Kudos to Corzine, who seems to be finally capturing the essence of politics
By Wally EdgeMaybe Brad Abelow was telling the truth this week when he told the Star-Ledger that he was “not aware” of any link between Nicholas Asselta’s vote for Governor Jon Corzine’s school funding bill and his appointment to the state Board of Public Utilities. Sources say that Abelow was not in that loop, and that Corzine dealt with his politically savvy Deputy Chief of Staff, Patti Nelson McGuire, on that deal.
Several Republicans had been angling for the GOP seat on the BPU since Connie Hughes announced her retirement last March, including Steven Corodemus, who served in the State Assembly from 1992 until his retirement on Tuesday. According to sources on the other side of the aisle, Corodemus was a potential yes vote on school funding – until Asselta came to an accord with Corzine. Corodemus voted no.
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Since when does the press
Since when does the press consider it a sufficient defense of a blatantly illegal action to simply say I'm not aware? And the notion that it's been done for years doesn't cut it, either.
Where are you, Mr. Boxer?
Put them under oath!
I'm not sure you get it
Politics is ugly, and deals are made all of the time. Without a question Asselta was lining himself up for an appointment for years upon years. It was not simply a tit for tat on the school formula that did it, it was years of Asselta voting with the Ds. Still its disgusting
Not an excuse
"It's done all the time" is not an excuse for breaking the law. Both Corzine and Asselta traded an official action for something of value. That's criminal.
As I said
this was not tit for tat as you suggest.
Patti McGuire is all politics
She wasnt brought in as policy wonk like Heather Howard. She's not an ideas person. She was Menendez' enforcer for years. She's a tough, cursing, chain smoking, call 'em like it is lady. And Corzine seems to trust her and Maggie to carry out these types of "projects".