creators with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

He added, “And that certainly, in this America and today, is the right to legally marry the person one loves.”