Chris Christie On Civil Rights: People should be happy to have a referendum on civil rights!

[WillParkinson]

Chris Christie On Civil Rights

"The fact of the matter is, I think people would have been happy to have a referendum on civil rights rather than fighting and dying in the streets in the South. It was our political institutions that were holding things back. I don't think there's anything necessarily so special about this particular issue that it must be handled by a legislature. Why would that be? I don't understand how anybody could argue with letting the people decide this issue. Let's stop hiding behind this 'we don't put civil rights on the ballot' thing. Ya know, please. These folks would put anything on the ballot if they thought they could win." - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

The Philadelphia Inquirer notes that Christie's words "have Democrats in an uproar." Some choice responses are below.

NJ Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver: "It’s impossible to ever conceive that a referendum on civil rights in the South would have been successful and brought justice to minorities. They were fighting and dying in the streets of the South because the majority refused to grant minorities equal rights by any method. It look legislative action to bring justice to all Americans, just as legislative action is the right way to bring marriage equality to all New Jerseyans."

NJ Assemblywoman Bonnie Coleman: "His words defy history and were extremely insensitive to the struggle for equality of African-Americans and other minorities in this country. Fighting and dying in the streets of the South was not a choice, Governor, it was the only way."

NJ Senate President Stephen Sweeney: "Christie's words are the official opening of his campaign for vice-president."

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2012/01/chris-christie-on-civil-rights.html

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. What an idiot.

The "referendum on civil rights" in the south was held and it failed - that is why people fought and died, because civil rights should not be subject to majority rules.

[bluestateguy]

2. It is not a good precedent to set

On the one hand, I am optimistic that there would be a majority in New Jersey for gay marriage, if the proponents run a good campaign and take nothing for granted.

On the other hand, In states like Michigan or Pennsylvania you could be waiting 5-10 years before there is a majority for gay marriage. Father Time's clock ticks more slowly in some states than in others.

And then in states like Mississippi or Oklahoma, there will never be a majority for gay marriage because even the young people there are against it.

[gholtron]

3. If Krispy Kream was a minority living in the South

during the 50's and 60's, I'm sure he would have a different attitude than he does now.

[RZM]

7. Ironicially

Krispy Kreme did originate in the south (North Carolina). It expanded into other parts of the south in the 1950s-60s. And it probably held a 'minority' of the doughnut market share.

[nobodyspecial]

4. What screwed up "history"

If it was up to the majority in the South, slavery would still be legal and it wasn't political institutions holding people back -- they led the way from desegregation in the Armed Forces and the public school system. If it wasn't for government and court intervention, nothing would have changed -- and people in the South would have *never* approved of it.

[Dawson Leery]

5. The Republicans are now the Neo-Confederates

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002221742

[Obamacare]

6. krispy kreme is delusional

Is he vying for the vp spot on Gingrich's ticket?

[julian09]

8. He is a Romney supporter. nt