Story highlights
- The libertarian-leaning Paul said in Iowa that he did not support LGBT anti-discrimination laws federally
- On Thursday, Paul defended his remarks, though he said he "might have been able to word it better"
Washington (CNN)Hillary Clinton's campaign hit Republican rival Rand Paul on Wednesday for a comment he made earlier in the day about gay rights in the workplace.
The libertarian-leaning Paul, who is skeptical of more government regulations on business conduct, said in Iowa that he did not support anti-discrimination laws that would give LGBT Americans the chance to sue their employer if they are fired for their sexual orientation.
Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, John Kasich, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders,
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Businessman Donald Trump announced June 16 at his Trump Tower in New York City that he is seeking the Republican presidential nomination. This ends more than two decades of flirting with the idea of running for the White House.
"So, ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we are going to make our country great again," Trump told the crowd at his announcement.
"So, ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we are going to make our country great again," Trump told the crowd at his announcement.
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Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has made a name for himself in the Senate, solidifying his brand as a conservative firebrand willing to take on the GOP's establishment. He announced he was seeking the Republican presidential nomination in a speech on March 23.
"These are all of our stories," Cruz told the audience at Liberty University in Virginia. "These are who we are as Americans. And yet for so many Americans, the promise of America seems more and more distant."
"These are all of our stories," Cruz told the audience at Liberty University in Virginia. "These are who we are as Americans. And yet for so many Americans, the promise of America seems more and more distant."
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Ohio Gov. John Kasich joined the Republican field July 21 as he formally announced his White House bid.
"I am here to ask you for your prayers, for your support ... because I have decided to run for president of the United States," Kasich told his kickoff rally at the Ohio State University.
"I am here to ask you for your prayers, for your support ... because I have decided to run for president of the United States," Kasich told his kickoff rally at the Ohio State University.
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Hillary Clinton launched her presidential bid on April 12 through a video message on social media. The former first lady, senator and secretary of state is considered the front-runner among possible Democratic candidates.
"Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion -- so you can do more than just get by -- you can get ahead. And stay ahead," she said in her announcement video. "Because when families are strong, America is strong. So I'm hitting the road to earn your vote, because it's your time. And I hope you'll join me on this journey."
"Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion -- so you can do more than just get by -- you can get ahead. And stay ahead," she said in her announcement video. "Because when families are strong, America is strong. So I'm hitting the road to earn your vote, because it's your time. And I hope you'll join me on this journey."
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Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, announced his run in an email to supporters on April 30. He has said the United States needs a "political revolution" of working-class Americans to take back control of the government from billionaires.
"This great nation and its government belong to all of the people and not to a handful of billionaires, their super PACs and their lobbyists," Sanders said at a rally in Vermont on May 26.
"This great nation and its government belong to all of the people and not to a handful of billionaires, their super PACs and their lobbyists," Sanders said at a rally in Vermont on May 26.
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"I think, really, the things you do in your house, if you could just leave those in your house and it wouldn't have to be part of the workplace, to tell you the truth," Paul said Wednesday to students at Drake University, according to a video posted by the Democratic opposition group American Bridge.
Paul said that the laws increase the chance of more litigation against employers.
"It sets up a whole industry of people who want to sue," he said. "I think society is rapidly changing and that if you are gay, there are plenty of places that will hire you."
The Democratic presidential front-runner's campaign quickly pounced on Paul's remarks.
"The feeling when a GOP candidate says it's acceptable to be fired for being gay," her account tweeted, along with a gif of her saying, "No."
The gif was her response to a question during Tuesday night's CNN/Facebook debate.
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On Thursday, Paul defended his remarks, though he said he "might have been able to word it better."
He said he did not believe it was OK to fire someone based on sexual orientation, but he does not want a federal law expanding litigation.
"I don't think anybody should be fired for being gay," Paul told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Thursday. "I do also believe, though, that your personal life should be personal ... and shouldn't affect anyone firing you."
He said that if a workplace put up a sign, for example, saying gays were not welcome, that would be potentially fair to sue over, but he doesn't want people thinking they are able to sue over a firing "because 'I happen to be gay.'"
"I think these things should be decided at the state level," Paul said. "I don't think the federal government should weigh in on things like this."
