Gov. Christie of New Jersey said that if the Democratic-controlled legislature introduces a bill to institute same-sex marriage in NJ, he would veto it. But he has wimped out by now proposing that the issue should be put to the people in a referendum for an amendment to the state constitution on the matter.
This move gives the Republicans in the legislature political cover in that they would now not have to vote for or a against such a bill -- if instead the matter were to be put to a referendum. And it absolves Christie of having to make good on his veto threat. The people of NJ are apparently closely divided on the issue, with one poll showing that 52% favor legalizing same-sex marriage. So it is hard for a legislator to tell exactly which way the political winds are blowing.
Gov. Christie often shows conviction and acts on his convictions, whether one agrees with his positions on specific issues or not. But in this case he is taking the politically safe route, possibly to curry favor with his constituency if he decides to make a bid for president in 2016. But attitudes can change in four years, and what looks like a safe move now may come back to bite him in the future.
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