Harris replies to Gibbons’ challenge on same-sex marriage
State Rep. Jeff Harris of Columbia, one of several Democrats running for Missouri attorney general, is the first to respond to a challenge from the sole Republican contenter, Sen. Mike Gibbons of Kirkwood, regarding same-sex marriage.
In a release sent out Wednesday, Gibbons had called on his Democratic rivals “to tell the people of Missouri where they stand on our state’s effort to challenge a California court’s decision to allow same-sex marriages.
“Ten attorneys general (all Republicans) filed a brief last week asking the California Supreme Court not to finalize their same-sex marriage decision until after the people of that state have a say on the issue in the November elections. After days of public pressure, even Democrat Jay Nixon joined the call for a stay, which was rejected today by the court.
“I am challenging all the Democrat attorney general candidates to publicly support Missouri’s decision to fight the California Supreme Court’s ruling that allows same-sex marriage. I am extremely disappointed that the California court rejected the request for a stay,” Gibbons said.
“I have fought to protect the sanctity of marriage through law and the constitutional amendment overwhelmingly passed by Missourians in 2004, I believe it is important for the Democrat candidates to tell the people where they stand on this very important issue.”
In reply, Harris said:
“As Attorney General of the State of Missouri, I will consistently work to support and uphold the constitution that governs our state.
“However, the issue being raised by Senator Gibbons is not one that presently affects our state. Senator Gibbons is attempting to distract the voters – notably in the very first press release of his AG campaign – with rhetoric that is more about divisiveness than substance. These are actions I cannot and will not support.
“If I had Senator Gibbons’ record of caving in to corporate interests instead of fighting to protect consumers, I think I would rather talk about a California court ruling, too.”
The more Harris says - the less he is credible. Why did he not say that the recognition of gay marriage in California and the CA Supreme Court’s ignoring the constitutional vote of the people could have an affect on Missouri? Is it because he doesn’t know that or is it because he was against the passage of the marriage amendment in Missouri?
His childish reply and ignoring the recent vote of a super majority of voters in Missouri shows he should never represent the people in any way ever again.
Shame on you, Harris. The issue absolutely effects the state, which is why Jay Nixon finally got involved. But even more, shame on you for taking a legitimate issue in an attorney general race and turning it in to a personal attack on your potential opponent. In doing so you only proved your campaign is not about substance at all.
Gibbons is such a gas-bag.
If being a Republican = being a states’ rights advocate, then he should focus his attention on the needs of Missouri, and let the people of California sort this issue out for themselves.
What a gutter politician!
Ptoooooey!
Good for Harris. Gibbons is playing the “gay-card” and that’s what this is all about. Jay Nixon shamelessly pandered by getting involved in the California suit, and now Gibbons is doing the same thing. Gibbons is wrong and so was Nixon.
Harris, on the other hand, sounds like a grown up. He said he’ll defend the constitution, which ought to satisfy anyone like JasonB who supported the gay marriage ban. But unlike Gibbons, he won’t play games with his office.
Seems like Harris would make a much better Attorney General than Gibbons. What do you want, Jason, an Attorney General who will do his job or one who will spend his time playing politics?
Jo:
So, is Harris saying his disgrees with his party gubernatorial candidate to file a brief?
Also, I found it funny that Harris chides Gibbons for being divisive and then proceeds to launch a political attack.
Well, it’s too bad that Harris won’t make it out of his own primary because we’d sure like to know where he really stand on an issue that more than 70 percent of us supported in 2004.
As one former legislator used to accurately say - Harris is the biggest game player in the capitol. He continues to play games and demonstrates his penchant for demogoging every issue. No substance but make sure to try to make it sound good whether it is or not.
Jeff Harris is showing the kind of focused leadership that Missourians need in Jefferson City. Rural Missourians desire leaders who can change the tone of the conversation in Jefferson City and produce positive change that directly impacts Missouri families: cleaning up government, fighting consumer fraud, and protecting the environment.
Thank you for not allowing Missouri’s GOP noise machine to frame the conversation. It’s refreshing to see leaders with backbone.
I’m not a Harris supporter, but I do find it humorous that Senator Gibbons, of all people, seems concerned about the vote of the majority when he was one of the causes of the legislature’s passage of the concealed carry bill after the voters of MO made it clear that they did not want it.
I am very distressed that my State Senator, Mr Gibbons would stoop to this low wedge driving issue. I even wonder if Karl Rove advised him to try this divisive headline grabbing tactic. Oil hit a record high AGAIN today! $137 a barrel and the JOBS Report just issued today shows a shinking in the toilet economy and all Gibbons says that is news worthy is he is against gay marriage which is the “Strawberry Statement” of most Republicans in this almost decade old millennium. Deflect! deflect! Without trying to sound redundant after all these years….”It’s the economy Senator!” Please let’s not let this Karl Rovian antigay bashing upstage the important issues facing families in Missouri.
I was thinking the exact same thing Lisa. And even worse, the concealed carry law was opposed by a 70-30 margin by the voters in Gibbons’ senate district (myself being one of them). The wishes of the people he was supposed to be representing went completely ignored. You can’t argue with 70-30…that’s no partisan split. His constituents overwhelmingly opposed concealed carry and Gibbons completely ignored them and caved to party pressure. We need an AG who actually has a backbone, not some politician who bows to party pressure and does whatever necessary to make sure he keeps moving up the GOP political ladder. As someone who has had Mike Gibbons represent me for the pass 8 years in the state Senate, I can definitely say Missourians don’t make the mistake of picking this guy for attorney general.