N.J. Lawmaker: Gay Marriage Nears Veto-Proof Support

[brooklynite]

Wall Street Journal:

New Jersey Democrats believe they are within spitting distance of securing enough support to override a veto of same-sex marriage legislation if Gov. Chris Christie chooses not support it.

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, one of the bill’s sponsors, estimated the chamber had between 24 and 27 supporters for legislation to allow for same-sex marriage in New Jersey. It takes 27 votes in the 40-member state senate to override a governor’s veto.

...snip...

Lesniak, a Democrat representing Union County, counted up to 23 Democrats and four Republicans as supporting a gay marriage, but wouldn’t disclose specific names of those he believes would vote to override a veto.

Assembly Speaker Shelia Oliver, a Democrat, has said that she has majority support for same-sex marriage legislation, and that she would work to garner the 54 votes necessary for a veto override in the 80-member Assembly.

If you're Chris Christie, do you accept that New Jersey voters support marriage equality and protect your ability to get re-elected, or sell out in the faint hope of getting the Presidential nod in 2016?

[VWolf]

1. I see Donut Man vetoing, if it's not veto-proof.

He's arrogant enough to think he's got re-election in the bag already.

[exboyfil]

2. I think a pro gay marriage

candidate might have a shot at the GOP nomination in 4 years. Take a look at the 13-17 crowd at almost any Middle/High School - you will find that they are overwhelmingly in support of fairness irrespective of other issues. My daughter did a project on tolerance (ie gay marriage) in which she highlighted the unequal economic treatment, and she had near universal support in her Honors English class. We are talking about a pretty conservative college town here.

[HockeyMom]

3. His citizens will get in their cars and go to NEW YORK

and take their money with them. New Yorkers went to CONNECTICUT before their GOVENOR and legislature decided to listen to the will of their people and pass marriage equality.

My daughter, who lives in NY, went to many a wedding of NY gay residents in the state of Ct. She didn't want to marry in Ct., and fortunately now, she doesn't have to.

So NJ now has not just Ct., but NY too, who grant marriage equality. Seems like Christie is sandwiched in. Do they have enough votes to override his veto? I don't think Jaba will listen to the will of his "people".

[rfranklin]

4. Yes, he was just touting NJ being more attractive to money than surrounding states...

seems he forgot about this money making proposal.

[JoePhilly]

5. Wait, wait ...be SMART here ... pass the bill, but with LESS then 80 votes, initially.

That would force Christie to sign it, or veto it.

If he signs it, he loses the GOP VP position.

If he vetoes it, there is no way the GOP wins NJ in the general, and then you over-ride his veto with the 80 votes.

[HockeyMom]

6. What really make me MAD?

Not to get off topic with this, but we have a friend in NY whose son (STRAIGHT) is getting married in Key West. He and his bride can go anywhere in the country to be married, and every state in the Union will RECOGNIZE his marriage in Florida. When my gay daughter gets married in NY, and comes to see us in Florida with her wife, HER marriage will not be recognized here, and in most of the country.

It should NOT be that way. This really makes me very, very mad.

[JackBeck]

7. A few fascinating things about running in 2016:

The first two caucus states are Iowa and New Hampshire, both of which have marriage equality.

Secondly, if he gets the nomination, he might be running against Gov. Cuomo, who helped facilitate marriage equality in New York.

I also agree with the poster above who said that in 4 years, this country's attitudes about marriage equality will be more supportive than they currently are and he'll look like a civil rights dinosaur if he vetoes the bill.

[msongs]

8. cuoma? isn't he a DINO? hope we can do better than that nt

[JackBeck]

9. Cuomo's the one I hear people talking about.

Although most people ignore his blilnd eye to fracking and draconian cuts to social services.

[closeupready]

10. Look at him this way: if he was able to change course on marriage equality,

we can try, by lobbying, to get him to see the light on those areas where he needs improvement.

Personally, I think he's terrific. He supports closing Indian Point Nuclear plant. So he may not be opposed to fracking, but you can't call him anti-environmentalist.