Christie explains same-sex marriage veto
(CNN) – Leading up to his veto of a same-sex marriage bill passed by his state legislature, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie explained his decision to CNN's Piers Morgan, and said that although he is an opponent of same-sex marriage, he favors putting the policy to the people.
"I know this is a very emotional issue and a very divisive issue in my state," Christie said in an interview to air on Piers Morgan Tonight Tuesday. "The only way we have to amend our constitution in New Jersey - which is by referendum - let's put it on the ballot and let's let the people decide.
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"And if the people in New Jersey, as some of the same sex marriage advocates suggest the polls indicate are in favor of it, then my position would not be the winning position but I'm willing to take that risk because I trust the people of the state," he continued in the interview.
The governor who was pressured by some conservatives to enter the GOP presidential field said that his personal position is guided by his Catholic faith and that he won't "compromise my principles for politics." He said his position should be no surprise to voters.
"Now that the legislature has passed that piece of legislation, then I will veto it because that's what I promised to do and that's what I think is the right thing to do," he said.
A proponent of civil unions rather than same-sex marriages, Christie said he separates his personal beliefs from his politics, and from his view that voters ought to decide this issue at the polls.
Christie adamantly and consistently said he would not enter the presidential race, and endorsed Mitt Romney in October 2011.
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Watch Piers Morgan Live weeknights 9 p.m. ET. For the latest from Piers Morgan click here.
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Taran wrote:
@Rudy,,,don't think so. 4.9 trillion from bush in 8 years, 4.47 trillion from obama in under 4 years. Facts are facts and you can't argue with them no matter how hard you try.
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And the facts are that you Republicans are lumping TARP onto Pres. Obama's watch. Don't forget how the voting took place. The last Tuesday in Sept. 2008, they cast the first vote and it failed with most Republicans voting against it citing lack of accountability issues. Three days later on Fri., Oct. 2, 2008, they voted again, but most Republicans voted for it. The only significant differences are how Republicans voted, and the fiscal year that it affected. Both versions had no accountability from the banks.
Had Sen. McCain won, the argument would have been "big spender Democrats". Had Sen. McCain lost, the argument would have been what we hear today, "big spender Democrats."
Furthermore, the annual deficit is not increasing from year to year, despite rising prices for energy and inflation. Take a look at that statistic for GWB's years. Compare it to Clinton's years. Compare it to Daddy's years. Compare it to Reagan's years. Compare it Carter's years. Compare it to Ford and Nixon's years.
It balloons and grows from year to year under Republicans, but doesn't under Democrats. We know who the big spenders are, the job creators collecting welfare.
What a weak stick Governor! Let the people decide! You are not a leader or a good role model. Those who keep pointing to marriage between man and a woman ignore the fact that the 50% of those marriages end in divorce! Thats a great batting average in baseball but a miserable commentary on "for better or worse, 'til death do us part"!
“In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.” ― Napoleon Bonaparte
FY2009 belongs to George W. Bush. He signed it into law. His revenue projects were about a trillion dollars SHORT.
The constitution is suppose to protect the rights of the few not the other way around, if that were the case their would still be segregation. Gov Christie is nothing more than a fat liar
I loved him in those Austin Powers movies.
Is obama for, or against gay marriage? Just asking.
Am I a hypocrite if I point out the hypocrisy of the right wingnuts?
William Taft 2.0
AL in Palm Beach is right – scare tactics to get conservatives to the polls.
The legislators passed the law – who does he think elected those legislators? The people!
Scott
Truth and Nothing But the Truth seems to spend A LOT more time thinking about gay people than most gay people do. Maybe you should calm down with trying to rule over everyone. Do you really care what people in another state call marriage? Does it change your paycheck if the two men living in the next county get married? Just because you're a miserable (expletive deleted) doesn't mean you have to push your hate onto others. It's called EQUALITY. I know that's a big word for you, but try to look it up and see if it makes sense to you
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How cute, simply asking you to get your own term is "hate"? And then you go on to call me names? I think it is the GAY crowd that is full of hate and wants to force themselves on the rest of the world.
If gay people want to gaydom each other, then fine. And then fight for equality for gaydom too. But don't tick off everybody else with redefining what has been defined as a union between a man and a woman since the beginning of time. I think your "in the face" approach has hurt your cause.
Terry - Is obama for, or against gay marriage? Just asking
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Against it, but then again he lies about everything so who knows...
Republicans believe in less government intrusion. So why are they in arms that government should be involved with whom loves whom, the uterus, and birth control? Just asking.
Too bad Christie comes off looking like a cowardly weasel afraid to take a stand.
Veto that trash. He should send it to the legislature and if they pass it all power to them but only if non elected judges do get involved after the fact. Disputing controversial decisions after the fact is the way liberals usually get there way through the legal system. I don't care if people marry animals so long as a majority of the people vote for it.