Some conservatives speak out against Amendment One

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — They may be Republican, but they don't want North Carolina to ban gay marriage.

Eyewitness News noticed a number of conservatives speaking out against Amendment One, like the John Locke Foundation, former Charlotte mayor Richard Vinroot and congressional candidate Edwin Peacock III.  Many say it's about jobs, and think Amendment One would make companies think twice about North Carolina.

In a video, Vinroot said, "It ... may hurt our ability to attract business and job opportunity into North Carolina."

Peacock said, "I'm a Republican and a proud Republican who is conservative, but this is not getting us back on track."

He made a video saying the amendment would be "bad for business."

Political expert and Catawba College professor Michael Bitzer explained the trend, saying, "It certainly plays into the Republican business mantra of, ‘We need to have North Carolina serve as an attractive base, bring more business in, get our economy back up and running.’”

So if this is about business, how do business leaders feel?  One Bank of America executive agreed.  Cathy Bessant made a video stating her view -- not necessarily the bank's -- saying, "What Amendment One does is make it look like we're a state that ignores both the needs and the preferences of the next generation of America's and the world's workforce."

Eyewitness News also asked the Chamber. It's taken sides on controversial issues in the past, but not this time.

WSOC