Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney and the gang: The social values on display at Monday's Republican presidential debate
Instant analysis of Monday's Republican presidential debate has focused on whether former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a veteran of the 2008 campaign and the front-runner in many eyes, survived his encounter with six rivals. Romney in fact emerged unscathed, as the candidates took aim at Barack Obama rather than each other. But there was one notable feature of the debate: the near-unanimous enlistment of the candidates in the culture wars.
On abortion, Michele Bachmann, who won the charisma award from commentators, refused to make an exception from her opposition for rape and incest. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty boasted: "The main pro-life organization in Minnesota gives me very, very high marks." Rick Santorum (accurately) described himself as a leading opponent of abortion: "You can look at my record. Not only have I been consistently pro-life, but I've ... taken the bullets to go out there and fight for this and lead on those issues." Romney said that "people understand that I'm firmly pro-life. I will support justices who believe in following the Constitution and not legislating from the bench. And I believe in the sanctity of life from the very beginning until the very end."
The candidates were contemptuous of gay rights. None showed any enthusiasm for the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" (though Ron Paul said he would not reinstate it). Pawlenty, Bachmann, Santorum and Romney supported a constitutional amendment to declare marriage the union of one man and one woman. (Gingrich would do so if the Defense of Marriage Act were struck down).
It's a truism that Republican presidential candidates, having established their conservative bona fides in the primary season, move to the center in the general election. But that will be different if the eventual nominee adheres to these positions.
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--Michael McGough
Rep. Michele Bachmann waves to the audience at Monday's presidential debate in New Hampshire. Bachmann used the occasion to formally declare she is running for president. Credit: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images
There's NOTHING conservative about favoring a government that attempts to reach into people's personal lives. What a shame that these idiots can't evolve.
Posted by: disbelief | June 14, 2011 at 02:25 PM
I watched this out of pure intrigue and I couldn't agree more. Its amazing how conservatives want people out of their lives, UNLESS ITS THEIR NEIGHBOR THAT THEY WANT TO CONTROL. Then all of a sudden, government is their biggest friends.
The hypocrisy is truly stunning...don't bother me, but bother James over there because I don't like who he sleeps with.
Posted by: Gaucho420 | June 14, 2011 at 02:29 PM
What I find hard to understand is how all of these folks who claim to be constitutional conservatives--intent on protecting the constitution as the founding fathers intended--are all okay with making a change to the constitution so that they can protect what is clearly unconstitutional. Why can't we just admit that equality is for all Americns?
Posted by: harpman | June 14, 2011 at 03:01 PM
Let's all gather around the campfire ,pass the kool-aid,and sing kumbaya.I remember gatherings like that back in the 1950's white lightin', white sheets,burning cross,and a token black man.If South Park or Saturday Night Live don't cash in on this one ,I am a monkey's uncle.Speaking of monkeys,did hear no evil,see no evil,speak no evil cross your mind at any time.First time I ever saw them all on the same page.But then,it was the FOX Network,they are always in there element there,nice and cozy.I hope the Simpsons and Family Guy cash in too, Maybe even Squidbillys will take us for a trip down memory lane.I would be a millionaire if I could think of stuff this hilarious.And remember our number one priority is to defeat President Obama.How could we ever forget?Does it really bother them that much?
Posted by: gail keller | June 14, 2011 at 03:21 PM
There should be no need for anyone to even consider using the power of government (fine, intimidation, jail, etc.) to guide their moral impulses. If churches were more effective in teaching Bible morality and practicing it, then the idea of violating God's laws would be "etched in their hearts" (to quote Isaiah) and human laws on the subject would be superfluous.
Posted by: FutureUser | June 14, 2011 at 03:46 PM
Seriously- how brain dead are LA Liberals???
California is just about bankrupt- why is that? Who runs the state? What idiots vote democrats in every year?
Liberals lack the logic gene. All views are based on "How they feel"- not what is logical.
The entire country laughs at California whack jobs,......"Yeah but we have nice weather........" Fools.
Posted by: Vickenstein | June 14, 2011 at 04:17 PM
I don’t see the conservative population using the government any more than democrats. In fact, it appears to me they use [it] more as a defensive weapon rather than for offense. Some may feel that religion is the root of all their motivation. What is wrong with that? Isn’t the freedom to worship a constitutional right? They cannot be faulted for voting according to their conscience.
Posted by: WriteOrWrong | June 15, 2011 at 07:03 AM
It is absolutely amazing how these people can call themselves "values" candidates, when not one, including Romney, has any trouble lying, or kicking the poor and sick in the teeth, or letting our infrastructure and education system rot.
I guess these are "values" but not what I would call "Christian" or even "American."
Posted by: me.yahoo.com/a/OdYMp9d2q5dlq9G1Lkg_U1KFd0xTr9edV9Lt | June 15, 2011 at 07:46 AM
Is wanting to raise a family using traditional values such a bad thing? I am surprised the LA Times did not deride conservative values and for that I thank you for remaining objective.
Posted by: KiDs Beach Club | June 15, 2011 at 11:12 AM