Bad habits

by: Hopeful

Tue May 18, 2010 at 06:44:41 PM EDT

To make the hypothetical November special election a bit more appealing to the political what-iffers: one Democratic insider suggests that support for Payne Jr. for mayor could include a deal for U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-Newark) to drop his bid for re-election to a twelfth term in Congress.

Okay, I know the insiders love deals but could the party please at least pretend that our candidates are chosen in primaries? I'll admit I was glad Lautenberg got on the ballot instead of Torricelli, or that McGreevy delayed his resignation to avoid a quick general election, so I'm not pure here, but we're at the point that it's routine for Democratic office-holders to make resignation announcements late so that insiders can select the replacement. It's not a good trend at all in a state known for its corruption.