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  • SWEENEY'S TIGHT ROPE

    Nov. 25, 2009


    By CARL GOLDEN

    As difficult as some may find it, you have to feel just a little bit sorry for Senate President-elect Steve Sweeney.

    In what was supposed to be his moment of high political triumph --- his selection as the leader of [...]
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    Fetched: November 25, 2009, 5:16am EST

  • FRIEND OR FOE? CHOOSING THE BEST STRATEGY FOR WORKING WITH THE PRESS

    Nov. 24, 2009

    By RICHARD A. LEE
     
    In the few years that have passed since I taught public relations at the college level, the business has changed significantly, largely due to the continued growth of the Internet and social networks. However, the greatest change in the industry may [...]
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    Fetched: November 24, 2009, 2:20pm EST

  • FLIGHT OF THE LAME DUCKS

    Nov. 23, 2009

    Today’s a big day in Trenton:  Not only does the Legislature return, but Democrats are expected to pick new leaders – Steve Sweeney of Gloucester County is expected to be elected Senate president, and Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver of Essex County is expected to be named Assembly [...]
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    Fetched: November 23, 2009, 9:19am EST

  • FAIR WARNING

    Nov. 23, 2009

    If nothing else, Gov.-elect Chris Christie can always say he gave fair warning. 
    In 2002, less than six months after he was first named U.S. attorney, Christie went to a mayors' convention in Atlantic City, and, according to The New York Times, “declared open' [...]
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    Fetched: November 23, 2009, 9:19am EST

  • WHAT WILL THOSE ROBOCALLS TELL US?


    Nov. 20, 2009

    Here's a case we're interested in seeing the outcome.  The Daggett campaign has filed a complaint with ELEC, asking that someone investigate who was behind those mysterious robocalls that urged Republicans to vote for Chris Daggett.

    Those calls, which criticized Republican Chris Christie, fueled [...]
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    Fetched: November 20, 2009, 7:19pm EST

  • UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN, BUT JOB LOSSES UP?

    Nov. 19, 2009

    The good news is that the state's unemployment rate dropped to 9.7%.

    The bad news?  Public sector enployment rose by a total of 2,600 jobs, which includes 4,300 new jobs at the local level.

    The worst news? Another 1,800 New Jerseyans lost their [...]
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    Fetched: November 19, 2009, 5:23pm EST

  • BUDGET Rx: THE COURAGE TO BE HONEST

    Nov. 18, 2009



    By CARL GOLDEN


    In his budget address to a joint session of the Legislature a few years ago, Gov. Jon Corzine told his audience: “New Jersey has a government it cannot afford.”

     
    It was, of course, designed as a guaranteed [...]
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    Fetched: November 18, 2009, 2:19pm EST

  • REDISTRICTING, OR SCHMOOZING 2011

    Nov. 17, 2009


    It may seem hard to believe, but in the 1990s, Republicans were the dominant party in Trenton – thanks, in no small measure to Gov. Jim Florio and his $2.8 billion tax increase.

    So how did Republicans wind up in the political wilderness in the [...]
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    Fetched: November 17, 2009, 7:23pm EST

  • MENENDEZ V. DOBBS IN 2012

    Nov. 17, 2009


    Ever since he quit his post in a surprise annoucement last week, there has been plenty of speculation that Lou Dobbs is already planning his run for the U.S. Senate from New Jersey.
    And that he’s planning on taking on Sen. Robert Menendez in 2012.
    [...]
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    Fetched: November 17, 2009, 1:16pm EST

  • A DOSE OF COMMON SENSE IN HEALTH CARE DEBATE

    Nov. 13, 2009


    By CARL GOLDEN


    Following and attempting to understand the proposed national health care system overhaul currently working its way through the Congress is like trying to solve a 2,000-clue crossword puzzle: No matter how many blanks I fill in, there’s hundreds left, not [...]
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    Fetched: November 13, 2009, 2:22pm EST

  • THE POWER OF SONG: HOW PROTEST MUSIC WAS AHEAD OF MAINSTREAM MEDIA

    Nov. 13, 2009


    By RICHARD A.LEE


    Forty years ago this week, Seymour Hersh broke the story of the My Lai massacre, in which hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians were killed by U.S. soldiers. Hersh later was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting, but he may [...]
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    Fetched: November 13, 2009, 2:22pm EST

  • POSTMORTEMS

    Nov. 12, 2009


    Hard to believe, isn’t it, that it’s been just over a week since the election?
    But there’s no denying the shift in the political landscape since the vote. The governor-elect has already begun to dominate the news; the political debate has turned more toward tax [...]
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    Fetched: November 12, 2009, 3:17pm EST

  • WHITMAN TO STEELE: STOP ATTACKING OUR OWN

    Nov. 11, 2010

    Former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman is out today with an "ideas" piece in Politico.com highly critical of RNC Chairman Michael Steele for, as she sees it, abandoning moderates who might support President Obama's policies.    Let's just say it's bound to drive conservatives nuts.

    Here's [...]
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    Fetched: November 11, 2009, 12:16pm EST

  • A TALE OF TWO PRESIDENTS

    Nov. 10, 2009

    Further evidence in today's Star Ledger that the combination of Gov. Chris Christie and Senate President Steve Sweeney may be a good one for taxpayers.

    Check out the difference between current Senate President Dick Codey and Sweeney's reaction to the idea that Christie could [...]
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    Fetched: November 10, 2009, 3:22pm EST

  • SO WHO'S THE DEMOCRAT IN THE BEST SHAPE FOR 2013?

    Nov. 10, 2009

    Yes, yes, we know, the election's barely over.  But there's an interesting answer to that questiion by Public Policy Polling, the North Carolina firm who, along with Rasmussen, came closest to predicting the outcome of the 2009 race.

    Based on their polling, they say Newark [...]
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    Fetched: November 10, 2009, 3:22pm EST

  • THINKING ABOUT 2010

    Nov. 10, 2009

    Now we all know that John Adler was bowing to the changed political landscape  -- and of course, his constituents – when he was one of 39 Democrats who voted against the health care reform bill on Saturday. 
    But that got us wondering – what happens [...]
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    Fetched: November 10, 2009, 12:16pm EST

  • DAGGETT CANDIDACY -- AN END TO INDEPENDENTS?

    Nov. 9, 2009

    By CARL GOLDEN


    The disappointing showing by independent gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett in last week’s general election forecloses --- probably forever --- any possibility of success for a statewide candidate not running on one of the two major party tickets. 

     
    Despite upwards [...]
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    Fetched: November 09, 2009, 3:19pm EST

  • DAGGETT CAMPAIGN; HOW MONEY TRUMPED MESSAGE

    Nov. 9, 2009

    Interesting column by Mark Magyar, policy director for the Chris Daggett campaign, on how money can trump message, on NJ.com.  Here's an excerpt:

    Political consultants tell candidates you can’t run a campaign on policy: If you can’t explain it in three short sentences, you [...]
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    Fetched: November 09, 2009, 2:18pm EST

  • A RAY OF SUNSHINE AFTER A DARK CAMPAIGN

    Nov. 8, 2009


    By RICHARD A. LEE

    As soon as the outcome of Tuesday’s election was apparent, the speculation began:

    Was the election a referendum on President Obama?
    How could a pro-life Republican win in a blue state such as New Jersey?
    Why did the Democratic [...]
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    Fetched: November 08, 2009, 6:15pm EST

  • ADLER ACCEPTS REALITY

    Nov. 7, 2009

    Did John Adler really have any other choice?

    Adler, the freshman Democrat who represents what had been a reliably red 3rd District, announced he's voting against the health care reform bill.

    His vote is just the latest fallout from Chris Christie's victory on [...]
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    Fetched: November 07, 2009, 2:17pm EST

  • NEW JERSEY: WHO VOTED, WHY AND WHERE

    Nov . 6, 2009


    By PATRICK MURRAY


    Well, the pundits said that turnout would be the name of the game in New Jersey this year. The problem is we were looking at the wrong type of turnout. While we were busy focusing on core Democratic areas, [...]
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    Fetched: November 06, 2009, 4:21am EST

  • CAN CHRISTIE AND DEMS WORK TOGETHER?

    Nov. 5, 2009

    It seemed fitting, somehow, that Chris Christie began his first day as the 55th governor-elect of the state of New Jersey at Robert Treat Academy in Newark.
    Christie had made urban education and charter schools a centerpiece of his campaign.
     
    But what was unusual [...]
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    Fetched: November 05, 2009, 9:20pm EST

  • THE SHORE ROARED

    Nov. 4, 2009

    Want to know how Chris Christie won?
    He won it down the Shore. 

    Monmouth and Ocean counties went HUGE for Chris Christie.  The Republican rolled up overwhelming pluralities in these two counties – 64,013 in Monmouth, and 70,254 in Ocean.
     
    Anybody else [...]
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    Fetched: November 04, 2009, 8:15am EST

  • WHICH POLL GOT IT RIGHT?

    Nov. 3, 2009


    So which poll got it closest?

    Chris Christie got 49% of the vote and Jon Corzine 45%, a 4 point edge.  Independent Chris Daggett got 6%.

    Based on the latest polls (courtesy of RealClearPolitics.com,  Public Policy Pollling, was closest, predicting a 6-pont [...]
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    Fetched: November 04, 2009, 7:20am EST

  • THE EARLY EXITS

    Nov. 3, 2009

    Too soon to read anything in to these numbers, but so far, the trends seem to favor Republican Chris Christie.. But it's still early.

    Here are some key early exit poll numbers, courtesy of Hotline:

    INDEPENDENTS
    According to early exit poll data released [...]
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    Fetched: November 04, 2009, 12:17am EST

  • WHAT TO LOOK FOR TONIGHT

    Nov. 3, 2009

    By PATRICK MURRAY

    The race for New Jersey governor has been one of the most volatile I have witnessed. Where some observers see momentum, I see unpredictability. Here’s my breakdown of the key factors in the race.

    Undecided Voters
    In an incumbent election, the [...]
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    Fetched: November 04, 2009, 12:17am EST

  • CHRISTIE WINS!!

    Nov. 3, 2009


    AP CALLS RACE: CHRIS CHRISTIE WINS!
    [...]
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    Fetched: November 04, 2009, 12:17am EST

  • HUDSON JUST 36% TURNOUT? CHRISTIE UP IN BERGEN?

    Nov. 3, 2009

    Interesting tidbits from RealClearPolitics.com, which is liveblogging the election:

    9:43 -- Hudson County, where Corzine ran up huge margins in '05, reporting just 36% turnout tonight -- MIKE MEMOLI
    9:40 -- Setting the scene at Corzine HQ: music turned off and NJN coverage being' [...]
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    Fetched: November 04, 2009, 12:17am EST

  • MURRAY ON THE DAGGETT EFFECT

    Nov. 3, 2009

    Now here's an interesting post by Patrick Murray on the impact Chris Daggett has on the race.  Bottom line: He seems to be hurting incumben Jon Corzine more, according to the early exit polls.  WIth all the usual caveats, that could be a good omen for [...]
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    Fetched: November 04, 2009, 12:17am EST

  • MURRAY ON EXITS

    Nov. 3, 2009

    Patrick Murray, the poll director at Monmouth University and the guru behind the Monmouth Gannett polls, is providing exit poll analysis tongiht.

    He's going to be posting analysis all night on his blog tonight, you can read it here.

    But here are some [...]
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    Fetched: November 04, 2009, 12:17am EST

  • CAN WE STOP OUR POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS FROM DEGENERATING?

    Nov. 3, 2009


    By RICHARD A. LEE

    When New Jersey’s 2009 campaign for Governor comes to a close on Tuesday night, one candidate will bask in the glory of victory. The state’s reputation, however, won’t be as lucky. Once again, the level of discourse in a New [...]
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    Fetched: November 03, 2009, 11:20am EST

  • WHY HAVEN'T STATE'S NEWSPAPERS FOLLOWED ROBOCALL STORY?

    Nov. 3, 2009

    Question:  Why haven't any of the state's newspapers followed the robocall story today?  That story, in case you missed it, is that Democrats have admitted making the pro-Chris Daggett, anti-Chris Christie robocalls in Somerset County?

    The only mention we can find in the state's [...]
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    Fetched: November 03, 2009, 11:20am EST

  • CRIMINALS FOR GOTV?

    Nov. 3, 2009

    No idea if this is true, but if it is, it's really disheartening.  If not downright scary.

    ElectionJournal.com is reporting that a police officer in Morris Township found a man he had arrested and another who had been in prison for shooting a cop were out canvassing [...]
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    Fetched: November 03, 2009, 11:20am EST

  • WHOSE POLLS ARE MOST ACCURATE?

    Nov. 2, 2009


    For those of you who can't get enough of polls, SwingStateProject.com has an interesting look back at the final polls since 2004, and what the actual results were.

    But before we go into the past, just one more poll out tonight to take' [...]
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    Fetched: November 03, 2009, 8:18am EST

  • UPDATED: IS ACORN GETTING INVOLVED IN N.J. RACE?

    Nov. 2, 2009

    Now here's a post to strike fear in the hearts of all who want fair, honest elections...

    BigGovernment.com, the Web site that brought us the infamous ACORN prostitute/pimp videos, is warning that folks who have been associated with ACORN have been popping up around the [...]
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    Fetched: November 03, 2009, 8:18am EST

  • PLACE YOUR BETS

    Nov. 2, 2009

    Apparently, the smart money is also noting some momentum for Chris Christie, although it's anybody's guess on who'll win Election Day.

    Bloomberg reports that online bettors are evenly divided over whether Gov. Jon Corzine will win re- election tomorrow.  Bloomberg notes that at Intrade, [...]
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    Fetched: November 02, 2009, 4:22pm EST

  • UPDATED: DO NEW POLLS SHOW A CHRISTIE TIDE; IS THAT THE REASON FOR ROBOCALLS?

    UPDATED 8:50 A.M. MONDAY

    Nov. 1, 2009

    Way too early to say for sure, but the final horserace polls may be showing the race turning in Republican Chris Christie's direction.  The most dramatic example is today's new Quinnipiac Poll, which has Christie up by 2, swinging 7 ponts in less than [...]
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    Fetched: November 02, 2009, 4:22pm EST

  • PALIN DENIES ASKING DAGGETT TO DROP OUT

    Nov. 1, 2009

    Here's a wierd end of the trail story.

    It turns out that independent candidate Chris Daggett was on MSNBC today and claimed that Sarah Palin had urged him to drop out of the New Jersey governor's race. 

    Palin, however, immediately knocked down that report in a [...]
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    Fetched: November 02, 2009, 8:17am EST

  • IS THERE A CHRISTIE TIDE; IS THAT THE REASON FOR THOSE ROBOCALLS?

    Nov. 1, 2009

    Way too early to say for sure, but the final horserace polls may be showing the race turning in Republican Chris Christie's direction.

    And that may well explain why the Democrats -- or someone whose address is the same as the Democratic State Committee's -- are making' [...]
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    Fetched: November 02, 2009, 8:17am EST

  • SCALING BACK A GAFFE

    Nov. 1, 2009

    You know our governor is in trouble when he has to accuse the New York Times of misquoting him.  The same New York Times whose endorsement he trumpets in his latest round of ads.

    Unfortunately for  him, reporters usually have interview tapes.  Or excellent notes.
    [...]
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    Fetched: November 01, 2009, 1:19pm EST

  • WITH TWO DAYS TO GO, IT'S CHRISTIE BY1%

    Nov. 1, 2009

    After a plethora of polls, the bottom line is this:  Republican Chris Christie is up by 1% with 2 days to go, according to the latest RealClearPolitics.com average:


    RCP Average10/22 - 10/30--42.341.311.5Christie +1.0Monmouth/Gannett10/28 - 10/301041 LV43428Christie +1Rasmussen Reports10/29 - 10/291000 LV46438Christie [...]
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    Fetched: November 01, 2009, 1:19pm EST

  • A GAME CHANGER?

    Oct. 30, 2009

    Listening to Chris Christe on Don Imus' radio show Thursday, we couldn't help but wonder: "Where has this Chris Christie been all cammpaign season?"  He was funny, self-effacing and likable  -- and he seemed like somebody you wouldn't mind hanging around with, all points he's been' [...]
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    Fetched: October 30, 2009, 2:21pm EDT

  • AN 800% GAFFE

    Oct. 30, 2009


    This is why Jon Corzine cannot be re-elected governor.

    His default is to seek more money from taxpayers.
    Not from the bureaucracy. Not by cutting spending.
    But asking us to pay more.
    And so now we learn that if he’s re-elected, one of the [...]
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    Fetched: October 30, 2009, 2:21pm EDT

  • GEARHART BACKS CHRISTIE

    Oct. 27, 2009

    Just heard Jim Gearhart on NJ101.5 radio announce he was supporting Chris Christie for governor, saying he was the best chance to unseat Gov. Corzine, and that there were too many questions regarding independent Chris Daggett.

    Daggett, who was in studio with Gearhart yesterday, had [...]
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    Fetched: October 29, 2009, 11:50am EDT

  • HAVE CHRISTIE ADS BLUNTED DAGGETT'S RISE?

    Oct. 26, 2009

    Have Republican Chris Christie's anti-Daggett ads begun to shake loose the independent's Republican supporters?

    An interesting post/hint in today's Public Policy Polling blog, previewing what the results of their New Jersey horserace poll, which will be released Tuesday.

    The upshot: Christie's ads are increasing independent Chris [...]
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    Fetched: October 29, 2009, 11:50am EDT

  • THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER WHY

    Oct. 26, 2009


    By CARL GOLDEN


    The Soviet dictator Nikita Khrushchev once defined a politician of the West as someone who promises to build a bridge where there is no river.

    It was a Russian peasant folksy way of warning against believing a candidate’s promises [...]
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    Fetched: October 29, 2009, 11:50am EDT

  • MEDIA WARS

    Oct. 26, 2009


    Anyone else out there wondering if the Corzine campaign is taking its media strategy advice from the Obama administration?

    Apparently upset with the network's coverage , in recent weeks the White House decided to go to war with Fox News.  They didn't put Obama on' [...]
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    Fetched: October 29, 2009, 11:50am EDT

  • POLLING THE POLLS

    Oct. 29, 2009


    With the polls of late leaning every which way but loose, what are we supposed to believe?
    On Tuesday, two polls – Rasmussen and Public Policy Polling – show Chris Christie in the lead, and indicate a minisurge for him.  The next day, [...]
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    Fetched: October 29, 2009, 11:50am EDT

  • STILL HOPING FOR CHANGE?

    Oct. 28, 2009

    So here’s a fact that Gov. Corzine might want to find another mammogram ad for to try and explain away:
     
    The Tax Foundation is out with a look at the counties with the highest property taxes in the nation from 2006-2008, and surprise!
     
    Seven [...]
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    Fetched: October 29, 2009, 11:50am EDT

  • POLL WHIPLASH: NOW Q POLL SAYS IT'S CORZINE BY 5

    Oct. 28, 2009


    A day after two polls  (Rasmussen and PPP) seemed to indicate a surge building fir Republican Chris Christie, a new Quinnipiac Poll out today gives the surge to Gov. Jon Corzine, showing him up by 5 points, 43%-38%. Independent Chris Daggett is at [...]
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    Fetched: October 29, 2009, 11:50am EDT

  • UPDATED: CHRISTIE WIDENS LEAD IN NEW POLL; DAGGETT NOW HURTING CORZINE

    Oct. 27, 2009

    Chris Christie has widened his lead over Jon Corzine from one point to four in the new Public Policy Polling survey, 42% to 38%.  Independent Chris Daggett remains steady at 13%.


    Meanwhile, Rasmussen's new poll puts the race at  3 points, 46%-43%, [...]
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    Fetched: October 29, 2009, 11:50am EDT

  • THE PRICE OF ADMISSION

    Oct. 23, 2009

    Jon Corzine’s money has been able to buy a lot of things.
    A U.S. Senate seat. A governor’s office once, maybe twice.
     
    He has personally helped fund the Democrats rise to power in New Jersey, sending more than $1.45 million of his own money to [...]
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    Fetched: October 23, 2009, 6:51pm EDT

  • VOTERS IN WONDERLAND

    Oct. 22, 2009

    Now all we need is the White Rabbit and Cheshire Cat.
    Both wearing a pink boa.
     
    In further proof that up is down, and black is white, 41%of New Jerseyans say Jon Corzine is doing a poor job as governor.  Twenty-nine percent say he’s only [...]
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    Fetched: October 22, 2009, 4:04pm EDT

  • CHRISTIE'S MESSAGE OF CHANGE LACKS HOPE

    Oct. 22, 2009

    By PATRICK MURRAY

    Chris Christie put out a new web video in response to President Barack Obama’s campaign stop on behalf of Governor Jon Corzine yesterday.  Christie has been trying to use Obama’s “Change” mantra to unseat the incumbent, but has been having limited [...]
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    Fetched: October 22, 2009, 11:55am EDT

  • WHY IN THE WORLD?

    Oct. 21, 2009

    So Bill Clinton came to town and asked the question many of us are asking:
    "Why in the world is this a close governor's race?"
     
    Of course, he was asking from the other end of the political spectrum.
     
    But seriously.
     
    Why in [...]
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    Fetched: October 21, 2009, 2:01pm EDT

  • DAGGETT VOTE KEY

    Oct. 20, 2009

    Today’s Monmouth University/Gannett poll has the race all tied 39% each for Republican Chris Christie and Gov. Jon S. Corzine.  Independent Chris Daggett is at 14% -- nearly double the 8% he achieved just two weeks ago.
    Pollster Patrick Murray attributes this tightening of the [...]
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    Fetched: October 20, 2009, 2:54pm EDT

  • THE WIZARD DOES HIS MAGIC AGAIN

    Oct. 20, 2009


    Well, look at this.
    New Jersey’s budget is in trouble again.

    It’s off by 3.1%, or $190 million in the first quarter. September collections alone were off by 5.1%.
    More worrisome, according to Gannett, the first quarter deficit was four times greater than [...]
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    Fetched: October 20, 2009, 1:55pm EDT

  • BIDEN OUR TIME

    Oct. 20, 2009

    And we wonder why people still can’t find jobs, and why the unemployment rate remains so high.

    Remember at Friday’s debate, how Gov. Corzine sniffed that Republican Chris Christie nor Independent Chris Daggett were “trying to pretend that the recession is only in New [...]
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    Fetched: October 20, 2009, 9:56am EDT

  • POLITICAL POTPOURRI

    Oct. 19, 2009

    May we offer a suggestion to the Christie campaign?

    Make Chris Christie's closing argument from Friday night's debate, starting with the "Are you better off" question, and turn it into a TV commercial, with the Corzine record popping onto the screen.  It's the central issue in' [...]
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    Fetched: October 19, 2009, 3:57pm EDT

  • A DAGGETT THROUGH THEIR HEARTS

    Oct. 16, 2009


    By CARL GOLDEN


    “Don’t look over your shoulder,” legendary baseball pitcher Satchel Paige once quipped, “something might be gaining on you.”

    For Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican challenger Chris Christie, that something is independent gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett.
     
    Initially dismissed as [...]
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    Fetched: October 16, 2009, 3:54am EDT

  • DEBATES, TAX RATES AND CANDIDATE WEIGHTS


    Oct. 16, 2009

    By RICHARD A. LEE
     
    Perhaps, it is apropos that tonight’s gubernatorial debate will not be available on live television. With the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies engaged in post-season play, baseball is likely to be a larger draw in the two media markets [...]
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    Fetched: October 16, 2009, 3:54am EDT

  • NEW RASMUSSEN POLL: CHRISTIE UP BY 4, DAGGETT VOTE KEY

    Oct. 15, 2009

    Interesting new poll out today from Rasmussen, which shows Republican Chris Christie leading Democrat Jon S. Corzine 45%-41%.  Independent Chris Daggett is at 9%.

    Like other pollsters, Rasmussen says the Daggett vote is the most volatile, and could well determine the outcome of the [...]
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    Fetched: October 15, 2009, 6:54pm EDT

  • OH, THOSE PESKY REVISIONS

    Oct. 15, 2009


    Too bad, isn’t it, that our governor isn’t as creative at creating jobs, as his staff is at creating events to make it look like he is?
    Another 12,700 New Jerseyans lost their jobs in September, pushing our unemployment rate to 9.8%, [...]
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    Fetched: October 15, 2009, 6:54pm EDT

  • CHRISTIE'S FALL

    Oct. 14, 2009


    Did New Jersey just have a summer fling with Republican Chris Christie, or was this a relationship meant to last?
    Today’s Quinnipiac University poll – like so many before it – shows a razor-tight race, with Christie leading Gov. Jon S. Corzine by just [...]
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    Fetched: October 14, 2009, 4:57pm EDT

  • HE'LL SHOW THEM

    Oct. 14, 2009


    Is Jon Corzine conceding the vote in Monmouth and Ocean counties?
    Is he afraid to debate property taxes?
     
    Or is he so thin-skinned that he can’t handle criticism?
    Well, let’s see.
     
    First he skips the traditional radio debate on NJ101.5 radio, the [...]
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    Fetched: October 14, 2009, 10:55am EDT

  • HE'D BE HAPPY TO

    Oct. 13, 2009

    So this is where we are at in the state of New Jersey today.
    We have a governor who says he’d be “happy to” raise the gas tax to fund the transportation trust fund.
     
    He’s already admitted he won’t cut the income tax [...]
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    Fetched: October 13, 2009, 3:56pm EDT

  • THREE WEEKS OUT: HOW WE GOT HERE

    Oct. 13, 2009

    By PATRICK MURRAY

    Shortly after New Jersey's gubernatorial primary in June, I wrote a blog post about the messages and strategy to look for in the general election.  With just three weeks left before Garden State voters go to the polls, I thought it [...]
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    Fetched: October 13, 2009, 3:56pm EDT

  • POST ELECTION TALKING POINTS

    Oct. 13, 2009

    By JOHN WEINGART

           
    If he is elected governor, Chris Daggett will have a lot of explaining to do because he will be the only person able to honestly say he saw it coming. Anyone else claiming to have thought victory by an independent [...]
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    Fetched: October 13, 2009, 3:56pm EDT

  • ALL THE NEWS THAT SHOUTS, HE TUNES OUT

    Oct. 12, 2009


    By CARL GOLDEN

    According to virtually all polling data, the number of people who continue to prefer to get their news from newspapers is steadily dwindling.  I am among that number.

    Two daily papers hit my driveway each morning and, after spending an [...]
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    Fetched: October 12, 2009, 9:54am EDT

  • THE STING

    Oct. 9, 2009

    There is an old parable that seems particularly appropriate to describe where we are today in New Jersey:
    A scorpion was walking along the bank of a river, wondering how to get to the other side. He sees a frog, and asks the frog to take [...]
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    Fetched: October 09, 2009, 5:57pm EDT

  • BUYER'S REMORSE

    Oct. 8, 2009

    What price ego?
    Well, in Jon Corzine’s case, it’s about $130 million
     
    That’s how much money our governor has spent on various electoral pursuits since he entered politics in 2000.  Now considering that Corzine had an estimated $400 million when he left Goldman Sachs, that [...]
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    Fetched: October 08, 2009, 3:53pm EDT

  • ''WEIGHTY' INFLUENCE

    Oct. 8, 2009


    Any one who doubts the influence of the New York Times in setting the agenda should take heed.

    The Times' David Halbfinger wrote a piece about how Gov. Jon Corzine is shamelessly using Republican Chris Christie's weight against him: "It is about as subtle [...]
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    Fetched: October 08, 2009, 11:56am EDT

  • WHITHER DAGGETT AND HIS PLAN?

    Oct. 7, 2009

    By PATRICK MURRAY


    Just over a week ago, I was ready to write a column criticizing Chris Daggett for not using the opportunity provided by his presence in the gubernatorial debates to address important issues and shape the tone of the campaign.  That's what [...]
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    Fetched: October 07, 2009, 11:54am EDT

  • IS THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS?

    Oct. 7, 2009

    By RICHARD A. LEE


    As the race for Governor enters its final few weeks, Chris Christie must make a strategic decision that could determine the outcome of the election:
    Should the GOP candidate put forth a detailed economic plan that addresses property taxes [...]
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    Fetched: October 07, 2009, 11:54am EDT

  • RASMUSSEN, FDU POLLS BOTH SHOW CORZINE GAIN

    Oct. 6, 2009

    Two new polls, two different leaders, but the same result: incumbent Gov. Jon S. Corzine is gaining on Republican Chris Christie in the race for governor, and independent candidate Chris Daggett is the wildcard .

    Tonight's Rasmussen Poll still has Christie ahead, 47%-44%, with Daggett [...]
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    Fetched: October 06, 2009, 9:57pm EDT

  • WHEN A NON-MESSAGE IS THE MESSAGE

    Oct. 6, 2009

    By CARL GOLDEN


    With pressure mounting for Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie to offer a comprehensive budget and property tax reduction plan, it may be too late for him to significantly or credibly alter the strategy which he has clung to doggedly since he [...]
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    Fetched: October 06, 2009, 9:55am EDT

  • ARE YOU BETTER OFF?

    Oct. 5, 2009


    In 1980, a week before the election, the presidential race between incumbent Jimmy Carter and Republican Ronald Reagan, polls showed the race essentially tied, or Reagan up a few points.  Even though Carter was deeply unpopular, the Carter campaign had raised doubts about Reagan, who [...]
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    Fetched: October 05, 2009, 3:52pm EDT

  • SAUL WHO?

    Oct. 5, 2009

    By JIM MORFORD


    In the early 1970s when I was on the staff of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) we were focused on organizing teachers to work for improved employment conditions under the relatively new collective bargaining law that had been enacted in [...]
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    Fetched: October 05, 2009, 3:52pm EDT

  • WHAT WE LEARNED

    Oct. 3, 2009


    What we have learned from Thursday’s debate that we didn’t know before?
    That Gov. Corzine doesn’t think he did anything wrong, and would do it all again.
     
    That Republican Chris Christie is hoping that a promise to cut taxes and spending, without providing specifics, [...]
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    Fetched: October 04, 2009, 1:51am EDT

  • GAME ON

    Oct. 1, 2009


    The final chapter in the gubernatorial election begins tonight, with the first gubernatorial debate.
    All debates are high stakes – but tonight’s comes at a crucial time for all three candidates.
     
    It comes as today’s Monmouth University/Gannett poll echoes yesterday’s Quinnipiac Poll.  [...]
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    Fetched: October 01, 2009, 4:51pm EDT

  • IS CHRISTIE THE NEXT BILL BRADLEY?

    Sept. 30, 2009


    For Republicans, the electoral boogey-man has always been Ray Bateman -- the man most believed to be a shoo-in to defeat Brendan Byrne, until he gave detaiils of his own tax plan and essentially blew the race.

    It's been clear for some time that Republican' [...]
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    Fetched: September 30, 2009, 2:58pm EDT

  • CODEY OUT; SWEENEY, OLIVER IN

    Sept. 30, 2009


    Fast moving developments in that other major contest taking place in the Statehouse this fall.

    We hear that as of today, Sen. Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester,  has the votes to take the Senate presidency away from the current leader, Dick Codey.

    And that happened when South [...]
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    Fetched: September 30, 2009, 1:51pm EDT

  • UNTYING THE KNOT

    Sept. 29, 2009

    Legend has it that back in the time of the Greek gods, an oracle predicted that the next person to ride up to the Temple of Zeus in a cart would be named king.  So when Gordius rode up in an ox cart, he was proclaimed [...]
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    Fetched: September 29, 2009, 9:53am EDT

  • THE DUEL ON THE DELAWARE

    Sept. 28, 2009


    By CARL GOLDEN


    A little more than 205 years ago --- July 11, 1804 to be exact --- in the early morning hours on the Heights at Weehawken, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton settled their political differences on the dueling ground.  Hamilton finished [...]
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    Fetched: September 28, 2009, 12:58pm EDT

  • 39 DAYS TO GO

    Sept. 25, 2009


    So 39 days to go, and what do we know?
    Republican Chris Christie has a 6.6 percentage point lead over Democrat incumbent Gov. Jon S. Corzine, according to the RealClearPolitics.com average.  Incumbent Chris Daggett is at 8.6 percent.
     
    This week, there were three [...]
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    Fetched: September 25, 2009, 4:55pm EDT

  • PRUNING THE HEDGES

    Seot. 24, 2009


    By CARL GOLDEN


    All political campaigns hope for an “Aha!” moment, that sudden and unanticipated revelation so powerful that it will derail the opponent and assure that he’s unable to get back on track.

    Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie, accompanied by GOP [...]
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    Fetched: September 24, 2009, 2:56pm EDT

  • 'TIS THE SEASON TO BE SILLY

    Sept. 24, 2009

    Enough already!  Admittedly, no one in New Jersey ever suffered from the delusion that Socrates and Rousseau would be running for governor this year.  But this year's campaign has gotten worse than many of us could have imagined.

    It's not the nastiness.  That much was [...]
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    Fetched: September 24, 2009, 11:52am EDT

  • N.J. HAS WORST IN NATION BUSINESS CLIMATE -- AGAIN

    Sept. 23, 20090

    What is it Jon Corzine says in his ad? That he created the nation's first economic recovery plan?  That it's beginning to work?

    Huh.

    That's almost funny, because New Jersey has once again been ranked as the state with the nation's worst business climate, [...]
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    Fetched: September 23, 2009, 3:52pm EDT

  • IS LESNIAK THE KINGMAKER?

    Sept. 23, 2009

    Any one else  thinking that Sen. Ray Lesniak, D-Union, may play the role of kingmaker in the Senate president campaign between Sens, Dick Codey and Steve Sweeney>

    Right now, the Ledger is reporting that  Lesniak remains uncommotted, which seems curious in and of itself. After all, Lesniak is [...]
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    Fetched: September 23, 2009, 1:50pm EDT

  • IF ONLY

    Seot. 22, 2009

    This from a Statehouse observer:  Voters should decide who they hate most in this election and let them win.  Next year's budget is going to be that bad.

    While that was said with tongue planted firmly in cheek, it does remind that next year's governor [...]
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    Fetched: September 23, 2009, 4:53am EDT

  • Seot. 22, 2009This from a ...

    Seot. 22, 2009

    This from a Statehouse observer:  Voters should decide who they hate most in this election and let them win.  Next year's budget is going to be that bad.

    While that was said with tongue planted firmly in cheek, it does remind that next year's governor [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Fetched: September 22, 2009, 3:54pm EDT

  • FRANK PALLONE FOR ACORN, AND SENATE

    Sept. 21, 2009

    So Democrat Rep. Frank Pallone has higher ambitions, eh?

    Politico wrote a lengthy piece on how Pallone was angling for Lautenberg's Senate seat in 2015; about how his aggressive pursuit of Republican Chris Christie and the questions raised by the monitoring contracts has endeared [...]
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    Fetched: September 21, 2009, 2:56pm EDT

  • IS GOVERNOR HEDGING HIS BETS?

    Sept. 21, 2009

    So our multimillionaire, Wall Street wizard governor has an investment in a hedge fund related to the corporate owner of four New Jersey casinos.

    New Jersey conflicts of interest law bars any New Jersey governor or senior state official from owning any stake or interest in the [...]
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    Fetched: September 21, 2009, 2:56pm EDT

  • FIRST IN LINE FOR BISMARCK

    Sept. 18, 2009

    When Christie Whitman was running for governor, she once infamously observed to the Bergen Record, "Funny as it seems, $500 is a lot of money to some people."

    That gaffe is the one quote that every one remembers about Whitman. It helped opponents paint her as [...]
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    Fetched: September 18, 2009, 3:58pm EDT

  • WHAT DID THE PRESS DO OVER SUMMER VACATION?

    Sept. 18, 2009

    By RICHARD A. LEE

    Now that Labor Day has passed, the kids are back at school writing essays about how they spent their summer vacations. But why let the kids have all the fun? Why not take a look at what the New Jersey media [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Fetched: September 18, 2009, 11:54am EDT

  • POLL: SWITCHAROO WON'T WORK IN 2009

    Sept. 17, 2009

    Well, it looks like the Corzine campagn can breathe a sigh of relief,

    When Public  Policy Polling, a Democratic firm. polled in the state, they wanted to look at the switcharoo option.  The switcharoo is what last happened in 2002.  When it looked like Robert [...]
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    Fetched: September 17, 2009, 3:56pm EDT

  • JERSEY MAN THE 'PIMP' WHO CRACKED ACORN

    Sept. 17, 2009

    It always seems, doesn't it, that on any major story, there's almost always a New Jersey angle?

    Well, who knew that the filmmaker who plays the pimp in those now infamous ACORN videos is a New Jersey native who graduated from Rutgers University?  The Star-Ledger' [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Fetched: September 17, 2009, 1:57pm EDT

  • OBAMA'S NUMBERS SLIPPING IN N.J.; SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE PLAN JUST 39%

    Sept. 16, 2009

    We took notice at the anger at the town hall meetings.  We really took notice when 3,000 people showed up in the rain in Toms River to protest the proposed health care reforms.

    The outrage that was being shown throughout New Jersey seemed too widespread to [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Fetched: September 16, 2009, 4:53pm EDT

  • SENATE REPUBLICANS SHOULD LET DEMS BATTLE IT OUT THEMSELVES

    Sept. 16, 2009

    By CARL GOLDEN


    Despite Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean’s assertion that Senate Republicans would vote in a bloc in a contest for the Senate presidency --- although he didn’t reveal for whom --- speculation persists that there is some appetite for the party to [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Fetched: September 16, 2009, 12:53pm EDT

  • NEW PPP POLL: CHRISTIE MAINTAINS LEAD, UP BY 9; DAGGETT AT 13%

    Sept. 15, 2009

    The newest poll by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic pollster, shows Republican Chris Christie is maintaining a solid 9-point lead against incumbent Jon Corzine, 44%-35%. 

    But the poll also shows that independent Chris Daggett has broken into double digits, securing 13% of the [...]
     | Rate | Archive
    Fetched: September 15, 2009, 3:56pm EDT
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