New Jersey Showdown

When John Corzine lost his reelection bid for Governor of New Jersey, we knew it was not a good day for marriage equality.  Chris Christie, the Republican Governor-Elect, has vowed to veto any pro gay marriage bill to leave the legislature.  Still, a recent poll had shown that a majority New Jersey voters favored same-sex marriage.  There was hope that the legislature would pass a marriage bill before Corzine left office in January.

That hope is fading.  An anti-gay marriage group has spent half a million dollars on radio ads and mailings urging people to call their representatives to tell them not to take up the vote.  I've heard some of the ads, and not one -- not one -- gives a logical reason for opposing same-sex marriage.  Other than saying "because traditional marriage is between a man and a woman," the ads set up a false choice of either addressing unemployment or marriage equality.  The gist of these ads is, "Can you believe that with so many New Jersey citizens out of work that the legislature is actually thinking about changing traditional marriage?"  Subtext:  Unemployed?  Blame gay marriage!

The campaign has been effective.  A poll released today showed that a majority of New Jersey citizens now oppose same sex marriage. Some legislators are having second thoughts about passing a marriage bill, saying they don't want to anger the electorate.

Interesting.  When are they going to start worrying about our anger?  Maybe when it's so loud that they can't ignore it.