Comments Below: 9
[1]
"I'm reluctant to support amending the Constitution in such a way that would be deemed unlawful and discriminatory."
GOVERNOR CHET CULVER SAYS IN WORDS WHAT HE RELEASED ON PAPER A DAY EARLIER.
HE OPPOSES AMENDING IOWA'S CONSTITUTION TO BAN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, EVEN THOUGH CULVER SAYS HE BELIEVES ONLY A MAN AND A WOMAN SHOULD MARRY.
"One of the reasons that I think the Supreme Court voted unanimously, is because they did make a distinction between a civil marriage and a religious marriage. And I think my statement speaks to the importance of both protecting religious marriage and giving people protections, all people protection under our Iowa Constitution."
THE GOVERNOR HAS TAKEN HEAT FOR WAITING FOUR DAYS TO RELEASE A WRITTEN STATEMENT ON THE RULING AND FIVE DAYS TO TALK ABOUT IT.
"I think it's appropriate to take as much time as necessary, and in my case about four days, to thoroughly read the decision. I think what would have been a mistake, is any knee-jerk reaction."
THE GOVERNOR ANSWERS ABOUT EIGHT MINUTES WORTH OF QUESTIONS ON THE ISSUE, WHEN DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR TOM COURTNEY, THE SENATE MAJORITY WHIP, ABRUPTLY ENDS THE NEWS CONFERENCE BY APPLAUDING.
THE GOVERNOR IS ANSWERING A QUESTION ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
"It'll be an interesting question, and I'll ultimately decide whether or not I think we should have one, but we need a little more time to figure that out. I think some of the senators have to get back, and legislators. So thank you all
for coming."
[2]