This is another article intended to set the record straight and should not be construed as an endorsement of Governor Romney as the GOP Presidential Candidate. Here is the record on the Gay Marriage Initiative in Massachusetts.
It is a little more complicated than most people believe, but the common belief that many ultra-conservatives will argue is that as Governor, Romney did not do enough to stop same gender marriage when he was governor of his state. If you think this way, my question to you is what could Romney have done to stop it?
The Massachusetts same-sex legalization came about because the State Supreme Court ruled that under the state constitution, is was discriminatory to deny same-sex couples the right to marry. There were 8 couples in the state who sued and eventually won out in the state's top court.
I suppose that Governor Romney could have pulled an Andrew Jackson who once famously said, "let the Supreme Court enforce it's own decision." That is what a Tea Party Governor would have done. That would likely have led to impeachment and a contempt of court charge. The "Morgan Philpot Principle" could have applied here...that it is better to lose and stand for your convictions than compromise and win. But Massachusetts would have lost had Governor Romney not been there to fight the good fight afterwards.
Romney did 3 things that made a difference and that ultra social conservatives should appreciate. First, he cleared hurdles to allow for a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage in his state. This amendment would fail in to win enough support in the legislature. Second, he ensured that an old 1913 law remained in effect. This law states that if your marriage is illegal in your home state, you can not get married in Massachusetts. This law was repealed after Romney left office. Third, Romney attempted to use same-sex marriage as a wedge issue in the 2006 campaign, hoping to get a more conservative legislature and get a constitutional amendment before the voters. This effort failed.
Ultra conservatives should keep in mind that today 60% of Massachusetts voters support same-sex marriage. Many who support same-sex marriage believe that it has not changed the quality of life in the state. But it may take a generation or two to see any effect at all as marriage is about children. It will not be until next decade until we will know what effect same-sex marriage has on society. They should remember that there is little a legislative body or a state executive can do once a court decides to legislate from the bench. Latter-day Saints should also realize that Mosiah 29:27 has not been repealed...meaning that the people of Massachusetts will get no less than what they deserve. There is little that even the most conservative governor can do when the majority of the people are liberal.
Therefore, ultra conservatives may wish to give Governor Romney a break on this one. If another GOP candidate can defeat Obama in 11 months, fine, let's support him. So far, everyone the anti-Romney crowd can come up with has baggage. Whether it be Perry or Cain or Gingrich. Huntsman does not have baggage, and I wish that more GOP primary voters would consider the former Utah governor. But if that does not happen, I support Romney.
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