convention dispatch

Better Know a Delegate: Robert Palisin, North Carolina

Robert Palisin. Photo: Dan Amira/New York Magazine

What’s your name and where are you from?
I am Robert Palisin, a delegate form North Carolina, 8th district. My home is Concord, North Carolina. 

What does it say on your hat?
Ponzibamus Destruerus. And that is Latin for “the unaffordable Obama health-care tax must be destroyed.” Cato, a Roman senator said, “Carthage must be destroyed.” 

What do you do?
I’m a retired Presbyterian pastor.

North Carolina is kind of a toss-up state right now, what do you think is going to happen?
I’m hoping that we’re past the toss-up stage and we’re leaning towards Romney. And I hope also, that — I noticed several black pastors saying they did not like Obama’s stand on a couple of things, and that’s why their parishioners should consider 

You mean gay marriage?
Well that is part, yes. That they ought to consider alternatives or even not voting. Some of them are saying, “If you can’t vote for Romney, maybe consider not voting at all.” As a pastor in the conservative branch of the Presbyterian church, I do not endorse the gay movement. I stood up against it. 

What about civil unions?
Civil unions are different than marriage. And I say if people want to have a civil union and get civil rights for that relationship, I still think it’s wrong, but if that’s what they choose to do, they have the right to do what they choose. I would not legitimize it by calling it marriage. I think it’s wrong to call it marriage. 

Better Know a Delegate: Robert Palisin, N.C.