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Video: Republicans Boo Gay Soldier at Presidential Debate
By
Garth Johnston
Published Sep 23, 2011
Modified Sep 23, 2011
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Sep 23, 2011
Modified Sep 23, 2011
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If Rick Santorum was really hoping to reclaim his name from Google, the opinions he expressed on the now-dead "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy at the last night's GOP 2010 presidential debate probably aren't going to help. But just as bothersome as Santorum being Santorum ("What we're doing is playing social experimentation with—with our military right now. And that's tragic.") was the fact that the audience at the debate audibly booed an active—and gay—member of the military for asking about it.
Stephen Hill, a gay soldier serving in Iraq, sent the following question into the debate: "In 2010, when I was deployed to Iraq, I had to lie about who I was, because I'm a gay soldier, and I didn't want to lose my job. My question is, under one of your presidencies, do you intend to circumvent the progress that's been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military?" and after he finished his question the Republican audience (who we always thought revered our men and women in uniform) actually boo'd him. Watch for yourself here:
As for the rest of the debate? Mitt Romney continues to be a polished pile of talking points; Newt Gingrich seems to be a popular choice among the contenders...for the VP spot; Michelle Bachmann was relatively lowkey but had a great moment where, after having a quote of hers about HPV causing retardation among young woman read to her verbatim, told moderator Chris Wallace "I didn't make that claim nor did I make that statement;" and Texas governor Rick Perry, gave some answers about foreign policy that reportedly have some Republicans worried that he is "Texas toast."
If you've got the time, you can watch the full Fox News/Google debate here:
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