My God

New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey on TV just said he had a sexual affair with a man and is resigning. Incredible. I’m in shock — this is amazing. He admits he’s gay. Unprecedented.

Update: Video clip here.

The Discussion: 13 Comments

… and today’s decision by the California court will ensure, at least for the time being, that the only legal marriages available to gay people are ones based on deception, like McGreevey’s.

Sad.

August 12, 2004 @ 2:49 pm | Comment

Isn’t it terrible? Though the California decision didn’t surprise me.

Did you see the governor on TV? Absolutely beyond all belief. I ad it playing in the background and was working on something else, and suddenly it hit me what he was saying and my jaw dropped.

August 12, 2004 @ 2:53 pm | Comment

No, I tuned to CNN International but they were running some stupid show with Richard Quest.

God, I hate Richard Quest.

But it’s nearly 11 pm, maybe they’ll have a report on it now…

August 12, 2004 @ 2:56 pm | Comment

His “I’m a Gay American” line was a little bit too over-the-top. What, is he trying to equate himself with African-Americans, and living a downtrodden life?

He had no choice but to come out, since sexual harassment charges are possibly / probably going to be filed by a former male aide. Not formerly male, but formerly an aide.

Plus, with all the other investigations going on with his fundraising efforts, he wouldn’t have lasted much longer. Now, he can go out on the middle (not top), and claim it was a smear campaign because he is gay (but not because of possible lack of ethics.)

August 12, 2004 @ 4:42 pm | Comment

Well, he resigned in disgrace, apparently mired in scandal and caught having an affair that was about to be exposed. I was just shocked to hear him say what he did live on national television. “Bombshell” is how all the reporters are describing it. It sure is.

August 12, 2004 @ 5:10 pm | Comment

See, to me a bombshell would be the video of his wife and him, and a strap-on. This is just business as usual in our tabloid society.

August 12, 2004 @ 5:22 pm | Comment

When’s the last time you heard a high-level government official — a governor, no less! — announce live on national TV that he’s gay and has been having an affair with a man behind his wife’s back, and then resign? If that’s not a bombshell….

August 12, 2004 @ 5:25 pm | Comment

If it had been a female aide, ala Clinton, would he have had to resign? I don’t know enough about current Jersey politics to know the answer, but if the answer is “NO” then, public “self-outing” notwithstanding, this is a bad thing.

I’m not for affairs or harrassment (if that’s what actually happened) but it seems to me that the cost of the transgression ought to be the same regardless of the gender of the person you transgressed with.

August 12, 2004 @ 8:57 pm | Comment

It was much more complex than that, Conrad. The governor’s lover was going to file a sexual discrimination suit against the Governor, who’d hired him 2 years ago. Web of intrigue and corruption — he did not quite becuase he was gay, but becuase a whole lot of shit was about to be uncovered..

August 12, 2004 @ 9:49 pm | Comment

In that case, we’re happy to release him to your team.

August 13, 2004 @ 12:51 am | Comment

BTW, Richard, speaking of GLTG issues, care to come and express your opinion on the question currently featured on my site

August 13, 2004 @ 12:54 am | Comment

I believe it’s time for the US to stop worrying about gay politicians – in Australia the gays are more open – the leader of the Green Party is gay, a high court judge (and a bloody good one) is gay, the president of medical association is gay, etc etc etc.

Are these people qualified for their positions? YES!!!

Did Bill Clinton drop his trousers in the Oval Office? Yes. So what, if he has been a good president!

The world needs good politicians who are 1st class leaders and managers, not virgins nor puritans.

August 13, 2004 @ 1:24 am | Comment

hey, i DO love richard quest.

February 10, 2005 @ 3:34 am | Comment

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