Chick-fil-A rallying point for conservative pols
(CBS News) Conservatives backing Chick-fil-A for its president's unapologetic opposition to same-sex marriage flocked to the fast food joint Wednesday, including a few politicians who proudly gave proof of their chicken meals on social media.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee last month dubbed August 1 "Chick Fil-A Appreciation Day" after a renewed controversy over Chick-fil-A's conservative ties arose. Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy has long made his political leanings known, but the issue became reached a boiling point this summer after Cathy spoke openly in a set of interviews about his opposition to same-sex marriage. Supporters of same-sex marriage spoke out against the company, and Huckabee and other conservatives subsequently hit back.
On his Facebook page today, Huckabee posted pictures of people lining up to eat at Chick-fil-A's around the country.
A number Republicans still in office followed suit, including several from the South Carolina Republican Party. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., for instance, posted a picture online of himself eating Chick-fil-A. "As a long time Chick-fil-A fanatic, I stand with Chick-Fil-A," he wrote. "We had it for breakfast today, but my usual order is the #1 combo with slaw and a Coke Zero. Can't beat it."
South Carolina Rep. Jeff Duncan similarly tweeted today, "Bought #chickfila for the office this afternoon. Never tasted so good." The tweet included a picture of a picture of Duncan sitting at his desk, which was covered with bags of food from the restaurant. South Carolina Rep. Tim Scott and the staff of the South Carolina Republican party similarly shared their Chick-fil-A meals online.
Republican Rep. James Lankford of Oklahoma also tweeted his Chick-fil-A meal, and Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., was spotted outside one of the restaurants.
Backers of same-sex marriage kept up their protests today as well. The Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights advocacy group, encouraged people to tweet, "I don't appreciate #ChickfilHATE RT if you agree w/ @HRC!"
