need more wool for those eyes?

Living in New Jersey, I try and keep abreast of timely issues. What’s hot right now? Governor James McGreevy came out of the closet as a homosexual and announced his resignation.

What I find funny (or, perhaps sad) is the reaction and response to this from the general public. The LGBT groups have jumped on the bandwagon worshipping him as another “out” public figure. The media has been busy working up the scandal of his alleged affair with Golan Cipel. But, that’s all just a load of wool and the public’s eyes have been covered, it seems.

Steve Yuhas wrote an article that comes close to the real issue, but misses the point, too.

So, what is the point? What question should we be occupied with? In Socratic style, I’ll start with a question:

What will become of the position of Governor in NJ?

McGreevy hasn’t resigned. He has only announced his resignation. Quoting the CNN article linked above:

His resignation will take effect November 15, and State Senate President Richard Codey, a fellow Democrat, will serve the the remainder of his term, which ends in January 2006.

If McGreevey’s resignation had taken effect before September 15, state law would have required a special gubernatorial election on November 2.

Essentially, the Democrats get to appoint Richard Codey as NJ Governor through January 2006 without the chance of an election. How convenient. So, what of this Codey fellow? Here’s a statement he made following the McGreevy announcement. Here’s a quote from an interesting blurb about him:

[…] Codey is extremely knowlegable about both harness and thoroughbred racing and has backed racing related legislation in the past.

Codey’s brother, Don, is the general manager of Freehold Raceway in New Jersey.

The common element here is both McGreevy and Codey using their positions to protect their personal interests. What about serving the State of New Jersey?

I’m no fan of our former Republican Governors like Christine Whitman, but we need someone who will work to bring more big businesses into New Jersey and create real jobs in big companies instead of just upgrading folks from welfare up to minimum wage jobs. After 9/11, I wouldn’t be surprised if companies are more seriously considering NJ for their offices over instead of Manhattan. Lets make NJ really attractive to them so their decision becomes trivially easy to make.