What's Bill Payne's Damage?

by: Jay Lassiter

Fri Jul 27, 2007 at 12:13:40 PM EDT

The latest?

According to Wally at PoliticsNJ, it's the venerable race card.  Apparently Payne's in a tizzy that DSC chief Joe Cryan is calling for Sharpe James and Wayne Bryant to step down.  (Full disclosure: we couldn't agree more.)

Now Payne is whining that Cryan's move was unfair and insulting to blacks.  Which has my mind reeling especially since 1) Payne recently abandoned the Dem caucus to follow his own ego and 2) the heiresses apparent for James' and Bryant's seats are a Latina and an African American.

Politics being politics, anything is game.  Trust me, I get that. 

The real reason I find Payne's race-baiting temper tantrum so trifiling is because it's such an about face from his behavior at a Statehouse bill signing a few weeks ago.  Corzine had called a press conference to sign the budget with Senate and Assembly leaders in tow and Payne was on hand as well behaving like a loyal yes man, clamoring for photos alongside his erstwhile colleagues, nodding approvingly like a lovable Dutch uncle.

Fast forward a month, and Payne is obviously feeling marginalized and acting out accordingly.  Which is a real drag to watch.  (Note to Payne: the Race Card is soooo 90's)

Consider this a 29th legislative district open thread.  What's Ruiz' deal?  Who is the GOP candidate?  Please weigh in, curious (south Jersey) minds want to know!!!

See also: William Payne Forges Independent "Up with Racism and Corruption" Ticket