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08/03/2009
Chris Christie: A 'fierce independent' who's fiercely dependent on anti-gay opportunism
In his campaign ads, New Jersey gubernatorial hopeful Chris Christie (R) is all kinds of self-enamored with his "independence" and supposed shunning of the usual partisan politics:
But why should any gay person believe this particular candidate when his website runs the same ol' conservative talking points:
I also believe marriage should be exclusively between one man and one woman. While, I have no issue with same sex couples sharing contractual rights, I believe that marriage should remain the exclusive domain of one man and one woman. If a bill legalizing same sex marriage came to my desk as Governor, I would veto it. If the law were changed by judicial fiat, I would be in favor of a constitutional amendment on the ballot so that voters, not judges, would decide this important social question.
"Shared Values" [Chris Christie]
An implication that judges are the bad guys? The idea that majority tyranny should decide a civil rights matter? A threat to veto a bill even in a state where it's been determined that the civil unions system has failed to fully grant gay citizens the equality that they were promised? In terms of gay rights, Christie is about as much of a maverick as, well, most of the other prominent GOP candidates who've professed to be the same!
And of course the above quotes come on the same "shared values" webpage where Christie decries child pornography and human trafficking. Because apparently on this "fierce independent's" list of values, forced slavery/prostitution/underage sex is just a hop, skip, and stanza away from keeping loving, tax-paying gay citizens detached from civil fairness. It's disgusting. It's offensive. It's the same exact "values"-hijacking, desperate connections that have defined far-right politics for the past three decades.
On some issues, he very well may be "fiercely independent." But when it comes to gay Jerseyans lives and loves, it would seem that his independence extends no further than a legally-weakened lesbian couple's baby can throw a political football.
Your thoughts
I love reading the "I believe this..." and "I believe that..." stuff. Just because he believes it means everyone else should. It's insulting. If he wants to believe something, that's fine. But when it's interfering with equality to a whole group of people, that's NOT fine.
Posted by: Carrie | Aug 3, 2009 4:44:38 PM
And unfortunately he's probably going to win. Last time I looked he was well ahead in the polls.
Posted by: Alexa | Aug 3, 2009 6:22:21 PM
"...sharing contractual rights..."
Notice that isn't civil unions or even domestic partership rights - not even the most timid of relationship recognition.
No, Christie only support what ANYONE ANYWHERE can do - write up a contract. Gee, thanks for letting us do that, Christie.
Posted by: Timothy Kincaid | Aug 3, 2009 6:51:01 PM
Too true, Timothy. This is turn of the millennium campaign rhetoric (when, to be fair, Gore was using the 'contractual rights' line as well).
Posted by: G-A-Y | Aug 3, 2009 6:59:36 PM
It doesn't surprise me, as Christie has taken the standard Republican position on every issue. Basically on the fence with everything and afraid to take a stand. I guess he knows its his election to lose and doesn't want to rock the boat. He's basically taking the position of every other so called moderate republican but forgetting that people in NJ don't vote on social issues, especially with property taxes/corruption/etc. topping the list of concerns.
Posted by: Ron | Aug 4, 2009 9:47:40 AM
It is widely believed that the legislature will consider the marriage equality bill in the “lame duck” session after the election and before the January swearing-in ceremony.
We need to turn out the vote for Corzine. We need to campaign and convince our supporters, family, and friends to vote for Corzine.
Where do we start, and what can we do?
Posted by: Chuck DiGuilio | Oct 2, 2009 8:40:18 PM
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