As he travels around the country, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee likes to offer this two-line joke. "I'm a conservative," he says. "I'm just not angry about it." The phrase aptly describes his approach to gay and lesbian issues. In substance, the ordained Baptist minister matches up with most on the religious right in opposing reforms that would permit gay marriage. He says he will lead a effort to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, opposes hate-crimes bills and ENDA, and supports continuing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. As governor, he led a state effort to pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a heterosexual union.
But on the trail, he tries to avoid coming off like a proselytizing preacher, downplaying his faith-based disapproval of homosexuality. "I want us to be very careful that we don't come across as having some animosity or hatred toward people, even [those] whose lifestyles are inexplicable to us," he said at the Values Voter Debate. In stump speeches, he often makes only passing reference to "traditional family" issues. He has told reporters that he is open to state-sponsored civil unions that would bestow the legal rights of marriage on gay and lesbian couples.
At the same time, his language for describing homosexuality can sometimes hit a wrong note. During a New Hampshire debate in June, he referred to homosexuality as an "attitude." He also supported a state ban on gay couples becoming foster parents in Arkansas. "That whole issue is more about the gay couple than it is the child. And I think that is the mistake," he said in a January interview. "I feel that we have got to do what is best for the child. I am not sure that putting them in an atmosphere that is still pretty controversial, or still anything but the mainstream, is the ideal situation for the child."
But on the trail, he tries to avoid coming off like a proselytizing preacher, downplaying his faith-based disapproval of homosexuality. "I want us to be very careful that we don't come across as having some animosity or hatred toward people, even [those] whose lifestyles are inexplicable to us," he said at the Values Voter Debate. In stump speeches, he often makes only passing reference to "traditional family" issues. He has told reporters that he is open to state-sponsored civil unions that would bestow the legal rights of marriage on gay and lesbian couples.
At the same time, his language for describing homosexuality can sometimes hit a wrong note. During a New Hampshire debate in June, he referred to homosexuality as an "attitude." He also supported a state ban on gay couples becoming foster parents in Arkansas. "That whole issue is more about the gay couple than it is the child. And I think that is the mistake," he said in a January interview. "I feel that we have got to do what is best for the child. I am not sure that putting them in an atmosphere that is still pretty controversial, or still anything but the mainstream, is the ideal situation for the child."
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