All Right-Wing Kooks Stand With President Bush, But Some Stand Closer Than Others

From Crooks and Liars and Raw Story we learn of the Florida Baptist Witness' interview with Katherine Harris, in which she says some stupid shit about church and state. The same 2006 Primary Election Special Report also has, among others, an interview with Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist (R), who is running for governor. The Crist interview includes this pathetic exchange:

You gave an interview recently to a Miami progressive radio station in which you seemed to suggest that you’re open to civil unions.

I am.

Can you explain your position on that?

Sure. I think it’s fine. If people want to sign an agreement to be able to do hospital visitations or work-out funeral arrangements and things of that nature – I agree with President Bush. I don’t have a problem with that.

President Bush, I don’t think, has supported civil unions.

He’s supported exactly what I’ve just stated. Yes. In the 2004 election, to be precise.

I can review that. I don’t think that’s his position.

It is; I can send it to you. You gave me your card. I’ll send it to you.

Okay.

It is.

So you don’t see that there’s a conflict between supporting the Marriage Protection Amendment and supporting civil unions which is another

No, I don’t.

way to recognize homosexual marriage?

No, I don’t and I wouldn’t agree that it is. Marriage is a separate institution, and you know it. And I think the president understands that and that’s why he’s alright with civil unions, but believes that marriage should be between a man and woman as I do.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: The Witness contacted the White House on Aug. 16 to seek a statement on the president’s position on civil unions. Spokesperson Nicole Guillemard e-mailed comments by then White House press secretary Scott McClellan from a Feb. 24, 2004, press briefing describing the president’s position on civil unions: “Yes, states can make their own decisions with regard to legal arrangements. That would include hospital visitation rights, it would include insurance benefits, it would include civil unions -- we talked about this earlier. The President has made it very clear that he would not have supported it for the state of Texas.” Ms. Guillemard also sent a comment President Bush made in an Oct. 26, 2004, ABC News interview: “I don’t think we should deny people rights to a civil union, a legal arrangement, if that’s what a state chooses to do so.”]

You win this round of Standing With President Bush, Charlie. But don't get cocky, kid. Coming up next is Stem Cell Research, one of the Florida Baptist Witness' strongest events.