NJ Senate approves bill legalizing Gay Marriage

[WestVillage]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 4:44pm

This is a big step forward. On to the Assembly this Thursday, where it is also expected to pass. Then to Christie, who will either veto it or let it sit for 45 days and automatically pass into law. However, if he does veto it, the legislation has until Jan 2014 to gain enough votes to override his veto, and with the current momentum in favor, in 2 years, they will more than likely have all the votes necessary.

Happy Valentines Day to my fellow gays!
NJ Senate approves bill legalizing Gay Marriage

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 5:14pm

Christie has made it very well known that he will veto this bill, as he feels it should be voted upon by the people.

The NJ Democrats are right to push to keep it from going to a voter referendum. Historically civil rights have never fared well when being decided by the voters.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 6:01pm

Sweeney has already said it won't be put to voter referendum. However, it if does pass in the Assembly, and the polls already show that the majority of NJ voters approve of same sex marriage, Christie is going to look like even more of an ogre than he already does if he vetoes it. We all know his veto is strictly for political purposes ... he wants to run for the White House, and doesn't piss off the conservatives by approving gay marriage. Also, he wants it on the November ballot so that all the evangelicals will come out against it, and at the same time, vote for Romney. But his schemes aren't going to work, and might even backfire on him. The Dems will block everything he tries to push through.

But it doesn't matter, because in 2 years, the votes will be there to override King Christie's veto.

[madbrian]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 8:17pm

The legislature is very close to having enough votes to override his veto. I'm not a fan, but I'm holding out a glimmer of hope that he'll do the right thing. If his long-term goal is the White House, and not just a slot on a GOP ticket, he should think long and hard before vetoing this.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 8:50pm

The thing is if he votes 'YES', it guarantees him re-election but it probably ruins his national ambitions.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 11:09pm

Christie's not interested in doing the right thing. He's interested in the White House in the year 2016. And he knows vetoing this bill will help him curry favor with the "conservative base" whose support he wants.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 11:53pm

He has everything to gain by vetoing this. More then likely there will be just enough votes to overturn his veto, and he remains the darling of his Conservative base. Jersey gets Gay marraige and Christie remains above the fray.

[Plum]

Posted: 2/14/12 at 4:31am

I just hate how freaking disingenuous he is about his reasons for vetoing - as if the legislative branch isn't already the popularly elected one designed to reflect the will of the people, certainly moreso than the judicial or executive. Anyone who's taken a civics class can see through that BS.

Not to mention the sheer stupidity of comparing this to the black civil rights movement and suggesting that progress in that area somehow came about due to minority rights being granted by majority vote. HA. The minority in question was deliberately being kept from voting, which is why so much had to happen through Supreme Court decisions and executive branch fiat. Freaking jackass. He thrives on his image of being blunt and honest, but he's as much a politician (in the worst sense) as any of his colleagues.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/14/12 at 7:07am

None of America's previous civil rights issues were decided by popular vote. From independence, to slavery, to women's rights, to racial equality. They were all edicts from branches of the government passed into various laws.

Ultimately, it is the constitution of the United States protecting its citizens, not a majority of the people voting to protect a minority.

Updated On: 2/14/12 at 07:07 AM

[violet72]

Posted: 2/14/12 at 8:54am

Well said Best

I have to say don't hold your breathe with Christie. He only does what will benifit him. The only reason he is the "education" governor is because the NJEA campaigned against him big time. His whole cutting funds to education and making teachers the scapegoat for the money problems in NJ is just his little revenge scheme. Every move he makes is calculated for the benifit of his presidential campaign