NJ's Christie gives in on same sex marriage legalization

New Jersey Gay Marriage: Chris Christie Accepts What Every Libertarian Already Knew - PolicyMic - Lucy Steigerwald:

October 25, 2013 - "On Monday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie decided not to appeal the state Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage in the Garden State. Christie gave no stirring statement proclaiming his commitment to the ideals of equality. Instead, between the court’s decision — based on the June 2013 Supreme Court decision overturning the federal Defense of Marriage Act — and widespread public support, not to mention some high-profile Republicans who have yielded to the a-changing times, Christie gave in.

"Fourteen states now allow gay marriage. New Jersey is one of the most populous. Even among New Jersey Republicans, support for gay marriage is at nearly 50%. And though a little over half of all people nationwide support gays' right to get hitched, that number reaches 70% for those under 30....

"With all the talk of Democrats leading the charge on gay marriage (and they often do, to their credit), and some Republicans timidly following, most people forget about libertarians. But back in 1972, the Libertarian Party’s very first platform voiced support for repealing all laws against consensual crimes, including “laws on voluntary sexual relations.'....  A draft of the campaign platform for the 1976 presidential race had the party backing the 'repeal of legislation prohibiting unions between members of the same sex, and the extension to such unions of all legal rights and privileges presently enjoyed by partners in heterosexual marriages.'"

Read more: http://www.policymic.com/articles/69891/new-jersey-gay-marriage-chris-christie-accepts-what-every-libertarian-already-knew
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Sarah Palin says, "I’m on Team Rand"

Palin slams Christie, says ‘I’m on Team Rand’:  Ruth Tam, Post Politics, Washington Post:

August 12, 2013 - "Former GOP vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor Sarah Palin went after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Fox News, saying Christie 'is for big government and trying to go along to get along.'

"Discrediting Christie’s reputation as a governor who 'goes rogue,' Palin said 'he’s got a schtick going there where he’s got a YouTube videographer following him around, kind of these set-up situations sometimes so he can be seen as perhaps a little bit avant-garde and going rogue on things.'

Throwing her weight behind Christie’s rival Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Palin praised Paul’s 'healthy libertarian streak' and said Paul 'gets the whole notion of ‘don’t tread on me’ government.'"

Read more:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/08/12/palin-slams-christie-says-im-on-team-rand/
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Chris Christie rails against 'libertarianism' in Republican Party

Christie goes after libertarians — hard - Aaron Blake, Post Politics, Washington Post:

"ASPEN, Colo. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Thursday offered a clear broadside against Republicans drifting toward a more libertarian view of foreign policy, lumping Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in with them and suggesting they explain their position to victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"The House earlier this week narrowly voted against a reduction in funding for the National Security Agency’s program collecting Americans’ phone records, as libertarian-leaning members from both sides joined together to vote for the amendment.

"'As a former prosecutor who was appointed by President George W. Bush on Sept. 10, 2001, I just want us to be really cautious, because this strain of libertarianism that’s going through both parties right now and making big headlines, I think, is a very dangerous thought,' Christie said....

"In response, Paul’s team said Christie doesn’t understand what “esoteric” means and noted the growing ranks of those concerned about government overreach.

"Defending America and fighting terrorism is the concern of all Americans, especially Sen. Paul,' Paul’s former chief of staff, Doug Stafford, said. 'But it can and must be done in keeping with our constitution and while protecting the freedoms that make America exceptional.'"

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/07/25/christie-goes-after-libertarians-hard/
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