Local Voters React to Paladino's Homosexual Comments

Republican candidate for governor Carl Paladino is taking a lot of heat for coments he made about homosexuality.

On Monday morning, Paladino went into damage control.

"I have no reservations on gay people at all," he said on CBS's "The Early Show."

Paladino defended himself following controversial comments he made Sunday night at a Brooklyn Synagogue. He repeated his opposition to gay marriage.

"I just think my children and your children would be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family, and I don't want them to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and or successful option," he said. "It isn't."

Some local voters believe he took his remarks too far.

"It's like he's attacking the gay people," said Marty Betz, "and I don't think that's fair."

"I don't like it, and having children I wouldn't want him representing me or my family," said Wendy Distefano.

Political analyst Curt Smith says many people feel the way Paladino does.

"It's anti-gay if you believe homosexuality is natural and is a an acceptable life style," Smith said. "It's not offensive if you don't."

Paladino has come under criticism for sending racist and sexist emails and for fathering a child during an extra marital affair. Smith says the remarks on gays will not likely change the outcome of the race against Democrat Andrew Cuomo.

"I don't think it affects his chances at all because if you look at polling data now, he will lose," Smith said.

Still, Tim Ribis of Gates says the comments will not stop him from voting for Paladino in three weeks.

"He's entitled to his comments," Ribis said. "(It) doesn't mean he's going to be a bad governor. It just means he doesn't really agree with the homosexual agenda or homosexuality in general."

Cuomo's campaign responded, calling the remarks "stunning homophobia."