The Log Cabin Republicans, who have endorsed Senator McCain for president, have defended Alaska Governor and running mate Sarah Palin after she told CBS’ Katie Couric in an interview aired Tuesday night about a longtime friend of hers and the “choice” that person made to be gay.

“I am not going to judge Americans and the decisions that they make in their adult lives,” Palin said. “I have one of my absolute best friends for the last 30 years happens to be gay, and I love her dearly. And she is not my ‘gay friend,’ she is one of my best friends, who happens to have made a choice that isn’t a choice that I have made. But I am not going to judge people.”

“In this interview, Gov. Palin expressed her support for a gay friend of 30 years and reiterated that she doesn’t judge people,” opened the Log Cabin Republicans’ communications director Scott Tucker in a statement to Think Progress. “She said she’s ‘not going to judge Americans and the decisions they make in their adult personal relationships.’ Frankly, I think that’s where most Americans are in their attitude toward gay and lesbian people.

“Gov. Palin didn’t ramble uncomfortably about a ‘lifestyle’ or use the opportunity to reiterate her opposition to marriage for gay couples. She didn’t use the opportunity to express opposition to any gay rights legislation. Gay Democrats are pouncing on her use of the word ‘choice’ in talking about gay people. But, when asked the direct question by Charlie Gibson in a previous interview whether people choose to be gay, she said she didn’t know. Again, I think that’s where the vast majority of Americans are on this issue-they simply don’t know whether people choose to be gay.

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