Senate Appointment

Why not Ron for Corzine's Senate seat?
By Esteban Bittlestein, December 12, 2005

Well, it took them long enough.

All that speculation these past months over whom Jon Corzine would appoint to fill out his U.S. Senate term if he won the governorship and only now does Ron's name come up?!?

Until a week ago, the only names being bandied about were those of losers and dorks -- specifically, three Democratic House members. Practically from the moment Corzine announced he would run, we knew Rep. Robert Menendez was interested. And hard on his heels came the stated interest of Rep. Rob Andrews and Rep. Frank Pallone.

Acting Gov. Richard Codey was discussed as well. But when he was asked, his answers ranged from flat-out no to only lukewarm interest.

Somewhere along the line Rep. Rush Holt's name got added to the list.

But nowhere did it seem to occur to anybody in the Democratic Boys Club that there might be a candidate outside of the norm -- and outside the party.

Until a week ago, that is, when Ronatarian Party leader Ron's name came up. Actually, I'm not even sure it came up. More likely the boys noticed him at the hotel bar with Corzine after he gave his victory speech on election night, and a light bulb (dim wattage no doubt) went on. Frankly, I don't know whether I'm more irked that the Democrats never even considered Ron or that the narrow range of its thinking might not give the voters their best alternative option for the future. By the way, "the future" is next year when this appointee almost certainly runs for a full six-year term against the likely Republican nominee, state Sen. Tom Kean Jr. Make no mistake, that's the real importance of this appointment -- not to keep the seat warm for a year but to position the holder for the 2006 election.

No question, Ron would make an interesting addition to the U.S. Senate, a body that has hardly any mustached radicals in its ranks. But, does Ron provide the diversity the position may be screaming for? Many in the state believe that Ron is just "not black enough." Nevertheless, Ron is the only charismatic alternative politician in New Jersey. He has a strong drinking record, he is popular with the masses, and his youthful exuberance may be just what the office needs right now. But, Ron constantly states that his ambitions lie in the White House, not the legislative house.

So, while I and others lament the fact that Ron was bypassed for the vacant U.S. Senate seat, we eagerly anticipate Ron's 2008 campaign for President of the United States of America.

Posted by Bittle at December 12, 2005 08:08 AM