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发表于 2005-12-22 19:01:15
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On street, the news rates three or more 'Wows'
'Only in New Jersey,' says one TV watcher, but even Garden State wasn't ready for this
Friday, August 13, 2004
BY JOE RYAN AND RUDY LARINI
Star-Ledger Staff
At Antones Tap Room in Union County, the news silenced the jukebox.
Once word arrived that Gov. James E. McGreevey might be resigning, the men in jeans and work boots who had gathered for pints and cheddar burgers at the tavern in Cranford didn't want to hear rock and roll.
They wanted to hear their governor. So the barkeep turned up the television, and the men put down their drinks and listened.
The words left them reeling.
"Wow, wow, wow," said Al O'Neill, a 57-year-old labor leader and longtime McGreevey supporter. "I just can't believe it. I can't believe it. Wow."
Even in a state with a history of public misconduct, McGreevey's announcement that he was resigning because he's a "gay American" who had an affair with a former aide left people stunned.
The news shook New Jerseyans like a heavyweight's one-two punch. First came preliminary reports of the resignation. Then McGreevey's acknowledgment of his homosexuality.
"What? Why? You've got to be kidding me! Oh my Lord!" said 31-year-old Veronica Casiano of Newark when told the news.
"Only in New Jersey," said Ted Ciesla, 56, who sat at the Antones bar and shook his head after listening to McGreevey's announcement. He said he was not a McGreevey supporter.
While the governor's bombshell put him in a tiny circle of openly gay politicians, most of the people interviewed said his sexual orientation was irrelevant.
"The fact that he's a homosexual doesn't really matter to me," said Dan Radziewicz of Somerville. "The only thing that matters to me is the job he's doing as governor."
"Everyone is entitled to their lifestyle, and I don't believe his sexual orientation matters," said Janice Peal, 26, who lives in Long Valley.
Some felt the governor was brave for coming out.
"Good for him," said Margot Garcia, 20, an accountant who was walking into a Cranford clothing boutique and wouldn't believe the news until a bystander to corroborated it.
Some expressed surprise that being gay in 2004 would force a governor to step down.
"I was surprised that he resigned," said Joe Bauer, 37, of Pompton Plains. "I understand the announcement and the implications, but I don't see any reason that he would resign. If it was truly a consensual affair, then there's no reason for him to resign."
Others, however, had heard the simmering rumors that there was more to the story than McGreevey's homosexuality.
Nakia Banister, 29, of Scotch Plains said she had heard news accounts speculating the governor was about to be accused of a sexual indiscretion, possibly sexual harassment, "which I think forced him out of the closet sooner than he would have wanted."
"Obviously sexual harassment has a certain connotation that people just don't like," Banister said. "I know there were allegations about mishandling money, but this is a whole different aspect."
Mike Kitson, 73, of Woodbridge was sipping a soda with his wife at Cafe Paris in Cranford when he heard the news. He said it didn't shock him that McGreevey was gay.
"The rumors have been going around for years," he said.
The news didn't surprise Erin Rapp, either.
The 26-year-old Phillipsburg resident used to live in the Iselin section of Woodbridge -- where McGreevey had been mayor -- and said tales of his homosexuality have swirled for years.
Some said McGreevey would be missed. "New Jersey is losing a great governor," said Nusrat Ahmah, 37, of Morristown.
Kitson said in some ways he was eager to be rid of McGreevey. "I only hope that they stop running all those television commercials about cleaning up the Shore and the DMV," he said.
Some people compared McGreevey's plight to that of former President Bill Clinton, who was impeached for lying about his sexual escapades with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
"I don't think he needs to resign," 24-year-old Natalie Hordynsky of Springfield said of McGreevey. "I mean, the president didn't step down when he had his, you know, affair with Monica."
"Clinton had an affair and that didn't mean he was a bad person," said Carmen Salamea of Bloomfield. "I was surprised, but I respect his (McGreevey's) decision."
Such sympathy for McGreevey's forthrightness was not uncommon.
"My reaction is that he was honest, and I respect a person for his honesty," said Mel Houston, 34, of Keyport. "I have to admit that I was shocked by it, but I respect that he was honest and I just wish the best for his family."
Back at Antones, O'Neill said McGreevey's resignation is bad news for labor. "He was a fighter for working people, O'Neill said, pausing before adding, "But he's still a fighter."
Staff writers Paul Nelson and Raviya Ismail contributed to this report. |
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