A little girl named Sophia Bailey Klugh recently wrote to Barack Obama about how the other kids at school teased her for having two dads. Her letter was a bittersweet read, and we were touched by Obama's heartfelt response:
In America, no two families look the same. We celebrate this diversity. And we recognize that whether you have two dads or one mom what matters above all is the love we show one another… A good rule is to treat others the way you hope they will treat you. Remind your friends at school about this rule if they say something that hurts your feelings.
But we couldn't help but wonder about the response Sophia would've gotten from Mitt Romney, so we speculated a little — but not much, because Mitt Romney has had a lot to say about kids with two dads. Mitt, we'd apologize for putting words in your mouth, but, well, we're not:
Dear Sophia,
Thank you for writing me such a thoughtful letter about your family. Until recently, I didn't even know that you had families. But your letter has made me proud to be pursuing the presidency, and hopeful that in the future, children like you won't be bullied for having two dads — because they'll have the mother and father to whom every child in America has the right.
I'm not saying the other kids at school are right to tease you, but this is just one of a whole host of problems for families created when we change the definition of marriage. You may not be able to understand this, but by opposing gay marriage, I'm trying to protect you. I once asked the Senate Judiciary Committee, "Will our children be indifferent about having a mother and a father?" I think if you had a mother, you'd see what you're missing, and I don't want other children to be in your position. That's why I overruled attempts by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to allow for gay parents on birth certificates, forcing gay parents to face my legal team before their kids could get a birth certificate.
Try to understand why your friends at school are teasing you. Are they bullies, or are they simply recognizing 3000 years of recorded history? As I told the National Review, "It's unfortunate that those who choose to defend the institution of marriage are often demonized." Instead of demonizing your classmates, why not show some tolerance and try to understand where they're coming from?
Thanks again for taking the time to write me.
Sincerely,
Mitt Romney
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