Bill Clinton records robocall against N.C. Amendment One

Former President Bill Clinton has recorded a message urging North Carolina voters to cast ballots against Amendment One.

The measure, being decided in the May 8 primary, would ban legal recognition of same-sex marriages, partnerships and civil unions and amend the constitution to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

North Carolina law already prohibits recognition of same-sex marriage.

Clinton, in his recorded message for Protect All NC Families, said:

“Hello, this is President Bill Clinton. I’m calling to urge you to vote against Amendment One on Tuesday May 8. If it passes, it won’t change North Carolina’s law on marriage. What it will change is North Carolina’s ability to keep good businesses, attract new jobs, and attract and keep talented entrepreneurs. If it passes, your ability to keep those businesses, get those jobs, and get those talented entrepreneurs will be weakened. And losing even one job to Amendment One is too big of a risk. Its passage will also take away health insurance from children and could even take away domestic violence protections from women. So the real effect of the law is not to keep the traditional definition of marriage, you’ve already done that. The real effect of the law will be to hurt families and drive away jobs. North Carolina can do better. Again, this is Bill Clinton asking you to please vote against Amendment One. Thanks.”

Two days earlier, daughter Chelsea Clinton published a letter urging opposition to Amendment One and encouraging people to volunteer for the pro-gay campaign.

Bill Clinton, in 1996, signed the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act. He has since urged DOMA's repeal.

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