New Jersey Gov resigns

[Michele 1]

Speculative news story written prior to events in the last few hours.

Governor McGreavey resigned about 1/2 an hour ago on live tv. In his resignation, he acknowledged he was gay, and that a potential lawsuit may interfere with his effectiveness in leading NJ.

His resignation will become effective on November 15, 2004.

Interesting to say the least.

I sincerely hope that the lawsuit pending is NOT because he is gay...but I can't fathom any other reason he would "out" himself during his resignation. Does anyone know?

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[JohnnyD 0]

Probably wouldn't be a big deal if he didn't have a wife and two kids. Cheating is cheating is cheating.

[Frenchy68 0]

http://www.wnyc.org/discuss/soapbox.html?message_id=41794[/url]
(Clicky help please)
I think his resignation has to do with something else. But once again, only speculative on my part as well.

Nick

"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

[lawrocket 3]

Well, it's not just the fact that he had a wife and a couple of kids. This cat's been implicated in fundraising abuses and tampering with a grand jury investigation surrounding his fundraising activities (his campaign manager set up a witness by procuring a prostitute, videotaping it and sending the materials to the witness's wife).

Being gay isn't the issue. It was simply the straw that broke the camel's back.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[PhillyKev 0]

Stupid reason to resign, but glad he's gone. The guy's a hump. And unfortunately, I spend a fair amount of time in his bass-ackwards state since it's 10 blocks and a river away from my house.

[turtlespeed 226]

Quote

Probably wouldn't be a big deal if he didn't have a wife and two kids. Cheating is cheating is cheating.

Interesting question for debate. New post comming.That way I don't hijack Miss Michele's thread.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[peacefuljeffrey 0]

I've lost track of New Jersey since I came to hate it so badly... Was this guy a Dem or Rep?

-

-Jeffrey
"With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!"

[Michele 1]

PJ, he's a dem.

The latest (rumor) is that the pending lawsuit was from the man he had an affair with, and entailed a great sum of money. His lover was a government employee, afaik, and there may be a sexual harassment aspect to this whole thing. I've heard this from two separate sources, but that doesn't make it any less a rumor, mind you.

IF that's so, that simply sucks.

Edit: ADDITIONAL DISCLAIMER: STILL RUMOR!
Golan Sapel (unk. spelling), an Israeli national, is the one who is alledgedly bringing the lawsuit, and again alledgedly, Sapel was unable to obtain a security clearance yet was placed on the payroll at $110,000 per year as a "Homeland" security consultant of some note.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[wmw999 2,593]

Before we go too far into dem vs. republican, the last governor to resign under a cloud was a republican (from Connecticut in the recent past).

I think it says more about what people in general are capable of when others tell them it's OK, than about dems vs. republicans.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[lawrocket 3]

Quote

His lover was a government employee, afaik, and there may be a sexual harassment aspect to this whole thing.

A chief executive of a governmental body having an affair with a lower level government worker? Could be considered sexual harassment?

Hmmm. Sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it...

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Muenkel 0]

And Wendy is correct. So, both Reps and Dems can screw up.

What's a voter to do?

Oh, I know...vote on the individual's record and not stick to party affiliation.

_________________________________________
Chris

[Kennedy 0]

So I take it he was a Democrat?

It's a shame what a bunch of fucktards have done to my home state. (get off the turnpike and the parkway, and SEE THE STATE before passing judgment)

Anyway, I can't think of a single good thing the asshat has done for the state (though I have been out of touch, so there may be one or two things, tops).

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Muenkel 0]

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So I take it he was a Democrat?

If we're going to be "fair and balanced" (I know the libs love this term.) Rowland of Ct. is a Republican.

2 Govs down, 48 to go.

_________________________________________
Chris

[Kennedy 0]

Well, if you count Davis and the guy in the midwest who couldn't even win his re-election primary (Missouri?), you could say that's four down.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Michele 1]

You could add ol Gumby who was recalled here, too...a dem....

LOL, but that's really not the issue. It doesn't matter if he's dem or repub, what matters is it seems as if he's getting blackmailed...and had to come out because it would take the wind out of the blackmailing situation. IF that's true, I personally think that's about as shitty as it gets, dem or repub.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[PhillyKev 0]

There's a lot more to it then that, it appears. I wouldn't necessarily call it blackmail. But he is being sued for sexual harassment and there is also speculation of a rape allegation.

Another very political point of note. He said he's going to step down 11/15. That means the pres of the state senate (a dem) takes power. If he were to resign by 9/3 there would be an election for governor in November.

Word is the republicans are going to try and force him out by then to force an election. Since NJ is now a Kerry state, could have significant impact if a Rep candidate with a reputation such as Whitman had were fielded.

[rehmwa 2]

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I've lost track of New Jersey since I came to hate it so badly... Was this guy a Dem or Rep?-

If it's bad and the press doesn't state directly ("Republican Jack Ryan", etc) then odds on it's a Democrat.

The wife was standing there 'supporting' his decision after he made a complete fool of her. Maybe she'll move to a big state and run for Senate.

the gay announcement was a distraction and a political self protection thing - he cheated, was being blackmailed - he's just putting on a protective cloak provided by PC thugs

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[PhillyKev 0]

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If it's bad and the press doesn't state directly ("Republican Jack Ryan", etc) then odds on it's a Democrat.

Crap.

[Kennedy 0]

Well, seeing as three weeks away, there's no reason he can't resign on or before that date. He won't because he had a serious struggle getting into office and anyone trying to follow him would suffer for his idiocy. However if he waits, his good buddy steps up and the citizens of NJ and screwed some more.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[jimbarry 0]

Quote

His resignation will become effective on November 15, 2004.

Shoot, if he's going to resign because this issue is going to harm his ability to govern, then resign today. (yes, i know the reason why. then gov, at least give us one moment of unpressured honesty. too much to ask, i guess)

If all you've seen of nj is the turnpike between exits 11 and the GWB, or soprano's reruns, any opinion that the whole state is a crap hole is uninformed.

my home state too, and yes, i've heard the jokes and am immune at this point.

[Michele 1]

Quote

If all you've seen of nj is the turnpike between exits 11 and the GWB, or soprano's reruns, any opinion that the whole state is a crap hole is uninformed.

Jim, I don't recall saying anything about the state....can you direct me to where I did?

I think that the resignation date is far more telling then his claim of "a smooth" transition...it is a political play...but a republican would do the same, I think, in similar circumstances.

It's up to the states electorate to make the difference...but I can hear it now. If the repubs are successful and getting his resignation effective by 09/03, and Bush wins, then it will not be "Stole FLA!!" but something about how NJ was the "stolen" state.

This is an interesting twist in an election year full of twists.

I am just wondering why he didn't make his resignation announcement on 09/04....and obviate the entire discussion.

Interestinger and interestinger....

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[Muenkel 0]

What puzzles me is his claim that he is no longer able to govern. Well, the voters of NJ elected him. Why shouldn't they have a chance to now elect someone who is able to govern. A Democrat could win the election, as could a Republican.

_________________________________________
Chris

[peacefuljeffrey 0]

Quote

Quote

I've lost track of New Jersey since I came to hate it so badly... Was this guy a Dem or Rep?-

If it's bad and the press doesn't state directly ("Republican Jack Ryan", etc) then odds on it's a Democrat.

The wife was standing there 'supporting' his decision after he made a complete fool of her. Maybe she'll move to a big state and run for Senate.

the gay announcement was a distraction and a political self protection thing - he cheated, was being blackmailed - he's just putting on a protective cloak provided by PC thugs

Rush Limbaugh today was saying that the gay issue was a smokescreen and NOT the real reason for the resignation. For one thing, he said that Dem party bosses in NJ forced him out, and for another, they said the biggest reason for his resignation is that he was in a position to be blackmailed by a guy whom he appointed to a sensitive position (no puns, please) despite the fact that the guy had no training or experience (the Homeland Security thing). Rush was saying the guy is gone not because he had an affair, but because his judgment was awful, and reckless.

Good one about the wife running for senate. If I were her, I'd have left him writhing and driven away with his nuts hanging from the rear-view mirror.

-
-

-Jeffrey
"With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!"

[Kennedy 0]

Chris, that would be fair and honest, and the right thing to do, and this is politics, so I think there's a law against doing that.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[PhillyKev 0]

Quote

they said the biggest reason for his resignation is that he was in a position to be blackmailed by a guy whom he appointed to a sensitive position (no puns, please) despite the fact that the guy had no training or experience (the Homeland Security thing). Rush was saying the guy is gone not because he had an affair, but because his judgment was awful, and reckless.

That guy IS the guy that he had the affair with and who is suing him for sexual harassment.