This has to be one of the strangest things we've seen in some time.
Take a look at this video of Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon -- a Republican who has supported both the anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment and anti-discrimination laws and domestic partner benefits -- struggling pretty hard to clarify his position on gay marriage and equal rights for individuals.
Smith appeared to be likening discrimination against gays to the persecution faced by his Mormon ancestors for their views on marriage:
Smith:
"Part of what I fear, as you start defining marriage -- we have a long history of doing that in this country, and my Mormon pioneer ancestors were the victims of that. They were literally driven from the United States in the dead of winter for following their religious beliefs. I don't want that coming back."
Huh?
We're still not entirely sure what Smith's position is on gay marriage, or how exactly it relates to the persecution of Mormons over a century ago. Unsurprisingly, calls and e-mails to his office asking for clarification yesterday were not returned.
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Gordon Smith Likens Polygam...
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