KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Gov. Christie Explains Gay Marriage Veto

USATODAY.COM - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie defended his veto of a gay marriage bill, repeating that he would rather see the issue decided by voters through a ballot initiative.

In an interview airing tonight on CNN, Christie told Piers Morgan he recognizes same-sex marriage is a "very emotional and very divisive" issue. But the Republican governor said his widely expected veto should have come as no surprise to anyone who knows that he is Catholic and has long opposed gay marriage.

"And if the people in New Jersey, as some of the same sex marriage advocates suggest the polls indicate, are in favor of it then my position would not be the winning position but I'm willing to take that risk because I trust the people of the state," Christie told CNN.

Christie vetoed the legislation on Friday, a day after the New Jersey legislature passed the measure.

Same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and the District of Columbia. The state of Washington is set to begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples in June.

Christie today outlines his budget. He previewed his remarks with a video, posted below, in which he explains his philosophy about taking on politically tough fights.

It ends with a nod to his mother, who told him to always "be yourself." And the often brash governor says: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is it. What you see is what you get."