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Tommy Thompson on Civil RightsFormer Secretary of H.H.S.; former Republican Governor (WI) |
A: 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.
Q: So the answer�s yes.
A: Yes.
A: A president can do a lot of things. A president can set a vision that�s going to abrogate as much as possible racism in our society. A president has got to be abl to get out and speak and be able to unite. As Wisconsin governor, I tried to bring people together. And if you do that, you can reduce and abrogate racism to a very great degree, and the president has got to be the number one person in doing that.
The question: �If a private employer finds homosexuality immoral, should he be allowed to fire a gay worker?� His response: �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.�The next day, Thompson told CNN he should have asked the moderator to repeat the question. �I made a mistake. I misinterpreted the question,� Thompson said. �I didn�t hear the question properly and I apologize.� A Thompson spokesman said, �his long record reflects that belief,� and that Thompson does not believe any form of discrimination in the workplace is justified.Asked if his answer was yes, Thompson said, �Yes.�