News Roundup & Open Thread for Monday, Oct.26, 2009

by: Rosi Efthim

Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 07:39:56 AM EDT

8 days out

Yankees karma.

Chris Daggett hits Paul Mulshine's magic number

Mulshine on Daggett viability, Daggett's denial that he's Corzine's stalking horse, and that superduper weird Christie ad.

Why Daggett/Esposito might pick up votes in Gloucester County

From Pete McCarthy's column - Just 2 years ago, he was a finalist to be chosen next president of Gloucester County College, graduated and did graduate work at Rowan, taught history at Williamstown HS and lived in Pitman.

"Traditional" marriage

At a rally outside the statehouse yesterday, hundreds of people gathered to hear speakers and hold up signs with pictures of their own weddings. Think it was a surprise the rally was on a Sunday? Nah. Just the usual worshippers at the Church of I'm Better than You.

Assembly Democrats expected to hold majority

NJGOP Chair Jay Webber says his party is on the offensive and focused on picking up chairs. They're running their fall-back anti-incumbent, anti-tax campaign. But many of those GOP candidates are underfunded and unknown, and there's not much evidence that - even if he wins - Christie sweeps in anybody on his coattails.

Bergen GOP, still in disarray

Charlie Stile on how a campaign flier offers the latest evidence that the Republicans don't play well with others, and run with scissors.

With 6 you get eggroll

Hoboken has had 6 mayoral elections in 2.5 years.

12 candidates, which is 9 more than 3

With Corzine, Christie and now Daggett sucking up all the oxygen, there's a bunch of other people running for Governor who are certain that your mind or your life will change if only you get to hear what they say. You can do that, if you're so inclined at a forum they arranged themselves Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Clifton High School in Passaic. Wonder if the Big 3 will show up ...

If you're voting in the NJ-22 Assembly race, on either side

You'll be voting for Democrats or Republicans, but they'll all be talking about government spending.

Local

Edison: 4 candidates running for Mayor - a D, an R, and 2 indies that used to be D's and R's. But what I want to know is, what's Jun Choi doing next?

Rosi Efthim :: News Roundup & Open Thread for Monday, Oct.26, 2009

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News Roundup & Open Thread for Monday, Oct.26, 2009 | 7 comments

Sunday anti-ME rallies (4.00 / 1)

Yeah, it's a brilliant strategy. The church folks roll right out of the pews and down to the Statehouse - most of them are from Trenton, I would guess, since the group I've seen doing this in the past were largely African-American, and some of the most popular evangelical churches in town are walking distance to the state house. And of course, it's West State Street on a Sunday - meaning that there is NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE, within five blocks of the State House, so you can have your little rally without fear of a counter demonstration. And, since it seems these events are only announced from the pulpit (anyone see any other news about this), there are no counter demonstrators. Overall, it's harmless, like paranoids talking to themselves ...

by: denniscmcgrath @ Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 07:34:36 AM CDT

by: you @ soon

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Dennis - all good points (0.00 / 0)

Do you think there's a viable strategy on the other side for when this thing actually comes to a vote?

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.

by: Rosi Efthim @ Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 08:37:13 AM CDT

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don't underestimate them (4.00 / 1)

Len Deo and Gerald Cardinale are pretty well organized. I commented about the statehouse rallies from the past before I looked at the pictures - this Sunday's event was a somewhat more geographically and ethnically diverse group that were at the statehouse in late 2007 when they last held such an event (in opposition to an at-that-point non-existent bill). But I wouldn't say the crowd was any bigger in total.

When the hearing begin, we (the progressive and LBGTI communities) will need to be on the 'phone, at the Statehouse and on the street in record numbers - like, 2-1 ratio (my humble opinion) to the opposition.

GSE and the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition brought out a lot of people in 2006 for the civil union hearings and votes; we'll need double that now. I'm sure you'll be hearing from GSE as their plans roll out. So, everyone, this is one of those times when taking a day off for justice will be the right choice (and you can get some holiday shopping done before or after :)

If you do come to Trenton for a rally, keep in mind that signs on sticks are not permitted - cardboard signs you can hold in your hands and big banners you can hold aloft with a friend are best. TV crews LOVE rainbow flags! GSE is very good at providing lots of signs but I'm personally kinda fond of DIY messages. But leave the sticks and poles at home, the State Police will politely but firmly tell you to lose 'em, and I guess I don't blame them - they would be target one if anyone decides to start poking about.

by: denniscmcgrath @ Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 10:11:17 AM CDT

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This I know. (4.00 / 1)

I have a lot of confidence in GSE and other civil rights organizations' ability to demonstrate real support, because (a) I know the support is there in NJ and (b) we've both participated in and helped call for that support. And you can fairly hear the air crackle with anticipation for it.

What I'm waiting to see is who the other side can bring out, given that their side is increasingly marginalized as religion-based primarily and out of step with how most people are coming to see things.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.

by: Rosi Efthim @ Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 10:25:27 AM CDT

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