Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart Grills Chris Christie On Gay Marriage (VIDEO)

In a surprising twist on Thursday's "Morning Joe," Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart spontaneously jumped in and harshly grilled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on his position on gay marriage.

Christie was defending his decision to veto gay marriage in New Jersey and put it to a popular vote. He said that he has the "exact same position as the president" on civil unions. "My feet are firmly planted right next to President Obama's," he said.

Capehart, who had merely been on set for an earlier segment on Willie Geist's show, had apparently gasped at the remarks off-camera. Co-host Mika Brzezinski noticed his extreme reaction, and had him weigh in. Capehart's appearance seemed to catch Christie, who looked surprised, off-guard.

The columnist, who is openly gay, challenged Christie's claim. "The key difference between you and the President is while you support putting the civil rights of a minority up for a public referendum, the president is certainly not in favor of that,” Capehart said.

Christie pushed back. "Has he said that?" he asked about Obama's position. "I haven’t heard him say that…he's silent on the issue, like he’s silent on every issue that’s difficult for him."

Capehart insisted that that was not true. "He’s not silent on this,” Capehart countered. “The President and the Justice Department have made it clear that they believe that the so-called Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional." Then he asked whether Christie would support the legislation if he were president.

Christie tried to challenge Capehart's argument, but the columnist pressed him to answer the question. Capehart's persistence seemed to impact Christie, who said, "First of all, I used to be a prosecutor. I don't know if you did too, but I’m not going to be cross-examined by you this morning."

"I’m having fun trying," Capehart responded.

"And you’re going to lose," Christie shot back. "So let’s just move on."

Capehart would not let up, and Christie proceeded to say that he had made his position on gay marriage clear. "Let’s have the President of the United States show some courage, come on this program, look into the camera like I’m looking into the camera, and state his position," he said. "At least I'm standing up to what I believe in."

Also on HuffPost:

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Comments

[erica stewart]

01:20 PM on 05/17/2012

Let's put on a ballot where the majority of people are under 200lbs or lower should not be allow to eat................AND SEE WHAT HIS ANSWER WOULD BE......HE WOULD SAY ...."THAT IS NOT DEMOCRACY........... I should have a voice and be treated fairly no matter how much I weight..........................THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THERE IS CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL.............".

[ivyleager]

01:50 PM on 03/06/2012

But what does Christie believe in? Putting it up for a popular referendum? That's called punting, not a belief. He obviously hasn't said WHAT he believes in during this article.

[lshaft]

02:45 PM on 03/05/2012

Capehart is proffering his own thoughts that the civil rights agenda for Black people is identical to the quest for acceptance by gays and lesbians. Being born Black is not a choice, being gay is!!!

Capehart is overreaching to gain support for his chosen lifestyle!

[ivyleager]

01:52 PM on 03/06/2012

Choosing to be ignorant is also a choice. Being gay isn't a choice.

[nyteryda]

04:07 AM on 04/15/2012

hi ivyleager,can you imagine a country where young boys and girls doing he same sex thing? Then who will produce children, especially males to fight wars to protect the country?

[huff-fan]

12:38 PM on 03/05/2012

"I haven't thought about it, I'm not going to give you an off the cuff, It's complicated... " He hasn't thought about it? Really????

[nj and you perfect]

04:36 PM on 02/27/2012

I think chris christe instead of stumping for rommney he got stomped. as usual when he can,t answer a question he pouts and stamps his feet lets move on typical! He,s not the sharpest in tool in the shed just a bratty mamas boy

[solidtartan]

12:30 PM on 03/05/2012

Did you even watch the video? capehart was eviscerated...the whole table laughed at him in the end

[anthonytaurus]

09:38 PM on 02/26/2012

Chris Christie is a fool. Is this NOT a representative government? Do we not vote for our politicians to do the will of the people?

When conservatives want something, they'll find ANY way to get it done, whether it's for or against the will of the people. Politicians are finally doing something for the people of NJ and this clown has found a way to dodge it in an effort to curry conservative favor.

What if medical marijuana was up for a vote? Would he let it go to a referendum or let the politicians decide? How many other bills will he get to sign or put to referendum?

These people are pathetic. This is the very reason they will all lose in the next elections. The American people see how these politicians sell them out to the tune of billions of dollars every year. They won't have jobs next year and very few people to lobby as well.

[anthonytaurus]

09:13 PM on 02/26/2012

It's funny. When the people want marijuana legalized, they have to rely on politicians to get the vote through. But, when it comes to gay marriage, we're supposed to rely on ourselves for the vote. Conservatives are pathetic. They will do anything to get their way from whining and crying to mass murder. They all need a good hard slap.

[solidtartan]

12:40 PM on 03/05/2012

Its funny how you fight for Potus who, just as christie points out..has tried to have it both ways...the best capehart could do is regurgitate potus position as "evolving on this issue" If you really cared about the issue you would address the real roadblock. 52 to 1 you do not even live in NJ so CC does not impact you

[Abnormal Wrench]

01:58 PM on 02/26/2012

So if I get the governors argument against legislating it, A) Obama hasn't endorsed it explicitly and B) Democrats have suggested the general public would are in favor of it.

I have no idea why he cares what Obama says...in fact, being a republican, I would assume he should take the polar opposite just in spite. And B is irrelevant, since he would have used it as evidence if it was the other way.

[Abnormal Wrench]

01:55 PM on 02/26/2012

The fun starts around 13:30 in the video

[Sidney Vaught]

12:27 PM on 02/26/2012

Civil rights, especially gay civil rights, should never be voted on by the public because each state could have the Mormons, Catholics and other anti-gay religious bigots come swooping down through a front organization and take those rights away like they did with Proposition 8 in California. Chris Christie is nothing but a loud mouth bigot who never should have been elected to public office whether it be Governor or dog catcher.

[HoratioGalt]

12:18 PM on 02/26/2012

Good lord. Christie is like a child.

[erica stewart]

01:23 PM on 05/17/2012

A big unruly child.

[repugnicansfearme]

10:18 AM on 02/26/2012

New Jersey Tee Shirts:
Our Governor Can Eat Your Governor

[Clevelandinwi]

10:15 AM on 02/26/2012

A black gay guy 'grills' a very large, racist, homophobic, misogynistic blimp. It doesn't get any better than that.

[LTmemOree]

09:23 AM on 02/26/2012

Christie is every bit a compromiser of principles as any other politician.

Governer, would you have bailed out the auto industry? Doesn't answer the question.

Would you support the Defense of Marriage Act? Doesn't answer the question.

Instead, you would bring an issue down the "Art of Compromise Boulevard" and work it that way. Hmm, isn't one's belief in the ability of same-sex couples to marry-either for or aganist-one of one's more deeply held principles? But no. Instead, what you will do is put it up to a vote. And if you lose, guess what. You compromise your principles.

Christie is just another right wing master manipulator and a loudmouth wrapped in the routine of "awe shucks, this just who I am: a genuine guy." He is a one percenter without any principles he wouldn't compromise, like stealing from the taxpayers of new jersey by getting an expensive helicopter ride to a little league came and offering to pay up only after he's been caught after endlessly complaining about all the waste. Please.

Having said that, I'm pretty sick of people commenting on the guy's weight all the time. It's cheap, and embarrassing only to the one's throwing around the insults about his weight. There's so much more there to criticize.

[pdxist]

08:25 AM on 02/26/2012

"I’m not going to be cross-examined by you this morning."

Then don't accept interviews. What country do you think you're a politician in?

[Artamentous]

10:21 AM on 02/26/2012

Is that a serious question? He is in America where the idea of grilling politicians in the Media IS NOT common practice. Politicians in this country get away with some amazing things in front of "journalists".. It's talking points, interview over.

[Abnormal Wrench]

01:59 PM on 02/26/2012

Asking questions is SO controversial!