Senator, Do the Governor Another Favor

Sweeney goes rogue? (0.00 / 0)

i'm torn on this one.  signing the bills would be good morals but bad manners.   what would you do??  probably I'd sign.  

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Mon Dec 27, 2010 at 15:53:09 PM UTC

to hell with manners (0.00 / 0)

Does anybody think that the Republicans would let a Democratic Governor and LG get away with this situation without "mischief"?

The main reason that Sweeney is not going to do anything is because he and his boss, Norcross, are in bed with Christie.

If I were him, I would try to secretly get Assembly and Senate Democrats to come into Trenton and get everything passed and signed that I could before Christie could get off the "It's A Small World" ride and somehow get himself back to NJ.

The challenge for Sweeney would be busing all of those legislators, while the challenge for Christie would be finding some way back to the state with all of the airports closed.  The drama would make for a fun documentary.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Mon Dec 27, 2010 at 17:37:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Inexplicabally? (0.00 / 0)

Really? There's no explanation, eh?

"Where ever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Bonzai

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by: William Weber (WjcW) @ Mon Dec 27, 2010 at 18:46:34 PM UTC

Betraying a Trust (0.00 / 0)

I wasn't privy to whatever private conversations took place, and maybe occuring now (I assume Christie has access to a phone), but my guess is whatever was said between them I gather Christie would not have left the state if Sweeney didn't lead him to believe he would not do anything unexpected.  Therefore, doing something like has been suggested would not only be "bad manners" but betray a personal trust between the two top politicians in the state that could have severe repercussions later on.

Anyway this is all academic since Sweeney is a "mensch" and will not put political gamesmanship ahead of personal honor.  It reminds me of the movie "Seven Days In May" in the scene where the President tells the General who wants to take his place that he should take his case to the people and let them decide on election day, instead of conspiring with a handful of people to seize power when nobody expects it.  If Sweeney wants to become Governor and sign laws that Christie opposes, then he needs to take his case to the people and let them decide accordingly.  That's the "American" way.

In the meantime, I'll take back all my above comments if someone can provide a reference where Florio left the state when he was Governor and the GOP Senate President, who became Acting Governor, took advantage to the extent some are advocating here.  

http://christiegonewild.blogsp...

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by: ken bank @ Mon Dec 27, 2010 at 20:28:41 PM UTC

sanctimonious much? (0.00 / 0)

i don't think people musing about possibilities  that'll never come to pass OR sharing what we'd do is quite the same as telling Sweeney what do to.

But thanks for reminding me of it feels like to be schoolmarm'd.  I still hate it.

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Mon Dec 27, 2010 at 20:43:31 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If I was Sweeney (3.00 / 1)

I'd tell Christie upfront that if he left me in charge I'd sign the bills he opposed.  Then he can either cancel his trip, tell the LG to cancel her trip, or leave me in charge to sign the bills.  I wouldn't feel guilty about making him cancel his trip since he had plenty of time to make his arrangements and coordinate with the LG.

I think Sweeney went along because he wants to keep his relationship with Christie on a cordial basis, which is understandable, and probably beneficial for everybody in the long run.

http://christiegonewild.blogsp...

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by: ken bank @ Mon Dec 27, 2010 at 23:27:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

High Marks for Governor Sweeney (4.00 / 1)

With an overnight approval rating of 68% Governor Sweeney has far surpassed Chris( Mickey)Christie.

 

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by: firstamend07 @ Mon Dec 27, 2010 at 21:40:25 PM UTC

It depends. (0.00 / 0)

As others have noted, the right thing to do depends on whether Sweeney already agreed not to all Mike Curb on Christie. I think it's a good bet that the discussion happened before Guadagno left the state and if so, I don't think it would be right for Sweeney to renege.

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by: Dvd Avins @ Tue Dec 28, 2010 at 01:48:56 AM UTC

Thanks for the reference (0.00 / 0)

It was in the back of my mind but I just couldn't recall the name.  But I do remember all the controversy.

The last time we had a similar situation in NJ was the last two years of Florio and I believe Donny Di was the GOP Senate President.  I can't recall any problems when Florio was out of state, but maybe someone with a better memory than mine can give us a reference.

The reason for having an LG was not so much the Governor taking short trips out of state but to have an orderly succession in case of a resignation, as happened with Whitman and McGreevey, or a prolonged incapacity which happened after Corzine's car accident.

http://christiegonewild.blogsp...

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by: ken bank @ Tue Dec 28, 2010 at 02:34:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

TNut blogger bashes Christie (3.50 / 2)

Rightwing blogger Michael Illions is joining the parade of assorted TNuts and unreconstructed Loneganistas in bashing Christie/Guadagno for being away.

Although he doesn't mention "Blue Jersey" by name he makes reference to "the left wing blog" he accuses of trying to persuade Sweeney to go back on his word and take advantage of the situation.  I assume he's referring to "Blue Jersey" as it is the pre-eminent progressive blog in the state, and the issues he refers to are being discussed and debated on this site.

http://christiegonewild.blogsp...

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by: ken bank @ Tue Dec 28, 2010 at 05:48:36 AM UTC

Give People Raises (0.00 / 0)

Sweeney should sign as much as he can. Maybe even give NJ State workers a bonus day off. Let Christie find ways to pay for everything. I mean if you give a chimp a gun and he shoots someone, you don't blame the chimp.
Do as I say not as I do, works both ways.

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by: Smudge358 @ Tue Dec 28, 2010 at 10:43:12 AM UTC