So the Republicans Had a Debate Last Night

[Trigger warning for homophobia.]

And it was garbage no doy. But in addition to the usual refrains of class warfare, Obama's a socialist, and corporatocratic genuflection, the room was thick with the odor of dinosaur scat: At Think Progress, Igor notes that, despite 11.4% of the US population now living in a state that recognizes same-sex marriages, and a majority of USians now in favor of same-sex marriage, the anti-gay rhetoric was still flowing like whiiiiiine at the GOP debate—which, by the way, openly gay GOP candidate Fred Karger was not allowed to attend. GOP candidate Jon Huntsman effectively resigned from the campaign by unequivocally supporting civil unions.

Mitt Romney: Marriage should be decided at the federal level. Marriage is a status. It's not an activity that goes on within the walls of a state, and, as a result, our marriage status relationship should be constant across the country. I believe we should have a federal amendment to the Constitution that defines marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman, because I believe the ideal place to raise a child is in a home with a mom and a dad.

Jon Huntsman: I also believe in civil unions, because I think this nation can do a better job when it comes to equality, and I think this nation can do a better job when it comes to reciprocal beneficiary rights. And I believe that this is something that ought to be discussed among the various states. I don't have any problem with states having this discussion—but, as for me, I support civil unions.

Ron Paul: [asked about Santorum's rhetorical, "If a state wanted to allow polygamy, would that be okay, too?"] Well, it's sort of like asking the question if the states wanted to legalize slavery or something like that, that is so past reality that no state is going to do that. But, uh, on the issue of marriage, I think marriages should be between a single man and a single woman and that the federal government shouldn't be involved. I want less government involvement. I don't want the federal government having a marriage police.

Rick Santorum: It sounds to me like Representative Paul would actually say polygamous marriages are okay. If the state has the right to do it, they have the right to do it.

Michele Bachmann: I support the federal marriage amendment, because I believe that we will see this issue at the Supreme Court someday, and, as president, I will not nominate activist judges who legislate from the bench. I also want to say, when I was in Minnesota, I was the chief author of the constitutional amendment to define marriage as one man, one woman. I have an absolutely unblemished record when it comes to this issue—man-woman marriage.

Man-woman marriage! LOL!

Congratulations on your unblemished record of bigotry, Rep. Bachmann. Good job on being a TOTAL asshole, and not just half-assin' it like Jon Huntsman.

Summary: Yiiiiiiiiiiiiikes.