Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's promised veto of the gay marraige bill draws the ire of gay activists and politicians. "Clearly he's pandering to an extreme right wing, which was not how he got elected," says Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, one of the bill's sponsors. The governor's office said Tuesday's legislation would conflict with the intent of voters when they approved Proposition 22 five years ago, a ballot initiative that prevents California from recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. ""We cannot have a system where the people vote and the Legislature derails that vote," is the word from Arnold's publicist press secretary.
Schwarzenegger has waffled on the debate; at times saying that he supported civil unions, other times saying that he could support same sex marriage, like a famous 2004 appearance on Jay Leno. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom blasts the governator and says the decision comes down to a question of character. "I hope he stops hiding behind his press secretary. I hope he can come out and explain to the people of the state why he can go on the Jay Leno Show and say, 'I have no problem with gay marriage,' and then he has a historic opportunity to make a decision, and he decides to abdicate."
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