Republican Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is contemplating a 2016 run for the White House, appeared on CNBC Monday morning to talk with Squawk Box host Joe Kernen. The conversation drifted to the subject of same-sex marriage, as Perry had made some rather head-scratching and idiotic comments regarding homosexuality during a conference in San Francisco last Wednesday. During a question and answer segment of the conference, Perry compared alcoholism and homosexuality, suggesting that homosexual could be treated with therapy not to engage in their ‘lifestyle.’
Kernen brought up the comments to Perry during their interview, wanting to know if the Governor really felt that homosexuality could be legitimately compared to alcoholism. Kernen, no friend to the left, would not let Perry try to pivot his way out of the question, as Perry tried to bring up state’s rights and big government regulations, among other things. Kernen told Perry that he felt that Perry’s statements were quite offensive, even though he has a high tolerance for what others would normally deem offensive.
Perry, as is often the case, looked overwhelmed and uneducated during the interview, despite ostensibly speaking with a friendly news host. After Kernen asked him if he thought it would be possible to change the behavior of a heterosexual and make them gay, Perry tried to defer and say that it needed to be left up to the doctors and psychologists. Kerner retorted that the doctors had already decided and that sexual orientation is not a mental disorder and corrective therapy has been widely dismissed as quackery. Perry really didn’t know what to say, other than he is just interested in improving the economy and getting rid of EPA regulations. (Sigh.)
Kernen tried to tell Perry that this could be a huge problem for Republicans in the future. Basically, he attempted to make Perry see the light that by saying dumb and offensive things about gays and lesbians, and not realizing that they are a permanent part of our society, Republicans run the risk of alienating a certain segment of the population. Therefore, they’ll never vote Republican. Also, if Perry himself wants to make a Presidential run again, he needs to know that this issue may be a huge strike against him on the national stage.Of course, Perry is far too dense and ignorant to realize any of this.
Towards the end of the interview, he doubled down on his ignorant comments from a few days ago. He once again referred to homosexuality as a “lifestyle.” He also claimed that this is all centered around states’ rights and suggested that gay couples just need to move to more ‘liberal’ states if they want to get married.
“I don’t necessarily condone that lifestyle. I don’t condemn it, either. We’re all children of god. And the fact is that people will decide where they want to live if Washington will respect the Tenth Amendment.”
Perry probably thought by getting some hipster glasses, he’d be able to Etch-A-Sketch himself out of his well-earned reputation of being a doofus. The problem is, he’s still Rick Perry. Every time he participates in a debate, does an interview or makes a speech, there is nearly a 100% chance he is going to make a fool out of himself.
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