I just happened to leave work early today, so I saw the news conference. It really was extraordinary! One thing I don’t get though:
Really?! I know this ain’t GD, but do you have a cite for that? I just can’t believe it wouldn’t have come out when he was running for governor. Maybe you north jersey types just know him a lot better than we do in the southern part of the state. Or maybe it’s just me that’s clueless.
I’m another one who had no idea. Of course, as a Pennsylvania resident, I’m not following the ins and outs (heh) of things over there as closely as I do things on this side of the Delaware, but obviously the Philly media covers NJ as well.
Widely known? Not to me. (And for those of you who don’t have Jersey geography memorized, Exit 135 is in the North/Central part of the state.)
The rumor I just heard is that someone threatened to blackmail him over the gay thing, and he responded by coming out. If true–wow. The guy’s got cojones. Gotta love Jersey. Even our homosexuals are tough guys. 
He’s Israeli, actually, so that goes double.
It’s funny, I used to hear a lot of great political stuff when I worked in Newark - the law firm I worked for was pretty well-connected, especially with the Democrats - but it’s almost four years since I left that job so I had no idea either. Anyway, I did a little spelunking around and does seem to have been pretty widely rumored in the Trenton gossip sites - and the Times article (at least the version posted on their website as of this writing) notes:
Apparently it was widely remarked that in addition to being only 33 years old at the time, Mr. Cipel didn’t have the correct visas, didn’t have any security experience other than his stint in the Israeli military, and had spent his career in PR and TV news - not exactly high-level stuff. Cipel sounds like a real treat - the Times article reports that he allegedly was trying to shake the Governor/New Jersey’s taxpayers for $5 million. But man, how dumb and venal could McGreevey be? Sure, you might have a demanding boyfriend (or ex-boyfriend), but find him a job where it won’t blow up in your face like that!
The emerging consensus (which I agree with) on the Great Debates thread on McGreevey is that this late-hour coming-out party of his is a cynical and desperate attempt to deflect public scrutiny of the scandals (concerning such issues as campaign financing) plaguing his term. The latest scandal to emerge is indeed related to McGreevey’s sexuality; apparently, McGreevey had appointed his lover, a former Israeli named Golan Cipel, as a home security advisor for the state of New Jersey (raking in a $110,000 salary) – in spite of the fact that Cipel had no professional qualifications for this position – and that Cipel may have been about to press a suit for sexual harrassment or somesuch against his sugar daddy, thus prompting McGreevey to announce his plan to resign Nov. 15th.
So much for straight-faced wrap-up and analysis… time for the jokes!
Like, the governor really should have been aware of the political ramifications of occupying Golan’s tights… [rim shot]
Brent Schundler, his Republican opponent in the election was on Sean Hannity show today, and acknowledged that he knew, even before the campaign, that McGreevey was gay. He also commented that it was well known in the Democratic party machine that this was the case.
My sister, who lives in New Jersey, was making fun of us because we have Arnold as governor…I have a phone call to make.
For the record, I was told by several people at work who are gay that the gov was too. This was before he was elected. I then heard it from many other sources. And its not like I was trying. Thats why I called it an open secret earlier. If I knew years ago I would have thought everyone knew. Thats why his wife is being supportive and stood by him. She was a beard.
Why is he resigning Nov 15? Why doesn’t he resign now, and allow the NJ voters to elect a new governor?
By making it November 15th, they avoid having to hold a special election. The Kerry people indicated that they would prefer not having a gubanatorial election happening in NJ on November 2nd.
So NJ does what the Kerry people tell them to do?? 
I don’t understand. Why can’t NJ elect a governor on Nov 2 while they’re electing a president? What’s the big deal? They’re going to be at the polls anyway.
He’s a Democrat. Holding off on when he resigns assures that a Democrat holds the position for two more years. I’m assuming he suspects that a backlash against him and the ongoing scandals would result in a Republican governor if they held a special election in November.
And trying to trick the voters out of an election will not result in a backlash?
It gives them two years to try to dampen that and find a candidate who’ll be likely to win. Better two years than two months.
Exit 154 checking in. I left the office early yesterday to go to the dentist, then went home and felt sorry for myself, so this morning is the first I’ve heard of the whole thing. Oddly, McGreevey was the only gubernatorial candidate I ever got off my butt and voted for.
And chalk me up as one who was completely unaware of his orientation. Sure, I see him on TV and think Gee, he’s kinda fruity … but I honestly didn’t know.
My wife, formerly of NJ, asked me about this this morning. She heard about him resigning, but really didn’t pay much attention. When I gave her my spot on, unbiased, and insightful analysis (“Huh? I don’t know. He’s gay or something.”), she noticed that he was standing there with his wife, and commented that she felt badly for her. “I mean, when your husband comes out of the closet on national TV, how do you dress for that?”
Probably in something other than pants.
I’ve been hearing strong rumors about another married governor having a same sex ralationship with an aide. If I can find something concrete and I’ll come back and share but I rather not gossip for gossip’s sake.
I assume you’re referring to Texas. But despite rumors, even the left-wing underground press in Texas hasn’t been able to find anything concrete. And you KNOW they’d love to find ANYTHING of that nature!
There were also rumors about Republican former governor Jim Thompson of Illinois but nothing ever turned up.