While covering the Joe Biden prez bid visit to the Lakes Region here in central NH, I had the opportunity to rub elbows with the local Democrats of Belknap County, who were very gracious, knowing that a conservaative Republican was in their midst. While there, I ran into my state senator, Democrat Kathleen Sgambati, who was kind enough to answer a couple of questions for me.
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NH District 4 Senator Kathleen Sgambati listens to Sen
Joe Biden in Laconia Saturday April 14.
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I asked her how she planned to vote on the same sex civil union legislation that has passed the house. She responded that she "expects to support it," stating that she can’t support "discrimination against any group." I pressed her point, noting that if that were the case, doesn’t a civil union bill allowing for same-sex partnerships leave out those in heterosexual relationships, in effect, discriminating against them? Why not grant such status to people simply living together? She responded that she is looking at Republican Sen. Clegg’s amendment that would address that. "So you favor that?" I asked. "I’m looking at it." Was her reply.
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We’ll have to wait and see, as the civil union bill, fast-tracked to this point, has suddenly stalled. I wonder how many old-fashioned blue collar Democrats really go for this stuff. I wonder if all those voters, seemingly mad at the Republicans across the board in this last election, knew what they were getting when then cast that Democratic ballot last November? Civil unions? Here in NH? Like Vermont and New Jersey and Mass? I don”t think this is what the voters had in mind when they gave the Republicans the heave-ho…