• Mike Huckabee has firmly expressed his opposition to gay marriage by supporting a
constitutional amendment banning it. Explaining his stance, he has provided the clarification that
he is a firm supporter of traditional marriage and therefore opposes anything which is an
alternative to the traditional form of marriage.

• On comparing same-sex marriage with polygamy, Mike Huckabee questions those who find his
views bigoted and intolerant by asking that when the same stand is taken against polygamy then there
are no accusations which are made.

• In spite of his opposition, Mike Huckabee holds the personal opinion that every individual
has the right to decide his own sexual preference regardless of the opinion held by others even
though the choice may not be consistent with the rules of the Bible.

• Mike Huckabee is of the view that instead of approving same-sex marriage people should be
concentrating on improving the existent norm of a heterosexual marriage as this is the only way to
improve the society.

• Expressing the view that same-sex marriage would mean re-defining the institution of
marriage, Mike Huckabee says that a re-definition of an age-old institution is not required by the
society if the goals of progress and improvement in the right direction are to be achieved.

• Mike Huckabee has long been associated with the movement which opposes granting of any
rights to same-sex couples. In this regard, he has even expressed his dismay at the court ruling
which rejected a ban on same-sex parents saying that the court seems more interested in granting the
needs of gay couples rather than the needs of children requiring foster care.

• All through his 2008 campaign, Barack Obama had been a staunch supporter of gay rights and
had proved that stand by sponsoring legislation in the state of Illinois which aims to ban any
discrimination which is based on the sexual orientation of a particular individual. 

• Being a firm believer in gay equality, Barack Obama supports the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act which provides consideration for sexual orientation and gender identity. This
is in response to a personal observation made by Obama that although many employers extend benefits
to the families of their employees, there are some who still practice discrimination because of the
sexual preference. 

• However, Obama does not support same-sex marriage saying that it is an issue which should
be decided by each of the states individually by taking into account their existing social
conditions. While he opposes same-sex marriage, he supports civil unions between same-sex couples.
 
• Reacting to the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy of the military, Obama has taken the stance
that the criteria for military service should be patriotism towards one's country, a sense of duty
and responsibility and the willingness to serve in such a service. In such a situation, he is
against the present policy of decommissioning soldiers on the basis of their sexual orientation as
he feels that this is akin to going against the goals of national defense.
 
• Continuing his role as a protector of children, Obama believes that a healthy and loving
home is the right of every child and should be granted to him irrespective of the sexual orientation
of the parents. 
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• In January 2008, Obama addressed homophobia in the African-American community.  He was
speaking to 2,000 worshippers on the eve of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at one of the
nation?s premier black churches, Atlanta?s Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King once preached. He
stated, ?If we are honest with ourselves, we'?ll acknowledge that our own community has not always
been true to King?s vision of a beloved community, we have scorned our gay brothers and sisters
instead of embracing them.

• Sarah Palin has clearly expressed that she does not support anything which goes beyond the
traditional marriage between a man and a woman. Her support for same-sex marriage continues only as
long as it does not redefine the traditional definition of marriage.
 
• Although Sarah Palin is willing to provide equal rights to the same-sex couples and prevent
any discrimination which happens due to this reason, she has denied support for same-sex marriage.

• Sarah Palin is well known for having vetoed a bill as Governor of Alaska which denied the
state from providing health benefits to same-sex couples. Her stand was that it would have been
unconstitutional to have passed such a bill although she did admit making amendments in the
constitution to convert the bill into law.
 
• Although Sarah Palin did not agree with the ruling of the Supreme Court of providing state
benefits to same-sex partners, she decided to abide by the law saying that since she, as a Governor,
did not have any legal options left it would be unconstitutional not to obey.

• Saying that she was not aware if people chose to be gay on their own, Sarah Palin refused
to support any rights provided to homosexual couples as she felt that that it was in violation of
the traditional family structure.
 
• Sarah Palin has further made her stand clear on the same-sex issue by supporting the
teachings of creationism in schools and by maintaining ties well known conservative groups like
Family Research Council who have declared themselves to be anti-gay.

• Mitt Romney has created and acquired a reputation for being the most conservative candidate
in the 2008 Presidential elections not only by taking a tough stand against gay and lesbian marriage
but also opposing most of their petitions seeking rights for these groups.
 
• Mitt Romney is against the idea of letting gays and lesbians serve actively in the US
Military. In addition, he has said that he would not support over-turning the 'Don?t ask, don't
tell' legislation.
 
• Mitt Romney has openly opposed same-sex marriage saying that it is the family which forms
the basic foundation of America and therefore, it needs to be built further, protected and
strengthened instead of being redefined. To this effect, Romney has expressed support for the
Federal Marriage Amendment which would modify the US Constitution and prohibit same-sex marriage.
 
• Mitt Romney has expressed opposition for civil unions as well saying that he would want to
see marriage limited to being between a man and a woman. He said he would support neither but if
asked to choose between same-sex marriage and a civil union, he would choose the latter as being a
lesser evil.
 
• Opposing the Supreme Court judgment on the matter, Mitt Romney strongly feels that same sex
marriage would destroy not only the culture of America but would also irreparably damage the
education system and thereby children. Although he personally believes that Americans should be
respectful of all people and their sexual orientation, the long standing institution of marriage
should be upheld and respected as being the only acceptable norm. 

• Romney frequently told Republican audiences that every child has a 'right to have a mother
and father' but also acknowledged that same-sex couples have a 'legitimate interest' in adopting
children.

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