Elisabeth Hasselbeck Supports Gay Marriage

The times, they are a-changing.

In a recent interview with Fancast’s Adam Buckman, Hasselbeck attempts to clear up what she believes are the public’s misconceptions about her. For one thing, she’s actually in support of gay marriage.

“I think the gay marriage thing would definitely surprise people,” she says. “I mean, for some people, it will surprise them to the point that they won’t want to hear it.”

This does indeed come as a big surprise to us, particularly since Hasselbeck hasn’t exactly been an outspoken advocate of same-sex marriage in the past. In this clip from The View, Hasselbeck appears very uncomfortable with the idea of “redefining marriage.” She even states one of the lamer, oft-repeated pro-Prop 8 arguments: “No one is denied their right to marry. Every citizen in the United States has the right to marry. You just have to marry the person of the opposite sex.”

In yet another clip, guest Melissa Ethridge asks Hasselbeck point blank if she supports gay marriage. Hasselbeck sputters that the voters should be allowed to decide the rights of the minority: “For me it’s just a legal issue. I think it should come from the people. I don’t think activists judges should be deciding what’s right for the rest of the country.”

Hmmmm…this doesn’t sound like a woman who supports gay marriage. Ethridge’s questions was a simple one; why didn’t Hasselbeck just respond with “Why yes, actually,” and leave it at that?

Perhaps Hasselbeck feels that she has a certain role to play on The View, and therefore has been extremely careful to say things she thinks conservatives would prefer to hear. Or perhaps she felt one way in the past, and simply changed her mind.

It’s a shame she doesn’t clarify this in the interview–it would have made for a more interesting read.

Still, if someone like Elisabeth Hasselbeck can say that she supports gay marriage, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear other conservative folks beginning to voice their support, as well. Here’s hoping that this is yet another sign that the tide is finally turning!

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Tweet by Sara on Aug 25, ‘10 in Misconceptions