LGBTs, Democrats and SNAFUs. In late 2009, a Democratic Governor, Senate and House in New York State could not come together to pass marriage equality legislation. A month later, in early 2010, when New Jersey also had a Democratic Governor, Senate and House, they too failed to pass a marriage equality bill; losing a dismal 20-14 vote in the Senate. In early 2011, Democratic majorities in Rhode Island and Maryland couldn't get a bill through their legislatures either.
But times are changing. In June of 2011, with a Democratic Governor and House, but a Republican Senate, New York State was able to enact marriage equality legislation with the cooperation of a few crucial Republicans and a fully supportive Governor.
Can a similar thing happen now in New Jersey? It seems doubtful, but then who, a month ago, expected Rick Santorum -- He Who Must Not Be Googled -- to win Iowa by officially getting eight votes less than Romney?
And thus we note that a marriage equality bill is about to be introduced into the New Jersey Legislature with the full support of the Democratic leadership in both Houses: According to NJ.com:
In a dramatic gesture, Democratic leaders plan to announce Monday that a bill legalizing gay marriage will be the first measure to be introduced in the new session of the Senate and the Assembly, sources with knowledge of their intentions said tonight...
The unified Democratic leadership represents the best chance supporters will have to see a bill legalizing gay marriage move through both houses...
State Sen. President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), who is said to be a pivotal supporter of the legislation, abstained the last time the issue came before the Legislature in 2010 -- a decision he later said he regretted more than any other in his career.
There's just one problem: the Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie. He's a Republican, and he has said that he opposes the legislation.
The New Jersey Senate is composed of 24 Democrats and 17 Republicans. In order to override a veto 28 votes would be required; that's at least four Republicans, assuming every Democrat were to vote in favor, which is certainly not a given.
The New Jersey House of Representatives is composed of 46 Democrats and 33 Republicans (with one vacancy). In order to override a veto 53 votes would be required; that's at least seven Republicans.
So why introduce the legislation now? Is it even conceivable that, as in New York, leaders feel they can get enough Republicans on board?
Perhaps they are hoping beyond hope that Governor Christie will be "true" to his word:
"I oppose it and I think its' the wrong thing to do," Christie said shortly after his election. He said if it came to his desk he would not sign it.
In other words, conceivably he could let the bill become law without his signature by not vetoing it.
Is this just some kind of political manuever designed to make Christie, whose approval rating isn't great (43%-53% back in July, as polled by PPP), look bad? It's still a long, long way until the 2013 election for Governor, so that seems a bit of a stretch.
Or perhaps the Democrats are just trying to salve their consciences? As BlueJersey puts it:
A second chance for the NJ legislature to do the right thing... a chance for some redemption for some Democrats.
Are they going to put it up for a vote quickly knowing it will fail, but washing away the sin of 2010, then not have to worry about it until 2014? And who knows, perhaps the New Jersey Supreme Court will have ruled by then that separate is not equal, in a case that is (very slowly) winding its way through the New Jersey courts. That would probably be a relief.
Whatever the reason, if the vote does go through as planned it will be yet another grain of sand that will have eroded from the castle of bigotry. Symbolic though it may be, yet another legislature in yet another state passing equality legislation (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and New York so far) is a good thing. And when the sky doesn't fall because of the legislators' votes, if Christie can be defeated in 2013, it will be a harbringer of marriage equality in New Jersey in 2014.
5:23 PM PT: As was pointed out in the comments, California's legislature has also passed marriage equality legislation twice, and had it vetoed by then Republican Governor Schwazenegger.