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Article IndexBut his shortcomings as a leader are serious. They've become all too apparent in his dealings with public employee unions, an often unruly Legislature and a Democratic Party that is, at best, an ethically compromised ship and, at worst, harbors a corrupt crew.
The governor may be the nominal leader of his party but there's mounting evidence its commanding figure is George Norcross, an unelected South Jersey political deal-maker who's currently rearranging the Democratic leadership in the Senate and Assembly.
Corzine is the chaplain on a pirate ship, not really its captain.
Like Christie, neither Corzine nor Daggett has adequately explained how he'd tackle the vast budget deficit. All three, to some degree, are like Dickens9 9 hapless Wilkins Micawber, hoping "something will turn up." But only Daggett has produced anything close to a coherent plan to cut property taxes. He'd chop them by up to $2,500 per homeowner — but only if their municipalities kept spending increases in line with the Consumer Price Index. In effect, he'd require local officials to choose between their union supporters and taxpaying voters. It's not a panacea, but at least a start.
As for government experience, Daggett, who has a doctorate in education, has at least as much as his rivals, having worked for both Democratic and Republican governors and served as regional administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency. His mastery of detail is impressive.
The reservation one hears about Daggett among the surprising number who say they'd like to vote for him is that he can't win. And, indeed, the ballot position assigned Daggett and other independents makes his task daunting. You'll have to hunt to find him.
But the value of a vote is not limited to picking a winner. The real value lies in the signal it sends about what the voter believes is best for the city, county or state — not merely at the moment, but long-term.
We believe Daggett is best.
For disappointed Democrats and Republicans, a decision to vote for Daggett will mean a break with party loyalty — no easy thing. What we're suggesting is a temporary suspension of that loyalty as a way to begin changing the corrosive culture of Trenton. Daggett would owe nothing to either party establishment; he'd be free to recruit best talent wherever he found it. As he told The Star-Ledger editorial board, he'd feel no obligation to honor the traditional Democratic-Republican deal that requires bipartisan balance on the Supreme Court. He'd apparently take the best he could find regardless of party affiliation — or lack thereof.
For too long, the cliche about New Jersey's two great parties has seemed all too true — that Democrats are corrupt, Republicans incompetent. Nothing will cause them to change their ways for the better except repudiation at the polls Nov. 3.
The election of Chris Daggett would deliver that repudiation and put a highly qualified occupant in the corner office at the Statehouse.
— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
