Paterson Does A 180, Defers To Senate Majority Leader
In a disappointing switch, New York Governor David Paterson now says he will “go along with a plan by State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith not to put a same-sex marriage bill to a vote without knowing it would pass.” His introduction just one week ago of a gay marriage bill, which he asked be debated in the Senate regardless of whether or not it had enough votes to pass has met with much controversy. The governor’s response last Thursday was, “Silence should not be a response to injustice, and that if we take no action we will surely lose, maybe we’ve already lost.” Well, today it seems we’re closer to losing than winning.
A bill needs 32 votes to pass. State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith has said, “I’m very concerned about putting a bill on the floor that’s going to be symbolism and not pass. . . . I’m going to count until I know that I have 32, if not 34, votes.” Last week, to overwhelming applause, Paterson described lack of marriage equality as “not a crisis of issues but a crisis of leadership.” There is no set date now on when or if the bill will be introduced and voted upon.
Related posts:
- BREAKING NEWS: NY Gay Marriage Back In The Game
- BREAKING NEWS: Vermont House Passes Historic Gay Marriage Bill!
- BREAKING NEWS: New Hampshire Senate Passes Gay Marriage Bill
- BREAKING NEWS: NY Voters Favor Gay Marriage By ‘Significant Margin’
- What Republican’s New York State Senate Coup Means For Gay Marriage
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Just when you think a politician is actually wiling to do the right thing he retreats back to politics as usual. Why the circus atmosphere and grandiose speech of a week ago?
In retrospect it now reminds me of Bush' infamous moment under the "Mission Accomplished" banner. Way to go Governor.
He was right last week: “Silence should not be a response to injustice, and that if we take no action we will surely lose, maybe we’ve already lost.”
It's better to be right and lose a vote now than be wrong in discrimination and bigotry. I, for one, want it on public record which of our government representatives are bigots and which are not so that we can all vote according to our consciences next time around.
I'm very disappointed in this and fear that it will give homophobes like Díaz ammunition and bragging rights.
Lee
Lee,
As you know, I was originally opposed to the governor pushing for an up or down vote on such an important bill. But after the great support his own speech received, and then, just a day later, the release of a poll showing a majority of NYers in support of the very same bill, I confess both shock and outrage over the governor's sudden flip-flop.
But I'm ready now, more than ever to find a way to make this happen.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and, as always, for all your support!
Hey, buddy! Thanks for reading the blog and for your comment!
Yeah, makes no sense. It's backroom political posturing and arm wrestling. It is becoming increasingly clear that Paterson doesn't do enough behind-the-scenes work before he takes on an issue. The Caroline Kennedy debacle being one example.
Disappointing to say the least.
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