April 30, 2007

Corzine Apologizes For Setting 'Poor Example'

Sitting in the wheelchair he'll have to rely on for weeks, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) apologized for setting "a poor example" in his first press conference since the combination of an out-of-control vehicle and no seat belt landed him in the hospital on April 12.

"I understand I'm setting a very poor example for a lot of young people, a lot of people in general," the former U.S. senator said, wearing a bright red sweatshirt bearing Cooper University hospital's logo and choking back tears. "I certainly hope the state will forgive me."

Corzine was sitting in the passenger seat of a speeding state police SUV when the driver swerved to avoid hitting another car and crashed into a guard rail along the Garden State Parkway. The governor broke more than a dozen bones, including 11 ribs, and was on a respirator for more than a week.

Corzine spoke to reporters outside the hospital after he was discharged. He has been able to take some steps using crutches, but still faces months of rehabilitation, and a teleconferencing system is being installed in the governor's mansion so he can participate in meetings, the Newark Star-Ledger reports. Richard J. Codey, the Democratic president of the state senate, has been acting governor since the accident. It is not clear when Corzine will be able to assume his post full time.

Posted at 3:26 PM
Posted to: Governors, Jon Corzine
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