Hillary Clinton’s “Hard Choices” book promotion tour hit another bump in the road on Thursday when the former secretary of state became clearly agitated when she was repeatedly questioned about her “evolution” on gay marriage.
On Thursday, NPR’s Terry Gross wanted to know if Clinton — an early frontrunner among potential 2016 Democratic presidential contenders — hanged her views on same-sex marriage or if the American public evolved on its views, which allowed Clinton to state her true feelings.
Clinton did not endorse gay marriage during her 2008 presidential campaign, coming out in favor of it only last year. She announced the change in her position just weeks after she left the State Department and after President Obama announced his support for same-sex couples being allowed to tie the knot.
Gross noted that when Clinton’s husband was president, he signed the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman.
After several minutes of questioning, Clinton said “I think we have all evolved,” argued there’s no need to be “ploughing old ground” and that she championed many issues concerning LGBT people during her time as secretary of state. Gross insisted that the former first lady did not answer her question.
“I have to say, I think you are being very persistent, but you are playing with my words and playing with what is such an important issue,” Clinton said.
Gross responded: “I’m just trying to clarify so I understand,” to which Clinton shot back: “No, I don’t think you are trying to clarify.”
Clinton added: “I think you’re trying to say I used to be opposed and now I’m in favor and I did it for political reasons, and that’s just flat wrong. So let me just state what I feel like you are implying and repudiate it. I have a strong record, I have a great commitment to this issue, and I am proud of what I’ve done and the progress we’re making.”









