Props for Hizonor
NJ Governors -- of both parties -- boast a long tradition of high-handedness, arrogance, imperiousness, or simply outright contempt for the Legislature. But today’s gubernatorial performance set a new record for insult, whether intended or incidental.
The State of the State must, by constitution, be delivered to the Legislature. Today, Hizonor used the Legislature as little more than a backdrop, props for his speech, seating the Members BEHIND him, then delivering his speech in a voice barely above a mumble. Most of the audience constitutionally entitled to hear the message could make out little, if any, of the Governor’s talk. Two Members, justifiably frustrated (by both the style and the substance -- or what they could make out of it) walked out.
Perhaps this represented nothing more than almost unconscionable thoughtlessness. Or, perhaps, the Governor intended the slight.
In either case, shame on Speaker Roberts and Senate President Codey for permitting the Members of a coordinate branch of government to be treated with such callous disregard for the equal dignity due the Legislature.
The State of the State must, by constitution, be delivered to the Legislature. Today, Hizonor used the Legislature as little more than a backdrop, props for his speech, seating the Members BEHIND him, then delivering his speech in a voice barely above a mumble. Most of the audience constitutionally entitled to hear the message could make out little, if any, of the Governor’s talk. Two Members, justifiably frustrated (by both the style and the substance -- or what they could make out of it) walked out.
Perhaps this represented nothing more than almost unconscionable thoughtlessness. Or, perhaps, the Governor intended the slight.
In either case, shame on Speaker Roberts and Senate President Codey for permitting the Members of a coordinate branch of government to be treated with such callous disregard for the equal dignity due the Legislature.
posted by Michael @ 10:08 PM
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