Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Etheridge sought Monday to clarify his positions on where he stood on raising the sales tax and on a constitutional amendment on same sex marriages.
At a news conference on Friday on his first day as a candidate, Etheridge declined to take a position on a proposal by Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue to restore a ¾ cent sales tax that the legislature repealed.
Etheridge said he thought the legislature should not have repealed it.
In an interview Monday, Etheridge he hadn't “followed through as I should have.
“I do support the ¾ cent sales tax,” Etheridge said. “That was temporary to begin with. It should not have been done away with. You need to put it back on to fund education. We've had huge teacher cuts, and university and community colleges. There is about $270 million in federal money in these schools that is going away this year. That is why this money is needed.”
On gay marriage on Friday, Etheridge declined to take a position on the amendment ban on the May primary ballot, saying it was up the the voters. On Monday, Etheridge “I didn't handle it as well I should have.”
“We actually have a statute on the books that says a marriage is between a man and a woman, which I agree with that,” Etheridge said. “There is no need to have a constitutional amendment that is broader than what we have and is not something I can support. It's too much. It's not good for our state. We've already heard from our business community. It also impacts cities and towns that are already providing benefits.''
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In plain English with no weasel words
February 6, 2012 - 8:56pm — penniless_taxpayerLast paragraph: "We actually have a statute on the books that says a marriage is between a man and a woman, which I agree with that," Etheridge said. "There is no need to have a constitutional amendment that is broader than what we have and is not something I can support. It's too much. It's not good for our state. We've already heard from our business community. It also impacts cities and towns that are already providing benefits.''
In plain English: Etheridge is 100% behind the legalization of "homosexual marriage".
Is Rob "imbedded" again?
February 6, 2012 - 2:50pm — AgentPierceIs political newshound RobRW going to be "imbedded" in Etheridge's campaign so we get in-depth info on whats going on.... like we got from Rob during Edwards' campaign? .... Oops, bad example!