Runyan's Rose Garden Strategy

by: Jason Springer

Tue May 11, 2010 at 11:30:00 AM EDT

Republican Jon Runyan, a newcomer to politics, likewise has declined to debate his opponent, Justin Murphy, who ran in a GOP primary for this seat two years ago and came in a close third. Runyan has been on the trail as well, meeting with largely Republican groups.

"This kind of Rose Garden strategy tends to be the purview of powerful, entrenched incumbents," said Montclair State University political scientist Brigid Harrison. "It tends not to be the purview of people who have not run for public office before."