COLUMBIA (WACH) -- During a 2004 debate with Democrat Inez Tenenbaum, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint said he agreed with a state GOP platform item that says gays should not teach in public schools.
Several days after the event, DeMint went on to include unmarried pregnant women.
Those remarks were brought up again on Friday at a Greater Freedom Rally in Spartanburg.
DeMint is being criticized by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force for being “irresponsible," and by Green Party candidate Tom Clements, who adds his opponent should apologize and retract his comments.
“It is not restricted by the constitution to be a homosexual or to be a teacher,” says Clements, “so he is not only trying to push his beliefs on us, but he is trying to dictate to local school boards what they should do.”
DeMint's spokesman Wesley Denton released this statement: “Senator DeMint believes that hiring decisions at local schools are a local school board issue, not a federal issue. He was making a point about how the media attacks people for holding a moral opinion."
Clements warns that DeMint should tread lightly.
“I think he is taking a step into some dangerous territory,” Clements says.
With only a month left until voters go to the polls, the latest Rasmussen Report shows DeMint, who is a tea party favorite, leading the race.
Democrat Alvin Greene is also running for U.S. Senate, along with three write-in candidates.
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