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    NJ GOP governor apologizes for civil rights remark

    Associated Press – Tue, Jan 31, 2012

    TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Chris Christie has apologized for a remark he made about civil rights but says he's not sorry for using a slang term to describe a lawmaker who compared him to segregationist Southern governors.

    Christie, a Republican, spoke Tuesday night during TownSquare Media's "Ask the Governor" program on radio station New Jersey 101.5 FM. He apologized to anyone offended by his comment that people in the civil rights struggle of the 1960s would have been happier to have the matter settled by public vote rather than by dying in the streets. He was comparing civil rights to the fight for gay marriage.

    But he didn't back down Tuesday from calling Democratic Assemblyman Reed Gusciora "numb nuts" after the lawmaker compared him to former Govs. George Wallace, of Alabama, and Lester Maddox, of Georgia. He says his late mother used the term.

    Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, one of several black leaders in the state who had chastised the white governor for his civil rights remark, said she was glad he addressed the matter.

    "The governor rightfully acknowledged the hurtful and insensitive nature of his remarks," Oliver said in a statement issued after the radio show had aired. "Going forward, I now trust and expect that, as the legislature moves toward implementing marriage equality, the governor will respect the serious nature of the constitutionality of civil rights and equal protection under the law."

    Oliver and other state Democrats had held a news conference in Trenton on Monday with Democratic U.S. Rep. John Lewis, of Georgia, to take Christie to task for his comments.

    Lewis, an icon of the civil rights movement, said that court and congressional actions were necessary to secure rights for blacks and that no referendum ever would have been successful.

     
    • The Prisoner
      The Prisoner  •  3 mths ago
      This is the same guy who took a state helicopter to go to his son's little league game, talk about a numb nuts.
    • night
      night  •  3 mths ago
      We live in a constitutional republic and our civil rights as individuals should never be up for a public vote. There is a big difference between a constitutional democracy and mob rule.
      • Kaborka
        Kaborka 3 mths ago
        We live in a constitutional republic? When did that happen? As far as I can tell, this is a fascist empire but I could be wrong.
    • psionycx
      psionycx  •  3 mths ago
      Well clearly Christie's mother was a very classy lady. Effective immediately he is no longer allowed to complain that "Jersey Shore" presents a negative portrayal of the state!

      His comment was really pretty stupid. He made the inane argument that if civil rights for blacks had been put up for state referendums in which they would have inevitably failed then there would have been no anger or protests over it. Which is really an idiotic premise that only someone who has never even had to conceive of their own rights being put to a referendum could ever make. It is a very elitist and arrogant position.
    • Debra
      Debra  •  Dayton, Ohio  •  3 mths ago
      And we need a person of this class as a VP? Me think not.
    • Nicholas
      Nicholas  •  Anchorage, Alaska  •  3 mths ago
      REAL feelings come out!
    • Vinnie
      Vinnie  •  3 mths ago
      Numbnuts? Bwuahahaha , is that not the pot calling the kettle black or what? With all that fat that turd bucket carries around, Christie is a true blue Numbnut.
    • Flip
      Flip  •  3 mths ago
      Christie is a fat right wing bigot...Always has been, always will be!
      • K3Citizen
        K3Citizen 3 mths ago
        He used to small during his first few days on earth.
    • J
      J  •  3 mths ago
      The guy is a pig.
    • Caren
      Caren  •  3 mths ago
      eating your words not as tasty as those creme puffs...huh...fatso
    • Alex
      Alex  •  3 mths ago
      Classy guy, all around. And I mean all the way around.
    • Jerry Leigh
      Jerry Leigh  •  3 mths ago
      While Christie's at it, he should put the issue of public employee pension reform and health care contributions to a public referendum. Maybe, in this electronic age, he could put every bill up for a public vote, eliminating the costly state legislature.
    • Plato232425
      Plato232425  •  Stockton, California  •  3 mths ago
      Chrisite is rude, crude, and a bully.

      It indicates a lack of political acumen and simply politeness.

      His fans are idiots and bullies.

      So, Christie bullies those who cannot fight back: Teachers.

      This big mouthed, bulbous, tumescent, career, fat arsed politician is looking out for the little guy.

      Hell, he EATS THE LITTLE GUY.
    • TheAngryRabbit
      TheAngryRabbit  •  3 mths ago
      Well, Gov. Chris Christie will not be anyone's vice president or president for that matter. He was right about one thing. He sure is NOT ready to be president. Dumb arse.
    • Kaborka
      Kaborka  •  Tucker, Georgia  •  3 mths ago
      Every time the Pillsbury Dough Boy opens his mouth, he attempts to eat his own foot. Apparently, he continues to mistake it for a 12-foot long Subway sandwich.
    • sam
      sam  •  Paola, Kansas  •  3 mths ago
      Rightwing nuts are so happy with this spare tire
    • Tampa Jim
      Tampa Jim  •  Tampa, Florida  •  3 mths ago
      It seems that Governor Numb Nuts has no concept of history. In the 1950's and 60's, The civil rights problems in the deep south couldn't be settled by using the ballot box. In many places, African-Americans were not allowed to register to vote. Those who were registered faced severe intimidation at polling places from the Klu-Klux-Klan and other white citizens groups.
    • James S
      James S  •  Fairfield, Montana  •  3 mths ago
      The fact is that he never apologized for his remark. The only apology he made was if his remark offended some folks. He's clueless. I think the area where is brain is supposed to be is filled with fat globules.
      @ Tugg hisowndik.....racist much??????
    • Dejabrewer
      Dejabrewer  •  Boston, Massachusetts  •  3 mths ago
      Chris Christie very much like Jets coach Rex Ryan. Fat, dumb and always apologizing.
    • goldn rule
      goldn rule  •  3 mths ago
      Freedom of speech is one great thing about America.
      • Farrakhan
        Farrakhan 3 mths ago
        Youre right, however lack of class will garner you more disrespect from your peers. Think about that.
    • Sunny S
      Sunny S  •  3 mths ago
      Making smart #$%$ comment is easy but to be a statesman, is very difficult. A person in public office who has ambition of running for President of USA, should not say things just to please a bunch of idiots. But this guy is not that smart.
     Post a comment
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