GOP rivals decry Iowa ruling

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

DES MOINES (AP) — An Iowa county judge's ruling knocking down the state's same-sex marriage ban stirred up the presidential race Friday, as Republicans jostled to stake out a position with the state's conservative voters in mind.

Mitt Romney was the first to seize on the ruling, promptly aligning himself with Iowa GOP leaders in denouncing the decision.

The former Massachusetts governor's swift criticism served to bolster the conservative image his campaign has been working hard to promote.

Romney stressed his support for a federal amendment that would ban same-sex marriage, a stand that distinguishes him from his top rivals, who have said they prefer to leave such decisions to the states.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10121175

[msongs]

1. mitt spouts the mormon church party line nt

[deacon]

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