Politicians flock to Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A supporters ate at the chicken chain's restaurants on Aug. 1, 2012, for "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" as the company's president continues to be criticized for taking a public position against same-sex marriage. Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press in July 2012, that his company was "guilty as charged" for backing "the biblical definition of a family." Chick-fil-A has since said they'll "leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena." Still, Chick-fil-A's charitable arm has a history of donating to groups that oppose same-sex marriage. Gay rights groups and others answered with calls for boycotts. Opponents of Cathy's stance have planned "Kiss Mor Chiks" for Aug. 3, asking people of the same sex to show up at Chick-fil-A locations and kiss each other. In this photo posted to Twitter on Aug. 1, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is seen in a Chick-fil-A restaurant with her husband.

In this photo posted to Twitter on Aug. 1, 2012, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (center) is seen posing with children in a Chick-fil-A restaurant. Conservatives ate at the chicken chain's restaurants for "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" to show support for the company as it comes under fire for its conservative ties, specifically to groups opposed to same-sex marriage.

In this photo posted to Twitter on Aug. 1, 2012, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is seen in a Chick-fil-A restaurant. Conservatives ate at the chicken chain's restaurants for "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" to show support for the company as it comes under fire for its conservative ties, specifically to groups opposed to same-sex marriage.

In this photo posted to Twitter on Aug. 1, 2012, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is seen ordering food in a Chick-fil-A restaurant. Conservatives ate at the chicken chain's restaurants for "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" to show support for the company as it comes under fire for its conservative ties, specifically to groups opposed to same-sex marriage.

In this photo posted to Twitter on Aug. 1, 2012, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is seen interviewing two men in a Chick-fil-A restaurant. Conservatives ate at the chicken chain's restaurants for "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" to show support for the company as it comes under fire for its conservative ties, specifically to groups opposed to same-sex marriage.

In this photo posted to Twitter on Aug. 1, 2012, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is seen outside a Chick-fil-A restaurant. Conservatives ate at the chicken chain's restaurants for "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" to show support for the company as it comes under fire for its conservative ties, specifically to groups opposed to same-sex marriage.

In this Facebook photo posted on Aug. 1, 2012, Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., is seen posing with Chick-fil-A food. Conservatives ate at the chicken chain's restaurants for "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" to show support for the company as it comes under fire for its conservative ties, specifically to groups opposed to same-sex marriage.

In this photo posted to Twitter on Aug. 1, 2012, Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., is seen posing with Chick-fil-A food. Conservatives ate at the chicken chain's restaurants for "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" to show support for the company as it comes under fire for its conservative ties, specifically to groups opposed to same-sex marriage.

In this photo posted online on Aug. 1, 2012, Rep. James Lankford, R-Okla., displayed his spread of Chick-fil-A food. Conservatives ate at the chicken chain's restaurants for "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" to show support for the company as it comes under fire for its conservative ties, specifically to groups opposed to same-sex marriage.

Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press in July 2012, that the Atlanta-based company was "guilty as charged" for backing "the biblical definition of a family." Chick-fil-A has since said it will "leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena," but its conservative ties are still stirring controversy.

In this photo posted to Twitter on Aug. 1, 2012, patrons are waiting to order food at a Chick-fil-A as the company continues to be criticized for its ties to conservative groups opposed to same-sex marriage. Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press in July 2012, that his company was "guilty as charged" for backing "the biblical definition of a family." Chick-fil-A has since said it will "leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena."

In this photo posted to Twitter on Aug. 1, 2012, patrons are waiting to order food at a Chick-fil-A in Paramus, N.J., as the company continues to be criticized for taking a public position against same-sex marriage. Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press in July 2012, that the Atlanta-based company was "guilty as charged" for backing "the biblical definition of a family unit." Chick-fil-A has since said it will "leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena."

AP Photo/The Vacaville Reporter, Joel Rosenbaum

Customers gather by the hundreds outside the Fairfield, Calif., Chick-fil-A restaurant on Aug. 1, 2012.

AP Photo/The Orange County Register, Jebb Harris

The Brea, Calif., Chick-fil-A restaurant is mobbed at lunch time on Aug. 1, 2012.

AP Photo/The Commercial Appeal, Stan Carroll

Chick-fil-A team member Dakota Bibbs, center, cheers as customers aid in his search for the owner of an order ready for pick-up in Southaven, Miss., Aug. 1, 2012,. Customers crowded into the Southaven restaurant and patiently waited up to an hour to receive their order in a display of support for the company's stance on marriage and family values.

Chick-Fil-A employee Harry Love directs drive-thru traffic in the restaurant lot, as the crowd for dining room service snakes out the door in High Point, N.C., Aug. 1, 2012.

AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, J. Patric Schneider

Dozens of customers stand in line inside the Chick-fil-A off of Shearn Street in Houston on Aug. 1, 2012, during a nationwide appreciation day as the company continues to be criticized for an executive taking a public position against same-sex marriage.

Customers gather by the hundreds outside the Gilbert, Ariz., Chick-fil-A restaurant, Aug. 1, 2012.

Gay rights activist Will Coutret of Albuquerque, dressed in a cow outfit, advertises free chicken sandwiches donated by Roma Bakery and Deli on Montgomery as a way of protesting "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" at Montgomery and San Mateo in Albuquerque, N.M., on Aug. 1, 2012.

A long line forms well into the parking lot outside Chick-fil-A, Aug. 1, 2012 in Fresno, Calif.

Customers line up outside a Chick-fil-A restaurant in downtown Chicago, Aug. 1, 2012, during a nationwide appreciation day as the company continues to be criticized for an executive taking a public position against same-sex marriage.

In this photo posted to Twitter on Aug. 1, 2012, patrons are waiting to order food at a Chick-fil-A as the company continues to be criticized for taking a public position against same-sex marriage. Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press in July 2012, that the Atlanta-based company was "guilty as charged" for backing "the biblical definition of a family." Chick-fil-A has since said it will "leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena."

A Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Bethel Park, Pa., is jammed with supporters and customers on Aug. 1, 2012.

AP Photo/The Tyler Morning Telegraph, Sarah A. Miller

Arland Flake, Ann Flake and Ann Sparks, all of Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, eat lunch after waiting in line for an hour the Chick-fil-A in Tyler, Texas, Aug. 1, 2012. Tyler Manager Barb Carter said the restaurant had been packed all day and that people were waiting for them to open at 6:30 a.m.

Sheila Smith wears a sign showing support for Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy outside the fast food chain's store on Union Avenue in Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 1, 2012, during "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day."

Kim Carnes of Bullard, far left, picks up her large order of food with help from employee Brady Gould at the Chick-fil-A in Tyler, Texas, Aug. 1, 2012. Tyler Manager Barb Carter said the restaurant had been packed all day and that people were waiting for them to open at 6:30 a.m.

AP Photo/The Huntsville Times, Glenn Baeske

The walk-in customer line went outside the front doors at the Whitesburg Drive, Chick-fil-A during Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day in Huntsville, Ala., Aug. 1, 2012.

AP Photo/News & Daily Advance, Sam O'Keefe

People flock to Chick-fil-A on Wards Road for customer appreciation day in Lynchburg, Va., on Aug. 1, 2012.

AP Photo/The Huntsville Times, Robin Conn

Antoine Dodson gives his views on Chick-fil-A outside the Whitesburg Drive location in Huntsville, Ala., Aug. 1, 2012.

Weston Stoler explains that his panda bear hat was the closest thing he could find that looked like a cow as he waited in line for over an hour outside the Decatur, Ala., Chick-fil-A restaurant, Aug. 1, 2012.

Kim Carnes of Bullard, far left, picks up her large order of food at the Chick-fil-A in Tyler, Texas, Aug. 1, 2012. Tyler Manager Barb Carter said the restaurant had been packed all day and that people were waiting for them to open at 6:30 a.m.

Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press in July 2012, that the Atlanta-based company was "guilty as charged" for backing "the biblical definition of a family." Chick-fil-A has since said it will "leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena," but its conservative ties are still stirring controversy.