Opinion: Carl Paladino chooses a new controversy

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Continuing the theme of overanalyzing remarks made by high-profile candidates about issues other than the economy, the media continue to buzz about New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino’s animus, or lack thereof, toward homosexuals. Paladino made the rounds of the morning talk shows Monday insisting that he’s not homophobic -- not exactly what a candidate wants to be doing with millions of dollars worth of free media three weeks before election day in New York. Although he hasn’t been a model of message discipline, unlike some of his GOP colleagues, it’s mind-boggling that Paladino would venture into this particular thicket while his campaign was steaming along on pocketbook issues.

Speaking at a Brooklyn synagogue on Sunday, Paladino seemed to recognize that he was about to get himself into hot water. ‘Don’t misquote me as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way,’ he said, then offered this:

I just think my children and your children would be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family, and I don’t want them brainwashed into thinking homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option. It isn’t.

The ‘equally valid’ part is what seems to have irked many commentators, but the most illuminating part of that quote to me is the word ‘option.’ That choice of words, along with his comment that homosexuality is ‘not the way God created us,’ shows that Paladino -- like many in this country, particularly in his generation -- believe people choose to be gay, and could just as easily opt not to be. If they only knew that homosexuality wasn’t as ‘valid’ or ‘successful’ a lifestyle, they’d make the rational decision to be straight. You’d have to be brainwashed to choose otherwise, right?

As part of his defense, Paladino notes that he employs gays in his campaign. His remarks, however, suggest that he doesn’t know them well enough to understand them -- or anyone else who’s homosexual either.

Updated, Wednesday 1:22 p.m.: My colleague Patt Morrison alerted me to a report that Paladino has issued a mea culpa. Naturally, his apology (which notes that he didn’t actually say some of the things in the speech that was written for him, such as the ‘not the way God created us’ line) didn’t meet some interest groups’ standards for self-flagellation. Paladino’s host at the synagogue, meanwhile, thought Paladino was too apologetic, and so withdrew his endorsement.

-- Jon Healey