Mitt Romney Grilled By Gay Veteran On Same-Sex Marriage Rights

GOP Candidate Grilled By Gay Veteran On Same-Sex Marriage Rights

A gay veteran lit into GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney at a campaign stop in New Hampshire on Monday, challenging the former Massachusetts governor on his views on same-sex marriage.

Romney approached Bob Garon, a gay man seated with his husband at the Chez Vachon restaurant, taking note of the man's Vietnam Veteran hat.

"Vietnam veteran!" Romney said, taking a seat at the couple's booth, according to the Washington Post.

Garon, a self-avowed independent voter, quickly launched into a question about New Hampshire's gay marriage law, asking Romney if he supported recent stirrings by GOP presidential candidates about repealing the legislation, which allows same-sex couples to get married.

"I support the repeal of the New Hampshire law," Romney responded. "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. That's my view."

"It's good to know how you feel, that you do not believe everyone is entitled to their constitutional rights," Garon shot back.

"No, actually, I think at the time the Constitution was written it was pretty clear that marriage is between a man and a woman," Romney replied. "And I don't believe the Supreme Court has changed that."

The Associated Press reports on the end of the testy back-and-forth:

An aide tried to remove Romney from the situation, claiming the candidate had another interview with Fox News Channel.

"Oh, I guess the question was too hot," Garon said. Before getting up to leave the booth, Romney said he had given Garon a yes or no answer.

The exchange was enough to make up Garon's mind on how he felt about Romney.

"I was undecided," Garon said. But now "I'm totally convinced today that he's not going to be my president -- at least in my book. At least Obama will entertain the idea. This man is 'no way, Jose.' Well, take that 'no way, Jose' back to Massachusetts."

"The guy ain't going to make it," he told reporters later. "You can't trust him. I can see it in his eyes."

Garon said that he had married his husband in June, "in New Hampshire, where it's legal. Unless Mitt Romney gets elected."

The Associated Press reported earlier this year about the documented shift in the GOP field concerning the appropriate role of the federal government in deciding state marriage laws. Both Romney and Texas Governor Rick Perry had, at one point or another, said that same-sex marriage was a state issue, before announcing their support for a constitutional amendment banning such unions.

(Video above via ABC News)

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