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?"
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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.
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