BY MICHAEL HAYNE

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

COMMENTARY

Governor Chris "Hurricane Superfleece" arrogantly believes that he's secured his 2013 reelection with all his Sandy PR and faux bipartisan posturing, and now he's in full-blown 2016 mode. Last week, Gov. Christie regrettably railed against the Supreme Court's ruling of DOMA and remain committed to being on the wrong side of history so as to make the pitchfork crowd happy in a 2016 Republican Primary and get to the White House. And now it seems he's pressuring (bullying) Republicans in New Jersey not to support marriage equality.

According to Senate President Steven Sweeney, the latest effort to legalize gay marriage in New Jersey might actually succeed if it weren't for Gov. Chris Christie ordering Republican lawmakers to oppose it. In what must be like the freewheeling quid pro quo from the movie Lincoln regarding gaining consensus on the 14th amendment to abolish slavery but with Joisey accents, Democrats are vigorously trying to influence enough Republicans to vote to override Christie's veto last year of a bill that would

make same-sex marriage legal in the state. But Sweeney accused the governor of pressuring members of his party to say no. Sweeney, who abstained from the bill back in 2009 when it was promised to be signed into law by then Democratic Governor Corzine, has since repented by saying it was "the worst decision of his political career. "

"Without question, without question," Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said during a radio interview on 101.5-FM. "The reality is: If the governor told the Republican caucus to vote their conscience, it would pass in both houses. It's that simple." (NJ.com)

Although not going full blown Tony Soprano like in the past, Christie naturally expressed his frustration over Sweeney's remarks.

"What you're implying through your question is that Republicans to this point have not voted their conscience," Christie said during an appearance in Seaside Park this afternoon. "How the hell do you know that? How would you know? (NJ.com)

The state Legislature passed the gay marriage bill last February, mostly with Democratic support, but Christie quickly rejected it. They need three more votes in the Senate and 12 more in the Assembly to reach the necessary two-thirds majority to override Christie's veto.