Rep. Michele Bachmann announced her entry to the race tonight’s GOP debate in New Hampshire where social issues played prominent role. During the debate, Bachmann was asked if she would seek to overturn the law in states that have legalized gay marriage.
“I don’t see that it’s the role of a president to go into states and interfere with their state laws,” said Bachmann, chair of the Tea Party caucus. She later clarified that she supports something like the Defense of Marriage Act.
“John, I do support a constitutional amendment on marriage between a man and a woman, but I would not be going into the states to overturn their state law,” she said to CNN’s John King who moderated the debate.
All of the candidates except for Herman Cain and Texas Rep. Ron Paul said they believe “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that bars gays from openly serving in the military should remain in place.
Cain was asked whether Muslims should be asked questions to determine their loyalty to the United States, who responded, “I would ask certain questions. …[Y]ou have peaceful Muslims and you have militant ones, the ones who are trying to kill us.” He said, “I do not believe in Shariah law in American courts.”
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who is Mormon, said, “No, I think we recognize that people of all faiths are welcome in this country. We treat people with respect regardless of their religious persuasion.”
In other recent election news, Cain told the Weekly Standard that he regrets telling TPM that Bachmann’s prayer at Ralph Reed’s recent gathering sounded like the “the ultimate pander.”
As the media sifts through former Alaska governor Sarah Palin’s e-mail, reporters uncovered one where Palin imagines a letter from God to her family about the birth of her son Trig, who was born with Down syndrome.
Many are watching to see if Texas Governor Rick Perry enters the race. A Houston Chronicle article suggests that Perry gave about a half a percent of his income to churches and religious organizations. Perry has invited other governors to a prayer event in early August.
