What are they REALLY saying?: Domestic partner benefits.

The H-L continues its series on gubernatorial candidates, this time the question is: As governor, would you support or oppose legislative attempts to ban public universities from offering these benefits? Here's what they are REALLY saying -- in their own words:

Democrats:

GATEWOOD GALBRAITH: "Under certain conditions I believe domestic partner benefits are appropriate. ... If these partners enter into a civil contract ... they should be treated fairly and with the same benefits awarded anyone else." Gatewood believes that partners, who enter into a civil union, should have partner benefits.

Steve Henry: "... I believe that university personnel policies are best determined by the universities through their respective Board of Trustees. As a rule, the more people we can cover, the better off we’ll be." Steve will leave it up to universities to decide the issue, though he notes "the more covered, the better".

Otis Hensley: "I will support such attempts. These domestic partner benefits are a veiled attempt to promote the homosexual lifestyle and undermine our religious culture, which, today, is under assault from abortion, gambling, and homosexuality." Otis will support a ban on domestic partnership benefits.

Bruce Lunsford: "Public universities should be allowed to make their own decisions to hire the best and most talented professors, researchers and other staff." Bruce will leave it up to the universities to decide the issue.

Jonathan Miller: "Oppose. Like the dozens of major employers in Central Kentucky offering such benefits, our universities should have that option." Jonathan opposes any attempts to ban domestic partnership benefits.

Jody Richards: No response. Well, that says it all.

Steve Beshear: "Our colleges and universities should be able to handle these types of personal issues without interference from state government." Steve will let colleges and universities decide the issue in order to be competitive.

Republicans:

Anne Northup: "I strongly supported the ban on Same Sex Marriage ... [and] I also do not believe that the Governor or the General Assembly should micromanage our universities. ... However, if the General Assembly does not choose to ban these benefits and universities decide to offer [them] our state government should not spend one cent to support domestic partners." Anne supports a ban on same sex marriages and doesn't believe government should micromanage universities on this issue, but if the General Assembly bans partner benefits then government shouldn't use public money to fund them.

Billy Harper: "I made this clear ... that I am strongly opposed to any benefits to couples other than man and wife ... ." Billy supports a ban on domestic partner benefits.

Ernie Fletcher: "I believe that our university boards of trustees are independent bodies and they should have the autonomy to set their own policy. ... However, I am personally opposed to the addition of these benefits." Ernie is personally opposed to domestic partner benefits, though he believes that universities should be allowed to decide the issue.

That's all folks, the candidates in their own words -- deciphered.