Good Morning, New Jersey

Good Morning, New Jersey.  If you are on the public payroll and you made it to daylight without law enforcement ringing your doorbell, there is a chance that today will be fine.

The aftermath of yesterday's political carnage that left two Assemblymen, three Mayors and dozens of others face federal corruption charges, the next drama will Gov. Jon Corzine's choice of a running mate.  Several sources said that Corzine was leaning toward State Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) last night, but that State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) remained a viable candidate for the Democratic Lt. Governor nomination. 

Corzine has committed to announcing his pick tomorrow.  Sources say that neither of the two State Senators received calls asking them to join the ticket, or telling them that the governor has picked someone else.

The governor was scheduled to attend a fundraiser for Paterson Mayor Joey Torres last night, but sources close to Torres said Corzine cancelled.

WNBC-TV's Brian Thompson reported last night that South Jersey Democratic Leader George Norcross wants Corzine to drop his re-election bid so that the party can replace him on the ballot.  Some Democrats are worried that Republicans might win their first statewide election in a dozen years.  One Corzine advisor acknowledged that he has heard talk among Democrats about the governor changing his mind about re-election, but says that Corzine is not considering a withdrawal.  

Possible replacement candidates include: Newark Mayor Cory Booker, State President (and former Governor) Richard Codey, U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch) and Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson), Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, and Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden).