OT: Pinkett Corzine LG Pick?

[Poet]

Corzine considering reality TV star for LG
By Wally Edge

http://www.politickernj.com/files/f_0.w_417/corzinepinkett1.jpg

Randal Pinkett, who went to work for Donald Trump after winning Season 4 of The Apprentice, is receiving serious consideration to become the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, according to Democrats connected to Gov. Jon Corzine. Corzine has been actively searching for an African American running mate.

Pinkett, a 38-year-old Rhodes Scholar who runs a Newark-based management, technology and policy consulting firm, joins State Senators Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) and Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) as the leading contenders to run with Corzine in November. The Franklin Township resident is a graduate of Rutgers University and received a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He worked for General Electric, AT&T Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies before launching his own company and working for Trump's Atlantic City casino.

According to his website, Pinkett's firm "works with corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations in the areas of housing and community development, economic development, human services, nonprofit and community technology, healthcare and education."

Corzine could announce his LG candidate as early as next week, before President Obama attends a rally for the Corzine campaign at the PNC Arts Center in Holmdel.

Wally Edge can be reached via email at politicsnj@aol.com.

[bobobra]

Wow Randell Pinkett could emerge as a brilliant pick for the ailing Corzine. Moreover, as LG Pinkett could be position himself to be New Jersey's first African American Governor. First Obama now Pinkett. Booker may not be positioning himself to take advantage of the future.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

Wow Randell Pinkett could emerge as a brilliant pick for the ailing Corzine. Moreover, as LG Pinkett could be position himself to be New Jersey's first African American Governor. First Obama now Pinkett. Booker may not be positioning himself to take advantage of the future.

It will be more advantageous for a person seeking state-wide office, such as governor or U.S. Senate, to come from a state-wide position such as Lieutenant Governor. Local political leaders, such as mayors or county executives, are so locally entrenched that they never ascend to state-wide office. Not one mayor of Newark or county executive was ever able to do this.

However, Booker might be the exception because of his wide name recognition and the positions he has taken on general global issues affecting more than just Newarkers. This is the importance that his Twittering plays, his speech stumping and appearances on t.v./cable shows. If you've read any of Booker Twitter's you'll see he gets responses from folks across the country if not the globe.

But Booker will have to run the gauntlet of Newark/Essex politics which can be like quicksand. Pinkett, presumably already in the catbird seat of LG, would not have to get his hands so dirty.

[Poet]

I don't get it. How does this strengthen Corzine's chances? Pinkett is the young black version of Corzine, pre-politics: Accomplished businessman with little to no political exposure.

If I were Booker, I would promote this duo as much as possible. I can't see Pinkett stepping away from his wildly successful business ventures to serve public office. If Pinkett does do it, most democrats who want the governor's seat will see him as a placeholder, not a future threat. Booker included. In addition, its a test ballon to see if NJ is, in fact, ready to elect a black person to office.

[brotherderek]

You really believe that will get him the white middle class vote he needs? Not Obama..not even a name we heard..White maybe women needed to win.

[5Reasons]

This has to be a bluff of some sort, but even as a trial balloon this doesn't work. I sure wish someone would take the hit for Corzine and be his running mate.

[John360]

That's nuts! They can't be serious - he has no political experience at all.

[brotherderek]

understand politics better then any blog I have seen..I really don't know who or what would be a good running mate ,but it would need to make political sense.I saw a recent poll on many different issues,can't find one were he is in a big lead..god only knows we don't need mr. christe..hope we can put our heads together and somebody takes note.

[JustaThought]

we do not need Christie. I hope that we will unite and get active in this campaign. We really need to help in the various counties..ie Morris if not hello Governor Christie.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

This has to be a bluff of some sort, but even as a trial balloon this doesn't work. I sure wish someone would take the hit for Corzine and be his running mate.

I lost count of Corzine's Lieutenant Governor bluffs. This is what, number ten or whereabouts? Grow a set and do it already. It seems as if every week Corzine's floating yet another name for Lieutenant Governor. He puts up a name, makes a wind check and then the following week he's back to square one. What's the problem? No one wants to be strapped to a torpedo?

[JoefromPGH]

I lost count of Corzine's Lieutenant Governor bluffs. This is what, number ten or whereabouts? Grow a set and do it already. It seems as if every week Corzine's floating yet another name for Lieutenant Governor. He puts up a name, makes a wind check and then the following week he's back to square one. What's the problem? No one wants to be strapped to a torpedo?


Miss Tam,

From my perspective, Corzine has been this way on just about everything.

Justathought,

You are so correct; the state does not NEED Christie but it does need a governor who knows what he/she is doing and one that can make the tough decisions. Does either candidate fill that need?

******************************

[Doofus1]

We need to get rid of INCUMBENTS--all of them--Democrat or Republican. If you don't get this, then we are doomed to another 4 years of financial stupidity and probably bankruptcy.

[brotherderek]

and the people we elect should not get paid or be able to make money on contracts for themselves or family..Plenty of people will do it free.

[JustaThought]

Unfortunately, no. But what is our alternative. We really need an independent party. I am so frustrated with voting for the lesser of the two evils. I am not a Corzine fan, but definitely not a Christie fan either. So where do we go??????? I am lost!

[5Reasons]

Is Christie, as a moderate Republican, strong enough to control the crazies in his party? And is Corzine, as a nice-guy Democrat, strong enough to control the thieves in his? :rolleyes: Those are two questions you have to access.

In light trading on www.intrade.com, Christie is now trading at 59 which means the bettors believe he has an approximate 59% chance of winning the election. This is the highest and longest I've ever seen a state GOP candidate trade on this website.

No matter how you slice it, Corzine just doesn't inspire and that means unless something drastically changes, his turnout numbers are going to be down from 2005. The few Democrats that might have made a difference with his numbers in the LG position - folks like Redd, Booker et al, have all decided to look out for their own future rather than go into this uphill battle. Now poor Corzine is left to interview Flavor of Love rejects, America's Got Talent contestants and For the Love of Ray J producers. :rolleyes:

I tell ya, politics is a cruel business. I bet if Jon was up 20%, everyone and their momma would be on him like pleather on a Puerto Rican. But since that's not the case, the Dems aren't voting him off the island, but they also aren't giving him a life line either.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

Corzine is counting on Obama's Jersey appearances to tide him over. That could be kind of tricky. According to recent polling, Independents have begun to "turn" on Obama. It's the independents in Jersey who are trending towards Christie. The other chink in Obama's armor is the high unemployment. Obama says to wait for the stimulus to stimulate. It's going to be a long wait. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/opinion/11herbert.html?_r=1

Meanwhile, Jonny Boy will continue to parade a list of contestants for his Lieutenant Governor spot. Who's next:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/10/01/fashion/01flav.xlarge1.jpg

[newarkismyhome]

big ups to obama for making this possible. corzine would never have considered a smart young black man with national name recognition for the post before barack (unless of course, his name was cory booker haha).

but this would be good if it goes through. it would finally give me a reason to campaign for corzine.

[Doofus1]

This is just a ploy. It will be a long-standing Democratic politician, most likely a woman, not some young guy without a public record.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

big ups to Obama for making this possible. corzine would never have considered a smart young black man with national name recognition for the post before Barack (unless of course, his name was Cory Booker haha). but this would be good if it goes through. it would finally give me a reason to campaign for corzine.

The irony is that Jonny Boy wasn't initially an Obama supporter. Now Jonny will kiss the ground Obama walks on. Obama doesn't want Repubs to take New Jersey during his term; that's the only reason Obama is stumping for the fool.

I believe Jonny Boy saw some handwriting on the wall that spooked him. Ronald Rice Senior told Corzine that he lacks African American support for his re-election. Therefore, Corzine's thinking is that if he puts up a black for Lieutenant Governor, AA's will come out for him in droves on election day.

Jonny is going to have to rely heavily on machine politics to win this one.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

This is just a ploy. It will be a long-standing Democratic politician, most likely a woman, not some young guy without a public record.

What ploy might that be? 'Cause Jonny's driving me to the edge with this game. What happened to Loretta Weinberg? Do it already, Jonny, do it!

[Miss Tam-Tam]

This is just a ploy. It will be a long-standing Democratic politician, most likely a woman, not some young guy without a public record.

What happened to Loretta Weinberg? Do it, Jonny, do it!http://www.southorangevillage.com/vc/extensions/Vanillacons/smilies/happy/crazy.gif

[Doofus1]

What ploy might that be? 'Cause Jonny's driving me to the edge with this game

Miss T, no one should let Johnny Slick give them heartburn. He's a clueless idiot, which is insulting to idiots, I imagine.

[5Reasons]

Corzine is right about one thing: he needs an out-of-the-box pick. He truly does. If the financial sector wasn't in shambles, I would say pick off a VP from one of those companies. Now, however, I believe he should pick someone from the private sector, preferably someone from the upper echelon of the pharma industry. The risk of a pick like this, however, is that they haven't been properly vetted and they can always blow up in your face. If he can't find a quality private sector leader, then Weinberg would be satisfactory but uninspiring for a candidate that needs a jolt.

The GOP's best line is that private sector jobs have declined over the last 8 years. He can address that issue with an LG from the private sector that can vouch for him. It won't help with true independents, but it will help bring home some of the weak Democrats.

At this point the trajectory of the race appears to favor the Republicans; however, the good thing going for Jon is that it is the New Jersey Republican...a hapless lot if there ever was one. Knowing them, they'll pick some utterly scary LG that will turn moderates off and energize the Democratic base. But Christie seems to be on the ball and I suspect that he's going to pick someone like Peck or Diane Allen. If he does either of those moves, the hill just got steeper for Corzine.

[Doofus1]

5, I think you are wrong on the Lt. pick for Johnny. His only hope, and it is a real one, is that massive public union membership and the old people come out in huge numbers and vote for him. He has built in advantage because these groups are solidly for him and do vote in big numbers. I don't think anyone from the private sector does him a bit of good.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

According to this pundit, Loretta Weinberg is just a seat warmer for Booker.

http://www.politickernj.com/wallye/31350/could-corzines-lg-become-governor

Could Corzine's LG become Governor?
By Wally Edge

If you believe it is possible that Gov. Jon Corzine might not finish his second term, than you may be among those who understand that the selection of a Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor might actually mean the identification of the next Governor of New Jersey. There are some insiders who believe that if he wins re-election, Corzine will get to a point where lame duck status bores him. He could wind up in a cabinet post in Barack Obama's second administration, if the President wins re-election in 2012. Corzine could be gone in January 2013.

Gubernatorial vacancies are nothing new to New Jersey. It has been twenty years since a Governor finished a second term. Christine Todd Whitman resigned after seven years to join George W. Bush's cabinet; she was succeeded by Donald DiFrancesco. Richard Codey spent fourteen months as Governor after James E. McGreevey resigned. In recent years, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut have seen Lt. Governors become Governors.

Corzine's selection looms large in the world of Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who is widely viewed as a potential candidate for the 2013 Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Booker is backing 74-year-old State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) for Lt. Governor, with the hope that the Bergen County Democrat would not run for a full term in four years. Some insiders say that State Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) would be a candidate.

[John360]

big ups to obama for making this possible. corzine would never have considered a smart young black man with national name recognition for the post before barack (unless of course, his name was cory booker haha).

but this would be good if it goes through. it would finally give me a reason to campaign for corzine.

I truly do not understand why you are motivated by the thought of a person who has zero political/government experience being LG.

[Maximus Returns]

Corzine's selection looms large in the world of Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who is widely viewed as a potential candidate for the 2013 Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Booker is backing 74-year-old State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) for Lt. Governor, with the hope that the Bergen County Democrat would not run for a full term in four years. Some insiders say that State Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) would be a candidate.

Mr. Booker has to take care of business at home next year first. Anything less than a runaway reelection victory will expose him as a weak sister. A loss will have him running for Harrington Park school board.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

Mr. Booker has to take care of business at home next year first. Anything less than a runaway reelection victory will expose him as a weak sister. A loss will have him running for Harrington Park school board.


As of the 2000 census, the population of Harrington Park was 4,740.

[5Reasons]

http://www.politickernj.com/files/Quinnipiac071409.pdf

At least I know where the Pinkett stuff is coming from. Has anyone taken a look at this latest Quinnipiac poll? Christie is polling an astounding 29% amongst African American voters. That's Bloomberg territory, folks. And it's the best showing amongst a Republican since Kean in 1985.

Again, if Christie can keep the crazies at bay, he has a good chance to make gains. Even if the 29% doesn't hold up, he still has a chance to break 20% and if he gets that figure, it's taps for the Dems.

[Make Newark Clean]

Maybe he picked the wrong Pinkett. Jada is a much better choice! (Is she in Jersey?) Hubby Will "the Fresh Prince" Smith can write a rap capturing the heart and spirit of statewide fans for our cool Gov and his fabulously photogenic Louie G! The electorate breaks out into spontaneous synchronized dance and, after a word from our sponsor, it concludes with thousands of happy, shiny voters pulling the lever for Jonny C!

_______________
Rated G (Suitable for children); Runtime: 22 minutes (plus 4 years)


^

[Miss Tam-Tam]

http://www.politickernj.com/files/Quinnipiac071409.pdf

At least I know where the Pinkett stuff is coming from. Has anyone taken a look at this latest Quinnipiac poll? Christie is polling an astounding 29% amongst African American voters. That's Bloomberg territory, folks. And it's the best showing amongst a Republican since Kean in 1985.

Freaking amazing. It's indicative of how much Corzine has fallen out of favor with even the most die hard Dems. So Ron Rice Senior was right after all about Corzine's lack of support from African Americans. I should know. I'm an African American and I can't stand his a$$! (Sorry!) Do you think Obama coming to Jersey will pull Jonny's poll numbers up? Corzine is spending an enormous amount on political ads. Apparently, they haven't made much impact.

[Doofus1]

I can't see an African American Lt G pick helping him with that problem unless it was Obama himself.

[newarkismyhome]

The irony is that Jonny Boy wasn't initially an Obama supporter. Now Jonny will kiss the ground Obama walks on. Obama doesn't want Repubs to take New Jersey during his term; that's the only reason Obama is stumping for the fool.

I believe Jonny Boy saw some handwriting on the wall that spooked him. Ronald Rice Senior told Corzine that he lacks African American support for his re-election. Therefore, Corzine's thinking is that if he puts up a black for Lieutenant Governor, AA's will come out for him in droves on election day.

Jonny is going to have to rely heavily on machine politics to win this one.

while jonny will have to rely on machine politics, randall is not a machine guy at all. jonny picked an unentrenched independent guy in randall, which is smart on one hand because people dont like seeing the same old pigs feeding at the trough. so jonny will still have to make deals elsewhere with the essex and hudson county democratic establishments because there is no way he wins the seat without their full support. i'm sure he's already budgeted for this.

christie should pick a black woman just to make it interesting. :D

[newarkismyhome]

I truly do not understand why you are motivated by the thought of a person who has zero political/government experience being LG.

zero political/govt experience is actually a selling point in new jersey. lol. its been an insular, old boys network for far too long and the only reason why corzine got in is because he paid big bucks. i wont go into randal's resume but its a stretch to say that he has no experience in politics or govt. its safe to say that this would be his first candidacy, though.

[JoefromPGH]

zero political/govt experience is actually a selling point in new jersey. lol. its been an insular, old boys network for far too long and the only reason why corzine got in is because he paid big bucks. i wont go into randal's resume but its a stretch to say that he has no experience in politics or govt. its safe to say that this would be his first candidacy, though.


I totally agree.

[Poet]

I have no inside information but I think Jon Corzine is going 2 pick Randal Pinkett for Lt. Gov spot. Randal co-led my transition. Great Guy

Wow... Is Booker jumping on the "Randal is my friend" train?

[John360]

zero political/govt experience is actually a selling point in new jersey. lol. its been an insular, old boys network for far too long and the only reason why corzine got in is because he paid big bucks. i wont go into randal's resume but its a stretch to say that he has no experience in politics or govt. its safe to say that this would be his first candidacy, though.

While I agree with you on the old boys network - I still don't see it. Sure he's smart, has name recognition, and runs a successful business, but that's exactly what I'm asking - what's in his resume that would excite me? I 'm not seeing it.

[Mark J.]

Wow... Is Booker jumping on the "Randal is my friend" train?

He ought to be...he's going to be calling him "sir" and "your excellency" and "governor" for a long, long time.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

One thing I can say about Jonny Boy. He knows how to use people to get what he wants. It's not all bad being used by Corzine is it? Just ask Carla. http://blog.nj.com/njv_carla_katz/2009/07/corzine_and_the_big_o.html

After Jonny flings himself off of you, discards you like a used prophylactic, you'll be handsomely reimbursed. That's the Wall Street culture: Win at any cost. Never take "no" for an answer. Believe that you will have it.

Jonny wants Cory. Bad.

http://www.politickernj.com/max/31394/alagia-i-would-be-honored-campaign-pinkett#comment

<<State Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Elizabeth) earlier today dismissed speculation that Corzine allies used Pinkett as a head fake to get Newark Mayor Cory Booker to run with Corzine, and Alagia also said it's not true.

"A lot of people thought Cory would be a great lieutenant governor candidate," Alagia said. "When he said he was not interested, I think they just moved on to other candidates. Cory was very clear."

There is a cringe factor in Essex early among some elected officials when it comes to Pinkett. No government experience. Under 40. Untested.

"My question to anyone making those comments is if not him, who? We're not going to get a candidate who has every single excellent quality, but here is someone who is a Rhodes scholar and a businessman at a time when the public is not exactly enamored of elected officials," Alagia said.>>

[Mark J.]

Uh, we're not too crazy about businessmen either...Cory's missing the boat. I think he should wait until it pulls a bit farther from the shore and then jump in and swim for it.

[5Reasons]

Why would Booker or anyone else want to join a lackluster Corzine? It's Corzine's doing for the fact that he's down a dozen points. He hasn't been effective at communicating his vision and programs for New Jersey. Now that he's in trouble, he trying to get himself out of it by picking someone from the base? Forget it. Corzine should have known that 2009 was the last, best hope for the GOP to save themselves from permanent oblivion in this state. He should have known they were going to come with everything. But he was asleep at the switch.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

According to the latest pundit report, Pinkett is now out. They make a good point about Pinkett, who wasn't even interested in the position, having his good name bashed in newspaper editorials and the national press as being a laughable pick for LG. Thanks, Jonny.

Jonny Boy is back to square one. Even Mayor Bowser in East Orange was contacted. Has anyone here yet been approached for the LG spot? Does Corzine not realize how this embarrassing fiasco makes him look?

http://www.politickernj.com/wallye/31494/pinkett-tanking-way-surging-what-has-become-anybody-loretta-campaign-will-corzine-liste

[Mark J.]

Corzine needs Booker, so, the deal is: promise to serve only two years of the second term and leave the job to Cory, giving another uncontested victory to the clueless media darling. Let's see if Books can get all the way to president without ever facing an opponent! Perhaps he can go up against Palin in the final contest.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

Corzine needs Booker, so, the deal is: promise to serve only two years of the second term and leave the job to Cory, giving another uncontested victory to the clueless media darling. Let's see if Books can get all the way to president without ever facing an opponent! Perhaps he can go up against Palin in the final contest.

Default would be about the only way Booker gets to be governor.

[Mark J.]

Default would be about the only way Booker gets to be governor.

I am inclined to believe that we are so shallow as a people that Cory Booker (or Sara Palin) could actually become president without ever having a useful thought about anything in their heads, just on the hyped up booster fuel of some celebrity media coverage that once written, becomes it's own truth. I don't think we have the collective energy left to go find truth, or perform any kind of sacrifice that puts us out of our comfort zone. I think truth was the first casualty in the age of information. Where once we had no answers, now we just do a google search and get too many answers, and most of the ones on top have been paid for by people eager to sell something. I am disgusted.
Truth is just a matter of putting on the more dazzling spin, and justice a matter of having the most expensive attorney.

[JustaThought]

it is my hopes that someone from the media reads Newark Speaks to get an accurate account of what we the residents have to say. As I watched the CNN video of our MediaMayor it was almost laughable. He actually said that we have Senior Patrols.....where!!!!!!!!!!

[JustaThought]

Sheriff Kim Guadagno (R-Monmouth) is Chris Christie's choice for lieutenant governor.....

[Miss Tam-Tam]

http://blog.nj.com/njv_carl_golden/2009/07/the_search_goes_onand_onand_on.html

The search goes on...and on...and on...and on
Posted by Carl Golden July 20, 2009 11:08AM
Categories: Politics

The late author, magazine publisher and conservative commentator William F. Buckley once said he'd "rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University."

While not a perfect fit, Buckley's tart observation seems to describe the seemingly endless search by Gov. Jon Corzine for a lieutenant governor candidate to join him on the ticket.

Corzine and his close staff appear to be scouring various telephone directories in their quest for a second on the ticket candidate, a task which began as a serious one but lately has taken on a rather comic aspect.

Names are tossed about publicly, many with no basis in reality, and the entire selection process has become a morass of ethnic-gender-geographical-political tugs of war.

It reached the pinnacle of absurdity last week with the emergence of the winner of a Donald Trump reality show as a serious lieutenant governor selection, a development which sent African-American political leaders in Essex County --- essential to a Corzine victory --- into apoplexy.

It all seems so needlessly embarrassing. Corzine faced less than token opposition in the primary, so with victory assured, it made sense to begin the process of discussing potential lieutenant governor candidates months ago.

Now, seven weeks after the primary election, the Governor is coming across as indecisive at best and as a captive of identity politics at worst, apparently unable to choose from among the fiercely competing forces which make up the core of his party.

African-American, Hispanic or Caucasian? Male or female? North or South Jersey? In politics or outside? Younger or older?

The more protracted the process becomes, the more Corzine appears as someone terrified of giving offense to any of the political pressure groups who've zeroed in on the lieutenant governor selection as a competition they can't afford to lose.

He's created a vacuum that the media and the political establishment have rushed to fill virtually on a daily basis. Corzine's hesitancy to reach a decision has created a carnival of speculation in the media, far out of proportion to the substance of the position itself.

The conservative columnist George Will once remarked about cabinet officers that "it is impossible to over-emphasize the unimportance of these individuals." It's an apt description of New Jersey's lieutenant governor.

The Governor is in the midst of a public relations nightmare of his own making. While he's offering himself for re-election to a skeptical population as someone who's not only made the tough decisions but is better equipped to do so than his opponent, he appears incapable of reaching a decision about something as straightforward and fundamental as choosing a running mate.

Theories about the delay in the process which normally would have been dismissed immediately have gained some traction. One suggests that Corzine's plan is to abandon his re-election effort for a position in the Obama Administration and he doesn't want to saddle his successor with a second in command not of his replacement's choosing. Another is that the flurry of names being tossed around is a subterfuge designed to force the hand of Newark Mayor Cory Booker, reportedly Corzine's first choice, but who has denied any interest in the job.

The product of conspiratorial minds or not, the speculation does not serve Corzine well and must be an irritant to party leaders who are being asked to stay faithful and fire up their base for what is shaping up to be a close election.

Moreover, by drawing universal attention to himself, he gave Republican candidate Chris Christie a pass on any serious attention directed toward his lieutenant governor pick before he announced today he had selected Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno as his running mate.

Granted, Christie didn't face the same pulling and tugging from party factions as Corzine, but there was a near absence of speculation on his choice. A few names were floated, but dropped off the screen within a single news cycle, allowing Christie to spend all his time campaigning and attacking Corzine rather than responding to constant inquiries about a timetable for his selection or publicly assessing the strengths and weaknesses of potential picks.

It's difficult to know whether the Corzine campaign simply misread the interest in his lieutenant governor selection or whether the internal process was so unfocused that a final decision couldn't be reached in a shorter time span.

By creating a higher than deserved interest level in the lieutenant governor choice, the Corzine campaign has guaranteed that his eventual pick will face a media and political landscape far more intense than any they've been accustomed to. (See Sarah Palin).

We'll learn --- hopefully soon --- whether he or she can deal with it.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

Indecision can be a sign of bipolar depression:

http://bipolar.about.com/od/depression/a/060615_dpsym5.htm

Depression can occur in the aftermath of trauma, such as a life-threatening accident.

[Make Newark Clean]

Corzine should rehabilitate Newark's own Wilfredo Caraballo as a pick for Lieutenant Governor. A seminary school Philosphy major, Caaballo has a firm Democratic background, but he also retains a certain "maverick" quality (in the old "before Sarah Palin" sense). Additionally, not that it should matter, but Caraballo's Latino heritage (with an obvious African component) and his Anglo African American wife would epitomize diversity on the governor's dais. Picking Caraballo could also shore up rifts between Hispanic groups and the Democratic Party. All in all, he'd be an exciting choice for the Sachs puppet. :D

Wilfredo Caraballo on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfredo_Caraballo)

Caraballo says they can vote him out, but he won’t be driven out (http://www.politickernj.com/caraballo-says-they-can-vote-him-out-he-won-t-be-driven-out-8351)
--13 May 07, Politcker, NJ

Key Latino leader considers backing Christie (http://www.politickernj.com/max/31510/key-latino-leader-considers-endorsement-christie#comment)
--19 Jul 09, Politcker, NJ



^

[Poet]

According to the latest pundit report, Pinkett is now out. They make a good point about Pinkett, who wasn't even interested in the position, having his good name bashed in newspaper editorials and the national press as being a laughable pick for LG. Thanks, Jonny.http://www.politickernj.com/wallye/31494/pinkett-tanking-way-surging-what-has-become-anybody-loretta-campaign-will-corzine-liste

Pinkett says he's still in LG race, and would consider job if governor offers it to him (http://www.politickernj.com/max/31613/pinkett-says-hes-still-lg-race-and-would-consider-job-if-governor-offers-it-him)

[Poet]

Well, guess Johnny boy just wrote his own political eulogy. There's NO WAY he gets black folks out to vote now. And without the Hudson County machine, you can count out the Hispanic vote too.

John+Weinberg=LANDSLIDE DEFEAT. (Booker+Weinberg=hmm...now THAT could be a helluva fight...)

Sources: Corzine to run with Weinberg
By Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter

Amid speculation about delays in the wake of yesterday's federal corruption bust, sources say Gov. Jon Corzine has offered the job of candidate for lieutenant governor to state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), and that she has accepted.

The statewide Democratic Party running mates intend to proceed with an official team roll-out tomorrow, Saturday, at 2 p.m. in the Bergen Performing Arts Center.

A maverick Democrat in her Bergen County, Weinberg championed government transparency and ethics reform, and took on the powerful leader of her own party, Joseph Ferriero. Ferriero was indicted on federal corruption charges last year and his trial is scheduled to begin in the fall.

Corzine's Republican challenger, former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, filed the charges against Ferriero.

As recently as yesterday, Corzine seemed prepared to pick Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen), but Buono's star descended after federal prosecutors arrested a multitude of elected and appointed public officials yesterday. Corzine also accepted the resignation of his Community Affairs Commissioner, Joseph Doria, whose house was seached as part of the probe.

Weinberg's long-running feud with Ferriero boosted her chances against Buono, who had ties to former Senate President and Middlesex County Democratic leader John Lynch. Christie also prosecuted Lynch, who is finishing his sentence now in a Newark halfway house.

A 74-year-old grandmother, Weinberg was Corzine's campaign co-chair when he made his first bid for public office as a U.S. Senate candidate in 2000. She was also an early supporter of Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Weinberg also had several key endorsements, including Newark Mayor Cory Booker, and received the blessing of the Bergen County Democratic Organization and some key party leaders who have fought with her in recent years.

She served in the State Assembly for fourteen years until her election to the Senate in 2005. A former Teaneck Councilwoman and Assistant Bergen County Administrator, Weinberg served as Assembly Majority Conference Chair and as Chair of the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee.

Earlier this year, Weinberg revealed that she had lost her life savings - more than $1 million - as a victim to Bernard Madoff's ponzi scheme. She had her money invested with Beverly Hills financial planner Stanley Chais, who had invested her entirely with Madoff, whom Weinberg says she had never heard of before the scandal became public.

Reality TV star Randal Pinkett was also in the running for LG,, but his candidacy faced considerable opposition from party insiders who felt he lacked the experience to run statewide.

Max Pizarro is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at max@politicsnj.com.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

Corzine is now calling on all elected officials who were indicted in the massive Federal sweep to hand in their resignations. Gee, how they must have smirked at that one. Almost all of them were expected to play a pivotal role in delivering the vote for Corzine in November. It's the ground troops, the ward bosses, that make or break an election. This Bergen Record columnist makes a good point about the importance of the margin of votes Corzine needs to pull out of Hudson in order to counter the Corzine backlash from elsewhere:

http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/A_body_blow_to_Corzines_reelection.html

<<"These are people who know how to get people to the polls," said one North Jersey political strategist who has worked campaigns in Hudson County. "When you get them off the chessboard, that's it. In one way or the other, they are the pawns on the chessboard but you can't win the game without your pawns."

No one is predicting that Corzine will lose Hudson County. But he needs to rack up 60,000-plus margins over Republican challenger Chris Christie. Failing to do so (as Democrat Jim Florio learned in his 1981 loss to Thomas Kean and his reelection loss to Christine Todd Whitman in 1993), he could lose the election, party analysts say. The hobbling of Hudson also comes as polls show startlingly soft support for Corzine among core Democratic voters.>>

[Miss Tam-Tam]

The Dems are doing a lot of pushing and shoving. I thought the respectful thing was to wait for the body to reach room temperature.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/nyregion/25jersey.html?hpw

<<With Mayor Cory A. Booker of Newark, who has made no secret of his interest in the governor’s office, waiting in the wings, another potential Democratic candidate emerged on Friday, as Representative Frank Pallone Jr. let it be known he would step in should Mr. Corzine bow out.

Mr. Corzine showed no intention of doing so. He circulated a new testimonial from President Obama calling him “a bold leader for New Jersey” and reached out to supporters to tell them he was “in this to stay,” according to one person who received a call.

He rebuffed Democrats like Senator Robert Menendez who urged that he overhaul his campaign team, people briefed on the conversations said.>>

[Doofus1]

No thanks. Pallone has been pretty unremarkable for a guy that's been in Congress for as long as he has.