A strong and unwavering Marco Rubio confirmed his decision yesterday that "marriage should continue to be defined as one man and one woman." However, just yesterday he acknowledged that he is against any constitutional amendment that will try to ban the decision in the future. "It is what it is, and that's what we'll live under."
“We can continue to disagree with it. Perhaps a future court will change that decision, in much the same way as it’s changed other decisions in the past. But my opinion is unchanged, that marriage should continue to be defined as one man and one woman. The decision is what it is, and that’s what we’ll live under,” he said.
Such a stance puts him at odds with GOP candidates Ted Cruz and Scott Walker who will try to fight this ruling by enabling an amendment to allow states to ban gay and lesbian couples from marrying.
Rubio believes that same-sex marriage campaigners should have gone to state legislatures and not make it a federal law. But But, any preliminary action in the gay marriage frenzy is put to a halt. Rubio has made clear he will not promote a ban, drawing ire from strong GOP supporters.
Rubio, by surrendering on natural marriage, just cut himself out of the field. Evangelicals are looking for a fighter.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanJFischer) July 9, 2015This is a game-changer for strong social conservatives as this new stance could be the thing where they say "nope, not Rubio." But in the eyes of the greater population this could be a win, and potentially his ticket to the Oval Office.
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A recent CNN poll has shown that support for same-sex marriage is the highest it's ever been, which could be why Rubio may have one-upped Cruz and Walker in the presidential fight with this recent statement.
The highest percentage ever of Americans – a 63% supermajority - back the freedom to marry as a constitutional right for gay couples, according to a 2015 CNN/ORC poll. This is up 14 percentage points from 2010, with significant increases by both Republicans and Democrats. Three other polls on marriage in 2015 tracked support at 60% or higher.
It is certainly surprising that he feels this way after the multiple steps he has taken to oppose homosexuality.
For example, Rubio in May claimed that same-sex marriage presented a “clear and present danger” to free speech. He previously appeared as a speaker at a “gay cure” event. He also was a key architect in the removal of protections for same-sex couples in an immigration bill in 2013. In the same year, he said that businesses should be allowed to fire people for being gay. He said: “By and large I think all Americans should be protected but I’m not for any special protections based on orientation.” He also blocked the nomination of a gay black judge to the US federal bench.
Even though Rubio disagrees with the decision on constitutional grounds, his recent stance to not ban the decision could bring him a hefty amount of back lash. Furthermore, he supports the overall stance that "we're still Americans," united as one nation and he does not want to fight that.
This could get interesting.
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