There is a constant buzz about the possibility that Governor Christie might run for the presidency despite his often colorful and emphatic denials. If he were to run and even to win, what could we expect to happen within NJ? And what might it be like with Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno temporarily assuming his powers while he crisscrosses the country, and even ascending to the governorship if he is elected President?
According to our constitution, "In the event of the absence from the State of a Governor in office ... the functions, powers, duties and emoluments of the office shall devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor until the Governor returns to the state." Nonetheless, although Christie would be frequently out of state campaigning, he would de-facto remain in charge. He already has in place a strong and supportive team of Executive Office leaders in Richard Bagger, Bill Stepien, Wayne Hasenbalg and Jeff Chiesa who understand and are good at carrying out his wishes. Even though some might join his campaign staff, others would remain in Trenton to keep order and to convey instructions to Guadagno and cabinet members. Also, Christie has local consultants, advisors, friends, high-power friends, and people inserted within the various departments who can keep a watchful eye and act as enforcers.
If this is true, then 3 immediate things should be said:
1 - We wish the LG's father comfort and health, relaxation and peace.
2 - The Christie front office should have released that information immediately. Failing to do so, and instead running a PR campaign focused on damage control for the Christie take-charge image, reflects far more poorly on the Christie administration than it does anyone who criticized either elected official this week.
3 - And most critically, this information brings into even sharper focus the irresponsibility of Gov. Christie himself. He should have been here, knowing his LG was on compassionate duty with her family, and not simply a vacation, as he is taking.
Christie flew out of NJ on Sunday. That's when the snow started, that's when snow projections became clear. If he knew the nature of Guadagno's trip - and I cannot imagine he didn't - he was on notice that she was going to be unavailable to serve in his absence and might be unavailable to be called back.
That made his actions that much more irresponsible, arrogant and not-ready-for-prime-time.
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?
We're just around the corner from the start of the Lieutenant Governor Debate between Loretta Weinberg, Frank Esposito and Kim Guadagno at 8pm. This is the first time in 214 years that we will elect a Lieutenant Governor and the role of the position is still being defined. You can watch the debate streaming here:What do you expect to see tonight? If you're watching, feel free to blog along.
It doesn't matter that much of what he will say is likely to be boilerplate bullshit and ripoffs of good ideas, many of which were likely already written about on this site.
From a purely political perspective, this is Christie riding his high horse and making a big and focused deal over an issue that is still as hot as a pistol in the minds and hearts of millions of New Jerseyans.
The fact that Corzine got Cammarano and others to resign, and that he will soon be signing Loretta Weinberg's Party Democracy Act is wonderful; but it's not enough.......
Chris Daggett announced his running mate yesterday on the steps of the capital in Trenton. Steve Audubato appeared on NJN news last night to analyze the choices for Lieutenant Governor, now that all three candidates have made their selections. In short, he says Chris Daggett is a decent guy, but he and his choice are very close to irrelevant in this race. On Corzine's selection of Weinberg, he says she wasn't his first choice, but that she is a first class Senator that has fought the party bosses who will be a very energetic campaigner. He's changed his mind on Chris Chrisitie now thinking "he knew what he was doing" in the wake of last weeks news:What do you think of Audubato's analysis?
Updated by Jason: We had another great conversation with Senator Weinberg this week taking live calls from many listeners, which gave her a sense for some of the passion and emotions people are experiencing right now. I've embeded the code to the left for you to have a listen.
Senator Loretta Weinberg, LD-37
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls.
This week: Our guest is appearing for the second time in two weeks. We will have the newly minted candidate for Lieutenant Governor Senator Loretta Weinberg back for a repeat appearance. She promised that if she was chosen as the nominee, she'd be back and we're looking forward to talking about the latest news including here candidacy. We're LIVE tonight at 8:00 p.m..
So, what do you want us to ask the new candidate? Put your ideas in the comments, and we'll choose our favorites to ask her. We really could use your help - after all, we could never be a top ten the #1 most popular progressive political show on Blogtalkradio without your help. So, c'mon - give us some ideas.
I caught up with Senator Weinberg Saturday night at the Burlington County Farm Fair and she had these comments about her repeat performance on BJR:
Or, you can always give us a call during the show and ask the question yourself. Remember, it's all LIVE. That number again is: 646-652-2773.
"I know it is quite tempting, after the events of this week, to write off government as totally corrupt, out of touch and not worthy of anyone's time or support. Believe me, I've had those same thoughts more than once myself," Weinberg said at a campaign rally at the Bergen Performing Arts Center.
"Every time I have a thought like that, I redouble my efforts to fight. And now is one of those times when good people in government must stand up and fight.
"I know who I'm fighting for, and whose side I'll fight by," Weinberg said. "To all who are disillusioned, now is not the time to throw in the towel. The stakes are too high. This governorship is a serious job in a serious time, and it deserves specific plans."
Update....Calls are now going out In Corzine's ioice) inviting folks to the team kickoff event tomorrow!!!
Just got this from the Corzine campaign...
Friends,
This November, for the first time in our state's history, New Jerseyans will have the opportunity to vote both for Governor and for the newly-created office of Lieutenant Governor.
I am proud to announce that I have selected State Senator Loretta Weinberg as my nominee to serve as New Jersey's first Lieutenant Governor.
I hope you'll join both of us tomorrow, Saturday July 25th, at 2 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood.
This is the woman we've called the Godmother of Progressive New Jersey. The uphill-battler of corruption in politics, particularly where she finds it in her own party. the transparency advocate. The fighter - way out front - on marriage equality.
And the woman, who in the thick of the struggle for the soul of the Democratic Party in Bergen County, found herself written about so heavily here at Blue Jersey that her name was up-top in our list of the most requested tags to research posts. Her family called her the Hot-Tag Grandma. And we love that.
Congratulations, Senator.
Sen. Weinberg was our guest last week on Blue Jersey Radio, and I called in and told her I had formally requested to the campaign that whoever the LG pick is, she or he be our guest on the next Blue Jersey Radio. I'm happy to say she promised if Corzine picked her that she'd be there. Here for your listening pleasure is last week's show. And I'm happy to announce that the future Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey will be our guest on the next Blue Jerey Radio, next Tuesday at 8:00pm. Our first back-to-back guest, ever.
I know what I think. I'm thrilled down to my socks. I'm boogie-happy. Woo hooo! But what do you think, Blue Jersey?
Chris Daggett was ready to pick up the check after he qualified for matching funds, but the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission has said not so fast:
Although he raised the $340,000 necessary to qualify for two-for-one matching funds from the state and was approved by ELEC, independent gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett has not yet received the money because he has yet to choose a running mate.
The problem is that, in order to receive public funds, state law requires both the gubernatorial candidate and his or her running mate to file paperwork with ELEC stating that they are willing to participate in the required public debates and disclosing whether they've ever been involved in an issue advocacy organization.
The problem is that no one knows what the Lieutenant Governor position really means. They don't know what it means for the campaign or for governing after the election. ELEC says they are abiding by the strict interpretation of the law to protect funds:
"The law says that both [candidates] - governor and lieutenant governor - must file these reports before receiving funds," said Brindle. "We're very protective of public money."
In fact, the Secretary of State's office won't even say he can run yet if he doesn't choose a running mate:
It remains unclear whether gubernatorial candidates can still run if they have not picked a running mate by the Monday deadline. The Secretary of State's office has yet to make the determination.
"Right now it's a hypothetical question and it will need further legal review," said spokeswoman Susan Evans.
We knew they'd be breaking new ground with the creation of the position, but if Daggett doesn't choose a running mate, then what? Obviously the Monday deadline will have to come and go without an announcement to make the hypothetical a reality, but these are questions that will need answers as we adjust to the new office that has been created.
Now that Christie has chosen a Catholic, Italian, Pro-Choice woman in a attempt further attempt to pander/pretend that he's a "moderate to liberal" Republican, it's time for Jon Corzine to name a genuinely progressive woman to be his LG, and that should be someone with state wide name recognition and an unimpeachable reputation for integrity and who is qualified to be governor on day one should tragedy strike. (Obviously Jon Corzine is a walking example of the fact that anything can happen.)
I wonder if Christie was reading my stuff here months ago when I was saying that if the Republicans nominated a John Lindsay type that they would win?
Well, I was around when progressive Republican John Lindsay was mayor of NY, I got to hear him speak out in Bryant Park against the Vietnam war....and let me tell you....Chris Chritie is no John Lindsay! Christie is a Bush/Ashcroft/Cheney/Gonzalez Republican to the "core".
If Christie had been among those fired when Bush had Gonzalez get rid of any US Attorney who showed some signs of integrity, then he might have a leg to stand on.....but by all indications Christie is a hypocritical hack.
Coming soon - special announcement exclusively on Twitter and Facebook! #takebackNJ
That's been interpreted in some further tweets that Christie will be announcing his LG shortly on those accounts. We'll see if that speculation is correct. Who do you think he goes with if it is his LG choice?
Updated # 2 by Jason: It all depends what your definition of soon is, because 8 hours later, still no announcement. Good thing I'm not a Christie supporter anxiously waiting.
Updated #3 by Jason: Still not soon enough at the end of the day, almost 14 hours after the original tweet. I hope his supporters weren't on standby. Maybe they're having technical difficulties and the Democrats could put up a clock.
Promoted by Jason Springer: Another week, with plenty of discussion about who the runningmate for Jon Corzine might be, but still no announcement. Do you agree with Paul's take or do you have another school of thought?
Let's cut to the chase: The Democrat's choice for Lieutenant Governor should be Loretta Weinberg. She has the experience. She has the record. And she has the passion, temperament, and fortitude to rise to this historic occasion.
In other words, Loretta Weinberg has what it takes to be a great running mate and a great second-in-command -- a fact even privately acknowledged by some of her most public critics.
Blue Jersey will be there this afternoon when President Barack Obama steps on the stage at PNC Arts Center with Gov. Jon Corzine. We'll bring you all the color commentary we can.
If you're there, you might see me or Jason there, so come by the lowly press section (looks like we'll be behind the risers full of cameras, in a work area for press); we'd love to say hello.
Will you be there and twittering? Here's a hashtag to use: #ObamaNJ
It will be interesting to see what the LG buzz is today, or if there are any surprise announcements (or if any of the short-listers are mysteriously absent).
The hot rumor (Wally broke it) that Mayor Cory Booker will endorse Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) for Lieutenant Governor is ramping up the buzz about how the Corzine pick and the Christie pick for their lieutenant governor running mates will shift the race.
Right now, some of that action has shifted to Bergen County. Senator Weinberg, who bucked her own county party leadership in Bergen, would be a progressive choice who would activate Corzine's base. And Booker, a national figure now whose signal he wasn't interested in LG himself boldly telegraphed his own 2013 Drumthwacket intentions, is an obvious major player in the direction this race will take. A potential lightning-rod.
Before Kathleen Donovan's entry into the LG sweepstakes, conversation about the Christie choice centered on Sen. Tom Kean, Junior and Sen. Diane Allen. Donovan, still a dark horse, is an interesting development because she is an electorally-successful Republican who can generate votes in deep-blue Bergen County, where Democrats show up, buthardlyunify.
Donovan was a one-term Assemblywoman who was briefly the GOP state party chair (several months during 1989-1990), one of just a handful of women to run either party. It's not the worst pick Christie could make, given her ability to garner votes in the hostile waters of Bergen County. She's on her fourth term as Bergen County Clerk.
Senator Buono should be Jon Corzine's pick for Lieutenant Governor, she the progressive fiscally responsible choice for Lieutenant Governor. As chair of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee she has stood up to tough special interests for the good of the people of NJ.
Updated by Jason: We had another great conversation with Senator Weinberg this week taking live calls from many listeners, which gave her a sense for some of the passion and emotions people are experiencing right now. I've embeded the code to the left for you to have a listen.
Sen. Weinberg was our guest last week on Blue Jersey Radio, and I called in and told her I had formally requested to the campaign that whoever the LG pick is, she or he be our guest on the next Blue Jersey Radio. I'm happy to say she promised if Corzine picked her that she'd be there. Here for your listening pleasure is last week's show. And I'm happy to announce that the future Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey will be our guest on the next Blue Jerey Radio, next Tuesday at 8:00pm. Our first back-to-back guest, ever.
