Kean's out; is Corzine considering Soaries or Sires?

By Wally Edge | June 5th, 2009 - 2:34pm
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The decision of Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) to remove his name from consideration for Lt. Governor removes one of the top names from Chris Christie's list, and makes State Sen. Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park) and Bergen County Clerk Kathleen Donovan more serious contenders.  Kean was reportedly one of the leading contenders to become Christie's running mate.

Democratic sources say that Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) remains a strong candidate to run with Gov. Jon Corzine. Other names being mentioned by party leaders this week include two Republicans, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck and Rev. DeForest "Buster" Soaries, a former N.J. Secretary of State.  It's hard to imagine Soaries is a real contender: he was an early supporter of George W. Bush for President in 2000, and national Republicans helped him in his congressional campaign against Democrat Rush Holt in 2002.  His presence on the ticket might make it more difficult for Democrats to tie Christie to Bush, as they did at Corzine's campaign kickoff on Tuesday.

One Democratic County Chairman, who asked that his name be withheld, insists that U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-West New York), a former Assembly Speaker who was born in Cuba, was brought up in a campaign meeting he attended.  There is no confirmation of Corzine's interest in Sires.

Tags:

DIANE ALLEN...NOOOOooooooo

Submitted by frank pentangeli on June 5, 2009 - 3:20pm.

She's the most liberal Republican in the Senate, a true RINO if there ever was one and I can't stand that term. She can't get along with her own county organization and who the hell is going to cover her lunch tab?

Albio Sires => N.F.W.

Submitted by T.W.O. on June 5, 2009 - 4:28pm.

On the May 7, 2006 episode of On The Record, Albio Sires said that he would be willing to consider ANWR drilling.

Given that the enviromentalists are among the most unforgiving members of the Democrat coalition, it is highly unlikely that they will consent to Sires being the LG candidate.

Corzine, desperately needing the support of the environmentalists, will choose an LG candidate who does not have a documented record of questioning enviro-orthodoxy.

Joel Weingarten

Submitted by bitaryo on June 5, 2009 - 4:36pm.

his political career won't be in danger.

Corzine needs to pick Uncle Floyd for LG

Submitted by Republican Cons... on June 5, 2009 - 6:21pm.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."   Thomas Jefferson

 

THE NEW GIANTS O-LINE?

Submitted by AnArmyOfOne on June 5, 2009 - 11:29pm.

Christie and Allen? Are we talking about Governor & Lt. Governor or are we talking about rebuilding the offensive line of the Giants? They are going to need to re-inforce the shocks on the campaign bus.

Holt for LG

Submitted by nj1947independent on June 6, 2009 - 12:30pm.

Corzine should consider a true moderate voice for New Jersey. Rush Holt is a scientist, an educator, a patent-holder, has strong credentials on national security, education, labor matters. He has represented central NJ for a decade in Congress and he has had some state wide appeal for years. Rush Holt for LG.

I'm OK with Holt

Submitted by MCJ on June 7, 2009 - 12:11am.

I especially like the reasoning of bringing a Washington veteran back for crafting state policy.  Having a DC-networked Democrat official may bring stimulus package money our way--that is, by tailoring new programs and projects in a way that optimize federal contribution. 

Does anyone remember that stat of how much NJ taxpayers get back for every taxed dollar?--isn't it like $.55?  I'm not convinced it's good policy to reject stimulus package money.  People are losing jobs and having trouble getting re-hired elsewhere.

How about Dr. Kvorkian?

Submitted by Republican Cons... on June 7, 2009 - 6:23pm.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."   Thomas Jefferson

 

I really hope Christie finds a running mate named Jake...

Submitted by ebmd on June 9, 2009 - 12:14am.

for obvious campaign slogan reasons... http://crazyabouttv.com/Images/jakeandthefatman.jpg

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