June 3, 2009 - 1:10pm
Inside Edge

Some Dems floating Weinberg for LG

There is some speculation among Democrats - and most certainly without confirmation from Gov. Jon Corzine's campaign - that State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) might be receiving more than just courteous consideration for Lt. Governor.

The arguments in support of Weinberg:

Passes the qualifications smell-test: She's spent four years in the State Senate, fourteen years in the State Assembly, four years as a Teaneck Councilwoman, and has experience in county government.

Doesn't frighten '13 gubernatorial candidates
: She'll be 78-years-old in 2013, and while that wasn't an obstacle for Frank Lautenberg, it would be unlikely that she'd run for Governor.

Insulates Corzine on the Bergen corruption issue: Joe Ferriero goes on trial in September and Joe Coniglio has already been convicted.     

Balances the ticket: She's a Jewish grandmother from the state's largest county. 

Compelling story: Bernard Madoff swindled her out of her life savings.

Corzine likes her: The relationship between Corzine and Weinberg, and between Weinberg and Corzine's staff, was strong enough to merit his endorsement of Weinberg in the 2005 special election against Ferriero's candidate.

Wally Edge can be reached via email at politicsnj@aol.com.