Richard Codey

ATLANTIC CITY - Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland) walked out of the carpeted Trump Plaza Casino on Friday night leaving no doubt that he's ready for a fight, indeed in a fight.

"Take your best shot," a skeptic said to him and Codey good-naturedly did, playfully wrestling the challenger while telling his security escort, "It's all right, I can handle this."

The escort stood at parade rest.

"And I can handle Sweeney," Codey said moments later, referring to Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford), who's challenging him for the Senate Presidency, who last week said, "I can take Codey with one hand tied behind my back." 

Designed to showcase base support for Gov Jon Corzine, the Democratic Convention in Atlantic City simultaneously served as a bicameral crucible for both Codey versus Sweeney intrigue and a brewing lower house leadership fight.

PAULSBORO - When President Barack Obama this summer shifted in his New Jersey speech from Gov. Jon Corzine to the issue of national healthcare reform, some Corzine allies privately fretted over the President's abrupt transition from the task of building up a beleaguered New Jersey incumbent with personal-touch anecdotes, to delivering policy bullet points that might have just as well been projected from a podium anywhere. 

But U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) chairman of the House Health Subcommittee and a defender of the public option, sees the confluence of Corzine's reelection bid and the national fight for healthcare reform.

"Of course, we won't get the bill done by Election Day," Andrews told PolitickerNJ.com at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new marine terminal here, which Corzine attended. "But I think the fight for healthcare reform has energized the base. Back in June and July, the the other side was organized, but through August the Democrats organized in response and that's what we have heading into this election."

PAULSBORO - Even as he praised Gov. Jon Corzine at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new South Jersey port, Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford) signaled that he is indeed embroiled in an intra-party leadership fight, as he lashed out at his rival, Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland), calling Codey's effort to get him to sign a 2007 letter agreeing not to challenge him "crazy."

"You're kidding me, I said, 'you can't be serious about this,'" Sweeney recalled of his reaction to a request Codey made moments after Sweeney emerged from the caucus room, having secured the senate majority leadership position in a head-to-head with state Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge).

Anticipating a power play from his political enemy - and Sweeney ally, South Jersey Democratic Party leader George Norcross III, Codey wanted Sweeney to write and sign a letter promising that he would not challenge Codey for the senate presidency.

Sweeney said he was taken aback.

Two days after then-Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano was arrested on corruption charges, Jay Lassiter, a South Jersey political activist, publicly dropped him from his Facebook friends.

"Please don't re-friend me until after you've resigned," Lassiter wrote on Cammarano's wall on July 25 - a message visible to hundreds of the disgraced mayor's Facebook friends. It was supposed to be one of those "who's coming with me?" moments. 

"It didn't go over like I thought it would.  I thought I was going to lead the parade," said Lassiter.  "I actually got snarky notes by Cammarano supporters telling me what a worthless South Jersey piece of (expletive) I was."

Outside of cyberspace, Cammarano, 32, saw his political career come to an abrupt end and his associations evaporate after he was arrested for allegedly taking bribes from an FBI informant posing as a developer. 

But that obligatory public distancing did not extend to Facebook, where many politicians, insiders and media types (including this reporter) remain Cammarano's "friends" - if only out of morbid curiosity over whether he'll update his profile or out of neglect in pruning their own profiles.  

Many politicians have embraced social networking technology, but, as the July 23 corruption sting demonstrates, there is no standard for online etiquette when your online friend has been arrested.  Some politicians (or the staffers who administrate their profiles) do "defriend" ethically troubled Facebook associates, while the thought doesn't cross others' minds.  

Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland) is still Facebook friends with Cammarano.

"I think he's suffered enough," said Codey, who added that he tries to be humorous and non-political on his profile.  "I try to be different, as you know if you ever read any of the things I put on there.  I try not to be political, and do different things to get a chuckle sometimes, lighten up somebody's day."

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose (R-Franklin Twp) remains Facebook friends with Cammarano, and with former Assemblyman Lou Manzo (D-Jersey City), who was arrested in the same sting.

"I didn't defriend either one of them. That wasn't something I consciously thought about doing," said McHose, who has 1,233 friends.  "I was curious to see whether it would be a means for them to reach out to supporters."

State Sen. Brian P. Stack (D-Union City) campaigns this summer with Gov. Jon Corzine

State Sen. Brian P. Stack (D-Union City) today issued his endorsement of South Jersey state Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford) to serve as senate president.  

“I am confident in Senator Sweeney’s ability to lead the Senate, as we prepare to address matters that are critical to the residents of New Jersey," Stack said in a statement.

“Senator Sweeney has demonstrated both strong leadership and sound judgment during his tenure as Democratic Majority Leader, and I am certain that he will make an outstanding Senate President as he continues to fight for the families of our State. His prominent record as a labor leader conveys his understanding of the needs of New Jerseyans at a time when it is particularly important for working families to have their interests represented in the Statehouse."

North Bergen Mayor/state Sen. Nicholas Sacco

NORTH BERGEN - State Sen./North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco was blunt this afternoon in giving his two-word answer to the question, "Who do you  support for Senate President?"

"Dick Codey," said Sacco.

Hosting his annual picnic for seniors at Scheutzen Park on John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Sacco declared his staunch backing of Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland), who after the gubernatorial election will likely face a challenge for leadership from Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford).

NEWARK - Stumping today for Gov. Jon Corzine, state Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark) said that's where she plans to concentrate her political energies.

"I want to focus on re-electing Gov. Corzine," Ruiz told PolitickerNJ.com when asked who she supports in another potential contest, between Senate President Richard Codey and his likely Democratic caucus challenger, state Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford).

A political product of the North Ward Democratic Organization, which has close ties to George Norcross III, leader of the South Jersey Democratic Organization and a Sweeney ally, Ruiz may find herself in a pro-Sweeney package.

But Essex County sources say she should not be considered a lock for Sweeney, considering hers - and Codey's - Essex County roots. 

It's likely that no one has an accurate head count in the likely race for Senate President between incumbent Richard Codey (D-Roseland) and Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford).  If the race is decided without the input of the Republican Caucus, twelve votes are needed to win - maybe.

The status of two Democratic Senators, as they relate to a leadership vote, is still undetermined.  Dana Redd (D-Camden) is almost certain to win her bid to become Mayor of Camden.  Since new dual office holding is no prohibited, she must resign her Senate seat upon taking the oath as Mayor on January 1.  Since she will not be a member of the 214th Legislature that organizes on January 12, she is not expected to take part in a leadership election.  Camden County Democrats might need to move Redd out of the Senate before January 1 so that her successor is seated in time to participate in the leadership election.

The issue with Weinberg is more complicated.  If she wins her race for Lt. Governor, she would still be a Senator for the week between the legislative reorganization and the gubernatorial inauguration.  (It's similar to Donald DiFrancesco leaving as Acting Governor a week before James E. McGreevey was sworn in because his term in the Senate had expired.)  But Weinberg, as the Lt. Governor-elect, might be reluctant to take sides in the Codey/Sweeney fight.  Like Redd, she could opt to leave the Senate early so that the new District 37 Senator could be in place.

As the current Democratic leader, Codey has the advantage of being the one to schedule the leadership election vote.  And he can do so with the knowledge of a specific head count on a specific date.  The special election conventions to replace Redd and Weinberg, if necessary, cannot occur less than seven days after the resignation date.

Senate sources suggest that Codey has nine solid votes: Nia Gill (D-Montclair), John Girgenti (D-Hawthorne), Robert Gordon (D-Fair Lawn), Ronald Rice (D-Newark), Nicholas Sacco (D-North Bergen), Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge), Shirley Turner (D-Lawrenceville), and Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge).  Sweeney is believed to have five  certain votes: James Beach (D-Voorhees), Frederick Madden (D-Washington Twp.), Jefferson Van Drew (D-Dennis), and James Whelan (D-Atlantic City).  A sixth vote would come from the new Senator from the fifth district; it is a safe assumption that Sweeney will figure out how to ensure that he has that vote.

Team Codey believes they have Robert Smith (D-Piscataway), while Sweeney backers say he is gettable for them.  Some Democrats say Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden) is for Codey, but others suggest that Scutari won't decide until after Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth) figures out where he is. South Jersey Democrats view Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark) as being for Sweeney, largely because her political mentor, Stephen Adubato, Sr., is said to be for him.  But other Democrats say Ruiz is not a definite anti-Codey vote.  Neither camp is sure where Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen), Sandra Cunningham (D-Jersey City), and Brian Stack (D-Union City) will wind up.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean (R-Westfield), right, at last night's Environment New Jersey forum with, from left, Rick Dovey and Independent gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett.

WESTFIELD - When the Senate reconvenes on the first Tuesday after the first Monday to choose a state Senate President, Republicans will line up as a block of 17 votes, says state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield).

"Our number one focus is getting Chris Christie across the finish line in the governor's race and getting (Assembly Minority Leader) Alex DeCroce (R-Parsippany) elected speaker of the Assembly," said Kean. "The other discussions will take place later."

Kean wouldn't say whether he supports Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland) or challenger state Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford).

But "seventeen Republicans will be united," the senate minority leader affirmed.

As part of a pitch for more competitive legislative districts after the 2011 census, Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris Twp.) says he'd be willing to challenge Dick Codey in 2011, in a fair fight district

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris Township) says he would run against Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland) in 2011 if legislative mapmakers drew a competitive district that included both of their towns.

"It would be an interesting question to see whether a Democrat who favors large government would appeal to Morris County voters more, or whether a Republican who favors small government would appeal to Essex County voters," said Carroll.

The idea of creating that district, of course, is far fetched.  But Carroll, who sits in a safely Republican district, says he hopes the next Legislative Apportionment Commission will create as many competitive legislative districts as possible - including his own. 

The chairmen of the state's two major political parties each appoint five members to the commission, while the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court appoints the crucial 11th member.  That tie-breaking member will determine whether the state will continue to have a huge majority of safe districts for each party, or whether maps should be redrawn to create districts where both parties have a shot to win. 

As of today, there are only a few of the state's 40 districts that have relatively equal party registration, and Republicans and Democrats only share representation in three. 

"If Stu Rabner appointed me to be the guy who drew the districts, I would draw districts that both parties hated, because I would try to draw as many competitive districts as possible," said Carroll.  "I wouldn't take consideration of incumbency.  The only thing I would take consideration of is you don't want to divide up communities."