As we transition from an opposition party to a governing party, we're going to have to figure out how to help push progressive governance. One of the most exciting places this is happening is in New Jersey, where Bluejersey is using its platform as a local hub for activism to force attention onto areas where Democrats in office continue to betray progressives. This includes the issue of gay marriage, which, while it is touchy in say Ohio, isn't a particularly big deal in a fairly metropolitan New Jersey.
A New Yorker friend of mine told me about a diner conversation he overheard, where someone was complaining about a consumer product that had broken. "I should just return it", said one participant. A lady from across the diner then suddenly yelled over 'Tell Eliot Spitzahh'. That's why I think Eliot Spitzer is going to be a great Governor of New York state. He's a brilliant man, a fighter, and he's willing to lead. He led on an issue that Democrats are often scared to touch, gay marriage. He's for it. He knows it's the right thing to do. And as Attorney General, when Pataki asked him to issue an injunction to stop gay marriages going on in New York, he refused.
Jon Corzine, right next door, is just as liberal as Eliot Spitzer. And he's a good Governor, with relatively high approval ratings, in a fairly liberal state. But as of yet, he's not a great governor because unlike Spitzer he doesn't follow his instincts. For instance, take gay marriage. Voters in New Jersey oppose gay marriage by a relatively slim 50-44 margin, though they support civil unions by 60-35. Democrats Dick Codey in the state Senate and Joe Roberts in the Assembly both are pushing civil unions to avoid a real marriage equality law. Civil unions carry certain drawbacks, including confusion in times of emergency and a lack of recognition by other states. More than that, Jon Corzine knows that marriage equality is the right thing to do. He was for it in his 2000 campaign, and it was a point of distinction between Corzine and Florio in the primary.
Now, of course, consultants have convinced him to back off and support gays as second class citizens. This is shameful. The Think Equal series from Bluejersey is shining a spotlight on this travesty, garnering substantial press coverage and putting pressure on the New Jersey legislature. Everyone in there knows that this game is up. They know it's a matter of a few years until gay marriage is the law of the land. And yet, Codey, Roberts, and Corzine are not showing any leadership to make this happen.
New Jersey is a state controlled entirely by Democrats. The Democratic Party could just make this happen, and the progressive blog Bluejersey is pushing them to do just that. If Corzine showed strength and pushed through marriage equality, he would be respected and be on a path towards greatness in governing. That's where Spitzer is headed. Corzine did it earlier this year in facing down South Jersey Democrats over taxes, and this fight is much easier. But if he doesn't, and he knows this well, he's just keeping separate drinking fountains separate for a few more years. He shouldn't listen to scared consultants.
Bluejersey is a good example of how individuals can change the debate for progressives in states all over the country. Running Democrats in red states is one side of the coin, running progressive ideas in blue states so we can show that our ideas work is the other side of the 50 state strategy. If you are a donor looking to make a difference with your money, you could do worse than giving to people really fighting for equal rights. That includes candidates, but it also includes activists like those that put together Bluejersey and the Think Equal campaign. Our officials, no matter how well-intentioned, will always have rasputins whispering into their ears. So we will always need activists to push back louder. They did this on the cheap, generating lots of press and pressure with an entirely volunteer crew and skillful use of Youtube, and are about $1750 in the hole. You can give here. I'm almost ashamed to ask for this small amount considering how much money is wasted by single issue groups in DC, but there you go.
Jon Corzine has been doing the wrong thing on this clear issue of civil rights. I'm glad Bluejersey is there to help keep on the path to greatness.
Update: The civil unions bill passed the Judiciary Committee.
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