U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur's opponent for the 9th Congressional District is trying to push her into taking a stand for or against same-sex marriage - even though both of them seem to agree it's an issue for the states to decide.
A spokesman for Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher sent the media a statement from the candidate calling on Miss Kaptur to explain her position on gay marriage.
Kaptur, a 15-term congressman and a Democrat, is seeking re-election to represent the Toledo-Cleveland district in Congress. Wurzelbacher, the Republican nominee, is seeking to unseat her.
Wurzelbascher noted that Miss Kaptur's statement in The Blade last week failed to state her personal opinion about what constitutes a marriage, instead appearing to leave it up to the states to decide.
In her comment, Kaptur noted "society’s growing acceptance of various forms of marriage relationships and legal commitments," and said she expects that the states will continue to be the focus for deciding that issue. But she doesn't categorically rule out a federal intervention.
Wurzelbacher said that his opinion doesn't matter since it's not a federal issue and he's running for a federal office.
“I don’t think it is a federal issue in any way, shape, or form and it should be decided at the state level,” Mr. Wurzelbacher said. “Right now, I am running for a federal position so it doesn’t matter where I fall on [the issue.]”
Then he went a step further:
Reporter Ignazio Messina wrote: When pressed on the question, [Wurzelbacher] responded: “Marriage is defined as between a man and woman. That is my opinion. It needs to be a state issue and not a federal issue.”
Now Wurzelbacher wants Kaptur to go the next step - after saying that it doesn't matter where a candidate for federal office stands on the question.
The Blade forwarded Wurzelbacher's challenge to Kaptur spokesman Steve Fought on Monday. Still awaiting a response.
Here was Kaptur's written statement last week:
“I respect the President’s views and our society’s growing acceptance of various forms of marriage relationships and legal commitments desired by couples of the opposite as well as same sex. No person, or set of persons, should be denied equal treatment under the laws of our country. Since marriage and family laws are determined by the states, I would anticipate that our society will continue to weigh the various legal aspects of this issue and public policy will continue to evolve on a state by state basis.”
Here was Wurzelbacher's comment in response to Kaptur's statement:
“Just like every other career politician, Marcy Kaptur wants to talk out of both sides of her mouth while saying absolutely nothing. Marcy, can you just stand up and tell the voters of the 9th Congressional District how you feel? This is the perfect example of what is wrong with politicians today. They’ll issue carefully-worded statements with big words that actually say nothing. While Marcy Kaptur becomes the epitome of what voters hate about politicians, I’ll continue to be blunt and honest with the voters. They won’t have to question were I stand, because I’ll tell them.”
Comments