Graham: Amendment Push to Ban Gay Marriage Would Hurt GOP in 2016

Sunday on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Republican presidential candidate Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said any attempt at a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage is “a process that is not going to bear fruit” and would only hurt the Republican Party because of the public’s shift in opinion favoring gay marriage.

Graham said, “I think it’s a transformational moment. There are a lot of upset people who believe in traditional marriage. They’re disappointed. They’re down right now. But the court has ruled, so here’s where I stand. If I’m president of the United States, here’s what would happen. If you have a church, a mosque or a synagogue and you’re following your faith and you refuse to preform a same-sex marriage because it’s outside the tenets of your faith in my presidency you will not lose your tax-exempt status. If you’re a gay person or gay couple if I’m president of the United States, you’ll be able to participate in commerce and be a full member of society, consistent with the religious beliefs of others who have rights also.”

He added, “I don’t believe there’s any chance for Constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman to get two-thirds vote in the House or Senate and be ratified …You can put it in the platform but in my view it will hurt us in 2016 because it’s a process that’s not going to bear fruit. I want to protect the religious liberties of those who believe that opposing same-sex marriage as part of their faith. So, no, I would not engage in the Constitutional amendment process as a party going into 2016. Accept the court’s ruling, fight for the religious liberties of every American.”

Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN

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