With the campaign wrapping up and no longer needing as much stumping help from all the potential Senate appointees, Corzine hints that he might pick Codey. From the Asbury Park Press:
In an interview on "The Brian Lehrer Show" on WNYC public radio, Corzine said he would have supported acting Gov. Codey for a full term "if circumstances were different" and indicated a willingness to elevate him to the U.S. Senate. If elected, Corzine would appoint his Senate replacement.
"We have a very good relationship. We will be very strong partners. He will be the (state) Senate president, unless other terms occur — for instance, if he wants to be considered for the Senate post, if I'm graced enough to be elected, we'll consider that," Corzine said.
Codey is the most popular Democrat in the state with an approval/disapproval rating of 60/15. But it's not just New Jerseyans that like Codey. National Democrats want him to run, too...
...national Democrats now are courting Codey - but not for governor. A variety of party members, from Trenton to Washington, said in recent interviews that national Democratic leaders are making no secret of plans to try to push Codey to slide into Corzine's seat in the U.S. Senate if Corzine wins the governorship.
Codey has already started hearing from some big names, and after election day, it looks like the pressure will continue:
A source close to Codey, who is intimately aware of the behind-the scenes maneuvering to bring him to Washington, said New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has already talked casually to Codey about moving to the U.S. Senate. Two other Democratic strategists, with ties to the national and state party organizations, say plans have already been made for such Democratic luminaries as former President Clinton to speak with Codey about moving to the Senate as soon as Tuesday's election is over.
"You can count on the calls coming," one strategist said. "Beside President Clinton, he may hear from Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman. How can he say no to them?"
The other name that's been tossed around a lot is Congressman Bob Menendez. But his chances aren't looking as good any more:
"He's out," a strategist said of Menendez. "The pressure on him to not run will increase."
Menendez said in an interview he plans to fight for the Senate seat and has already raised $4.1 million for a campaign. But a source close to him said Menendez fears he is already being out-maneuvered by national party leaders who favor Codey.
Menendez insists his own polling of voters indicates he can run close to Kean. But Democratic strategists say that is at best wishful thinking and, at worst, a gamble few party leaders want to take. Consider how emphatically one party official dismissed Menendez: "He would get trounced. He has no chance."
Keep in mind, those words come from a Democrat who might ordinarily be expected to put a positive spin on a Menendez candidacy.
