Herman Cain Thinks Being Gay is a Choice, but Says He’ll Govern Based on Constitution, Not Personal Beliefs

Herman Cain thinks that being gay is a choice, but said he will govern based on the U.S. Constitution, not his personal beliefs.

The Advocate noted Cain's reactions to recent questions about whether he thought being gay was a choice.

I think that you believe that being gay is a choice, Joy Behar said to Cain on The View on Tuesday.

Yes, Cain said.

I think that to think that gay is a choice... I don't know how to respond to that, Behar said. I mean I don't think that anybody in this world wants to be gay considering all of the vilification that is brought upon someone who is gay. Why would you choose that?

Cain was calm in his answer.

Well, you show me the science that says that it's not, and I could be persuaded, Cain said. Right now it's my opinion against the opinion of others who feel differently. That's just a difference of opinion.

The women of The View then asked him whether he would separate his personal beliefs from how he would govern.

I am going to make my decision based upon the constitution of the United States of America, Cain said. That's what the President has responsibility to do. Some of my personal feelings are not going to influence decisions that I need to make on behalf of all the people. That's what a President is supposed to do.

That's what Obama said too, The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg said.

The audience applauded.

The topic was brought up again Thursday when Cain spoke with MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell.

O'Donnell read a Twitter message that posed a question to Cain: How can you say that being gay is a choice? Did you choose to be straight?

Cain was more curt in his response than he was with the women of The View.

Lawrence, that will always be a difference of opinion, like I told Joy Behar, Cain said. She has her opinion. I have my opinion. It's a difference of opinion. Next question please.