Despite conceding that the gay marriage
debate in New Jersey is resolved, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
said Saturday that the GOP should not throw in the towel.
According to POLITICO,
Christie made the comments at a gathering of the National Governors
Association in Nashville.
“I don't think there's some referee
who stands up and says, 'OK, now it's time for you to change your
opinion.' The country will resolve this over a period of time. But
do I think it's resolved? No,” said Christie, who is often
mentioned as a potential 2016 GOP presidential candidate.
In 2012, Christie vetoed a bill
allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry in New Jersey. During his
re-election campaign, he reiterated his belief that the issue of
whether to legalize gay nuptials should be decided “by the people,
by referendum,” not politicians or judges.
But after the state's marriage ban was
found to be unconstitutional, Christie decided against pursuing an
appeal, angering conservatives.
“When I know that I've been defeated,
you don't bang your head against the wall anymore and spend taxpayer
money to do it,” he said Saturday.