So much for RNC Chair Michael Steele's Fox News Sunday statement earlier this month that the GOP has an opportune moment to reach out to people who favor gay rights. In the wake of the Oscar wins for Milk, radio host Mike Gallagher asked Steele if the party should perhaps consider something like civil unions:
GALLAGHER: Is this a time when Republicans ought to consider some sort of alternative to redefining marriage and maybe in the road, down the road to civil unions. Do you favor civil unions?
STEELE: No, no no. What would we do that for? What are you, crazy? No. Why would we backslide on a core, founding value of this country? I mean this isn't something that you just kind of like, “Oh well, today I feel, you know, loosey-goosey on marriage.” […]
GALLAGHER: So no room even for a conversation about civil unions in your mind?
STEELE: What's the difference?
Steele is one of the co-founders of the Republican Leadership Council, a centrist organization which supports candidates who favor abortion rights and gay rights.
