Quote of the Day

by: Juan Melli

Mon Sep 03, 2007 at 04:22:41 PM EDT

Former Governor Jim McGreevey wrote an op-ed reflecting on Senator Larry Craig's experience and comparing it to his own. I thought this one point was particularly interesting:

But being in the closet uniquely assisted me in politics. From my first run for the state legislature until my election as governor, all too often I was not leading but following my best guess at public opinion. Politics was for me a way to secure the crowd's approbation while maintaining a busyness that obfuscated the desires of my heart. Despite being a moderately liberal governor, my stance on marriage was: "between a man and a woman." The position, in my mind, created a tension with the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender community that affirmed my bona fides as a "straight." Only after the crisis that resulted in my resignation, when public opinion no longer mattered, did I realize the importance and legitimacy of same-sex marriage.

How many in our own legislature - Democrats and Republicans - oppose marriage equality for similar reasons? I think it's safe to say...more than we might think.

Juan Melli :: Quote of the Day

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Quote of the Day | 2 comments

He SAID that?? (0.00 / 0)

First, I commend the former governor on his honesty. But the selfishness of that stance is a bit sickening. "When public opinion no longer mattered"? Is that all same-sex marriage is to him and other closeted politicians? What about those who are straight and oppose same-sex marriage? Is it their conviction, or are they saying it only for the sake of public opinion? McGreevey may have done them a favor--they can now shed the veil of "public opinion" and actually say what they believe. And give the same rights to gay people. Now wouldn't that be refreshing!!

by: the pollster @ Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 01:43:26 AM UTC

That excerpt was an eye-opener (0.00 / 0)

And I suspect that if questioned you'd hear the same sort of explanations from other 'outed' politicians - Dem or Repub. This simple fact that having "bona fides" with straights was a conscious decision is somewhat disturbing.

I get into this a little further here

Gimmeabreak http://pennsauken.drinkingliberally.com pennsauken@drinkingliberally.com

by: gimmeabreak @ Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 15:55:39 PM UTC