Rumsfeld’s Gay Marriage Worry: Polygamy Is Next

Donald Rumsfeld’s gay marriage position is unclear — the former Bush administration big shot admits that he suspects acceptance of marriage equality is a slippery slope to polygamy.

Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s gay marriage view is, he admits, not very solid either way — but Rummy said to Larry King recently that he can’t seem to separate marriage equality from other, more transgressive relationships.

Rumsfeld’s gay marriage position may be evolving because the 80-year-old told King that he certainly supported the repeal of the military’s controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy — which made it okay to be gay in the armed forces as long as no one knew.

But when it comes to marriage, Rumsfeld is not as cogent on where he stands — he said to King while speaking on Ora TV:

“You know, I’m, I guess, of a generation that I don’t … I listened to some of the Supreme Court justices and one of them said, ‘Well what’s next after that? Is it two people, three people?’ ”

The argument that polygamy (or polyamorous marriage) is the next logical step is a cornerstone of opposition to marriage equality despite any evidence that such a measure is being seriously tabled politically.

Larry King made reference to the former Secretary’s civil rights advocacy, but Rumsfeld’s gay marriage stance was one he didn’t seem to be able to reconcile with the other forms of equal treatment.

Rumsfeld elaborated, vaguely:

“I guess I just don’t equate the two … It’s not a subject I’m knowledgeable about. I guess the Rumsfeld rule here is: I don’t know.”

In an earlier interview, Rumsfeld’s gay marriage position was more tied to his old boss’ official party line, and he’d said:

“The administration has positions on these things … And if you’re part of the administration, you’re supportive of the administration.”

Do you think Rumsfeld’s gay marriage stance is evolving, or is marriage equality a lost cause for some more set in their ways politicians?