"When I Run, I Run to Win"

Blech (0.00 / 0)

I don't trust anyone who has to stress that they will "independent of party doctrine."

If you want to be independent of party doctrine, run as an independent.  But if you want the backing of the party and it's rank and file, your politics and beliefs should be within their wheelhouse so that you don't have to make such a statement.

Should you think for yourself?  Yes.  Should you vote the way you believe is right, regardless of the party's position?  Yes.  But the majority of time what you think and believe is right should fall within the parameters of the party you are running with, or you shouldn't be running with them!

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by: huntsu @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 20:48:22 PM UTC

Thank you (2.00 / 1)

You are so right.  This Lewis is another wannabe and a loser.  I don't think he has enough of a mind left to think for himself!  Go back to Texas or Los Angelas and leave New Jersey alone.  We don't need another Christie lover.  I know he's hot and sexy, but enough is enough.  Sweeney already has a bid on Christie's "tool kit".

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by: nkromann @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 21:10:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

nkromann (4.00 / 1)

I don't think I know enough about Carl Lewis - and what he thinks and more importantly is prepared to do about any issue - to dismiss him so fully so early.

I don't see a reason why the bar should be set lower for a famous athlete than any other candidate (see? I just punned and I didn't even intend to) but I also don't know why we should pass judgment on him before he talks much.

Which I hope will be soon. I'd like to know what he thinks, and I hope he's not an empty vessel for the Democrats to fill up, the way the Republicans did with Jon Runyan.  

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

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 22:54:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Disgusting loser mentality (2.00 / 1)

What a bunch of loser comments. Not one person on this site knows Carl Lewis but already you are attacking him.

This has become the whiner site. Nothing is good enough for some of you.  

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by: firstamend07 @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:07:36 PM UTC

firstamend07 (4.00 / 1)

That's a charge you make often, that other people are whiners or haters or (insert diminishing adjective here). Seems to me you do more characterizing of other people on this site than most posters here do. So pot, meet kettle.

It escapes no one how much it benefits your benefactor to diminish this site. And that's unfortunate, unnecessarily combative and does nothing really to serve him or forward movement, his or anyone else's. That's my 2 cents.

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

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:16:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Movement? (1.00 / 1)

What movement?

Outside of Jeff Gardner's effort and Mr.Goldstein's valiant effort all I see around here is a bunch of crybabies who attack everything that regular Democrats embrace.

The ineffective public sector union leaders always get off scot free but regular moderate Democrats get blasted.

Carl Lewis is giving it a shot. These arm chair  progressives do not like him because Sweeney endorsed him .

They will all cry and cry if the republicans ever took over and made New Jersey into Wisconsin.

Hopefully Sweeney and people like Mr. Lewis will prevent that DESPITE the continued effort of the arm chair progressives to attack everything associated with the Democratic Party.    

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by: firstamend07 @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:30:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You're the one who attacks, adnauseum (0.00 / 0)

in defense of your man-crush, Sweeney.

You have zero credibility because every screed you put to page is either Pro-Sweeney (anti-union) or Anti-Union (pro-Sweeney). Beyond that, you're no more entertaining than drying paint.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:39:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I didn't even know (0.00 / 0)

that Sweeney endorsed him and, besides, I like Sweeney.

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by: huntsu @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 16:57:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

gave up FA07 for Lent (0.00 / 0)

and now plan to do so for all of ordinary time . (Look it up.)

Let's all give up  feeding the trolls.  

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by: sayitaintso @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 00:32:59 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I know two things ... (3.50 / 2)

First of all, I did not "attack" Carl Lewis but commented on his statements as he announced his candidacy.   I didn't call him any names, or say I would not back him.  I just don't trust it when he uses his first chance to tell us about himself as a political entity, and he decided to pretend he was not a political entity.

Carl Lewis states, like many others in our "centrist" or "no labels" or "bipartisan" political environment, that he won't be part of a political party as he announces he is running as a part of a political party.  To me, more of the same.

The second thing I know is that he registered to vote on the same day he announced he was running.  If he cared about politics and the district, don't you think he would have done that a little earlier?  It's even too late for him to vote in the school elections this year.  If he had registered last Tuesday, then his first ballot would have been on April 27th for or against a school budget as opposed to for himself on the first Tuesday in June.

What's funny is that in the past we have been attacked for being partisans who will ignore bad things about Democrats while attacking Republicans like Chris Christie, yet when we criticize a Democrat we are called losers.

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by: huntsu @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:22:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

People read this site. (0.00 / 0)

For God's sake give the man a chance!

People " get involved" in many different ways.

You said nothing complimentary about Mr.Lewis. It was almost as if  you had a " post "ready" the second he announced so that you could say you were the first to go after him.

You should criticize if it is warranted, but you went after Mr.Lewis within 2 hours of his entrance into political life.

GIVE THE MAN A CHANCE!  

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by: firstamend07 @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:36:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You forgot this part... (4.00 / 1)

"GIVE THE MAN A CHANCE! ...Because my idol Sweeney likes him."

His "Friendship" with Christie makes me nervous and his support from Sweeney makes me MORE nervous. Both are, at best, questionable references.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:44:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Judge on the Character of HIS Content (0.00 / 0)

Do all arm chair progressives have the right to prejudge?

Do they have the right to say " guilty" because of an association?

You Arm Chairs are losing all credibility!

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by: firstamend07 @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:51:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'll give him a chance ... (4.00 / 1)

but I won't give him a pass.  On Monday he had three major strikes against him -- mealy mouthing his belief in Democratic principles, his friendship with Chris Christie and not being registered to vote until that day -- and so he has to earn my respect and support.

He has a chance to earn it, but he did not start off well.

(BTW, I like Sweeney.)

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by: huntsu @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 17:02:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Screw you too (1.00 / 1)

Next time go to his rally and see what a loser he is.

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by: nkromann @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:34:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Mirrors in your house? (0.00 / 0)

" screw you!" ,that is your response?

How childish. Arm Chair Progressives like your self do more harm than good.

Mr. Lewis is out there!

While you sit back and attack from the comfort of your lounge chair.  

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by: firstamend07 @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:40:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

firstamend (4.00 / 1)

You write:

... all I see around here is a bunch of crybabies who attack everything that regular Democrats embrace.

Don't delude yourself. This site is loaded with "regular Democrats", who hold office, run for office, staff electeds, lobby, petition, write legislation, organize, teach politics and vote. All as credible and as "regular" as you and your benefactor are. Don't assume you have more credibility just because you say so. And if you're so troubled by being here, there are any number of people who would show you the door. It's bad form to come to the party and bash your hosts.  

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

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:51:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Have you read these posts? (0.00 / 0)

I have a right to be upset .The hypocrites who are attacking Mr.Lewis violate all that Real Progressives are supposed to stand for,or at least what I thought they were supposed to stand for.

I am a moderate who enjoys the " banter" of this site. I learn a lot .

What I learned tonight is that many that post here have hidden  elitist problems .

... I hope they represent a minority of the Progressives.  

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by: firstamend07 @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 23:57:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You tire the crowd... (0.00 / 0)

with your blind and pathetic allegiance to a crew that would sooner sell out the labor movement (One of the MAIN PROGRESSIVE LEGS) and glad hand a tyrant (Christie) whenever given half an opportunity.

You have zero credibility on that "Character Content" alone.

That Carl Lewis draws himself so close to Christie and debutante's with Sweeney makes his first political message one of weakness and subservience to those who would throw labor under the bus.

Maybe his message will be better but right now, he's a sell-out out of the gate.

Jeff Gardner showed more chutzpah than Lewis and I would rather see 10 of him, with progressive passion and liberal spine than a former track star who names our worst enemy among his friends.

And, that you are so rabidly in his defense before even YOU know his platform, just because he had Sweeney at his arm, well, that is one more pang of doubt he inspires.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 00:06:31 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Elitist Comment (1.00 / 1)

How is the view from way up there? It must be gratifying for an arm chair progressive like yourself to sit " on high" and pass judgement.

What a hypocrite....  

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by: firstamend07 @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 00:13:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

More than an "Arm Chair" progressive (4.00 / 1)

As some on this site know very well. I am in it.
I am NOT a Union Member, I am a small business owner and activist who supports Union and Labor in all I do and where ever I can.

I traveled to DC for One Nation, crashed Becks "Restoring Honor" joke, give my time to progressive causes and work for pro-progressive groups and unions whenever opportunity arises.

You can't label me armchair because of my "nom de plume". That is just a low-brow snipe that bears no merit.

What have you done for the cause? Supporting Sweeney doesn't count since he, too, is anti-progressive / anti-labor.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 00:19:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I know Couch Potato Politics (0.00 / 0)

Couch Potato Politics is not an "armchair progressive".

Really, you're way off the mark.


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

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 00:29:36 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Come on, firstamend (4.00 / 2)

You accuse people of whining and then call them names - arm chair progressives ... people with elitist problems ... hypocrites ... loser mentality. That really is more about your own credibility as much if not more than it is about Mr. Lewis'.

I happen to be in the camp that's pretty damned interested to hear what Carl Lewis might have to say. You gloss right over that and deal only with people who are suspicious of the fast-rise of a candidate famous for something that isn't politics (a valid suspicion in a world of Runyans).

You don't need to be starting fights. We had a writer at his announcement; we can't and don't do that for every announcement. We've already invited Mr. Lewis  to have a presence here. So, really, firstamend, maybe some of this back-and-forth is overheated and not necessary.  

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

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 00:27:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who you calling a hypocrite (4.00 / 2)

Just so you know, I have held office more than one, served on various party committees, donated to many campaigns, worked on many campaigns, volunteered for many campaigns, gone door-to-door for issues, etc., etc., etc, etc.

I've been registered to vote in every place I have lived, and it is one of the first things I have done when I moved.

I am no "armchair" progressive, liberal, Democrat or anything else.  Just because I write here under a pseudonym every once in a while it don't mean I ain't doing more elsewhere.

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by: huntsu @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 17:06:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You need to draw proper distinctions. (0.00 / 0)

I see one commenter, and only one, who's remarks about Lewis are uncalled fur unless the commenter has specific knowledge that (at least this far down the thread) has not been shared. By lashing out at Huntsu as if she was this commenter, you do your own scant credibility no favors.

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by: Dvd Avins @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 20:43:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I guess I should be more explicit. (0.00 / 0)

The one commenter is not Rosi or Couch Potato Politics.

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by: Dvd Avins @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 20:46:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

What are you talking about? (0.00 / 0)

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by: huntsu @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 17:02:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Really? (0.00 / 0)

Chill people.  In New Jersey every election matters.  Just look at 2009.  Let's see what Lewis can do rather than dismiss him for his fame.  This is Burlington County not Camden.  Lewis's name recognition and ability to use it to raise money will put us on the offense in a district where we otherwise couldn't expect to matter.  To me, this is a good day.  You never know, sometimes a jock-politician is Bill Bradley.

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by: SeamusNJ @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 00:56:07 AM UTC

SeamusNJ (4.00 / 1)

I lean more your way than the other way, though of all the verbiage above I think huntsu susses out the most important points. It's germane if Lewis apparently registered to vote at the same time he declared his intention to lead. It's relevant what he says about the Party, though I will say it may be hard for first-time candidates to keep their heads, when the Party that makes their run possible is whispering in both ears. If he stumbles talking about Party - here huntsu has a point - I still want to know so much more about what he thinks, what he's willing to do, and whether his toughness is purely physical, instead of the intestinal fortitude we really need.

Carl Lewis will get his opportunity to show up here.  

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

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 01:45:41 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Fair by you (0.00 / 0)

I know YOU will give him a fair shot.

But for some to call him a "loser" is just disgusting.

Mr. Lewis on a bad day is better than the Republican candidate,Dawn "something or other". I could not pick her out of a lineup is she was the only one standing.  

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by: firstamend07 @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 10:17:38 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Only one called him a loser (0.00 / 0)

I discussed his statements, and if that is too tough for you to take then maybe you shouldn't be in politics.

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by: huntsu @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 17:09:47 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

much ado about nothing (4.00 / 2)

Until progressives organize an alternative to the Norcross machine in South Jersey, any Democrat who has a chance in hell of winning in any race south of I-195 is going to be beholden to Norcross to one degree or another.

What separates the credible from the incredulous is being willing to stand apart from the rest of the Norcross acolytes on key issues.  If Lewis can pull off an upset in LD7, would he exhibit the kind of courage that Jim Whelan did when he voted for marriage equality or the kind of cowardice that James Beach and the rest of the SJ delegation did?

That said, in the grand scheme of things, even if Lewis winds up being yet another Norcross/Sweeney puppet, that is still probably better than having another conservative Republican in the State Senate, except for when the next leadership election is held, assuming that there is someone in North or Central Jersey who is willing to stand up to him.

Senate President Loretta Weinberg or Senate President Barbara Buono would sound so much better than Senate President Steve Sweeney.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 06:57:18 AM UTC

even better (4.00 / 1)

Governor Buono sounds even better than Senate President Buono!

Blog: http://www.deciminyan.org

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by: deciminyan @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 11:12:31 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Agreed, but... (0.00 / 0)

...first things first.  The next leadership election comes before the next Governor's race and victory in the former could pave the way for victory in the latter.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 15:32:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I am excited (4.00 / 2)

I will never underestimate the will of ANYONE with an Olympic Gold medal more less 10 of them.

I love the Olympics and I am excited.  Addiego's a tough opponent but then again, so were all the tough opponents Carl has mowed down in the last 25 years.

Just enjoy it.  It MIGHT be interesting.

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 10:18:18 AM UTC

Really. (0.00 / 0)

I'm not yet excited by Lewis. I share most (not all) of Huntsu's reservations. But Lewis is not elbowing out some viable progressive. His being there makes a potential race where there was none. That's not a bad thing.

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by: Dvd Avins @ Wed Apr 13, 2011 at 02:19:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oy, there's so much arguing in this thread... (0.00 / 0)

...it feels like my family's seder has started early.  My cousins and I used to make a bet:  By when would the first insult come?  Usually just after the matzoh ball soup, when someone criticizes the matzoh balls for being too hard or soft, followed by "You have must been tired this year" to whomever the cook is.

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by: Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality chair @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 18:20:17 PM UTC

Matzoh Balls and Politics (0.00 / 0)

The funny thing about matzoh balls, at least in my opinion, is that they can be neither too hard nor too soft.  It is only when they are somewhere in between hard and soft that there is usually a problem.  The same is true for politicians.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 21:52:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Is Carl our Sarah Palin? (0.00 / 0)

Based on what I have been able to discern from bio's and news clippings, ALL Carl Lewis has to offer is a NAME. He has no real "Political" acumen, to the point that he wasn't even a registered voter in the state until he was courted  into politics or decided to run for office DAYS AGO.

The doubts and questions are legitimate just based on these facts alone. NO experience, no history of being a concerned voter in the state and he pops up, literally, out of a political nowhere with Sweeney at his elbow, as if anointed by presence.

We, as progressives vilified, at every turn, the poster-board candidates that the GOP put forward to get votes, not results and if we aren't brave enough to call out this seemingly obvious act of pandering to "Fame" for votes, then we are no better than the people that gave us Sarah Palin.

Carl Lewis smells like another political prop meant to excite people with name and "Hero" status but no real merit on paper.

Maybe the Sweeney worshipers will be right about giving lewis a chance but based on this "Meteoric" rise from "Non-Voter" to "Senate Candidate", I have major doubts.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 19:56:28 PM UTC

this is one of the most irrelevant threadss (0.00 / 0)

I have read since BJ began.  The man announced his candidacy YESTERDAY people!!!!  Why not wait to see what he has to say during his campaign.  Of course, this morning Morning Joe ran a few of clips that do not show Mr Lewis at his best, singing and dancing.

If this is the gauntlet that candidates have to run the first day out, I'm not surprised that so many really good, strong candidates don't throw their hats in the ring.  

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by: sandy23 @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 20:38:31 PM UTC

Because he has ZERO political footprint (0.00 / 0)

he draws instant criticism and doubt.
The man wasn't even a registered voter in the state until, literally, days before his announced run for the ballot spot.

Because Sweeney is his "Date to the Ball", he draws MORE doubt and suspicion and based on his very own resume, he has absolutely no political cred, whatsoever, if he couldn't even be interested enough in in the state he now wants to help govern to have either registered or voted in it.

I am strongly suspect of him and envision a platform either in mirror image of Sweeney or close enough to be written by Sweeney's own team.

Oh, let us also not forget the Christie connection. We already know Sweeney and Christie are BFF's, now we have a Sweeney plant who calls Christie "Good Friend."

Yes, time will tell but given what is being threatened, you have got to doubt and hard-test FIRST and apologize later.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Tue Apr 12, 2011 at 22:40:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Attacks Make You Irrelevant (1.00 / 1)

After reading all of these comments I would suggest to Mr.Lewis that he simply stay away from this site.

It is apparent that no matter what the man does it will not be good enough for some of the arm chair progressives.

Simply because he stood with the NUMBER ONE  Democrat in the State many of you have demonized him.

What a shame.......

It appears that many arm chair progressives " get off "on alienating potential friends .

....and I thought only CWA did that.      

 

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by: firstamend07 @ Wed Apr 13, 2011 at 00:40:22 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Than man has done nothing... (0.00 / 0)

in politics, in Jersey. Hell, he hasn't even VOTED in the state he has called home for 5 years.

Get off your Sweeney Love Fest.

Sweeney could bag dog crap and you'd swear it was Lindors chocolate if he told you it was.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Wed Apr 13, 2011 at 01:18:18 AM UTC

[ Parent ]