It's easy to be the "People's Governor" and promise open, transparent government when you're just coming into office and have nothing to hide yet.

Charlie's probably doing us a favor by using planes belonging to fat cats when he flies around the state. Money's tight, and if he wants to cop a ride from somebody who holds the contract for state worker health care --well, the guy's already got the business, so who's harmed?

The secrecy and the dodging, though... they all indicate that Charlie knows he's being a naughty boy. Why doesn't he just 'fess up and let it pass? All he has to do is say, "At least I'm not burning up taxpayer money on personal trips like my Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Kottkamp, here."

Remember what they said after Watergate: It isn't the crime, it's the coverup.