GOP NY Senator James Alesi Talks About His Vote for Marriage Equality on 'Hardball': VIDEO
New York State Senator James Alesi, who was the first Republican to announce his support of New York's marriage equality bill, talks about why he voted for marriage equality and how he feels about the Republican party platform and equality.
Says Alesi: "We have to make this an opportunity for America to be what America was designed to be and that is the freest land in the world."
Chris Matthews also talks to New York magazine's John Heilemann about Alesi's vote and the potential for backlash.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
In related news, Alesi told Sam Stein that Obama is "passing the ball" in not taking a stronger position:
"I understand that constitutionally the president is right, because it's a states' rights issue, otherwise New York wouldn't have been able to pass this. But there's nothing wrong with the most powerful person in the world espousing a viewpoint."
Alesi, MacDonald, Saland, and Grisanti will be the first Republicans I will EVER consider giving money to -- but especially Alesi and Grisanti. Grisanti for his moving speech (and that he's young and a big conservative target now), and Alesi for being the first. I will always remember Alesi for being the first and I hope we as a community will never forget him either.
I also hope Ball and Diaz get what's coming to them, the miserable little shits.
Posted by: Jollysocks | Jun 27, 2011 7:51:14 PM
these 4 men something very few politicians do vote what's right not easy. we murt always remember they are going to need gay votes and money foe their election, nom and others of their ilk will work and tirelessly to defeat
these 4 courageous men.
Posted by: walter | Jun 27, 2011 8:50:32 PM
Hopefully with politicians like Alesi, MacDonald, Saland, and Grisanti, the Republicans will stop being the party of ignorance and bigotry. Keep in mind however these are NY Republicans.
The GOP will never be able to move forward unless they purge the party of religious extremists like Bachmann and Huckabee.
Posted by: Brian B. | Jun 27, 2011 9:05:48 PM
People like that are the only hope the republican party has. He is energizing when talking about how we should be free, all of us. A economically conservative message of inclusion is what they need. Nobody really wants to hear about how everything's going to hell every time a group gets rights. I think we've seen how hope can move people in a way fear and hatred cannot. Republicans would do well to embrace this man and kick that b-tch Bachman to the curb. She and many others will suck the life out of their party until nobody's left but the fundies.
Posted by: Brad | Jun 27, 2011 9:39:39 PM
I think that Jim Alesi and Mark Grisanti could be potential candidates for statewide offices one day. New York Republicans will have an easier time winning statewide office with moderate candidates - like Alesi and Grisanti. Jim Alesi could run for Governor. Mark Grisanti could run for U.S. Senator one day. The GLBT community needs to support these candidates!
Posted by: b | Jun 27, 2011 9:54:01 PM
Okay, I appreciate what they did too, but let's not get too carried away about Courage, etc, because the NYT had a great article on all this Sunday, and although this piece sort of gets glossed over in the article it is very significant. There were several very wealthy Republican hedgefund mangers with gay children and family members who not only met with the Governer, and also with these Senators to assure them of both financial campaign support for their re-elections, and to support them publicy in their campaigns.These were the same men, along with Rob Reiner, who put up a lot of the money for the case to overturn Prop 8. Not saying this was a bad thing, it is just that there is a lot more to this then what it appears. Not only were all the marriage equality groups in NY all working together for the first time, but there was a lot of big NY dollars thrown into the mix as well. Just saying!
Posted by: The Iron Orchard | Jun 27, 2011 11:35:17 PM
"But there's nothing wrong with the most powerful person in the world espousing a viewpoint."
Couldn't agree more... problem is, as soon as the President speaks up, the GOP will be drafting commercials for the next election cycle wedge-issue.
Grateful for the vote, Sir, but keep the focus on bringing your party up to date. We'll worry about our candidate; thank you very much.
Posted by: Pete n SFO | Jun 27, 2011 11:53:23 PM
Thank You State Senator James Alesi from my partner of 18 years and I. Your read and accurate interpretation of our Constitution will echo everywhere.
All of our best to you and your family as well!
Parris Broderick
Mitch Newell
Posted by: Parris | Jun 28, 2011 2:58:03 AM
"there was a lot of big NY dollars thrown into the mix as well"
Yep, and until this year, that money went to GOP candidates who denied us our rights. Pardon me, until NEXT year. This last election, those same bigwigs supported anti-gay candidates.
Posted by: BobN | Jun 28, 2011 4:15:00 AM