New Jersey Reconsiders Same-Sex Marriage; Santorum Worries About Polygamy MANCHESTER, N.H. - There's more news from the equal rights front - some good, some just bizarre. The Newark Star-Ledger reported on Monday that the New Jersey state legislature will soon reconsider the issue of marriage equality. Two years ago the legislature rejected same-sex marriage, but advocates are somewhat optimistic about a reversal. Two years ago, the Star-Ledger noted, Gov. Jon Corzine, who was strongly disliked by his own base and supported marriage equality, had lost his seat to Chris Christie, who was strongly liked by his base and opposed it. Senator Steve Sweeney, who has since become the majority leader, voted against gay marriage, but now says he regrets that vote. Mr. Christie has said he opposes gay marriage. It's not likely that he has changed his mind - although he hasn't commented on the new bill. So the challenge will be for the Senate to pass a law allowing New Jersey residents to marry people of their same gender, with a veto proof majority. Now let's set aside reality and travel to the Republican primary campaign ... Rick Santorum made a big deal out of "social" issues like gay marriage in Iowa, where evangelical Christians helped fuel his strong finish. But in New Hampshire, where social issues are not that important and gay marriage is legal, that's not such a great idea, and his campaign wanted to avoid the subject. They failed. At a forum for college students in Concord on Monday, a student asked Mr. Santorum why he opposed same-sex marriage rights. Mr. Santorum replied testily, "So anyone can marry anyone else." Yes, that's exactly the point. Mr. Santorum should have stopped there, but he did not. "So anyone can marry several people?" he said, adding later, "Well, what about three men? If reason says that if you think it's OK for two, then you have to differentiate with me as to why it's not OK for three. Is there anyone on the national stage talking about legalizing polygamy? That wasn't a reality-based comment so much as a not-so-subtle dig at Mitt Romney. He's a Mormon. Many wives. Big Love. Get it? Again, Mr. Santorum could have stopped. But, no. I believe we are made the way God made man and woman, and man and woman come together to have a union to produce children, which keeps civilization going, and provide the best environment for children to be raised. He added: "I think that is something society should value and should give privileged status over a group of people who want to have a relationship together." At least he didn't compare same-sex partnerships to "man on child" and "man on dog" sex, as he did back in 2003.