What criteria should be used to choose the Lt. Gov?
I’d like to start off the week with a question. There has been talk about names and possible running mates for Governor Corzine. If you take away the names, I wonder what people think are the most important qualities in the potential candidate?
Should the Governor make his decision by adding diversity to the ticket choosing a woman or minority running mate? Should he forget any of those factors and make a decision based on who will get him the most votes given his current position in the polls and the makings of a difficult campaign? Should he look for someone with policy expertise to sure up any perceived weaknesses in his campaign? Should he consider geography in making the decision? Do you think there is a candidate that encompasses any or all of these qualities?
From reports, the Corzine campaign believed that Cory Booker filled the bill, but he has rebuffed repeated overtures. I would argue that choosing someone based on policy expertise doesn’t matter if they don’t get enough votes to implement the policies. Now if you can tell me there is someone that brings votes with that expertise, I’m open to hearing it, but I don’t really see it.
Senator Weinberg endorsed the idea of Buono, Sweeney and Watson Coleman. Sweeney wouldn’t qualify as a woman or minority, but definitely falls under regional considerations. I don’t think Sweeney would want it and don’t think the Governor is going in that direction, but the name is out there. Ron Rice wants a minority candidate to be the choice, but given that Cory Booker said now, you wonder whether he can say I offered and it was turned down. Former Party Chair wants Bonnie Watson Coleman to be the choice, saying she has the issues, leadership, and would help with the urban base.
Ultimately, I think the choice will either be Barbara Buono or Bonnie Watson Coleman. I think the calculation is that the race will be about the Governor and his policies, regardless of who the running mate is. I wonder not only who you think it will be, but why you think they should be chosen.