Gov. Corzine's re-election bid only got tougher when 29 public officials, almost all Democrats, were arrested in a sweeping corruption sting last week, according to several takes in the weekend newspapers. In all 44 people were arrested, including a 15 on money laundering charges.
No one in Corzine's administration was charged. The closest the scandal got was a cabinet member, Joseph Doria, whose office was raided, but Doria was not arrested and Corzine quickly called for, and got, his resignation. Still, the image of a parade of Democrats in hand cuffs won't help the governor.
The Record's Charlie Stile calls the arrests a "body blow." Aside from the optics of the situation, Corzine will lose many of the people Democrats depend on to get out the vote in vote-rich Hudson County, where many of the indictments landed, Stile writes.
The New York Times describes Corzine as "discouraged and frustrated" and says some Democrats were discussing the possibility of replacing the governor on the ballot. (For his part, Corzine does not appear to have any intention of walking away). The Washington Post writes that Corzine will have to change tactics after spending much of the early part of the campaign assailing Republican Chris Christie's ethics.
Corzine, however, moved to quickly change the subject on Friday, a day after the arrests, when he announced that he was choosing Sen. Loretta Weinberg as his lieutenant governor candidate and running mate. Weinberg has strong reform credentials - she fought and won against Bergen County's entrenched Democratic leaders - and the campaign has played up that strength. Weinberg was long on Corzine's short-list, but several Democrats said she was put over the top as his choice after Thursday's arrests.
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Everyone on our street has received 2009 property tax increases between $3000 and $4000. That is why Corzine won't be re-elected.— UnionMilkmen- Boo Hoo, Corzine is discouraged. How about the people who live in this state, and pick up the tab for all this corruption. Quit, Corzine, please quit.— NJBites
- Goodbye Corzine, take "Fat Eddie" with you, he'll be gone soon too!!!— Mike S.
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- Corzine promised to cut taxes, instead he raised them. Now, his union buddies and Democrat associates are arrested for fraud and corruption. I don't believe a word Corzine says. He raised my taxes to the point of me getting ready to move out forever. Christie must first reduce spending by cutting 30% of the state workers. Then property taxes have to come down 25% to be in line with PA. The rest of the dirty Dems will be voted out of office.— BFlint
- Christies ties to Bush and his mob are what is going to get him in the end, that Bush stink just will not go away.— hejira33312
- Christie appears too shady for me. Like hime or not, Corzine seems the better of two evils.— FJG JR
- New Jersey is in deep doo doo...does it really matter who wins?— dennyblack
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