UPDATE: Governor Corbett apologized Friday for his comment comparing single-gender unions to incest.
"I tried to give differences to what the law is. You know, I've always been a lawyer and I think with my legal head all the time. Being the politician is second nature."
A well-formed response. Same-sex marriage has been illegal in the state of Pennsylvania since 1996. The topic was inflamed nationally after a Pennsylvania county clerk illegally married gay couples.
Listen to Corbett's entire explanation below:
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett (R) intended to correct a spiteful gay marriage analogy made by a member of his legal team, but offered up new phrasing that will doubtless accrue even more heat.
During a television interview Friday, Corbett agreed that a comparison made by his staff equating gay marriage to the marriage of 12-year-olds was wrong, instead he likened same-sex unions to incest.
Sherry Christian of CBS 21 Harrisburg captured the moment during a segment "Ask the Governor." The transcript says it all:
REPORTER: "There was a controversial remark made by a member of your legal team comparing gay marriage to the union of 12-year-olds saying both are illegal. Which you called inappropriate."
GOVERNOR: "It was an inappropriate analogy. You know, I think a much better analogy would have been brother and sister, don't you?"
The reporter is flabbergasted and the interview halts. Then, she awkwardly laughs "I don't know."
Fitting response. No wonder Republicans are called bigots. Next time, please, don't ask the Governor.