for any and all terror attacks in the tri-state area.
Posted on 08/17/2004 5:10:22 AM PDT by Libloather
McGreevey On The Defensive
Governor Writes Op-Ed For USA Today
Aug 17, 2004 6:30 am US/Eastern
NEW YORK (AP) Gov. James E. McGreevey, speaking out for the first time since disclosing his homosexuality and an extramarital affair with a man, defended his record as governor and the effective date of his resignation in an op-ed piece that appears on USA Today's Web site.
McGreevey refers only generally to the reason for his resignation, calling it personal and a decision that was not easy "but one that was in the best interests of my family and the state that I humbly serve."
In the op-ed piece, headlined "Duty trumps personal issues," McGreevey credits his administration with bolstering the state's economy, reforming its troubled auto insurance market, improving the quality of life for residents and making New Jersey a leader in stem-cell research.
"We have signed into law legislation that ends a 30-year battle to preserve our most pristine watershed lands, which provide clean drinking water to more than 5 million residents," he writes.
"We have signed legislation allowing embryonic-stem-cell research in New Jersey and have created the nation's first state-sponsored institute dedicated to stem-cell research."
Last Thursday, McGreevey upended the state's political landscape with the announcement about his sexuality and acknowledging that he had engaged the extramarital affair. McGreevey then announced he would resign his office, effective Nov. 15.
By staying in office beyond Sept. 3, McGreevey avoids the need for a special election for the remainder of his term, which expires in January 2006.
Sources close to McGreevey have identified former aide Golan Cipel as the unnamed man to whom the governor referred in his resignation speech. Cipel, through his lawyer, has disputed that and claims he was sexually harassed by the governor, an assertion McGreevey's staff denies.
In his op-ed piece, McGreevey defends his Nov. 15 departure date, calling it his responsibility to oversee an orderly transition at a time when the state is on high alert for terrorism "after being identified as a principal target for terrorists."
"In two weeks, New Jersey will again play a central role in ensuring the security and preparedness of America during the Republican National Convention in New York," McGreevey writes.
McGreevey says voters will have a say in who leads the state next year, through the 2005 gubernatorial election process, when voters will be presented "a full and unfettered debate on the critical issues affecting their future and quality of life. We should allow that process to work."
The perp shouldn't be able to decide who leads the state - THIS year...
We've not heard the end of this. I give even odds he withdraws his resignation... Expect intense public lobbying from homosexual groups (turning the issue into a politcally correct referendum on sexual preference). Groups like that never pass up an all-you-can-exploit buffet.
See, I told you so. It's Bush's fault.
The NJ process is broke. But alas, it appears no one has the will (or the clean hands) to fix it.
Of all the excuses for staying in office, this is the lamest and most outrageous. The guy who now feigns concern over terrorism is the same guy who appointed a blatantly unqualified person as the state's homeland security chief.
And exactly why not?
It seems 54% of N.J. voters don't have a clue as to why he resigned anyway. ;)
From http://publicmind.fdu.edu/iaaga/tab.html
Question NJ6: In your opinion, what is the main reason the Governor resigned?
Because he’s gay ... 8%
Because of his extramarital affair ... 11%
corruption/scandal related ... 46%
other reasons… 25%
DK (don't know) 10%
Weasel words make up 99.44% of McGreevey's vocabulary.
McGreevey is an arrogant, selfish sociopathic pos.
You are absolutely right... the man clearly has no shame. If he was so concerned over protecting the citizens of NJ, perhaps he might not have used the top homeland security post in the state as a prize for his gay lover. Is the press going to call him on this? I think it speaks volumes about the Democrats that McGreevey would even have the nerve to cite this as an excuse.
Dear Mr. McGreevey:
You are Public Exhibit #1 in support of my contention that the voters of this state shouldn't have any say whatsoever in who "leads the state" under any circumstances.
Sincerely,
Alberta's Child
It's not a gay issue, unless you want to support its use as a smoke screen for the criminal activities that took place.
Do you disagree that America needs wise leaders who protect Americans?
That has NOT been the case in NJ (and elsewhere),
as we are unfortunately learning.
BTW, your ad hominems may herald similar deep frustrations and anger about this
most important matter of (lack of) American security.
"The NJ process is broke. But alas, it appears no one has the will (or the clean hands) to fix it."
RATS own the assembly, senate and most county seats in the state. Between Newark, Trenton and Camden a RAT will thrive.
We can only vote and hope for change. What we need is another woman candidate.
I never said it was a gay issue. It will become one, though, I guarantee.
You're right. It's the "head fake" McG's buddies are hoping for. And I'm still very puzzled by the wife's smiling face and calm demeanor at the press conference when he outed himself. What gives?
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