Matt Ortega

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney faced tough questions about his evolving views on several hot button issues during a “friendly holiday get-together” in New Hampshire. Apparently some partygoers left unconvinced of the potential 2008 hopeful’s qualifications as a conservative.

“When I first heard his answer about his journey of becoming prolife, I began to feel better about the questions being asked of him lately,” said Shannon McGinley of Bedford, N.H. “After talking with him in person, though, it is hard to figure out what he does believe.” [emphasis added]

Leaving potential voters with the idea that “it is hard to figure out what he does believe” is not a good way to win votes in the primary.

Looking to ease conservative fears on issues of abortion, stem cell research, same-sex marriage and gay adoption, Romney defended himself, saying:

… he has always believed that marriage “is a relationship between a man and a woman” but that gays should not be discriminated against in the workplace or in obtaining housing.

“Some people think that is a conflict, but it’s not in my view,” said Romney. “As much as I feel in America that we shouldn’t discriminate against people, I also feel that marriage should be about the relationship between a man and a woman, and a child deserves a mom and a dad.”

Romney says he opposes discrimination in the workplace but in an interview with Katherine Jean Lopez in the National Review Online, he said that he no longer supports ENDA and would maintain the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military.

Lopez: And what about the 1994 letter to the Log Cabin Republicans where you indicated you would support the Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and seemed open to changing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the military? Are those your positions today?

Gov. Romney: No. I don’t see the need for new or special legislation. My experience over the past several years as governor has convinced me that ENDA would be an overly broad law that would open a litigation floodgate and unfairly penalize employers at the hands of activist judges.

As for military policy and the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, I trust the counsel of those in uniform who have set these policies over a dozen years ago. I agree with President Bush’s decision to maintain this policy and I would do the same.

ENDA was designed to combat workplace discrimination and the military is an employer. The military has discharged several linguists for being gay, including those that speak Arabic and Persian, despite the pressing need for them.