In the northern state of New Hampshire today, Mitt Romney sat down with a 63-year old man sporting a cap that read, “Vietnam Veteran” and things went south from there for the former Massachusetts Governor. The Vietnam Veteran, having breakfast at the Chez Vachon diner, is an Independent, and also gay, but Romney didn’t realize that. Veteran Bob Garon — gay, married, and having breakfast with his husband — asked Romney his views on gay marriage, and Romney gladly replied.
Watch The Video Here: Gay Vietnam Veteran Confronts Romney On Gay Marriage
Via The Washington Post:
Romney spotted a man in a flannel shirt wearing a Vietnam Veteran hat and slid in next to him in a booth.
“Vietnam veteran!” Romney greeted Bob Garon.
“I have a question for you,” Garon told the former Massachusetts governor. “New Hampshire right now has some legislation kicking around about a repeal for the same-sex marriage. And all I need is a yes or a no. Do you support the repeal?”
“I support the repeal of the New Hampshire law,” Romney said. “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. That’s my view.”
Garon, who lives in Epsom, N.H., and was eating breakfast with his husband, turned to Romney and said: “If two men get married, apparently a veteran’s spouse would not be entitled to any burial benefits or medical benefits or anything that the serviceman has devoted his time and effort to his country, and you just don’t support equality in terms of same-sex marriage?”
“I believe that marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman,” Romney replied, adding, “and we apparently disagree.”
At that, a Romney aide called for him to wrap up the conversation: “Governor, we’ve got to get on with Fox News right now.”
“Oh, I guess the question was too hot,” Garon told Romney.
“No, I gave you the answer,” Romney replied. “You said you had a yes-or-no [question]. I gave you the answer.”
“You did,” Garon said. “And I appreciate your answer. And you know, I also learned something, and New Hampshire is right: You have to look a man in the eye to get a good answer. And you know what, governor? Good luck…. You’re going to need it.”
“You are right about that,” Romney said, as he stood up from the booth and headed into a side room for his interview.
After the exchange, Romney left and left the media free access to Garon, who was only too happy too expound upon his views, including his support for Ron Paul. Garon added:
“I was undecided,” Garon said. But “I’m totally convinced today that he’s not going to be my president — at least in my book. At least Obama will entertain the idea. This man is ‘no way, Jose.’ Well, take that ‘no way, Jose’ back to Massachusetts.”
Asked why he felt so strongly about Romney’s response, Garon said: “Because I’m gay, alright? And I happen to love a man just like you probably love your wife. Alright? And I think that he or she or whatever are entitled to the same rights that I have. I fought for my country, I did my thing, and I think that my spouse should be entitled to the same entitlements as if I was married to a woman. What the hell is the difference? I was definitely offended. He doesn’t even open the door to a conversation. It’s just a boom! But I did ask him ‘yes or no,’ so I got what I asked for.”
…
“I did a little research on Mitt Romney and, by golly, you reporters are right. The guy ain’t going to make it.”
Why not?
“Because you can’t trust him,” Garon said. “I just saw it in his eyes. I judge a man by his eyes.”
Friends:
We invite you to sign up for our new mailing list, and subscribe to The New Civil Rights Movement via email or RSS.
Also, please like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!
{ 7 comments }
Mr. Garon: I'm glad you had your chance to ask a direct question to Romney and get a direct answer.
But the idea that because he is against gay marriage is leading you to vote for Ron Paul? SERIOUS? Mitt may be against you and your husbands union but as far as Ron is concerned you don't even deserve the right to vote or own property since you are not considered humans in his reality.
Do a bit of thinking, please.
@Fishnetdiver- You ask Mr. Garon to "do a bit of thinking" about supporting Ron Paul. I'm not sure where your claims come from and would like some sources quoted. Here is Ron Paul answering a question on the subject of gay marriage and it contradictions your claims. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGaBAb_oS84
Here is a radio interview of Ron Paul not wavering when talking to a very fundamentalist Christian Radio Program, once again directly contradicting your claims- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIeW0DY64bE&fe…
We finally have a republican presidential candidate who voted to repeal DADT, does not wish to use the presidency to legislate morality and does not have a problem with gay marriage, and your trying to scare people by saying he doesn't want us to vote or own property. What a joke. Protecting individual rights and property rights are some of the things Ron Paul is best known for. So get serious, and try to do a bit of thinking yourself, please.
Let me ask you all a question
After Ron is not picked for the republican ticket (because I think their afraid of him) and it Obama and ? Who are you going to side with?
First of all, that's not the discussion we are having. But in response, all I can say is that ONLY because I live in Ohio, I'll likely hold my breath and vote Obama, mainly because the GOP will have the house and senate, and we (I) really don't want Romney or Gingrich at the helm of both the executive and legislative branch's of government.
Lol yeah I get that's not the topic but thanks for answering. your response opens more questions, maybe another time when it's a different topic. Thanks again for getting back
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 2 trackbacks }