BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Commentator, comedian, and New Jersey native Bill Maher says he takes it personally when someone in his home state does something backwards.

Maher was referring to Governor Chris Christie’s veto of the gay marriage bill in the state last week.

Maher mentioned that New Jersey is one of the most commonly mocked states, and Christie’s move has made our bad reputation even worse. “We're not some yokel, car-on-the-lawn state," he said, according to the Advocate.

According to the Huffington Post, On Real Time With Bill Maher guest Eliot Spitzer said, "He panders to the very conservative on all sorts of issues. He's just wrong on the fundamentals." Maher said he'd rather see President Barack Obama run against Rick Santorum than against Christie.

Erin McPike from Real Clear Politics said Christie vetoed the bill for “his base,” according to ontopmag.com.

Philly.com reported that while Christie vetoed the bill, he offered to appoint an ombudsman who would ensure that civil-unions are equal to marriages, as the state law requires. Christie said, "Discrimination should not be tolerated and any complaint alleging a violation of a citizen's right should be investigated and, if appropriate, remedied."

Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester) said, “Why would you need an ombudsman when you had a bill that respected everyone's rights?"

According to imdb.com, Maher grew up in River Vale, New Jersey. His first effort at stand-up comedy took place in a Chinese restaurant on Route 17 in Paramus.