William Weld
flip-flops on same-sex marriage

New York's most powerful Republican legislator is miffed that former Massachusetts governor William Weld hasn't called to talk about his interest in running for governor of his native New York next year. In the wake of Republican governor George Pataki's decision not to seek a fourth term next year, the pro-gay Weld has been calling top leaders of New York's Republican and Conservative parties in recent days to talk about his interest in becoming the nation's second two-state governor.

But he apparently overlooked senate majority leader Joseph Bruno. "If you were thinking of running for governor of New York State, would you make a phone call?" Bruno told reporters at the capitol Thursday. "I've never heard from him. I don't know--clueless--about what he's doing or what he's about or where he lives. You know, if I haven't heard from him, he's not going to hear from me."

Meanwhile, the New York Post quoted Weld in its Thursday editions as saying he is opposed to same-sex marriage. In early 2004, Weld urged Massachusetts lawmakers to accept same-sex marriage, rather than civil unions, as the only way to legally comply with a Massachusetts supreme judicial court decision on the issue. In June 2004, Weld delivered the homily at the same-sex marriage ceremony of two former members of his administration. "Flip-flopping and pandering to New York conservatives is no way to begin a gubernatorial campaign," said Howard Wolfson, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party.

Weld is among a host of Republicans eyeing the GOP nomination for governor, while state attorney general Eliot Spitzer is thus far the only Democrat seeking his party's nomination for the job. Spitzer has said he favors legalizing same-sex marriage in New York. (AP)