For the third time this decade, New Jersey has an acting governor, following Gov. Jon Corzine’s serious car accident (in which he stupidly wasn’t wearing a seatbelt). First Governor Whitman resigned to take over the EPA, then Governor McGreevey resigned in the wake of the state homeland security debacle, and now this. Corzine won’t be able to resume his duties as governor for “days to weeks,” and he could be in a wheelchair for six months.

New Jersey really needs a lieutenant governor. Fortunately, in November 2005, New Jersey voters passed a constitutional amendment to create a lieutenant governship – although it doesn’t go into effect until the 2009 elections. Until then, the state will continue to muddle through.

At any rate, everyone seemed to like Acting Governor Dick Codey last time around, and he’s the acting governor again now, so things aren’t so bad.