McGreevey Out: Should He Stay or Go Away?

Gov. James E. McGreevey (search), a one-time rising Democratic star and twice-married Roman Catholic, announced his resignation with the startling disclosure that he is gay and had an extramarital affair with a man that he said threatened to undermine his "ability to govern."

"My truth is that I am a gay American," McGreevey said Thursday at a news conference with his second wife by his side. He described decades of sexual confusion that dogged him through two marriages and ultimately led him to an act he called "wrong, foolish and inexcusable."

"Given the circumstances surrounding the affair and its likely impact upon my family and my ability to govern, I have decided the right course of action is to resign," he said, without elaborating on what the circumstances were.

McGreevey, 47, refused to answer questions. He said "it makes little difference that as governor I am gay," but added that staying in office and keeping the affair and his sexual orientation secret will leave the governor's office "vulnerable to rumors, false allegations and threats of disclosure."

McGreevey out: should he stay or go away?

A sample of your responses:

As a NJ resident, I have respect for what our Govenor did yesterday. My problem is, if he felt he had to lie about his own sexual orientation, what else has he lied about? And I do believe that there is much more to this story.
Also, I do believe that politics are working behind the scenes.
Cathy
Blackwood, NJ

Has an elected official ever announced that he will resign in three months? It seems they usually resign at the end of the month, the end of the week, or even immediately.
Ernie L.
Trinity, FL

Hiring a foreign national for "terrorism czar?" This is another example of why we can't trust a Democrat with our safety. McGreedy is way out!
Glenn C.
Richmond, VA

Being gay doesn’t prevent intelligence for a specific job. Nor does it mean you don’t have the capacity to perform the duties. In that respect, he should stay on. Conversely, because he hid his affair, makes him and his integrity compromised. If he is willing to cross the line of honesty with his wife and family, how much easier is it for him to do so with people he has no emotional attatchements to. In that, he did right by stepping down. Our politicians have a responsibility to us in maintaining a lifestyle of truth and openess. When they betray that, how can we trust them with such auspicious positions in our government?
Charles B.
Eldora, IA

Although I do not think that being gay is a reason to resign from governor it is apparent that he used his position to give his lover favor, he also lied to his fellow Democrats pretending to be a happily married straight male. Had he ran and his sexual preference was known the out come of his election many have been different, it is my opinion he should go!
William A.
Del City, OK

The governor of NJ got to go. Jack Ryan had sex with his wife and felt that he had to resign.
Rich S.

He should step down immediately, he is resigning, therefore he should leave now and a special election should be held.
Mark J.

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