Chris Christie, Gov. of New Jersey, is in a pickle. Lots of people in his state think marriage equality is a fine idea. He vetoed such a bill. How to get out of this mess?
He has been claiming that civil unions are just as good, are indeed equivalent. But the Supremes, in their big ruling earlier this summer, make that claim harder because NJ gay couples can't get federal benefits.
He could now support marriage equality. But that could put a big dent in his presidential aspirations.
He could quietly ask GOP state legislators to overturn his veto. But then he looks like a weak governor, unable to control his party.
The state Supremes demanded relationship equality a few years ago and the legislature came up with civil unions. Now that they are definitely not just as good the issue is back before the state high court.
That means Christie has another option: lose in court. He has created a legal argument that might just make him a champion of gay couples while being able to tell his base, well, at least he tried. His strategy: tell the federal gov't they are obligated to recognize civil unions as marriages.
One little detail: when the US Supremes ruled they said their ruling of federal recognition only applies to marriages. Obama can't change that. And Congress isn't going to touch the issue.
So the state court will likely rule against Christie. He loses. He can say he supports equal treatment through civil unions and defended traditional marriage. And, more importantly, the problem disappears.
Commenters remind us all this might not be simply political calculation. Christie might actually believe marriage should not apply to gay couples.
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