Speaking of questions, Gov. Mitt Romney (R.-Mass.) has quite a few to answer concerning his stance on gay rights and traditional marriage. The governor, widely speculated to be a 2008 presidential contestant, appears unwilling at this point to dispel the gray cloud his comments over the years have stirred up surrounding an issue many conservatives see as clearly black and white.

Conservative leaders are demanding answers, reports the Boston Herald:

"I am concerned and I do think he needs to explain this," said Paul Weyrich, chief executive officer of the Free Congress Foundation. "Because he either is or isn’t in favor of the homosexual agenda and we need to know before we would get involved in his candidacy."

Richard Land, a top member of the Southern Baptist Convention, was among a group of evangelicals who met with Romney at his home in October. Land said Tuesday, "Christians believe in conversion, and so they’re open to listen, but when a candidate 12 years ago says he is more of a champion on these issues than Ted Kennedy, that needs to be explained."

Tom Minnery, spokesman for Focus on the Family, the Colorado-based evangelical organization, said homosexuality is an emotional issue.

"You’ve got to be committed to your position for it or against it or you’ll be swayed, so he’s got a lot of explaining to do," Minnery said of the governor.