With a reeling economy and high unemployment rates, itâÄôs easy to understand why social issues have taken a backseat to job creation on the 2010 campaign trail. Job creation has been the focus of much of the 20-plus gubernatorial debates in Minnesota, and the first hour of FridayâÄôs debate at the McNamara Alumni Center was no different.

Nevertheless, many voters will head to the polls with social issues like abortion and gay rights in mind.

One such voter is University of Minnesota student Allison Brenneise. Brenneise, 40, is a self-described fiscal conservative who says she comes from a strong Republican background. Despite her Republican pedigree, she plans to cast her ballot for Independence Party candidate Tom Horner rather than Republican Tom Emmer. She says she no longer supports the Republican social agenda.

“I think as you grow and you have new experiences you become more tolerant,” Brenneise said after the debate. “I donâÄôt want to marry someone of my own sex, but itâÄôs not going to send me to hell if you do.”

For years, Republican campaigns have been forged over social regression, and Emmer has a history of walking the party line on social issues. Though Emmer had his share of supporters in attendance, he was clearly uncomfortable expressing his views on gay rights in front of the student-dominated crowd.

The final 30 minutes of the debate were delegated to address issues important to University students. When gay rights came to the forefront, Emmer started squirming like Jerry Falwell at a Cher concert.

Politicians are adept at evading uncomfortable questions. The ability to elude an inquisitive interlocutor is truly an art form.

But on Friday, Emmer was no Picasso.

Each time moderator Kathryn Pearson, a political science professor at the University, pressed Emmer to articulate his position on social issues, Emmer started bobbing and weaving like Sugar Ray Leonard. Rather than openly answer honest questions, he reverted back to familiar talking points about jobs.

“IâÄôve got a clear history of where I stand on the issue of marriage,” Emmer said in response to a follow-up question about gay rights. “But this election, this campaign has to be focused on getting Minnesota moving again.”

A cacophony of groans and laughter filled the room as Emmer changed the subject. To some extent Emmer was in hostile territory âÄî college-age voters tend to lean Democrat âÄî but this is no excuse for his surprising reticence. During EmmerâÄôs six-year tenure in the state Legislature, he has been one of the GOPâÄôs most vocal members, regularly delivering impassioned speeches on the House floor.

So, why has Emmer suddenly gone quiet?

The brash tone Emmer often employed at the Capitol is less effective in a rookie statewide campaign, particularly when it comes to polarizing social issues. The Republican social platform has alienated a significant portion of the electorate, causing voters like Brenneise to look for a viable alternative.

HornerâÄôs candidacy, Brenneise said, offers a balance of “moderate liberal social views” and fiscal conservatism. This is a distinction the former Republican has been happy to make during his campaign.

“One of the reasons IâÄôm no longer a Republican,” Horner said when questioned about gay marriage, “is because a party that thinks that economic development, fiscal responsibility and equality are conflicting opinions is not a party that I can any longer belong to.”

Both Horner and DFL candidate Mark Dayton have repeatedly expressed their support for gay marriage and anti-bullying legislation that would extend specific protections based upon characteristics like sexual orientation, race and disabilities.

“I believe in the founding principles of this country,” Dayton said over loud applause, “that all men and women are created equal.”

Emmer opposes gay marriage and anti-bullying legislation.

When Pearson offered Emmer the opportunity to clarify his stance on social issues, he again balked, saying this campaign should be about jobs. He repeatedly stated his views were apparent, but he declined to specify his position.

As the debate went on and the conversation shifted to abortion, the audience became increasingly annoyed by EmmerâÄôs stonewalling.

“Again, I have very clear views on these issues,” Emmer said near the end of the debate. “If we are going to take all of our time running for office in this state, in this country and just identify the things that divide us on a regular basis, weâÄôre never going to move to where we need to be.”

In a clear swipe at Emmer, who eventually said that he is pro-life, Horner said that if elected he would be able to tackle more than one issue from the governorâÄôs office.

While the economy may be the most pressing issue on the majority of votersâÄô minds, Emmer has an obligation not to shield his position on social issues important to Minnesotans like Brenneise.

Brenneise has a disabled son who is routinely picked on for being different. Accordingly, she says compassion is a central theme in her political views. “I want him to live in an equal world,” Brenneise said. “So to be able to ask someone to value him I have to value somebody else.”

Emmer should value the inalienable rights of all Minnesotans and support policies guaranteeing them. But if he doesnâÄôt, he needs to own up to his positions rather than hiding behind rehearsed talking points.

Michael Rietmulder welcomes comments at
[email protected].