Attention copywriters: New Jersey needs you

Pitiful. That’s the only way to describe New Jersey’s statewide contest to come up with a new tourism slogan. Acting Governor Richard J. Codey yesterday announced the five finalists—out of 8000 entries—and this is all New Jerseyans could come up with: “New Jersey: Expect the Unexpected, “New Jersey: Love at First Sight,” “New Jersey: Come See for Yourself,” “New Jersey: The Real Deal” and “New Jersey: The Best Kept Secret.” Each of these lines lends itself to a comic aside, but it’s the holiday season so we’ll refrain.