Democrats say "we have plenty of time"

Democrats defended Sen. Nia Gill Thursday and tried to keep their heads raised in what U.S. Attorney Chris Christie says is a veritable house - and senate - of shame.

Christie brought both arms down on top of the Legislature yesterday as he fumed about senatorial foot-dragging and slammed lawmakers for not promptly moving to approve Gov. Jon Corzine’s nomination of Attorney General Stuart Rabner to the office of Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

"It's absolutely appalling and I am angry and you should be angry too," said Christie, referring in part to Gill’s expressed desire to take her time assessing Rabner’s qualifications, a practice in this case known as senatorial courtesy.

"You should have had it up to your ears with the petty politics of Trenton, with the failure of the people that we elect to represent us," Christie said "... It's petty and small and all that's wrong with politics in this state."

On Thursday at the Statehouse, Gill said "no comment" to reporters’ questions while fellow Democrats gently pointed out that the U.S. Attorney might have shown a little too much muscle on behalf of a personal friend.

"I understand his enthusiasm for Mr Rabner but it’s incredibly early in the process," said Senate President Richard Codey. "He was nominated 10 days ago. Sen. Gill has the right to deliberate."

Sen. Raymond Lesniak said, "I think his comments were premature."

Republicans didn’t exactly kick down the fences and stand at attention in agreement with Christie, but they mostly agreed the governor’s nominees for Attorney General (Anne Milgram, to replace Rabner) and - particularly Chief Justice - should be subject to a prompt review. Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance said he sympathized with Gill but noted the time factor.

"I’m a believer in trying to listen to all parties and to cooperate and accommodate," said Lance. "Senators have the constitutional right to advice and consent. But it is essential to have a new chief justice.

"Justice Zazzali retires on Sunday," Lance said. "I would like to see the nomination come before the Senate as soon as possible."

Assemblyman Bill Baroni backed Christie.

"He’s right," he said of the U.S. Attorney’s remarks, noting the particular talents of the two nominees, evident to people who have worked with them, he said, and restated Lance’s main point.

"Sunday we’re not going to have a chief justice," Baroni said.

To the GOP’s argument that Supreme Court Chief Justice Zazzali turns 70 on Sunday and Constitutionally the state will be uncovered unless it moves speedily, Codey said, "I respectfully disagree. I’m not planning to go to the Hamptons for the summer. We have plenty of time."