Posted on 09/10/2004 7:54:55 AM PDT by presidio9
Some people sought his autograph, others wanted a picture with him and just about all of them cheered loudly.
Gov. James E. McGreevey found supportive crowds when he emerged in the last week for his first public events since the announcement that he is gay and will resign.
McGreevey got a standing ovation Thursday from students at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new middle-school in West New York. Earlier in the week he drew repeated applause from factory workers during one stop and from research scientists and college employees the next day.
The support came despite the sex scandal that led to McGreevey's resignation and the announcements of federal investigations into several of his aides and campaign donors that preceded his decision to leave office.
"I think everybody supports him," said Magda Martinez, a West New York resident who stood on a curb outside the school with several friends hoping to see McGreevey on Thursday. "Everybody makes mistakes. I don't hold it against him. He's a good person."
While those who attended McGreevey's appearances this week represent a small sample of the views of the entire state, one expert said the response could indicate the governor effectively drew sympathy for himself in the way he made his resignation announcement.
"There is speculation that he hoped he'd get sympathy having been exposed for his personal life, which is different than just being a corrupt politician where you can't get sympathy," said Ted Goertzel, a professor of sociology at Rutgers University in Camden.
Goertzel said he thinks many New Jerseyans are willing to forgive McGreevey because of their Christian beliefs.
"He suffered, he's admitted his sins. Part of being a Christian culture is that people should be forgiven and redeemed," Goertzel said. "I see this as a morality play of that sort."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
He ain't resigning folks, he never intended to.
I think you left out the part where the sinner is truly sorry for their sins and strives to make things right.
And why shouldn't he still be popular in New Jersey? My God, it's New Jersey!
Remember, Jersey voted against Lincoln...twice!
What is wrong with people!? Just because someone declares the particular nature of his sex drive to the public, he is now a hero and is forgiven for the arrogant corruption with which he put his unqualified paramour on the government payroll in a sensitive security position?
New Jersey is SICK and I hope it gets well soon.
HELLOOOOOOOOOO FOLKS!!! It's quite simple, he made it so that the leftist media would focus on a good uy getting hosed because he is a "poor gay man who suddenly found himself" AAWWWWWW, don't we all feel sorry for him... paw widdle jimmy!
Get real, he was never going to resign and now no one is even focusing on the coruption side of this!!! Sorry, we are stuck with him...
good, we want him to stay in. NJ is in play for Bush now.
I see that the toxic waste rampant in NJ is starting to have an effect.
I see that the toxic waste rampant in NJ is starting to have an effect.
West New York is a minority area where probably 80% of the population vote Democrat.
They other venues are "research scientists", i.e. those whom McGreevey handed stem-cell research contracts to, "college employees" and "factory workers" are union employees and McGreevey has had unions in his pocket since day 1.
Silly article.
West New York, NJ does not represent the entire state.
McGreevy is not popular here. He wasn't popular even before the scandal. Doesn't anyone remember his poll numbers in July ? They were bad...real bad.
Leftists are not well.
Given this is New Jersey, I wonder if McGreevey helps Kerry. These people are unbelievable.
BUTT(!) - Are these the kind of people you'd want to shake hands with??
Are you denying that voters in NJ voted against Lincoln for president...twice?
My word, I come from MA. I'm not leaping to the defense of the Commonwealth everytime a Freeper flames Kerry.
Geez. Take it easy, will yah?
Reminds me of when Marion Barry got busted for dope and the people voted him right back in again. Doesn't make sense that when all this and McGreevy etc. is going on that they make a big deal out of "Bush AWOL" 30 years ago.
Bet he's even more popular in Highway rest-stop men's rooms.
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