Bachmann, Pawlenty rally around ‘traditional marriage’

Minnesota’s two potential presidential candidates have weighed in on President Barack Obama’s decision to halt his administration’s defense of the federal ban on same-sex marriage. Obama’s office says part of the law may be unconstitutional, but Tim Pawenty said he was “disappointed” by the news and Rep. Michele Bachmann took the opportunity to raise money.

“I firmly believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, as President Obama told us he believed in 2008,” Pawlenty said in a statement. “But now President Obama and his Justice Department would have us believe that traditional marriage laws are unconstitutional.”

He criticized the administration for not doing its job.

“I oppose the Justice Department’s political decision to reverse its policy defending the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal statute passed overwhelmingly by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton,” he said. “The job of the Justice Department is to enforce and defend laws passed by Congress and signed by the President.”

He added, “I am disappointed that the President and his Justice Department have abdicated this responsibility, all for the sake of partisan political gain.”

Bachmann sent a fundraising email to supporters asking them to sign a petition she created.

“This is just the beginning in our fight to repeal Barack Obama in 2012,” she wrote. “Had Barack Obama been on the ballot in 2010, he would have gone down in a fiery defeat. Yet he continues to push his far-left, socialist agenda on the American people. And today, he has declared war on marriage.”

She added, “I will continue to do everything in my power to fight back against Barack Obama’s attacks on marriage and I hope you will join me by adding your name to my “‘Support Traditional Marriage’ petition.”

She also asked for money: “Your contribution will enable me to spread this petition to millions of conservative activists across the country.”