GOP CONTEST SPLITS ON POT

GALLOWAY TWP. They're against abortion. Not keen on gay marriage. And
ready to change the makeup of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

But three Republican candidates for governor clashed Friday over the
legalization of medical marijuana, a proposal that moved closer this
week to becoming law.

Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie said as "a former law enforcement
guy," he believes more controls are needed over how marijuana would
be distributed so that it doesn't end up on the streets.

Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan called it a "freedom and liberty"
issue, saying that he wholeheartedly supports the proposal.

"I'm extremely concerned when I hear about law enforcement getting
between a doctor and their patient," Lonegan added. "I've seen people
suffering, terminally ill."

Christie shot back that he's seen suffering, too.

"I have seen the suffering that drug abuse and drug trafficking does
on our streets all over this state," he said.

Brian Levine, mayor of Franklin Township in Somerset County, said
that as it stands, the bill would send the drug to the ill without
going through the proper channels.

"Right now, it's, OGo smoke a couple joints,' " Levine said.
"Everything (else) you get is, OTake this many milligrams this many
times a day.' "

The comments came as the three candidates addressed an economic
development group at the Ram's Head Inn in Galloway, where their
discussions included social issues, the economic condition of the
state and the decisions they would have the opportunity to make as
governor, including appointing two New Jersey Supreme Court justices
and possibly a third. A fourth Republican candidate, Assemblyman
Richard Merkt of Morris County, did not attend.

During the next governor's term, two Supreme Court judges face
mandatory retirement and a third is up for reappointment.

"I would replace both of those justices with people who strictly
interpret the law and no longer legislate from the bench," said Christie.

Christie and Levine both said they would closely review the record of
the third judge before reappointment to be sure that he ruled
strictly by the law.

Lonegan said he would not reappoint the justice. He added that he
believes judges should be appointed to their first terms and
re-elected to a second.

On abortion, Christie said he is pro-life and would express that
belief if elected governor, although he has said previously that he
would not force a reversal of abortion rights.

Levine said he opposes partial-birth abortion but indicated that he
would approach the issue of repealing abortion rights with caution
out of concern for women.

"I don't want them going to a back alley with a coat hanger," he
said. "And I don't want to throw them in jail because they decided to do this."

Lonegan said he would seek to repeal abortion rights laws and looked
forward to the day when he saw Roe v. Wade overturned.

The candidates all said they opposed gay marriage. Christie and
Lonegan said they believed the issue should be decided by the voters.

Christie, Lonegan and Levine blamed the state's economic problems on
Gov. Jon Corzine's fiscal policies.

And while Corzine attended the Southern New Jersey Development
Council event later in the day, he had little interest in talking
about the race.

For his part, Corzine has said that he is focused on navigating the
state through the current economic crisis. In his keynote address at
the event, he told about 200 people that tough choices are ahead in
the upcoming budget, which is projected to have a $6 billion to $7
billion shortfall.

"As you heard this morning, we do have an election coming up,"
Corzine said in his only reference to the November ballot. "This is
not the easiest or the most attractive platform to be running on."

With regard to the issues, Corzine signed the New Jersey bill to
allow civil unions and has said he would sign gay marriage
legislation if it reached his desk. He has also said that he would
sign the "Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act," which would allow
those with seriously debilitating illnesses to grow marijuana or get
it from a designated alternative treatment center.

On Friday, he said the medical marijuana bill was not as important as
the economy, but said he supported the legislation that has passed
the Senate and must still go before the Assembly.

"It's important for people who suffer at the end of life," Corzine
said. "And, if this is the way they have some quality of living at
the end of life, and a doctor prescribes it, and if it is purchased
in the ordinary course of a disciplined process, then I certainly
wouldn't stand in the way."

"And the fact is, that's what I think the Senate bill does," he
added. "And I support it."

The Republican forum was taped for New Jersey Network's "On The
Record" and will air Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.