At the Star-Ledger, an appearance of a conflict?
By Wally EdgeRobert Schwaneberg is one of the Star-Ledger's most respected reporters -- a true professional with the highest possible ethics. But his coverage of Governor Jon Corzine's recovery from a serious automobile accident two weeks ago offers a potential appearance of a conflict: last year, Corzine appointed Schwaneberg's wife, Helen Hoens, to the New Jersey Supreme Court.
If Corzine's ability to serve is ever challenged by the Legislature, it would be up to the Supreme Court to decide whether he could continue as Governor. The Star-Ledger has an exceptionally able team in Trenton, and it could be helpful to the people's long-term interests -- which could include a constitutional crisis -- if they helped avoid a situation where one of the seven Justices is forced to recuse herself.
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Good Reporting (note the sarcasm)
I believe the Justice's name is Helen Hoens, not Hoen.
Ugghhh
was it a conflict of interest when Josh Margolin wrote about everything short of a bowel movement by Dick Codey? Oh, my mistake...it only appeared as though they were related because of all the times Codey invited him along to things other reporters weren't. Never mind.
The suggestion is that
The suggestion is that Schwane would do what? Alter his coverage of Cozine to favor the postion his wife would take in the remote chance a Supreme Court decision was needed to decide whether or not Corzine is fit to be governor? Or that Justice Hoens would have to recuse herself, for reasons I still don't see, from such a vote because her husband is a journalist who covered the governor's accident and recovery? What is the conflict here? How is Justice Hoens conflicted? I don't see it.
separation of powers
agreed that Schwaneberg probably shouldn't be on the State House beat.
But I don't understand why Hoens would have to recuse herself from an Constitutional issue. Roberts and Alito don't recuse themselves every time an issue involving the federal executive branch comes up...its part of the process.
She's on the bench and there's nothing Corzine can do about it, nor does she owe him anything...separation of powers is a wonderful thing!
Ditto
Ditto what Mr. Democrat said.
This posting by Wally prompts the question, "Where's the there, there?" It isn't even alluded to.
C'mon!
What conflict?
You mean the Star-Ledger should NOT be a mouthpiece for Corzine and the democrats? Why change now?