DGA on the Election

This Was A Major Loss... (0.00 / 0)

...and it deserves to be taken seriously.   (You know so we LEARN something from it!)

Trying to soft peddle/spin it away is stupid, at best.  

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by: Nick Lento @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 21:13:56 PM UTC

Beware of Rich Politicians (4.00 / 2)

One thing to learn from this campaign is the problem with having rich, self-funded candidates who have little political expertise and charisma.  Gov.  Corzine is a good man but his money and background caused him to stay isolated from NJ voters and to ignore the political advice and intelligence of many good local Democratic supporters and politicians.  In the first two elections, his money managed to buy the elections, but in this election, which was really a referendum on his governorship, the money only kept it close.  Unfortunately, his lack of charisma and quick frankly, interest in retail politics, were two factors preventing him from being able to pull out a victory.

Yes, there are lessons to be learned here.  The main one I think is to run an energetic candidate tuned in to the interests of the average center/left voter.  Daggett's commercial was spot-on with his portrayal of Gov. Corzine and the time he spent in NYC.  That may not be fair to Gov. Corzine but is certainly how most Democrats I know viewed him.

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by: princetonblue @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 21:43:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

However, Lautenberg is a great example (0.00 / 0)

of a wealthy politician able to enact progressive change and keep getting elected.  

Granted he's more of an old school liberal who built his wealth by building a real company, but his success could be an example for progressive business people who may consider running for office.

Lautenberg is also a native of NJ so he may actually connect with the NJ voter on a more intuitive level.  

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by: JackHarris @ Thu Nov 05, 2009 at 01:03:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Executive vs. Legislative, I think (0.00 / 0)

I think Corzine could have been reelected Senator, too.

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by: Dvd Avins @ Thu Nov 05, 2009 at 05:14:20 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

well Nick (0.00 / 0)

I'm not much of a reporter, so I hope you don't judge them too harshly, because I only wrote about what I was interested in. They did say they wanted to learn from it (the lesson evidently is something like have a strong economic [jobs] message.) Their job is to move on to next year's races.

I do think it is fair to combat the spin that this election was about Obama, because I think it was about Corzine and the state of New Jersey.  


Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

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by: Hopeful @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 22:34:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'd like to think... (0.00 / 0)

the governor lost because of inaction on the property tax reform.

He had an excellent pitch (be bold, 800lb gorillas, 3rd rails) and built some expectations up...

Then to the surprise of everyone involved the legislature followed through, was bold, did approach the 800lbs gorilla, stepped on the third rail.... and he stopped them.

That's why I hope he lost. Sure the economy sucks, but I'm hoping the electorate isn't naive enough to believe Christie is going to get in there and wave a wand and fix it.

My hope for the Christie administration is to finally finsh some of the reforms the governor started. And I'll be his biggest critic if he punts.

"Where ever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Bonzai

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by: William Weber (WjcW) @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 21:41:29 PM UTC

I hope you're right (0.00 / 0)

The electorate has been pretty patient with President Obama, as they said they would be in early polls, so I think Christie will get a fair chance. I do think it will be a tough year.

I think you are right that Corzine did not (for whatever reason) follow through on property taxes, though he did do some positive things, like getting a new Abbott formula geared towards students, a new source of income, and trying to cap increase (which may or may not work.) McGreevey did (apparently) accomplish something on car insurance which was a perennial problem, so perhaps it's possible Christie will on property taxes. But maybe it's not really possible unless you go to a county income tax or the like.  

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

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by: Hopeful @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 22:12:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

538 account (0.00 / 0)

Their account of the opening is complete unlike my summary.

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com...


Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

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by: Hopeful @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 23:03:29 PM UTC