In choosing Kim Guadagno as his running mate, Chris Christie has starkly shown why he is doubly a winner over Jon Corzine. Not only did Christie manage the process like a chief executive should, Guadagno is a solid addition to the ticket who will trail blaze an important and positive role as New Jersey’s first lieutenant governor.
The contrast between Christie’s professionally run search and Corzine’s circus show demonstrates that Christie understands how a governor should conduct himself, while Corzine continues to flounder after four years on the job.
And, in Guadagno, Christie has a running mate who brings substance and gravitas to the ticket. Kim Guadagno has not just extensive prosecutorial experience, sending corrupt Democrats and Republicans alike to prison, she is an experienced public executive, running Monmouth County’s largest law enforcement agency, with a $65 million budget and some 700 employees. Equally important, Guadagno isn’t another Trenton insider, beholden to the powers that be and special interests which have combined to mire New Jersey in an economic slump far greater than that being endured by neighboring states. Like Christie, Guadagno won’t be afraid to say “no” when Trenton seeks to continue spending money we don’t have. She wasn’t afraid to push back to the Democrat led Freeholders while doing her job as sheriff of Monmouth County.
Christie’s decisive management of the lieutenant governor selection — combined with Guadagno’s strong credentials — show why they should be sent to Trenton in November to start fixing the mess left after eight years of Mc- Greevey/Corzine failure.
Steve McEnery
Manalapan