Despite the absence of senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) from a scheduled leadership meeting, Governor Phil Murphy and Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) would huddle on the budget and other matters in Middlesex, but not before Coughlin side-stepped a question about remarks made yesterday by South Jersey Democratic Power Broker George Norcross III.

Norcross – who put the deal together to make Coughlin speaker while restoring Sweeney to the senate throne – likened the governor’s wife to the queen of England.

Coughlin let his fellow American Irishman handle the insult.

He had his hands full with hunger, he told reporters.

“I’m not going to comment on that right now,” Coughlin said. “I’m really excited about why we’re here today. I don’t want anything to take the focus away from what I think is a really special day.”

NJ.com reported Norcross’ quote about the first lady as follows:

“What’s the end game for this guy? Well, I’m telling you: He thinks he’s the King of England and Mrs. thinks she’s the Queen of England, and they don’t have to answer to anybody. And they’ve gone out there recklessly, stupidly and incompetently time and time again.”