Fox News contributor Guy Benson cut Rep. Tulsi Gabbard some slack after she issued an apology over her past views on LGBTQ issues.
The co-host of Fox News Radio’s “Benson and Harf” weighed in Friday on “The Story With Martha MacCallum” on the Hawaii Democrat’s video apology for her past involvement in anti-LGBTQ organizations and in opposing LGBTQ rights when she served in the Hawaii state legislature.
No sooner had Gabbard announced her 2020 presidential election bid than she was under fire for her previous stance, prompting the nearly four-minute video.
Aloha. In my past, I said and believed things that were wrong, and worse, hurtful to people in the LGBTQ+ community and their loved ones. I’m deeply sorry for having said and believed them. https://t.co/BWlOBk9ZnN
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) January 17, 2019
The Democratic congresswoman shared that she “grew up in a socially conservative household, where I was raised to believe that marriage should only be between a man and a woman,” and added, “For a period of my life I didn’t see the contradiction in those beliefs.”
Guest host Ed Henry asked Benson if Gabbard’s apology was a “copout” because she blamed her conservative upbringing.
“As someone who is planning his own same-sex marriage right now,” Benson replied, “I welcome the congresswoman’s change of heart on this issue.”
“When you feel passionately about something and someone comes over to your side, you should celebrate that and thank them. I think holding grudges or pointing fingers, is probably the wrong approach,” the Townhall editor added.
“There’s a lot of people who support gay marriage in this country who had a different upbringing. I think she wasn’t necessarily casting aspersions at her family or her parents,” he continued.
“It’s important to that end Ed, when we’re having those conversations, not to malign people who believe differently, people that believe in a traditional definition of marriage, as bigots or hateful people, which is grossly unfair to the vast majority of them. We can have a better conversation.”
Benson added that Gabbard “generally did pretty well on this one.”
While some Democrats supported Gabbard’s decision to apologize, many others leveled more criticism at the Iraq War veteran who currently serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said simply that he doesn’t believe Gabbard is “qualified” to run for president.
I don’t think she knows what she’s doing and I don’t think she … is qualified. She’s not qualified,” the former Vermont governor told CNN “New Day” co-host Alisyn Camerota on Thursday.
.@GovHowardDean on 2020 Dem candidates: all candidates qualified to be President except @TulsiGabbard “I don’t think she knows what she’s doing” pic.twitter.com/aIdcrPyKfG
— Neel Khairzada (@NeelCNN) January 17, 2019
“And what’s that based on?” Camerota inquired.
“About her dalliances with [Syrian President Bashar Assad], her statements about gay people. … I don’t know what she thinks she’s doing,” Dean responded.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
- ‘Are we next?!’ Kilmeade breaks down shady FBI actions, concludes Trump justified in his outrage - August 30, 2022
- Grandfather throws down with aggressive kangaroo that attacked his dogs, but who really won? - June 4, 2022
- ‘My name is Dr. Robinson’: Proud abortionist snaps at Chip Roy calling her ‘Miss’ during hearing - May 19, 2022
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
