Liberals Brace for Backlash: N.J. gay-marriage ruling

Philadelphia Inquirer and Blogs | Wed, Oct. 25, 2006 | Kristen A. Graham and Jennifer Moroz and Bloggers

[rface]

Waiting is "torture," Steven Goldstein said, but there's something worse. "I have gotten absolutely zero sleep in the last few days. I wake up in the middle of the night and rush to my computer. I wonder, 'Is there anything more we can do?' " said Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality, a gay-rights advocacy group.

Some had speculated the decision might be held up until after Nov. 7, to bolster U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez's chances of election in a hotly contested race with potential national ramifications. A ruling for gay marriage could trigger a backlash from conservative voters that might swing the race in favor of Menendez's opponent, Republican Thomas H. Kean Jr., according to some pundits.

Both Menendez and Kean have the same position on same-sex unions - they are against gay marriage but favor domestic partnerships already permitted by the state - but the fear of some Democrats is that Republicans angered by the decision would take out their frustration against a candidate they perceived as "liberal."

Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said the timing has been a major talking point in political circles. "It could be a plus or minus for Bob Menendez... . I think Menendez will have a problem if it comes down before the election and they legalize some sort of gay marriage... . Is it a big enough problem to cost him his seat? I don't know. But it would be a problem."

The antigay marriage lobby also is poised with its strategy.

"We are prepared to do whatever it takes to protect marriage," said Len Deo, president of the New Jersey Family Policy Council. "We will move for a state constitutional amendment to define marriage."

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.....the above is an excerpted article from today's Philly Inquirer

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BELOW is our ugly distant cousin worrying about the backlash and the fear of losing the Menendez contest:

This is an very active and hotly debated discussion
TITLE of Thread:
Menedez just lost NJ. **Damn it...Homos I love ya', but couldn't you have waited 'till after the Erection???...

WTF. Why is it that the gay marriage issues always crops up right before the election. I fully support homosexual rights, but this ruling by the NJ Supreme Court just energized the Christofascist vote and will likely result in an erosion of Dem wins in Nov.

Next time, can we just table the homosexual marriage thing until mid-election cycle?

J

(click the link to read the discussion)

[Renegade]

You have a valid point in that . Damn it hurts just to think about having to vote for a Rhino . Whose fault was this anyway ??

[johnny7]

Talk to me when you make sense...

[Puppage]

I'll pass on this cycle. BOTH are poison.

Come on! All ya have to do is pick the evil of two lessors. LOL

[Renegade]

Here's some sense . His DAD was a loser too. Made a sham of the 911 commission findings .

[OldFriend]

dittos

[OldFriend]

The citizens of NJ voted for Kean in the primary. It's not an open primary, it's a republican primary.

We have a choice, sit home and risk losing all the chairmanships or vote for the jerk.

I'm voting for the jerk. Can't bear the thought of Biden being chairman of anything.

[cookcounty]

A reminder to voters that there are big, civilizational issues involved.

[TexasCajun]

Damn Homos! ...always stirring the pot at the wong time causing conservatives to rush to the ballot box.

too funny.

[onyx]

I came across this post on a CA thread wherein some posters are not totally happy about voting for Governor Arnold:

-----------------------------------------------------

To: goldstategop

Keep the Democrats out of power at the local, state and federal levels. Smash the rats into the dirt and keep them there. It's the only way we'll ever get our Republic back. We can argue about which Republicans to jettison after the Rat party is completely demolished.

35 posted on 10/25/2006 1:20:33 AM CDT by Jim Robinson

[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

[areafiftyone]

LOL

[rface]

actually - I listened to Limbaugh - and LIMBAUGH ENDORSED KEAN on his show today - it was pretty funny too.

[jveritas]

Excellent post.

[DM1]

"Elect ANOTHER Chaffee??"
um i dont think anyone could be as bad as Chafee short of Karl Marx

[Renegade]

He endorsed Kean as a JOKE!!!

[Old Professer]

"I think Menendez will have a problem if it comes down before the election and they legalize some sort of gay marriage... . Is it a big enough problem to cost him his seat?"

The very idea that gay marriage could cost someone his seat is ludicrous.

[OldFriend]

BTTT

[wayoverthehill]

I'm still trying to figure out how this guy has gotten "absolutely zero sleep" but "wakes up in the middle of the night".

Don't you have to be asleep to wake up? Just a thought.

[rface]

actually - he endorsed KEAN because he is an "R"...and it was a funny endorsement

[Renegade]

and he said Kean was everything you want in a Democrat !

[dfwgator]

Geez if the whole McGayvey mess didn't turn NJ Republican, nothing will.