Governor

Besides giving a shout out to Wally Edge at Wednesday's New Jersey Legislative Correspondents Association Dinner ("As Wally always says, 'Hold Me Accountable.'" ... and you know we will.) Gov. Jon Corzine had some kind words for the state's political reporters and poked fun at the Star-Ledger's Josh Margolin and their declining circulation, and the Garden State's colorful array of political characters.

Click here to view Corzine's powerpoint presentation.

One thing that was clear from John McCain’s comments during his appearance in Jersey City today: he really has no clue who Chris Christie is.  Asked if he would like Christie to stay on as New Jersey’s United States Attorney in a McCain administration, or if he would prefer that Christie run for Governor next year, McCain demurred.  “I’m sorry to say I’m certainly not that familiar with the political environment here,” said the GOP presidential candidate.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a 70%-22% approval rating, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released this morning.  Governor Jon Corzine had an upside-down 37%-52% approval rating in the most recent Quinnipiac poll of New Jersey voters.

And don't forget to vote in this week's Cartoon Caption Contest. Voting ends this Friday at noon.

Lautenberg and Andrews took to the streets.

Andrews wanted to see Lautenberg’s returns.

The two camps sparred over debates.

Lance avoided the F-word.

Kelly and Myers had a street fight.

Where in the world was Smith?

Paul stumped for Sabrin.

Inclan walked away.

Ward 2 candidates tussled in Paterson.

Jackson candidates were told to respect their elders.

The announcement today that Javier Inclan has resigned his post means that Governor Jon Corzine is in the market for a new Deputy Chief of Staff. If Corzine moves to fill this post with his usual speed , then the job will be open for a while. But if Corzine decides to fast track – and if you believe that in Corzineland, the Governor is likely to name another minority (his Chief of Staff, Chief Counsel, and his two other Deputy COS’s are white), here’s a short list of potential candidates: Assistant Counsel Annette Quijano; Alberto Alvarez and Laura Matos, who work in the Governor’s office; Cabinet Liaison Larry Lewis; and Troy Singleton, a former Deputy Executive Director of the State Assembly and now a top aide to Carptenter’s Union leader Frank Spencer.

Gov. Jon Corzine continues to struggle with an upside-down 34%-52% approval rating, according to a new Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll released this morning.  He was at 37%-52% in March and 40%-44% in January.

Javier Inclan, Gov. Jon Corzine's Deputy Chief of Staff

WILSON SAYS ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD PROSECUTE INCLAN

The Governor’s office had kind words today for his Deputy Chief of Staff, Javier Inclan, who found himself enmeshed in the trial of Guttenberg Mayor David Delle Donna and his wife.

Delle Donna was convicted of extortion and tax fraud today for accepting and concealing payments from bar owner Luisa Medrano.

“The Governor commends Javier for his efforts to testify for the prosecution. He believes that Javier was doing the right thing in standing up and helping the government make its case,” said Corzine press secretary Lilo Stainton.