Source: Oregonian, PolitickerOR.com
Oregon's Sen. Gordon Smith issued a strong apology today in two forums for confusing remarks he made last week that some interpreted as a defense of polygamy and others took as equating polygamy with same-sex marriage. [video at end of this post]

Smith apologized in an interview with The Oregonian and wrote in an email to a political blog, saying, "I am sorry if I offended any of my friends in the gay community with this reference."

He was backing off from remarks he made last week during a panel discussion at the Center for American Progress. Smith, a Republican, was asked about Oregon's domestic partnership law and about why he supported a federal marriage amendment and voted for the "defense of marriage act".

Smith started his reply with a clear statement of support for Oregon's comprehensive domestic partnership law, calling it a "good accommodation", but things became more confusing when he tried to explain his votes on the federal marriage laws.

He said he voted for a bill that would have floated an amendment to the US constitution that would have banned same-sex marriage because "I did not want a federal judge imposing it on other parts of the jurisdiction."

But then things became more confusing as Smith said, "My campaign people will kill me for saying this, but...". He continued with his lengthy, deeply personal response, including comments about his Mormon ancestry.

"Part of what I fear, as you start defining marriage -- we have a long history of doing that in this country, and my Mormon pioneer ancestors were the victims of that," Smith said. "They were literally driven from the United States in the dead of winter for following their religious beliefs. I don't want that coming back."

The comments caught the attention of the campaign of Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, Smith's Democratic opponent in the November election.

"We're not certain what he is saying," said a Merkley spokesman, Matt Canter. "It appears he is defending polygamy and believes it was wrong for the government to establish a definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. But Sen. Smith will need to clarify his remarks."

Frank Dixon, the Democratic Party of Oregon’s first vice-chair -- who is gay -- called the remarks "confusing and offensive" in a press release. "Senator Smith owes an explanation to me, my partner and to every Oregonian for these comments," Dixon said.

In an interview with The Oregonian yesterday, Smith said he remains staunch in his belief that marriage should be between one man and one woman. But he said he regrets bringing up his Mormon past.

"My remarks referenced a point in time when a few of my ancestors were persecuted for not adhering to that belief," Smith said. "It was an unfortunate reference, and I apologize for making it."

Smith, who is running for re-election, has worked hard to maintain good relations with the gay and lesbian community, including sponsoring a hate-crimes bill that covers attacks against gay people.

In an email to the blog PolitickerOR.com, Smith responded specifically to Dixon's request for clarification.

I was making a historical reference to a non-traditional practice of marriage that was banned by the Mormon Church. It was a clumsy and regrettable way to make the point that a definition of marriage beyond one man/one woman can have unintended consequences. I am sorry if I offended any of my friends in the gay community with this reference.

This is the video of Smith's remarks from YouTube:

Full article: Smith apologizes for comment linking polygamy, gay marriage | Oregonian
Smith comments on ‘clumsy and regrettable’ statement on gay marriage | PolitickerOR.com
Sen. Smith's marriage remarks raise questions for opponent | Oregonian