The wrong side of a political game

A couple months ago the New Jersey Supremes ruled that same-sex couples must have marriage on the same terms as straight couples. Gov. Chris Christie decided not to pursue an appeal.

The NJ Democrats are annoyed. Though Christie vetoed the marriage equality bill, because he didn't appeal the Supremes' decision he came out smelling like a rose. He can tell Fundies he vetoed the original bill and is on their side and he can let gays assume he's changed his mind.

So, the state Dems want to pass a law affirming marriage equality, because you see the Supremes could change their minds. I'm puzzled why, if they changed their minds, they can't simply strike down the new law. Timothy Kincaid of Box Turtle Bulletin sees the whole thing as a political game -- with us as the losers.

First problem: The Dems want to force Christie to sign the bill and annoy the Fundies, or veto the bill and annoy gays. But there is a third possibility -- Christie could ignore it for 45 days, at which point it becomes law without his signature. His rosy smell remains intact.

Second problem: The ruling by the Supremes does not have a religious exemption clause. The bill does. It may have a hard time passing if it didn't. And even though there are fewer exemptions granted than in the bill Christie vetoed, that there are any exemptions implies religion trumps gay rights and gay marriages are still a teensy bit less than straight marriages. This is why Garden State Equality opposes the bill.

So Dems are looking for ammo to use against Christie, should he run for president. But it is an iffy scenario and will be at our expense.