Something tasty is always being spun in NJ's political cotton candy machine.
Plainfield's Ward 2 Dem committee leader Rebecca Williams told me a fantastic tale a couple of weeks ago.
Loser of the governor's race Jon Corzine would resign his office early, making room for Sen. Richard Codey to serve the remaing weeks as acting governor. Frank Lautenberg, the aging U.S. Senator from New Jersey, would then resign his office, giving Gov. Codey the opportunity to appoint Jon Corzine to his old Senate seat.
'Hah!', I said. More from the ever-spinning New Jersey political cotton candy machine.
Lautenberg always struck me as a man who RELISHED being Senator, no matter that the years were advancing. I think it gives the man a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
Why would he give it up for another rich guy who tends to buy political offices the way other rich guys buy antique automobiles or yachts?
So, today we find that Dick Codey's West Orange pal Assemblyman John McKeon has introduced a bill meant to keep an potential U.S. Senate vacancy in the hands of the same political party (see stories in the Ledger here, and PolitickerNJ here).
Could Rebecca's wild tale possibly be true? Could the pols be twisting the old man's arm? Could they be salving Codey's leadership loss with a 'go out as Gov' ploy? Could Jon Corzine be preparing to whip out his checkbook for another donation to yet another worthy cause?
Or is it an attempt to pre-emptively snatch one of the spoils of victory from Chris Christie's outstretched hand?
Reminds me of when Al McWilliams told me of rumors that Jon Corzine was going to give up his U.S. Senate seat to run for governor. 'Why would he leave the world's most exclusive club to run a state beset with corruption and financial problems,' I retorted, 'Hah!'
Maybe it would be wise of me (and others...?) to pay more attention to what Rebecca has to say.
Sometimes the cotton candy in New Jersey is more than just cotton candy.
- PolitickerNJ: "McKeon introduces U.S. Senate vacancy legislation"
- Ledger: "Proposal would eliminate special elections for vacant U.S. Senate seats"
-- Dan Damon [follow]
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3 comments:
The only twist in this is that they wouldn't need to change the current law to accomplish the described switch-aroo.
They would however, need to change the law if Lautenberg was unwilling to play ball at this time.
Perhaps they have decided that he will be unable to fulfill the remainder of his term sometime between now and the end. Having gerrymandered the process...they would get whomever they want.
Not unlike the recent switch-aroo in MASS...this will eventually backfire.
Dan,
Stranger things have happened!! LOL
Rebecca
Just more of the same -- Democrats doing anything to hold on to power. I think the voters sent a more telling message with the election of Christie --they are fed up with this kind of nonsense -- but who can stop it -- no one. These crooks with their hefty wallets always win. Even Obama couldn't save Corzine -- perhaps it is now up to Lautenberg who initially called his first opponent for US Senate Millicent Fenwick "daffy" at the ripe age of 72 to think she could effectively serve at that age. Just goes to show you, when it comes to the Dems in NJ -- the end always justifies the means. I hope Christie does turn Trenton upside down, inside out and burns down the capitol sending all of the incumbent cronies packing.
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