While social conservatives are fuming over New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's decision to give up the fight against same-sex marriage, another segment of the GOP's base has greeted the development with quiet enthusiasm.
According to BuzzFeed, Christie's move is widely supported among the small but influential group of hyper-wealthy, tri-state-area donors who make up Christie's "true base." According to the report, these men and women, who made up Mitt Romney's financial base of support in the 2012 campaign, see same-sex marriage as "a losing issue for their party." Many of them personally support same-sex marriage, too.
"They would rather not see this issue on the table [in the next presidential election]," one elite GOP fundraiser told BuzzFeed. "They’re focused on economic issues and trying to win."
To people like Paul Singer, the hedge fund titan who founded American Unity PAC to encourage Republicans to support marriage equality, Christie’s surrender was cause for celebration.
Jeff Cook-McCormac, a senior adviser to Singer’s PAC, praised Christie’s move to BuzzFeed.
“While he didn’t get the policy outcome he was looking for, he was able to navigate this in a way that’s really thoughtful and respectful of the sentiments of a diverse community within New Jersey,” Cook-McCormac said. “I mean, he’s a rare guy who’s been able to appeal to people with sincerely held beliefs on both sides of this issue.”
He added, “The donor community are particularly looking for leaders who can unite people, and who can find a path back to winning elections.”
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