Three Cheers for Senator Rice

by: deciminyan

Fri Mar 11, 2011 at 12:00:00 PM EST

Rice is using his senatorial privilege to block Cerf's appointment because of....
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Rice's action is largely symbolic. Cerf is already the acting commissioner and in that role, he has all the power and authority necessary to implement the governor's ill-advised education agenda. But Cerf is damaged goods, and his effectiveness will be somewhat compromised.

It's good to see Rice join the ranks of Senator Buono and Senator Weinberg in bringing some Wisconsinesque courage to the state's upper house instead of rolling over to Christie's agenda as many Democrats have done.

Despite the bullying of our governor, New Jersey still has three branches of government. One of the obvious lessons learned in the election of 2010 is that if Democrats act like Republicans, voters will choose the bona fide Republican. Democrats need to promote the values of the party and not only show the voters how the GOP is harming the middle class, kids, and the elderly, but also remind the voters that progressive ideals are what built this country and what made it strong. That's the kind of leadership we need in Trenton, and Senator Rice is taking steps to move in a positive direction.