The Governor, The Legislature, and Putting Principle Ahead of Politics
Earlier today, on the Fox News Channel’s Fox and Friends, Governor Christie made a curious comment. It happened while he was trying to berate and belittle former United States Senator and current Republican Presidential candidate Rick Santorum.
In the fascinating video below, the Governor seems to be saying that a legislator should never take a vote for the “team”. That if “you have principles, you shouldn’t leave those principles behind.”
Let’s hope that the Governor understands that many of the Republicans in the New Jersey legislature also have principles. Because of those principles, they may be on the opposite side of the Governor on a couple of key issues they will be voting on over the next several months.
Namely, the nominations to the New Jersey Supreme Court of Bruce Harris and Phillip Kwon, and his $32.1 billion dollar budget.
With principled Republicans wanting to finally rid the New Jersey Supreme Court of activist judges, their principles may preclude them from approving either or both of these nominations in the Senate.
With principled Republicans wanting to cut the size of our state government, and this budget not appearing to do that; with principled Republicans wanting to see property tax relief in the suburbs, and this budget not appearing to do that; with principled Republicans wanting to see less government, and this budget appearing not to do that - well, their principles may preclude them from voting for this budget.
It is good to know in advance that the Governor will understand why Republicans standing on their principles may take votes against him on these three issues.
Enjoy the interview from this morning, his “principle vs. team” comments are made just after the 1:00 minute mark.
We have to stop this budget and the judges.
The budget should be FLAT if not cut and the Supreme Court would be better with 5 than with two mediocre (at best) judges that were appointed by a Republican. The Chief Justice should have his budget cut to prevent funding for Wefing. The law ONLY allows him to appoint a Justice IF there is not a quorum. We do not have to have 7 justices for a quorum.
As it is each Justice only writes approximately one opinion a month and they all get over a month off plus holidays.
The $32 Billion budget is an assault on the state taxpayers! It is an insult to the Republican party, and bankrupting our state. Perhaps it is intended to do honor to Gov Corslime and the money pyre of MF Global?!
Certainly Moody’s and other ratings agencies will again down grade NJ debt to that of Greece!
No more RINOs!
I hope there are enough principled republicans in our state who will put a stop on the bloated budget and on these two nominees.
We can only hope that the Republicans heed his words and don’t allow the Governor to bully them into voting for the budget and especially not the judges. I would love to see that meltdown from CC if they did vote no!!!