Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) criticized New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on national television Tuesday for advocating that voters of his state should decide whether to legalize same-sex marriage.
Christie has vowed to veto same-sex marriage legislation being debated in New Jersey legislature, suggesting the issue be settled at the ballot box instead.
“Governor Christie sounds like he wants to have his cake and eat it, too,” O’Malley said during an appearance on MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation,” hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton.
O’Malley was invited on the program to discuss a federal court ruling against California’s Proposition 8 and the impact that might have on legalizing gay nuptials in Maryland.
O’Malley is championing legislation in his state similar to a same-sex marriage bill that felt short in the Maryland General Assembly last year.
Sharpton, who is appearing in a new Web video promoting O’Malley’s legislation, asked the governor about Christie’s approach at the end of Tuesday night’s segment.
“I believe the better way to deal with this is straight up in the legislature,” O’Malley said.
O’Malley noted that Maryland law includes a provision that allows voters to petition just-passed laws to the ballot and said that could well happen on same-sex marriage.
O’Malley, who is chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, has criticized Christie repeatedly in recent months, primarily taking aim at his fiscal policies.
Loading...
Comments