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What yesterday meant

by: 12mileseastofTrenton

Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 08:38:42 AM EST

It had nothing to do with Barack Obama or events in Washington. It had everything to do with the economy, corruption and Jon Corzine.

That the Democrats only lost one seat in the Assembly is testament to the fact that it was not a general anti-Democratic election. Corzine was never overwhelmingly popular in the state. He beat Franks for the senate seat by only 3%, while Gore was winning the state by 17%. He won the governor's race in 2005 by a comfortable, although not overwhelming margin. Things he did in office, such as the Turnpike proposal, the Carla Katz business, and his alienation of state workers, only made things worse for him.

As I've said many times, the party would have been better off with Dick Codey in '05, and again this year. Corzine was a better senator than governor.

The economy was certainly a factor, and cannot be blamed on Corzine. But he was governor when it hit. That's politics.

The corruption in New Jersey, particularly in the state senate, and particularly involving several Democrats, did not help. The state senate needs to be reformed. And the bossism in places like Camden and Essex counties did not help.

All this, I believe contributed to a low turnout. Corzine was killed in Ocean and Monmouth counties, and that was where turnout was heaviest. He actually held his own in Bergen, but apparently lost Middlesex, which says alot.

We need to move on, and prepare for what could be a challenging legislative election in 2011, after redistricting. Democrats might actually benefit from not having one of their own in the governor's office. And we need to start considering candidates to run against Christie in 2013. Codey's age, and the fact that he may be deposed by the bosses, might count him out. But that's a discussion for another day.

12mileseastofTrenton :: What yesterday meant

Tags: Jon Corzine, 2009 election, Democrats, (All Tags)

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What yesterday meant | 7 comments

Christie has two targets,CWA and NJEA (0.00 / 0)

The CWA and the NJEA are in for the battle of their lives.

Both have been proven to be politically weak and unneeded.

Both are disliked by the taxpayers.

Christie will begin to fix the property tax problems by going after the number one group that causes high property taxes, the NJEA.

He will also go after all government worker unions and demand concessions and layoffs.

Neither the CWA or the NJEA is capable of fighting him off and both,but especially the CWA ,have alienated any friends they had in the legislature.

by: firstamend07 @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 14:33:35 PM UTC

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What a surprise (4.00 / 1)

All I had to do was read the first sentence and know it was you and your anti-union hatred.

Great advice to Corzine regarding state workers. Worked out real well for him.

by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 14:40:39 PM UTC

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Spoken Like a True Republican (4.00 / 1)

You write that Christie will be "going after the number one group that causes high property taxes, the NJEA."

Yes, education costs are one of the main causes of high property taxes, but the last time I checked, the NJEA didn't misspend $5 billion dollars in Abbott costs. Much of the problem in education spending is with the school boards and the school administrations. The demonizing of the NJEA and teachers is what Republicans like to do, but it has little to do with solving the property tax problem.

by: princetonblue @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 14:51:25 PM UTC

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We did this to us (0.00 / 0)

As Sarah Palin found out, there was no real anti-Democrat feeling out there. This was all Jersey. And mostly Corzine.

Property taxes are too high, it was the issue in 2005. other than caps on towns - which is not the answer - Ball snapped and fumbled.

If I heard Jon talk one more time about how he 'balanced the budget' I was going to freak. Most people don't feel good about that, when it just puts pressure on town governments.

The corruptiion bust added to it to be sure, and the Ferriero bust made Bergen County voters a bit oogy about Democrats. I still think property taxes were the issue.

by: CouncilmanBruceCarlson @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 14:46:49 PM UTC

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CWA was a paper tiger,NJEA has followed (0.00 / 0)

It is time to speak the truth.

Lazy and stupid is not a way to run a Union.

Both groups hurt Corzine by being unreasonable. Taxpayers have had it with people asking for more and more at a time when they ,THE EMPLOYERS OF THOSE PEOPLE, are hurting.

CWA killed Corzine for months during the worst recession in modern history for not giving them more. That had a very big negative effect,especailly when Corzine caved in and gave them an agreement that only delays pay raises and furlough days.

The NJEA continues to live in another dimension. Instead of being the group that promotes common sense consolidation of Districts all they ask for is more money and a continued NON-PAYMENT for their health care.

Corzine was being a nice guy by not confronting them .

That hurt him a lot.

You reap what you sow in this world.

by: firstamend07 @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 15:15:17 PM UTC

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Who is living in another dimension? (4.00 / 1)

Consolidation is not popular and you want NJEA to take the lead on an issue that is not relevant to their job (which is teaching our kids).

I know you want to blame NJEA and CWA for everything wrong in this state, but consolidation has little to do with them.

Also, as far as groups being unreasonable and just looking out for their own interests, I seem to recall that you were opposed to any CWA layoffs when that possibility existed a few years ago. So isn't this a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Lastly, I don't recall either CWA or NJEA calling for Democrats to start planning for Corzine's defeat. But you did, on this site, several months ago. So let's be a little more cautious with the blame game.

by: princetonblue @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 15:23:19 PM UTC

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And who was "asking for more"? (0.00 / 0)

State workers weren't asking for more. They were just trying to hold on to what they had. But FA never lets the facts get in the way of his axe grinding.

by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 15:31:01 PM UTC

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