Gingrich: I Don't Back “Hate Groups”

Newt Gingrich was confronted about money he directed to help American Family Association Action oust three Iowa judges who ruled for marriage equality, and he rejected the classification of AFA Action as a hate group.

Towleroad.com reports on the questions Igor Volsky of The Wonk Room posed to Gingrich. The potential Republican presidential contender serves as honorary chair of the conservative religious group ReAL Action, the political unit of which gave $125,000 to AFA Action, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled a hate group.

Volsky asked Gingrich Monday about AFA Action policy director Bryan Fischer, who has advocated "reparative" therapy and the criminalization of gay sex.

"The former speaker of the House initially attempted to dodge the question by explaining his support for recalling judges who supported same-sex marriage in Iowa and only recanted Fisher's extreme rhetoric after being pressed on the issue," reports Volsky. "Gingrich insisted, however, that AFA is not a hate group, but a 'Christian' organization."

Watch the video at Towleroad.com.