Governor Christie Could Soon Face Gay Marriage Decision [VIDEO]

With a same-sex marriage bill being fast-tracked by democratic leaders in Trenton, the measure could soon pass both Houses of the Legislature and head to Governor Christie’s desk for consideration. Even though a majority of Garden state residents seem to support the idea, Dr. Brigid Harrison, a political science professor at Montclair State University says there’s a good chance Christie will veto the bill – for a couple of reasons.

She points out the Governor has consistently said he doesn’t favor same sex marriage, so “this is something that really is an indication that on this issue the Governor is out of step with public opinion…however it does not hurt him nationally – I think that may be part of the consideration here.”

Christie decided at the end of last year to not seek the republican nomination for President of the United States, but he didn’t rule out the possibility four years down the road.

Harrison says “taking this position (against) same sex marriage rights would help him with the national republican constituency- that is to say it may help him in terms of getting a nomination – but when it comes to a general election- where you have voters of both political parties, and independents voting – I do believe this could hurt the Governor with those voters.”

She also says if Christie does veto a same-sex marriage bill “I think this kind of gives democrats in the Legislature a leg up in saying, you know what, this Governor is out of step with New Jersey voters on this issue…but if he decides to run for re-election in a couple of years, the reality is the average voter in New Jersey is not going to base their entire vote on the Governorship on this one issue-there’s probably 10 to 12 percentage of the electorate for whom this issue really matters.”

Video by Dino Flammia