Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said Sunday that despite her past statements, she doesn't "judge" gays and lesbians.

In 2004, Bachmann told the National Education Leadership Conference that homosexuality was "part of Satan."

"If you're involved in the gay and lesbian lifestyle, it's bondage," she declared. "Personal bondage, personal despair and personal enslavement. And that's why this is so dangerous."

"We need to have profound compassion for the people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life, and sexual identity disorders. This is a very real issue. It's not funny, it's sad."

"That is the view President Bachmann would have of gay Americans?" NBC's David Gregory asked Bachmann Sunday.

"Well, I'm running for the presidency of the United States," Bachmann replied. "I'm not running to be anyone's judge."

"But you do judge them," Gregory noted.

"I don't judge them," Bachmann disagreed. "I am running for presidency of the United States."

"Congresswoman, do you think that anyone hears that and thinks you haven't made a judgement about gays and lesbians?" Gregory wondered.

"That's all I can tell you. I am not judging," Bachmann insisted.

The candidate added that she would be willing to appoint a gay cabinet member if they shared her views.