Lawrence O’Donnell: “so that's not discrimination seemed to be the theme of [Sears’] debate”

VIRGINIA – Winsome Earle-Sears’ comments that opposing gay marriage and firing Virginians for being gay are “not discrimination” were named the “theme” of the debate. 
 
WATCH HERE:
 

 
Transcript:  

• Lawrence O’Donnell: Early voting is already underway in Virginia, where former Democratic Congressman Abigail Spanberger is running for governor against the Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. In their debate last week, the lieutenant governor said she supports banning abortion and opposes same sex marriage, to which Abigail Spanberger said this.
• Abigail Spanberger during the debate: My opponent was asked about her record of discrimination, and importantly, my opponent has previously said that she does not think that gay couples should be allowed to marry. She said that she is, quote, unquote, morally, my opponent has also previously said that she thinks it's okay for someone to be fired from their job for being gay. That is discrimination.
• Winsome Earle-Sears during the debate: That’s not discrimination.
• O’Donnell: Joining us now is Abigail Spanberger, Democratic nominee for governor of Virginia, so “that's not discrimination” seemed to be the theme of her debate.
• Spanberger: It was outrageous. But the good thing is, in that debate, she was truthful about her positions, and so for those who watched it or who have seen parts of it since then, they have had an opportunity to hear her stances on some issues, [...]  And we know the stakes of the election are [...] whether or not we're going to have a governor who will actually just stand up for what is right and people's basic rights, whether it's their right not to be fired because of who they are there, or their right to marry. As my opponent so very clearly said, not only is she in opposition to marriage equality, but she doesn't even think it's discrimination to fire someone for being gay. 

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