Inauguration of Governor Christine Todd Whitman

You know they're still breaking up. But talk to me Tim. I can't hear anything he's saying. At least keep talking. Yeah I can barely make out what you're saying I don't know how I'm going to work. Yeah. The inaugural ball is underway capping off an historic day for New Jersey and

its 50th governor and for the first woman to be governor of New Jersey. Good evening. I'm Steve Smith and I'm camp Monaghan. We are going to be going live to the Inaugural Ball and also recapping the events of Inauguration Day 1994 during the next hour. We'll be checking in and see how things are going at the ball and as soon and we're also going to be joined by historian Howard Green who's in our studio with us now. Standing room only crowd about 2000 people or so packed the Trenton War Memorial Building today for the High Noon ceremony of sorts with this woman took the oath of office the Trenton War Memorial she was sworn in by Chief Justice Roberts. Christine Todd Whitman do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of New Jersey and the Constitution of the state of New Jersey and that I will faithfully and I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly perform the duties perform the duties of the governor of the state of New

Jersey of the governor of the state of New Jersey. According to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability to help me. So help me God. It was. A crystal moment one not to be forgotten and one that won't be worn down but maybe through any kind of first political reasons but probably not move over all a poignant moment to the very personal and political triumph for Christie It certainly was and to talk about her inaugural address if we could briefly today is the first woman governor of New Jersey certainly a straightforward address one that was very firm in the tone that she took. And I think really to strike a tone for the way she plans to go after these beginning days in her new administration. And she has to be straight forward and get right to the point because of the great challenges that face her in particular with her 10 percent promised tax cut and now she says she wants to deliver 5 percent of that retroactive to January 1st of 1994. In a surprise move somewhat

today as she addressed the people in her inaugural speech of course we are joined here this evening by Howard Green of the New Jersey Historical Commission. Howard your thoughts as you heard live this afternoon Mrs. Whitman's inaugural address and look back over a past addresses of note in New Jersey. Well I was reminded of a famous comment by the German sociologist Max Weber's who once wrote that the job of a politician is to speak with passion to lead with passion. And I thought there was a certain amount of real basic enthusiasm on her part and the myth that it was a clear crisp concise speech. It didn't have it may it may have had a surprise about how the tax cut was going to be structured but there were no ringing new issues there was the theme she campaigned on were the themes in this speech was Christie Whitman style at its best really because this is the way she has conducted herself at least for the latter part of the

campaign and during the transition. I think that's that's that's what I think. I mean I'm not an expert on you know the political science of governorships but it seems to me that what we saw was her style and until the adversity really puts the squeeze on I think it's what will if it does it's what it's what we're going to going to see from the simple and direct and plain talk. It's a different kind of passion perhaps if the times call for that's what I think that's what you're saying is that the times one can question it and I'm sure if we had partisans from various sides here they would. It's speech which as the times call for cutting taxes back making continuing to deliver essential services in the most efficient manner possible. Getting more for less. You know we wish her well it's not easy to get more for less on something else you really though it when you look at it it's the times call for it it's kind of hard to argue with saying to people

I'm going to give you money or give it back to you and not and not take away any of the services the government delivers at the same time in basic ways. Heaven forbid if you don't do what you say you're going to do when you're talking about giving people that was a fascinating line in her speech when she talked about promises she said I will keep my promises in essence. And she said so help me God I will do that. It is very very much different from most of the people who have ever been elected to office and are sworn in and give their inaugural speech is certainly different from the previous governor who actually had that line in his speech and took it out. Rush will stand that this was going to be a different style of government. Her style of government and that's what these would be very different times. And if you're saying I want to ask you something about. This day and where these things can fall apart looking back in history this is a high hope sprinkled a little bit with skepticism that usually brought on by the disappointments of the past. There are a lot of high hopes this days and past

governors some of them who've had the same legislative party help them along yet things have disintegrated. Well one of the big questions is and it's at the heart of what she what Mrs. Whitman is arguing. Does a governor how much does a governor and state governments policies affect an economic climate and how much does it have to do with much bigger things. The first thing that will work for her or against her is a business cycle that is probably a lot bigger than her policies. So much of it is out of her control I think. I think I mean I think that varies but I think some of it is that some of it is out of her control. The as it was out of Laura's going as it was had the changing manufacturing base of the state. Yes she can do things that may keep manufacturing in New Jersey as opposed to in Connecticut or New York but she probably can't do much to reverse a long term secular trend if the United States is reducing the amount of

manufacturing it does the amount of manufacturing as part of the economy. There's not much she can do. She can't compete with Indonesia or Thailand or Korea Howard. What is it from a historical perspective what is best then for a governor to choose to do in the first year perhaps of a four year term do you go what do you go after several difficult issues or do you choose one or two and trying to conquer those battles and bring forth issues. Out of that. The first thing you have to think about it seems to me is a certain coalition elected you. Do you want do you hope to chip in your re-election hopes on the same coalition or are you going to stay. Are you going to in effect reorganize it so it isn't a question of whether it's one two or several. It's a question of which groups and which issues you go after. She she's picking a kind of let me call it middle class populism. Tax cuts. And I think and I think she'll need to deliver on that

and that all of that might just be enough to to ensure re-election if she can do it. All right well we're going to take a look at some of the festivities that as they happen today. It did rain on the Whitman parade. That was canceled due to weather conditions the freezing conditions though did not dampen the spirit of the rest of the Day ceremonies for Christie Whitman the day began with a church service at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton. This is. Louis. While the big chill was felt on the outside Misty Whitman and her family took part in the warmth of the Trinity Cathedral for an interfaith prayer service. From there it was a quick stop at the State House. Our last visit as a private citizen. The

ceremonial walk to the War Memorial Building was canceled. It was drive time instead. Meanwhile the crowd was forming in anticipation of the historic swearing in. Among the invitees former governors Bill Cahill BRENDAN BYRNE And Tom Kane and the soon to be former Governor Jim Florio the New Jersey Symphony played. And there was singing by the New Hope Baptist choir of Newark was all the way. Well. The traditional 19 gun salute sounded howitzers taking the side in honor of the Nutri who stayed. And the governor was presented with the Great Seal of the state of New Jersey. I accept this. As evidence of a problem. Right. There was even a throwback to colonial times as Whitman was introduced to the Senate president. This is my pleasure your Excellency to introduce you to the Honorable Donald de Francisco president of the New Jersey Senate.

But when it came down to it the official introduction of Christie Whitman was very contemporary. Ladies and gentlemen the governor of the state of New Jersey. Ah OK we are going to take a short break in our coverage of inaugural 94. We'll be back shortly. But first a look at one of New Jersey's former governors courtesy of producer Warren Duffy and editor Bob Dylan. And. Governor Whitman is the first woman to govern the state but not the first to wear a dress that would hide cousin of Queen Anne of England. The queen's governing style affected high ground with style dress spending beyond its means Hyde was kicked out of office and thrown into jail after paying his debts with his inheritance. He went back to England with high government from 17 0 3 to 17 0 8. William Franklin was the last foil governor of New Jersey. The illegitimate son of Benjamin

Franklin developed a solid reputation as chief executive and enjoyed great popularity until the outbreak of the revolution. Unable to break his ties from the crown Franklin was removed from his post but continued being a loyalist. He sailed back to England never to reconcile a father son relationship severed by war. When Franklin govern from 1763 to 1776. And at least political lineage Now that leads us to Christie Whitman the 50th governor of the state of New Jersey I'm Steve Highsmith along with Ken Manahan our green of the various Torkel commission as we in the next few minutes not only talk about the inaugural ball which is getting underway in Addison but also recap today's events and try to interpret them and put them in some sort of historical perspective. And how would you join us this evening. You know they say that Tom Kane was New Jersey's most popular governor. Your state's most famous governor perhaps Woodrow Wilson although he didn't spend much time at the State House or in office per se you know in an official way. He was running for president a

great deal of the time. I think there's no question he's the most famous previous New Jersey governor. There are a lot of stories about Wilson for example. He had never been in the state house until the day of his inauguration. It is there. It's a matter of dispute about when he whether he ran for governor in or as a stepping stone to the presidency or decided to run for the presidency once in the governorship. Probably it was the former that it was a plan that they had been. In place for a while. Wilson Wilson nonetheless Wilson's early period in New Jersey was an extraordinary record of legislative reform. Probably not unmatched since the recount rolled back by people from the two successive governors actually and did almost all of the Wilsonian program. In fact one of the people Walter Edgewood followed Wilson I think there was one governor between Wilson and edge sounded a little bit like Mrs. Whitman in the sense that he

ran for office as a quote businessman with a business man's plan for state government suggesting that the Wilsonian reforms had made the business climate inhospitable and he wanted to roll some of that back sounding not unlike what Mrs. Whitman is suggesting needs to be done in order to make the state more and more favorable. And for the corporations and. The. Stuffing out of the past. Present. With scenes now of the inaugural ball tonight in Edison at the Raritan exhibition center where. Thousands of people go to pay tribute to the new governor and they hold it down its sounds like a lot and it is but you hold it down to make sure that the people could be comfortable there and also be in the same room with the new governor there were some complaints four years ago that they had too many people in too many rooms and not enough service. Everyone decked out in the dazzle there as as we see in the various shots and people still filing in to the exhibition

center in Edison chosen because it was central New Jersey perhaps appreciated on a night like tonight when we all know about the driving conditions getting along this evening we're told have been very difficult so there may be some late arriving. But Mrs. Whitman we are told scheduled to be there shortly. So apparently her entourage will make it pretty much on time she was said to arrive around 8:00 o'clock this evening. That should put her there. Sometimes. In these kind of events just about as colorful as a lot of our governors get in my head when you look back in the past. Some of the governors like Edward III perhaps or others. Howard Well let's say today they probably wouldn't even be elected dogcatcher. Well. Nobody elected the colonial governors and the governors from 1776 to until 1844 were chosen. Selected you my called elected by the legislature we didn't begin electing our governors directly until 1844 So we really only have a hundred and fifty year

history of that there so they only test some of these early ones had to go through was just their connections. Party. Or a sense in the case of the early governors they probably they were either a friend of the king or queen who appointed them or of the proprietors. They had to have some administrative ability or it would have seemed although Cornbury for example the person whose picture in the dress was on screen before was a disastrous administrator he was brought in to try to bring some ministry regular you know chaotic colony and it was just a miserable failure. There are also some questions I'm sorry that this may have been what your gas was also some questions about the dress. For a long time it was just assumed that. He liked to. He wanted to show how much he admired his cousin the queen Queen and and so he liked to dress in her clothes. Recently a historian has suggested that that idea didn't really cry out wasn't really said and it's in writing anyway until roughly 75 years after Cornbury was on the scene and it may really have been an

elaborate political satire and I like my dog but I don't wear a color and the painting in any event is a wonderful painting it's on display or it was anyway at the New York Historical Society you know in the stairwell it's a life size and the dress is blue if I'm not mistaken it's really worth seeing. So there was really a great deal of change obviously over the years that has come about in the power of the office of the governor of the state of New Jersey. When was it the most significant change that brought about that power as as we know it today. Well there were three or four different periods of change. Actually the most powerful governors were probably the colonial governors. However and there were two or three different forms in which colonial governor serves but. And if they came to find out what was going on they didn't have to worry about King or Queen or any one of a number of boards but mostly it was the investors who who suffered if the affairs of the colony weren't warned in order. In 1776 under the threat of imminent attack

by the British a constitution was drafted in haste and it is stablished a very weak governor who served for one year at a time elected by the legislature and his men mostly the governors of that period came from the first families of the state and their main purpose was to help the citizens not feel mistrustful of the government. Many many of those men William Livingston notably and some others William Patterson did make a GREAT things out of a weak office. Then in 1844 the Constitution was revised allowing a governor to serve for three years but not to succeed himself. A veto that could be overridden by a simple majority of both houses was provided and some administrative appointments so the office was strengthened. But it really wasn't made the powerhouse that it is today. That happened in 1947 when the current constitution under which this

state operates was written. It was brought into being by a movement largely of Republicans called the clean government movement who were responding to the control of the urban bosses of the day most notably Mayor Frank Hague. There's a wonderful story about Haig and Governor Charles Addison who served as governor I think and from 1940 to 43 the son of the famous inventor and a man who was part of this constitution movement. Hey Big trying to get at us and sort of off stage truck felt he could make a United States senator and offered him the senatorial job if he could arrange it. And Edison turned him down and isn't hard of hearing. Hearing Impaired I should say prompted this response response from Haig if the story can be believed that that death little son of a bitch only hears what he wants to hear. So I still say that

about politicians Well you know I was reminded of that in Mrs. Whitman's speech when she talked about listening. I think she does listen I think that's what was a successful part of the campaign. I think she's very good one on one with people. And it remains to be seen it's often a problem with politicians that they only hear what they want to hear and we'll see whether hearing is selective or inclusive. Jury's still out on that. You know I already said something very interesting there especially at the end about listening when we were looking at the campaign in its final weeks. We noticed at the Trenton Commons were a lot of people eat lunch and there was Christie Whitman and she would go table by table to meet with people and occasionally of course she would run into people who said well I'm not voting for you I'm voting for Jim Florio instead of saying well you know Thanks for considering me and moving on. She stayed with him and she talked for a long time with them not to the point of being able to say that at the end of the four minute conversation she turned them around. But

nonetheless she did stay with them and that kind of impression I think was left on a lot of voters whether or not a governor who has is by nature somewhat removed obviously from the campaign continue that is question you know we have a guess but I think that it's going to be carried out really in the sense that she has continued her town meetings and her one on one with the people up there and they are you know on television that's sort of you know I mean her tour on the bus I want to sort of fill in the can't get us in if we can because we have someone who's been waiting very patiently to talk with us. Peter Nero who is counsel to now Governor Christie Whitman has been a road joins us from the inaugural ball. Thank you for joining us Peter. Thank you Steve. It's good. How's your day been going. Day that it's been an exciting day church for this trip to celebrate for governor of course. The address here is the busy governor there yet she is just arriving. How is she feeling right now

to see asked again. She is very yes. I spoke to her about 7:00 this morning before she started site and I've seen. There's already talk of your role as council will be different to how close and when advisors sorry how close of an advisor do you expect to be months in the years ahead perhaps to the governor is your role pretty much going to be the traditional role of counsel or perhaps a little bit more so I think the role of counsel traditional feel like second of all her signature. Also processing judicial prosecutorial appointments so is the traditional role that I bring. Also representing this is what I have had to mention if you will that background what I

said are very special. So I take it that you review the economic master plan executive order today. Yes I do. But tell us what. I think the economic master plan will be very good for the state. The first time that we will have a comprehensive look at the economy that statutes and regulations that impact on the economy as a tool to the No.7 And that's really what it is it's still to give the governor a strategic Prince for the future to allow as she goes forward with matters affecting the economy which as you know is the the core issue in the campaign. When do you expect the commission to actually start coming forth with its recommendations and what we've asked of the commission completed its work by October of 94 that's in the executive. Now this order that was signed during the inaugural speech it was set precedent setting reserve and done before. I don't know I haven't researched it as a matter of history certainly in recent history I can't recall any incumbent governor signing an executive order as part of the inaugural

address. Frankly that was done by design to underscore the importance of the economy. As a critical issue as a court and subject matter to the new governor and to the people of St. Charles do you expect that Governor Whitman will somehow test the bounds of the power of the use of executive orders or will you somewhat fall in line with past. That's difficult to say. Certainly she will she will use that authority the reasonably should go forward. I don't want to predict what will be on whatever predecessor or not it's too early to tell this to the neuro thank you very much for joining us. Have a good night tonight. Again good luck in the next several years. Thank you Steve. To the nearest counsel now to Governor Christie Whitman. Well as Peter said the governor herself is about to arrive or has possibly walked in the door in the meantime while we were conversing. Governor Whitman of course caught some people by surprise today with her and Auggie role

speech aside from pledging to keep her tax cut promise the governor had a few specifics to pass along including the retroactive tax cut of 5 percent to provoke some spirited applause. We're going to show you the entire speech now of the inaugural address the first address by the new Governor Christie Whitman. Cool. Thank you very much. Mr. Chief Justice. Gov. Florio Mr. Speaker distinguished guests ladies and gentleman. It is with an eagerness to tackle the challenges ahead that I take the oath of office as New Jersey's 50th chief executive. And its first woman governor. Cooper. On behalf of the people of the state of New Jersey I would like to thank Governor Florio for his years

of public service. Cool. Cool enough agreed on some issues disagreed on others but no one has ever doubted that you cared deeply. Some say. Cool. Some say it is a proud moment to be sworn in to such a high office as governor. For me however this is also a humbling moment. No one reaches this position alone. Certainly I didn't. And I want to thank all of you who made it possible. I especially want to thank my husband John and my two children Kate and Taylor. For standing by me during a long and tough campaign. Cool. If. Today today's inauguration marks not a victory of partisanship but a test of our

democracy of our ability to govern ourselves as a people we face a crisis of confidence. Many have lost faith in the ability of government to deliver services efficiently to lend a helping hand when needed and to get out of the way when it is not. We worry about the ability of our economy to generate jobs and restore prosperity. We question the ability of our schools to deliver the quality education our children deserve at a price their parents can afford. We question the ability of our criminal justice system to prevent crime and to deliver justice and safety. Americans have lost faith in institutions that are the foundations of our democracy. They question those they have elected to serve them. Wherever I go whether I'm in a shopping mall attending a devils or Nets game. Taking questions on a call in show I hear the same implicit question after the OWS after the speeches and the parties and festivities. Will you remember your promises

and will you keep them. As the first statement of my governorship to every voter in New Jersey let me answer that question. I have just taken the oath of this office you have entrusted to me. To me this oath means one thing I will not hedge. I will not backtrack. I will keep my promises to you my friends to the best of my ability. So help me God. Peru 5000. But I can't do it alone. I need your help your wisdom and your support. If government is to be for the people it must be of and by the people for democracy to work as Abraham Lincoln said in his first inaugural speech. We in government must have a patient confidence in the

ultimate justice of the people. Governments trust and listen to the people or it is not a democracy. That is why I spent the last four years listening to you. And it is why I will keep listening for as long as I am your governor. I believe in the people of this state. I believe in open government. I believe that the best decisions are based on consensus and like you I believe deeply in the fundamental need for change. To those who question of whether I'm serious about bucking the special interests who hold so much quiet power in this city let me be clear I did not run for governor to conduct business as usual. It is going to be different around here. Of the. Thank you for the. The only way a government can win back your trust is to earn it. Our

principal problems are not the product of great economic shifts or other vast unforeseen forces. They are the creation of a government of government that puts special interests ahead of the people's interests of government that refuses to change. You know what. I know it. And this time together we're going to fix it. Up of. New Jersey should lead the nation in a world driven by ideas and technology we both some of the world's leading telecommunications pharmaceutical chemical and other high tech firms. We have first class universities great ports and a prime location between America's financial and political seats of power. We have great natural resources from the highlands to the shore. New Jersey should be the EC and the engine of economic growth that leads this nation into the 21st century. It should be a powerful engine of prosperity that gives our children the

same opportunity that our parents worked so hard to give us the chance for a better life. Together we will unshackle that economic engine from the restraining chains of high taxes. Four months ago I said I would put 1.4 billion of your tax dollars back in your pocket by cutting taxes over the next three years. With the first cut coming in July. The skeptics groaned but here we are. And I say why wait until the next fiscal year starts in July between now and then families have car payments and credit card bills that will come due. Senior citizens on fixed income will be struggling to make ends meet. And businesses have payrolls to make their plans to create new jobs are sitting on shelves waiting for a stronger economy. Let's not keep economic growth waiting another minute. If President Clinton and his Congress can reach backward into time and raise your taxes retroactively

your governor and your legislature can cut them retroactively. Cool. That is why I will be asking my partners in the legislature Senate President Donald DiFrancesco an assembly speaker to enact a 5 percent income tax cut for every family in New Jersey effective January 1

1994 18 days ago. Secondly I am asking the legislature to eliminate all taxes on those earning less than seventy five hundred dollars again retroactively to January 1st. Those who are struggling the hardest need a tax cut the most. Third I'm asking the legislature to cut the corporate business tax to 9 percent. Again effective January 1st of this use. Coupons. We will be competitive. No more losing our employers or job to job raids by low tax states. New Jersey is open for business.

Cool. Thought. I. Crafting a budget that covers not only the cost of these tax cuts but also makes up more than 1 billion dollars in previous One-Shot revenues will not be easy. We must do so without cutting the state services which so many of us depend. We must do so without driving up the property tax. The shell game of raising one tax to cut another is over. My budget taskforce in the three hundred fifty citizens who served on my transition teams have been poring over every department's budget. My cabinet officials take office with a mandate to find ways to provide the same or better services for less hundreds of Zyban citizens have been writing in with their ideas on how we can save five cents on every tax dollar that we spend. Let me tell you once we put our minds to it it's amazing all the ways you can find to save money. Take just three areas. A vast amount of

uncollected bad driver surcharges are owed to the state. Yet no attempt has been made to collect them. Where Odon claim federal Medicaid funds for health care services provided by poor children provided to poor children by their schools and even an inmate from rollways state prison wrote into the our tax dollars program to point out that more than one hundred sixty million dollars in fines owed by criminals have never been collected. Together these three areas alone offer the potential for closing the budget gap by several hundred millions of dollars. What's more almost 200 million has been left unspent in each of the last two budgets because programs are overfunded. I am directing my cabinet to try to save at least that much from current year accounts budget cuts are just part of the equation to cut taxes in each of the next three fiscal years rule prior sustained economic growth. Economic growth doesn't just happen. We have to plan for it encourage it and Korda.

That is why I have directed my secretary of state to serve as an advocate for business. And it's why the first executive order of my administration which I will sign in front of you today creates the New Jersey economic Master Plan Commission. This commission will develop the long term strategy we need to make New Jersey the economic powerhouse it deserves to be. Was. The with the. Gun. The law. Make no mistake about it we are in a battle for jobs with Pennsylvania the Carolinas and the Sun Belt every single day. One of the main reasons we've been losing that battle is state government. We must cut through the needless overregulation that drives businesses out of New Jersey and discourages new firms from locating here. We can protect the

environment without taking years to process a permit. Our business does deserve better. And you deserve better. It isn't just a question of money being wasted. It's a question of duplications inept planning and inadequate services. We have 68 Departments of Labor field offices yet in some counties require unemployed workers to sign up from employment benefits and one office then drive 10 miles to another office to find out what jobs are available. Look at how the state regulates cemeteries. If you are buried only with members of your own religion your corpse is regulated by the attorney general's office. But if you're buried in a nonsectarian cemetery the department of banking has jurisdiction over your remarks. And that's right. Banking. When. Do we really need two different state agencies to regulate the dead. The only cradle to grave our state government needs reform. We must reinvent

government. The way American corporations have been reinventing themselves to survive in the 1990s. You elected me as a chief executive officer of a 15 billion dollar service corporation with 60000 employees and that's what we're going to provide a service efficient cost effective service. After all we work for you. The old. Ah and of all the tasks we are entrusted to perform is your government. Nothing is more sacred than our responsibility to educate your children. The school system we have to today was developed in the 19th century to prepare the children of farmers and new immigrants for an Industrial Revolution that wanted bug bodies for repetitive factory work. The world has changed and our education system must change with it.

Employers today require a highly educated workforce that knows how to think and how to be creative. The state that can provide the best educated workers is a state that will be the powerhouse of the 21st century. The states that fail will fall behind. We must make New Jersey number one. We parents teachers students administrators government leaders and business executives must work together to reinvent education. We must make it our top priority to teach our children all our children to read in kindergarten and first grade and second grade when they're enthusiastic about learning. That way we will not have to spend tens of millions of dollars in junior high school high school and college trying to rectify the failures of the past. We are going to inject competition and encourage innovation by developing alternatives like magnet schools and charter schools within our public school systems to give parents a choice of where to send their children. Should say.

Was the school should compete for the chance to teach our children. They are our greatest treasure if we're going to teach democracy in our schools we should practice democracy in our school systems in Jersey City five long years of state control. Ah not the big schools that continue to do far too little. We should give Mayor Bret Schundler the green light to test school vouchers. At the end of. The law. Lls and invite the top school experts in the nation to measure the results. We will get politics out of the Department of Education by giving the education commissioner an independent five year term. Cool. We will push authority down to the local level because I trust parents who love their

children to get involved in school boards and PTA. The state can give you better schools but you must be responsible for raising your children. Ah. It was we will develop a strong core curriculum that teaches every student the basics of reading writing arithmetic and respect for our nation's heritage. We will make our schools safe and we will demand discipline in our classrooms. The last thing the last thing children should learn about in school is violence and fear. Personal safety is a sacred right now America. Our children our parents all of us deserve to live in peace. Yet far too many of us are imprisoned by fear of crime. Some say we should turn our heads. Give up and just accept a violent crime ridden

society. Some say crime is too tough a problem to solve. My answer to them. We are tougher. Than 8000 We know that a small percentage of hardened criminals commit most of the violent crime. It's time to make every criminal know that he or she will serve 70 percent of the court sentence. For three times. Was the worst three times violent offenders. Those who make a career out of con crime it should be three strikes and you're in for life. The old. The old we also need to set up boot camps and other alternatives to teach young people who are toying with the criminal life that they want to go straight and said. Everybody deserves a second chance but not a third. The

only permanent those are not the victims of society. Society is the victim of criminals. The only way to make our streets safe again is to make sure criminals know they will pay surely and perhaps permanently. For their crimes and we will. Thank the. It was our blueprint to make New Jersey first as an agenda of economic growth good schools and safe streets. An agenda of hope optimism and determination of government that is for the people because it is of and by the people the hope the vision the strength of our people is our guarantee of success. And what remarkable people make up this state in the factories of Patterson and the research laboratories of Princeton in the ethnic neighborhoods of Perth Amboy and the senior citizen villages of Lakewood and the

towns of the sure's in the Pinelands in the cities like Camden and Newark all across our state. I have come to know so many of New Jersey's people. We are one family one community one state. There is a phrase in Spanish that means all that. So most and soul of wedlock. Thank God. When one of us is out of work. Homeless cannot read is a victim of violent crime. We all suffer and when we help one another succeed we all succeed. Thank God thank God. Thought. I remember a young writer who I think must have learned about America as a student in New Jersey over six decades ago he wrote of a sense of overwhelming gratitude and gladness that America was there. That in the heart of the people the old generosities and devotions fought on indomitable and undefeated the best of America F. Scott Fitzgerald

concluded is the best of the world. And I can tell you that the best of New Jersey is the best of America. Was in the people we will place our faith on trust in the people we will build our agenda of opportunity and growth. This is our state. It is our time. And this is our future. Last week I met the children for Mrs. Riley second grade class at the gable school in Neptune. Each child brought along a letter for me. We should all learn to share and be nice to each other. Claudia Grier wrote I know that you have a demanding job ahead of you and I will be there to help you. Claudy is here today and Claudia I thank you for offering to help. Thank. You for. Thank you

for. It will take everyone's help to meet the challenge ahead. It won't always be easy and we won't always agree but we must not fear change. In 1776 this state was at the forefront of a revolution. We are there again today. Let's show the world what New Jersey can do. Together we will make New Jersey first. Thank you very much. Thank you for. Everything. Governor Christie is going. To. Have to thank our state's. First woman governor of New Jersey certainly someone who comes from a long line of well-connected GOP party people in this state her parents. Webster and Eleanor Todd. Highly placed officials in the Democratic Party won on the national level one on the state level and I learned first gentleman this grandfather was governor of New York. So he's probably not going to be the kind of first gentleman that was into was in terms of being first lady.

He's got his own business he's going to do move on like that a firm simple and direct speech which is by those who are on the wooden side of the fence exactly what they want to hear especially when it comes to talking about taxes I think we can put to rest one rumor go when they can and fire the 19 gun salute Ed Rollins was not accurate. I just want to add Dan Todd also served as an assemblyman in New Jersey's legislature where we are going to take you now back to the scene of tonight's festivities the inaugural festival you know and you will dance if you will of the inaugural party where Michael Aaron is standing by in Addison live with our coverage Michael you have been to a few of these parties before How's this one this one for you. There are really there are you know. There's something in your voice. Time for a long time to get here from a friend and I took a long time to get to this position. Just walking past a table after table several football fields for I heard you talking about the first spouse I'm seeing here just

said something about Governor and Mrs. Whitman and then he had to correct himself and say governor and Mr. Whitman Joining me is someone very close to both Whitman's who was co-chair of the campaign co-chair of the Whitman transition was I guess there's no more transition. Until like I was today. Let's talk to the spy service this morning. I like the moment she was a wonderful speech was terrific. And then to see the say it was just like a tax cut retroactive tax cut. When did you. Go out of the way. People leave something like that.

That's the sort of thing the family got away with this sealing process of making a decision. And finally what's the point. Why stick it out. Today there was some debate about the side of you very much wanted to be specific and specific help sort of. Assigned to committees but now quite some time so there's a feel for the rhetoric today it was interesting she spoke in very plain language and yet a lot of what she talked about had a sort of radical change to what she wants fundamental.

More businesses more of the things she's. Limiting the role of special interest. How do you do short of changing all the campaign finance laws or is that what you have to do. Well I think you do a five make you understand that it's no longer just the art of the deal. As Mr. Trump is. I think that you do that by putting the public interest before the special interest and I think she needs to do exactly that. And I and I don't think it matters what the special interest is for having it reflected in that they are not part of the West State Street. Crowd actually have a right to the best that she can find in the field that their endeavor. I mean sorry medicine. CHRISTY Oh a lot of things to a lot of people. Which is wonderful in some ways I mean it left her free to do what she needed to do and wanted to

do and the reason why I say sure a lot of things a lot of people I mean you were there during the course of the campaign a lot of people stay sort of like back. During the good times and it left them and came back and it was like a constant. So she was free to do what she wanted to. And that's exactly what she did and I think she's going to sell one spectacular. She was. She told some legislators early on in the cavernous flex process that she was not going to look to the legislature for an office. She is helping to assemble people. I hear she's OK too or I heard this today you know putting up five people outside the legislature that you have to go all the money in the collection and not have to fight what happened was to write the slightest thing our stars. I mean it just it was like rising to the top option for me to do it. This is like coming to the tough choice

was very obvious place and I was like a face so she went for what she thought was a excellent site to see how they kept their form so I would still see out there a few seats open. Thank you for doing this and for safety to my flight is proceeding. People are still arriving. There's an awful lot of traffic outside it's hard to get in here but a lot of people are your US my clarinet. Let's go back friend Michael Hope you have one. Yes you took my luck OK. That's enjoy yourself Michael. Well we have time for a couple of quick closing comments from our guest here in our NJ and studios Howard Green of the New Jersey star. Society telling the commission I should say it's now up to Mrs. Whitman to take the bull by the horns if you will. Once all of the festivities of today are put to rest and tomorrow began her day in office and begin her day leaving this state absolutely I mean

I think. Nobody has missed the significance of she being the first woman to be governor of New Jersey and that's something that was long overdue. Now we have our first woman governor and I think Mrs. Whitman would like and I'm pretty sure the people of the state of New Jersey feel that tomorrow she is Governor Whitman. And only Governor Whitman. And there was a lot of talk about consensus in this speech. And I think building consensus is one of the things she needs to do. But there will not be consensus on all issues there are many issues on which the people of the state of New Jersey are deeply divided. And there are not going to be choices that everybody will like but she needs to make them. She showed some signs of being willing to make hard for Miss swift decisive choices. The ball is the ball is in her court so to speak that I think the people are behind her and we will see.

All right Howard Howard Green thank you very much for joining us. Appreciate you being here. You know can't they say that there are two tragedies in life one is not getting what you want and the other is getting what you want. And it's Christie Whitman Stern now as governor to take the ball and run with it. Obviously it's the playing out that will make all the difference. We're going to take a break in our coverage for about an hour and then we'll be back with a live edition of in JNU So our political coverage will go on through it though at 9:00 with an injury and documentary of the campaign inside it's an inside look into the campaign of Christie Whitman a run for governor. So we invite you to stay right here and we'll see you again at 10. Of the law. Of the law.