Newt Gingrich, never one to pass by a microphone or reporter without offering a quip, dissed gay marriage again after an appearance Tuesday at the University of Georgia in Athens. This time he was referring to the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision on Friday that legalized same-sex unions.
Gingrich, who has been mentioned as a possible Republican presidential contender in 2012, spoke after wrapping up a class he has been teaching on the judicial system at the University of Georgia’s law school.
Gingrich said he sees the beginning of a “major movement” to bring the judicial branch into check in the wake of last Friday’s Iowa Supreme Court decision. The ruling said a state law limiting marriage to a man and a woman violates the constitutional rights of equal protection.
“It’s the height of judicial arrogance,” Gingrich said. “You have seven lawyers who have decided, on their own, to fundamentally change Iowa.”
The comments from the former lawmaker from Georgia came on the same day that the Vermont legislature voted to legalize gay marriage.
Vermont’s process, Gingrich said, was “healthier.”
“The people of Vermont have every right to elect the legislators they want and if they disagree with this decision they have every right to replace them and so it is the people’s branch overriding the governor, who’s elected, and it’s not an isolated imposition by the elite.”
He added: “Even for people who don’t agree with the outcome, it’s a much better process.”
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