Text 1270, 146 rader
Skriven 2004-08-12 18:46:00 av Jeff Binkley (1:226/600)
Ärende: Governor
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Why aren't the Democrats supporting this guy and asking him to stay ?

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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,128836,00.html

N.J. Governor: I'm Gay and I Quit 
Thursday, August 12, 2004

TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. James E. McGreevey (search) announced Thursday that 
he is a gay man who had an adulterous relationship and, therefore, will 
resign his office on Nov. 15. 

"At a point in every person's life, one has to look into the mirror of a 
person's soul. ... My truth is that I am a gay American," McGreevey said 
during a press conference, with his wife by his side and his parents 
behind him.

McGreevey, a Democrat and former suburban mayor who became governor in 
2002, disclosed that he had "shamefully engaged" in an affair with a man 
behind his wife's back but did not disclose who was involved. He said it 
was "wrong, foolish, inexcusable and for this I ask the forgiveness and 
the embrace of my wife."

Speculation swirled that McGreevey made the announcement to get in front 
of a civil suit. In fact, McGreevey himself said that one reason he made 
the announcement was to prevent someone with knowledge of his sexuality 
and affair from exerting undue influence.

"Our sources indicate that this is a preemptive strike," said FOX News 
senior judicial analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano.

The man involved in the affair, allegedly a former government employee, 
demanded "an exorbitant sum of money to make it go away," a high-ranking 
administration official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition 
of anonymity. Cabinet members and administration officials learned of 
that threat Wednesday night, the source said.

ABC News identified the man as Golan Cipel, who was going to file the 
lawsuit Thursday afternoon in Mercer County, N.J.

According to Home News Tribune, a central New Jersey newspaper, Cipel 
left his job as a $110,000-a-year adviser to the governor on homeland 
security issues. Cipel resigned after Department of Homeland Security 
(search) officials said they could not share information with Cipel, an 
Israeli national who came to the governor's office first as a liaison 
with the state's Jewish community.

Gay-rights groups said it was unfortunate that McGreevey felt the need 
to resign.

“Being open about one’s sexual orientation in public life should not 
preclude them serving their communities or their country," said Chuck 
Wolfe, president of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund (search), a political 
action committee dedicated to increasing the number of openly gay and 
lesbian public officials. 

“It is unfortunate that the governor had such an affair while married. 
If the governor had been honest with his family, and perhaps with 
himself, he may have had the opportunity to serve the state of New 
Jersey openly. If none of these other issues were at play, the nation 
would today be ready for an openly gay or lesbian governor," Wolfe said.

Timing of Resignation Helps Democrats

State Assemblyman Paul DiGaetano, a Republican who had already filed to 
run in the 2005 gubernatorial primary, said that the GOP did not force 
McGreevey out.

"While I am disappointed in his public life, I am not interested in 
Governor McGreevey's, or anyone else's, private life. Any effort to 
blackmail the governor because of his private life is just plain wrong," 
DiGaetano said.

By delaying leaving office until Nov. 15, McGreevey ensures that his 
Democratic successor will not have to face election for almost a year. 
Had he resigned effective immediately, his successor would have faced 
voters this November.

Since there is currently no lieutenant governor, his likely successor is 
Senate President Richard J. Codey (search), a Democrat from Essex 
County.

However, Rep. Bob Andrews (search), D-N.J., released a statement shortly 
after the governor's resignation that seemed to express a desire to 
become governor.

"We are living in a turbulent time for our state. I am prepared to serve 
the people of our state in whatever position I am entrusted to hold. 
This is a time for all New Jerseyans of all political persuasions to 
work together for the future of our state," Andrews said.

Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry is leading President Bush 
in New Jersey, but the polls show the race to be somewhat closer than 
expected. Some observers speculated that the Democratic Party may have 
encouraged McGreevey not to delay this news so that it would not drag 
Kerry down in the polls.

Second Governor to Resign This Year

McGreevey has been dogged by several scandals involving fund-raising.

Among those caught up in recent scandals were his first chief of staff 
and former counsel; a top Democratic fund-raiser and former high school 
classmate; and real estate developer Charles Kushner (search), 
McGreevey's biggest campaign contributor, who was charged with trying to 
thwart a federal campaign-finance investigation.

McGreevey is the second governor to resign in months, following the 
resignation in June of Connecticut GOP Gov. John Rowland (search) amid 
corruption investigations and threats of impeachment.

McGreevey took office 2 1/2 years ago, and despite inheriting a $5 
billion budget deficit, he steadfastly refused to boost income taxes for 
most New Jerseyans, instead raising taxes on millionaires, casinos and 
cigarettes.

The tax hike was deeply controversial, and the governor managed to 
defeat several Republican court challenges, although the increase 
remains in legal limbo.

"It was interesting the way he was able to divide the state and get the 
have-nots to go against the haves," said Charles Payne, a resident of 
New Jersey and CEO of Wall Street Strategies.

McGreevey rose from suburban mayor to state chief executive by his 
tenacious efforts within party politics, maintaining a power base days 
after he narrowly lost to Republican Christie Whitman (search) in 1997.

McGreevey never truly stopped that campaign until he won in November 
2001, beating Republican Bret Schundler by 15 percentage points.

Born in Jersey City, McGreevey graduated from Columbia University in 
1978. He earned a law degree from Georgetown University in 1981 and a 
master's degree in education from Harvard University a year later.

After briefly serving as a county prosecutor, McGreevey became a 
lobbyist for a pharmaceutical company, then a state government official. 
While in the Legislature, McGreevey voted for Gov. Jim Florio's $2.8 
billion tax hike that prompted a voter rebellion against Democrats.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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