Presidential Candidates and Gay Issues -- Tommy Thompson

In the recent Republican Presidential debate, Tommy Thompson, former governor of Wisconsin and former head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, was asked if a private employer should be allowed to fire a gay worker, "if the employer finds homosexuality immoral?"

Thompson's answer was, "I think that is left up to the individual business. I really sincerely believe that that is an issue that business people have got to make their own determination as to whether or not they should be."

Afterwards Thompson offered several different excuses for his answer: he had the flu, he was taking medication for bronchitis, he badly needed to get off the podium and go to the restroom and therefore wasn't listening to the question, he thought it was about there being enough laws already to address discrimination in the workplace. Also, he added that he is deaf in one ear and that his hearing aid battery for the other ear had gone dead.

"I said it, I'm sorry, and it won't happen again but it's not my record. ... There's nothing discriminatory about me at all."

If you believe that, go Google these words: Tommy Thompson comments on Jews.