Breaking News: N.J. Gov. McGreevey Resigns Over Homosexual Affair

[Yeahman]

TRENTON, N.J (Reuters) - New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, who earlier this year said he opposed gay marriage, announced on Thursday he would resign and admitted having a homosexual affair.

McGreevey, who is married with two children, told reporters he had a consensual sexual affair with another man and that he had been conflicted over his sexuality since adolescence.

"I indulged in a consensual sexual affair with another man, violating the bonds of my marriage," McGreevey, a Democrat, told a news conference, his wife by his side. "I have decided the right course of action is to resign."

He said his resignation would be effective Nov. 15.

McGreevey, 47, took office in January 2002 for a four-year term and will be succeeded by Democrat Richard Codey, the current president of the state senate, since there is currently no lieutenant governor.
That's crazy.

[nonamerasian]

Resigning over sex?

[hooligan]

Infidelity?

[nonamerasian]

But what does that have to do with his job as gov?

[Faithless]

I got that CNN email, and the first thing I thought was, "who cares?"

I guess the big deal will be what sort of political pressure was their to resigning.

[hooligan]

But what does that have to do with his job as gov?
Nothing, I don't think he should have resigned either.

[Yeahman]

I wonder if he still opposed gay marriage.

[VV o n g B a]

there's another article somewhere that says he's resigning b/c of a sexual harassment suit. he wants to avoid being in office while that is going on. he must have also hit on an assisstant or something.

[Faithless]

I wonder if he still opposed gay marriage.
I would say he still does, given this statement:

US governor resigns over gay affair (http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=564216&section=news)
"I indulged in a consensual sexual affair with another man, violating the bonds of matrimony. It was wrong, it was foolish and it was inexcusable. For this I ask for the grace and forgiveness of my wife," McGreevey told a stunned news conference, his wife Dina by his side. "I have decided the right course of action is to resign."

[ism]

I think it might be a Democratic strategy to retain the Governor seat. McGreevy is not exactly embattled, but his popularity is declining. In combination with the future problems stated above, by resigning in Nov., and putting another Dem as acting Governor, there will be a Democratic incumbent that isn't such an easy target.

Also, with McGreevy admitting his sexuality, he can stump for Codey to the gay voters for the next election. I know that sounds bad but I'll bet you he will.

[hooligan]

What percentage of NJ identifies as LGBTIQ?

[Faithless]

I think it might be a Democratic strategy to retain the Governor seat. McGreevy is not exactly embattled, but his popularity is declining. In combination with the future problems stated above, by resigning in Nov., and putting another Dem as acting Governor, there will be a Democratic incumbent that isn't such an easy target.

Also, with McGreevy admitting his sexuality, he can stump for Codey to the gay voters for the next election. I know that sounds bad but I'll bet you he will.
Stepping down because of a possible lawsuit, instead, per chance?

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=39945
New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, who resigned today after announcing his homosexuality, met in Israel a former aide who is expected to file a sexual harassment lawsuit against the governor.

WABC-TV of New York reported McGreevey was expecting a lawsuit by a former aide, Golan Cipel, who resigned as McGreevey's security adviser in 2002 after months of questioning about his credentials and job qualifications.
...

[Hiroshi2]

lol



It'd be even funnier if it was the governor of Alabama though...........................they'd run him out of the state.

[SunWuKong]

of course he should resign. he's opposed to gay marriages but he's "conflicted over his sexuality". if he wasn't so conflicted about it, then there's no reason for him to resign. and besides, it will be extremely difficult for him to do his work now because politicians will be badgering him all the time.

[rakovlam]

New Jersey had a Gay Partnership Bill passed like a month ago giving gay couples the same benefits as straight couples. That's hardly against any form of gay marriage. And he resigned because his affair was with a close former aide, not just any man and there's an impending sexual harassment lawsuit from his former lover. And yes, a lawsuit like this will affect his work like what happened to Bill.

But like most residents of NJ, see ya!

[ism]

Stepping down because of a possible lawsuit, instead, per chance?

That's what I meant by "future problems." An affair by itself and most New Jerseyans couldn't care less. Being gay, pretty much the same deal. Sexual harassment suit, large problem but assume he'll win. Put all three together and you've got a problem. No matter the outcome, he'll be too tainted for re-election.

Codey will have nearly 2 years to become a strong incumbent.

I'm just annoyed he tagged EZ Pass drivers with a $1 monthly fee. =D

[Faithless]

That's what I meant by "future problems." An affair by itself and most New Jerseyans couldn't care less. Being gay, pretty much the same deal. Sexual harassment suit, large problem but assume he'll win. Put all three together and you've got a problem. No matter the outcome, he'll be too tainted for re-election.

Codey will have nearly 2 years to become a strong incumbent.

I'm just annoyed he tagged EZ Pass drivers with a $1 monthly fee. =D
Interesting analysis.

http://www.dhonline.com/articles/2004/08/12/ap/headlines/d84ebl9o0.txt
Senate President Richard J. Codey, a Democrat, will become acting governor and serve out the remainder of McGreevey's term, which ends in early 2006. If McGreevey were to leave office before Nov. 15, a special election would be held.

Former Republican Gov. Christie Whitman said McGreevey "made a courageous decision" but criticized his plan to wait until Nov. 15 to leave office, saying it "smacks of politics." She said it "would be in the best interests of the state" for the governor to step aside immediately.

[deez nuts]

allegations of sexual harrassment.

issues of hiring his lover with no security experience as head of nj homeland security and being paid $100,000 a year was it?


mcgreevey is in deep. no pun intended.

[Faithless]

Heard it on the news - something like:

If homosexuality is a choice, McGreevey sure picked a strange time to announce his choice. :rolleyes:

[Faithless]

Very good article on McGreevey's declaration.

Being gay should not be equated with professional failures, and being gay is not a defense for personal improprieties. Sexual orientation cannot justify allegations of crookedness, extortion and sexual harassment. Homosexuality does not excuse or even explain McGreevey’s betrayal of his wife and family and his deceiving of his constituents. And it unequivocally should not be a reason to uphold him as a role model for the homosexual community-at-large in this nation. Role models do not lie, cheat and steal. Period.

Governor's gayness is no good excuse (http://www.lufkindailynews.com/news/newsfd/auto/feed/news/2004/08/19/1092971153.18121.4634.6916.html;COXnetJSessionID=B qGLSYB0oLRU2c4Tq1h4d7NBeM5ZHGGI2K2HXD8JFsG217z6ww9 1!-761748993?urac=n&urvf=10933224439440.0038142847458726425)
By CYNTHIA HALL CLEMENTS, The Lufkin Daily News
Regardless of your moral views on homosexuality, and regardless if you are righteously indignant about the alleged political scandals and self-confessed marital infidelities of New Jersey’s Gov. James E. McGreevey, everyone should be offended that he blamed his resignation on his sexual orientation.

The moral issue with McGreevey’s resignation is not whether homosexuality is right or wrong, a "sin" people of faith might claim, or even whether homosexuals should serve in public office, but rather the abased morality of extramarital sex, lies and political corruption.

Give your New Jersey constituents and all Americans a break, Gov. McGreevey. In a scandalous resignation press conference, you boldly declared, “I am a gay American.” In response, we should ask, “So what? What is the big deal?”

After all, McGreevey would have us believe the quite unoriginal plea that he just could not help himself. Numerous politicians have used that excuse before, and many will again, for better or for worse. A quick check at a previous U.S. president, Bill Clinton, reveals abuse of political power for personal reasons. Anyone remember Monica Lewinsky?

McGreevey would also have us think that his cathartic confession of sexual orientation was his raison d’etre and thus, the justification for his resignation. Again, we should say, “Give us a break, Gov. McGreevey.” You got your hand caught in the cookie jar and were about to be found out, so you quickly confessed to seek absolution. Penance and political expediency are not quite the same thing.

Being gay should not be equated with professional failures, and being gay is not a defense for personal improprieties. Sexual orientation cannot justify allegations of crookedness, extortion and sexual harassment. Homosexuality does not excuse or even explain McGreevey’s betrayal of his wife and family and his deceiving of his constituents. And it unequivocally should not be a reason to uphold him as a role model for the homosexual community-at-large in this nation. Role models do not lie, cheat and steal. Period.

With his wife and parents at his side, McGreevey almost giddily announced, “It makes little difference that as governor I am gay.”

“True, however ...” should be our response to his statement.

True, whether you are gay or straight does not qualify or disqualify you from being governor of New Jersey. Sexual orientation should not disqualify any politician for public office.

Effective and ethical leadership, whether at the local, state, or federal level, and sexual orientation are not mutually exclusive. They can co-exist functionally to the benefit of constituents if a public official can separate his public persona and his personal life. Sexual orientation should not detract from a politician’s agenda and accomplishments nor should it be a diversion to divide his constituents. It should be just another, of many, defining characteristics.

Most moral and thinking people -- which are not mutually exclusive groups by the way, if they are honest with themselves -- when asked if they would vote for a homosexual politician, reply with: “It depends.”

This conditional response factors in and accounts for the numerous and complex reasons why people vote for one politician versus another. A scant few people are single-issue voters, and typically only for the issue of abortion, not sexual orientation.

McGreevey was correct in one respect that his position as governor of New Jersey did not depend on his sexual orientation.

However, and this is the paradoxical part, because McGreevey blamed his resignation on his homosexuality, we all should be offended. He wrongly and naively assumed that his constituents and all Americans would not be able to separate their individual moral views on homosexuality from an intellectual assessment of his alleged wrongdoings, his personal life from his professional career.

Mr. McGreevey, you are not a role model for the homosexual movement. You are not justified in your corruption and scandals. You are just another politician who got caught, and now you want us to feel sorry for you because you are gay. We do not.

[Faithless]

Gay governor makes farewell address (http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/110804dnnatmcgreevey.37e5d685.html)
02:55 PM CST on Monday, November 8, 2004


Associated Press



TRENTON, N.J. - A contrite Gov. James E. McGreevey delivered a farewell address Monday in which he said he does not apologize" for being a gay American but rather for having let personal feelings impact my decision-making."

McGreevey used the speech to list several accomplishments of his administration, but the Democrat also expounded on the soul-searching that has occupied his time since making his stunning, nationally televised resignation announcement three months ago with his wife and parents by his side.

"I am sorry that I have disappointed the citizens of the state of New Jersey who gave me this enormous trust," said McGreevey, whose family did not attend Monday's speech.

McGreevey is to step down Nov. 15. He resigned over a gay affair with a man identified as Golan Cipel -- hired by the governor in 2002 to head the state's Homeland Security department. Cipel has steadfastly denied any involvement with McGreevey and has alleged he was sexually harassed by the governor.

McGreevey highlighted reforms of the state's child welfare agency, environmental protections and benefits for domestic partners as some of the top achievements of his administration. But the bulk of the speech focused on McGreevey's beliefs on what he called the nation's divisive political climate and his inner thoughts about being "an American who just happens to be gay and proud."

"I don't look back with bitterness, anger or sorrow. I look forward to seeking knowledge, a journey of self-discovery," the governor told a crowd of about 400 people at a museum, at times quoting from philosophers and poets.

The governor also called for an end to partisan politics and blamed himself for contributing to a climate in which "we smile in person and then throw each other under the bus when we leave the room."

"I'm not seeking to avoid my own contributions at times to this division," he said. "The history of America is to expand civil liberties in a responsible and civil manner."

Republicans have criticized McGreevey for staying in office so long after announcing his intention to resign. The decision to remain in office until Nov. 15 means Senate President Richard Codey, a Democrat, will serve out the final year of McGreevey's term. Had McGreevey stepped down immediately, a special election would have been held.

Republicans also say his term was marked by ethical missteps made by both the governor and members of his administration.

"The reality is this governor disgraced himself and the state," said Assembly Republican leader Alex DeCroce. "The only people who did exceptionally well under his administration were his friends and campaign contributors."

McGreevey and his wife plan to move to separate homes.

[bluemonq]

you know, this has got to suck in some degree for golan... being outed if he isn't actually gay, i mean. especially if no one knew he was, and he liked it that way.