Republican's Mitt Romney's wife Ann Romney

Ann Romney was asked her position on marriage equality and birth control on Friday but declined, multiple times, in the most dismissive tones, to give an answer.

Gay people and their legal rights aren't important to America, they not worth discussing apparently. Neither are any women's reproductive rights. You would think with the controversies surrounding Mitt Romney andPaul Ryan's stance on abortion and an ongoing perception about the eroding of the rights of women that she might have engaged.

But no, Ann Romney knows what this election is about and she won't be distracted by 'hot-button' issues that don't interest her. Like most conservatives, she seems to believe that issues that don't personally affect her are non-issues.

Interviewed on Iowan television station KWQC on Friday Romney faced questions from anchor David Nelson. 

David Nelson:  'Here in Iowa, as you know, same-sex marriage is legal.  Do you believe a lesbian mother should be allowed to marry her partner?'

Ann Romney: 'You know, I'm not going to talk about the specific issues.  I'm going to let my husband speak on issues.  I'm here to really just talk about my husband and what kind of husband and father he is and, you know, those are hot-button issues that distract from what the real voting issue is going to be at this election.  That, it's going to be about the economy and jobs…'

Nelson: 'Do you believe that employer-provided health insurance should be required to cover birth control?'

Ann Romney:  'Again, you're asking me questions that are not about what this election is going to be about.  This election is going to be about the economy and jobs.'

David Nelson:  'Well, a Pew Research poll shows those issues are very important to women, ranking them either "important" or "very important.'
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Ann Romney:  'You know, but I personally believe, and this is what I'm hearing from women all across the country that they are going to look for the guy that's going to pull them out of the weeds and get them job security and a brighter future for their children…'

David Nelson:  'You just told a reporter who was questioning you in Cleveland that you want women to have a secure and stable future.  I asked you about marriage and whether lesbian mothers should be allowed to marry.  Isn't marriage a part of creating a stable future?'

Ann Romney:  'You know, again, I'm going to talk to you about the economy and about job creation...'

It was so scripted and robotic that it was a masterclass in staying on message, even when it is blatantly obvious that you're dodging issues important to millions. But she came off as a high handed and patronizing, as though she were telling the press what the election was about and only taking questions that were convenient.

The sharp contrast between Romney's dodging and Michelle Obama's transparency on the issues stands in high relief. This election, there really is a choice between the candidates, their spouses, and what they stand (or won't stand) for.