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2016 Presidential Candidates Pounce With Their Opinions on Supreme Court's Gay Marriage Ruling
Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks at Rancho High School on May 5, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

2016 Presidential Candidates Pounce With Their Opinions on Supreme Court's Gay Marriage Ruling

The decision “is not about marriage equality, it's about marriage redefinition.”

Presidential candidates from both parties weighed in on the Supreme Court’s historic gay marriage decision Friday.

Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, a former opponent of same-sex marriage, was among the first to express her support.

 

 

Her Democratic opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, was also happy with the outcome.

 

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democratic presidential candidate, was quick to point out that Maryland helped lead the way on gay marriage.

 

Another Democratic candidate, former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, praised the Supreme Court.

 

In a statement issued minutes after the ruling, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination Wednesday, denounced the 5-4 decision.

"The Supreme Court decision today conveniently and not surprisingly follows public opinion polls, and tramples on states' rights that were once protected by the 10th Amendment of the Constitution. Marriage between a man and a woman was established by God, and no earthly court can alter that,” Jindal said. “This decision will pave the way for an all out assault against the religious freedom rights of Christians who disagree with this decision. This ruling must not be used as pretext by Washington to erode our right to religious liberty.”

 

 

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, another GOP candidate, issued a statement saying the decision “is not about marriage equality, it's about marriage redefinition.”

"The Supreme Court can no more repeal the laws of nature and nature's God on marriage than it can the laws of gravity,” Huckabee said. “Under our Constitution, the court cannot write a law, even though some cowardly politicians will wave the white flag and accept it without realizing that they are failing their sworn duty to reject abuses from the court. If accepted by Congress and this President, this decision will be a serious blow to religious liberty, which is the heart of the First Amendment."

 

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush offered a somewhat more conciliatory statement, though he made it clear he opposed the ruling.

“Guided by my faith, I believe in traditional marriage. I believe the Supreme Court should have allowed the states to make this decision," Bush said in the statement. "I also believe that we should love our neighbor and respect others, including those making lifetime commitments. In a country as diverse as ours, good people who have opposing views should be able to live side by side. It is now crucial that as a country we protect religious freedom and the right of conscience and also not discriminate.”

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who is leading polls in Iowa, and called the high court's move a "grave mistake."

Walker added that religious freedom will be protected.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry raised Tenth Amendment questions.

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Fred Lucas

Fred Lucas

Fred Lucas, the author of "Abuse of Power: Inside The Three-Year Campaign to Impeach Donald Trump," is a veteran White House correspondent who has reported for The Daily Signal, Fox News, TheBlaze, Newsmax, Stateline, Townhall, American History Quarterly, and other outlets. He can be reached at fvl2104@caa.columbia.edu.

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