NJ Governor Resigns AND Comes Out

[lawyerboy]

Oh I agree. The Governor of Connecticut was a scumbag as well....

[jgruber]

Do you mean recalled Gray Davis?  I think they touched him.

But you're point about his behavior is taken.

McGreevey is from the Gray Davis school of governing, which operates like this:

You can be corrupt, and everyone knows it, but as long as you are a powerful Democrat, no one can touch you....

[jgruber]

Sexual harassment suit expected against NJ governor
Jeannie Shawl on 8/13/2004 02:22:25 PM

New Jersey's former homeland security adviser, Golan Cipel, is expected to file suit against New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey alleging sexual misconduct. Cipel was appointed to the post by McGreevey in 2002 after the two met while McGreevey was traveling in Israel. Prior to announcing his resignation from the governorship (as reported on JURIST's Paper Chase), McGreevey's attorney reportedly told the FBI that Cipel and his attorney were extorting money from the governor. Federal sources are now probing allegations made by McGreevey's lawyer, the possibility that McGreevey abused the power of office, and whether Cipel used his relationship with McGreevey to get jobs. ABC News has more. Although McGreevey said his resignation will be effective November 15, New Jersey Republicans are calling on the governor to step down immediately, saying that "awkward stories" about the governor threaten to undermine his "ability to govern" and will impact everyone in New Jersey. AP has more. Trenton's Times has local coverage of how McGreevey's replacement will be chosen, according to the New Jersey Constitution.

[The ZAPINATOR]

edit

[jgruber]

Let's apply some Bush defenses to this situation.


The NJ gov. is within the law.

[lawyerboy]

Actually, it would hurt the Republicans to have an election. This is because Sen. Jon Corzine would easily run and win, which would set him up to win in 2005. Corzine has been salivating for the Governor's chair in NJ since spending millions of his own fortune to win a close Senate battle in 2000. The Republicans have no well-known candidates, so they would be pummelled. Plus, New Jersey is one of the liberal bastions of this country. The people of New Jersey deserve an election, not the Republican party.

Plus, the Senate President who is about to take charge will still remain leader of the Senate. Meaning that he controls half of the legislative branch AND the executive branch. That sounds like a recipe for more corruption if you ask me. 

[jgruber]

someone on NPR said that the Kerry camp doesn't want the distraction or something like that.

[lawyerboy]

From the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/13/nyregion/13suit.html

"In early 2002, when he was facing criticism for appointing an unknown Israeli citizen named Golan Cipel as his special assistant on homeland security without so much as a routine background check, Gov. James E. McGreevey was asked by a reporter about rumors that he and the man were involved in a sexual relationship.
 
Mr. McGreevey responded, "Don't be ridiculous!"

[jgruber]

The non-denial denial

From the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/13/nyregion/13suit.html

"In early 2002, when he was facing criticism for appointing an unknown Israeli citizen named Golan Cipel as his special assistant on homeland security without so much as a routine background check, Gov. James E. McGreevey was asked by a reporter about rumors that he and the man were involved in a sexual relationship.
 
Mr. McGreevey responded, "Don't be ridiculous!"