Schwarzenegger Plays Hardball!

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke for the first time about today's court ruling that California 's law limiting marriage to a man and a woman is unconstitutional to MSNBC's Chris Matthews on “Hardball”.  The following are excerpts from Monday's interview:

On gay marriage:

MATTHEWS: Let me ask you about the—the Supreme Court in the county of San Francisco today.  And we have to talk about this because it happened today. 

It is newsworthy—has said that it is unconstitutional to deny people of the same sex a marriage license in this state.  Where do you stand on this? 

SCHWARZENEGGER: Well, I think that, first of all, this is probably one of many kinds of events that will take place in the near future. 

I go by what the people have voted, which was Proposition 22.  And I think that this will be now going eventually to the Supreme Court in California , and we will see what the decision is.  And whatever that decision is, we will stay by that, because I believe in abiding by the law and sticking with the law. 

MATTHEWS: But why would you not support the holding of a referendum, an initiative on a constitutional amendment to require that people be from different sexes when they get married in this state? 

SCHWARZENEGGER: Well, I believe in what we have right now, which is, you know, the domestic partnership rights and equal rights.  And I support that 100 percent and have supported that.  And during my campaign, I always talked about that. 

MATTHEWS: Right. 

SCHWARZENEGGER:  And—but this is the will of the people.  And I think that if that changes because of the Supreme Court of California, then we go with that.  But, right now, this is just the first base of a legal challenge. 

MATTHEWS:   It seems to me the inspiring thing about your political role is that you believe the people should make decisions, if necessary in the ballot.  In fact, you‘ve taken your own election, of course, course, and, of course, issues you‘re bringing up later on this year.  Why not bring the issue of marriage and what constitutes a valid marriage to the people through a constitutional amendment process?

SCHWARZENEGGER:  Well, they did.  The people have voted already on that issue.  And we can take it back.  If people are not happy with that, they can put another initiative...

MATTHEWS:  Are you happy with it if they decide to say it‘s OK to have gay marriage in the state?

SCHWARZENEGGER:  Absolutely.  If the people decide—I‘m the people‘s representative.  I am perfectly fine with that.  The important thing that‘s it‘s the people that vote on it.  The people have spoken before. 

MATTHEWS:  So...

SCHWARZENEGGER:  If they speak again and if they have changed their mind, because, remember, things change all the time.  I think that as we go on, I think people will be feeling more comfortable with the idea of domestic partnership and also marriage.

MATTHEWS:   Are you getting more comfortable with it? 

SCHWARZENEGGER:   I have always been comfortable with the domestic partnership rights. 

But I have always been much more open-mined about all of those things than maybe other people have. 

MATTHEWS:  Sure.

SCHWARZENEGGER:  But, I mean, that‘s what makes this state interesting.  We have different kinds of opinions.  And I think, in the end, if the legislators are not willing to solve those problems, I think you should give it to the people and let them make the decision.

Read the rest of the interview and download video footage from the show HERE!

Global Arnold Staff