Politics

Three GOP candidates pledge to investigate harassment of same-sex marriage opponents

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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Three Republican candidates for president are promising to appoint a presidential commission to investigate whether traditional marriage supporters are harassed because of their stance on the issue, according to the National Organization for Marriage.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum all signed the National Organization for Marriage pledge, the group announced Thursday.

The promise to support a presidential commission was just one of several planks in the pledge.

The candidates also promised to support a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman, to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court and to “appoint judges and an attorney general who will respect the original meaning of the Constitution.”

Sources tell The Daily Caller that Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Gary Johnson, Thad McCotter, Ron Paul and Tim Pawlenty all declined to sign the pledge.

“Marriage is an issue with an unbroken string of victories that unites Republicans,” said Brian Brown, president of the conservative marriage advocacy group, “and we’re pleased and honored the leading candidates in the race for the GOP nomination have spoken up for marriage.”

The organization added that “serious announced candidates for the GOP nomination” had the opportunity to sign its marriage pledge.