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Why does Christie staff outrank the LG?

by: Rosi Efthim

Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 01:48:51 PM EST

Today's The Auditor tells a backstage story from the League of Municipalities conference that strikes me as an insult to LG Kim Guadagno.

Look, Guadagno doesn't need me defending her. Besides the obvious point that she can take care of herself - believe me, I watched her at the LG candidates' debate, and she can - I'm saying besides that fact, she's got a whole staff to look out for her, and they all voted for her. I did not. Nevertheless, she's my LG now, too. We didn't think it worth our time to link to her speech if the governor was going to blow off meeting with local electeds to fly west for another GOP love fest (that's on him, not her), the The Auditor's account of the lead up to her speech sheds light on how Christie sees her. The podium jokes - Christie staff watching so she didn't "go rogue," poised to text him if she got out of line - got a little laugh. And why shouldn't they? She's a charming woman, comfortable in front of a crowd. But here's the stuff Auditor says the electeds didn't see:

What Guadagno didn't mention was the behind-the-scenes turmoil associated with her marquee luncheon address. The Auditor has it from two sources the LG's staff wrote a speech, deemed too "strident" for the crowd, that would have been received badly.
Much to Guadagno's chagrin, the governor's gang relieved her staff of responsibilities for the text. As she fretted, Christie's communications people tore up Guadagno's remarks and put them back together.

In the end, we hear, she was satisfied. But seriously, does it look like she'd be free to say if she wasn't?

One of the reasons we have an LG is so she can step in and govern. Guadagno is no dummy, so why does Christie's staff have her on this short a leash? Why do they outrank her? I want this woman ready to lead if Christie's sidelined for health or any reason. How's she going to do that if she has to be handled to this degree by a control-freak governor? Free the LG!

Man, elections have consequences. Can you imagine Loretta Weinberg putting up with this for 5 minutes, let alone 11 months?

Rosi Efthim :: Why does Christie staff outrank the LG?

Tags: Lt Governor, Kim Guadagno, LG, Christie staff, featured, Loretta Weinberg, League of Municipalities, Auditor, (All Tags)

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Why does Christie staff outrank the LG? | 8 comments

O.K. Rosie! (0.00 / 0)

Let me be the first to say you made me smile. And no it would be hard for me to imagine that.

by: Senator Loretta Weinberg @ Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 18:56:11 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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The chains that bind the cabinet & LG (0.00 / 0)

Christie's way of governing is through tight control. He demonstrated that when he fired Schundler and had the successor not attend the education conference. He intervenes in everything from ARC to medicinal marijuana. His Chief of Staff, Chief Counsel and Chief Policy Planner, among others, transmit instructions to his cabinet. This is not an administration where cabinet members or the LG feel free to venture out on their own. Past governors have often tightened the chains, but probably none as successfully as Governor Christie. High officials must listen carefully to Executive Office staffers and tread softly to avoid his anger or reprisals.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

by: Bill Orr @ Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 19:52:53 PM UTC

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I think all that's right (0.00 / 0)

that Bill says. And I think that will all work for Christie until it does not.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.

by: Rosi Efthim @ Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 22:31:43 PM UTC

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Hopefully sooner rather later (0.00 / 0)

But right now he's still riding high.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

by: Bill Orr @ Mon Nov 22, 2010 at 14:11:55 PM UTC

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sounds like the typical VP experience (0.00 / 0)

Still, in NJ's system, the moment Christie leaves the state she has power. Would be funny if she fired someone.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 22:15:32 PM UTC

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Theoretically, yes. (0.00 / 0)

Practically, it doesn't look that way.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.

by: Rosi Efthim @ Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 22:32:47 PM UTC

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Ugh! (0.00 / 0)

As someone who heard both the Governor drone on forever last year without saying anything, and heard the Acting Governor drone on forever without saying anything this year, I can't say that I'm surprised that the source of both speeches was the same...

There is nothing Democratic about a Machine.

by: Carl Bergmanson @ Sun Nov 21, 2010 at 22:18:02 PM UTC

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Team Christie (0.00 / 0)

As this train wreck of an administration careens off the track, taking out the middle class families and hope, at least they have Jim Jones'ian allegiance!

There is much to be said for blind allegiance to horrid leadership.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

by: Couch Potato Politics @ Mon Nov 22, 2010 at 12:35:04 PM UTC

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Why does Christie staff outrank the LG? | 8 comments