LG Kim Guadagno says Carl Lewis does not meet residency requirements to run in LD-8

when she said (0.00 / 0)

She wasn't making her decision on Friday I felt it was obvious she was trying to make sure not just Lewis, but no replacement is on the ballot.

Anyway, if he wins the challenge, it's just more publicity for his campaign. Could be a big mistake by Republicans.  

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

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by: Hopeful @ Tue Apr 26, 2011 at 20:50:04 PM UTC

Sweeney statement (4.00 / 2)

"The governor couldn't bully Carl Lewis out of the race and the Republican party couldn't make a case stand up in court, so the lieutenant governor did their bidding for them. I fully expect the lieutenant governor's decision to be appealed, and I fully expect Carl Lewis to win and be our candidate in the 8th Legislative District. The decision as to whether Carl Lewis can serve in the Senate should ultimately be made by the voters, not a partisan elected official following party orders."

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 26, 2011 at 21:13:13 PM UTC

Wisniewski statement (0.00 / 0)

The Dem Chair's statement it titled: Lieutenant Governor Plays Politics As Secretary Of State - Administration desperately seeking to keep Carl Lewis from Serving New Jersey.

"This is the latest example of the Christie administration believing they are above the law and willing to play politics out of the State House. If it wasn't bad enough that the Governor tried to get Carl Lewis out of the race before it started, now it appears they realize they can't win at the ballot box and they would do anything to deprive the voters of this choice."

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 26, 2011 at 21:24:01 PM UTC

AP Radio News (0.00 / 0)

in reporting this story, referred to the decision as being made by NJ's Secretary of State, but failed to mention that she is also the Lt Governor, Christie's stooge.


Blog: Pick's Place

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by: jeffpickens @ Tue Apr 26, 2011 at 21:58:53 PM UTC

Barbara Buono statement (0.00 / 0)

 "As the second-ranking Republican in NJ, Kim Guadagno should never have been in a position to stack the deck for her party.  She should have taken the common sense approach and recused herself from being involved in this controversial and seemingly partisan decision.  By taking this action she has effectively deprived the people of the 8th legislative district from having any choice in their upcoming election for NJ State Senate."  
 

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 26, 2011 at 22:00:37 PM UTC

Brilliant Sweeney Tactical Move (4.00 / 1)

The Republicans never thought that they would have to spend money in LD8.

Bringing in Mr. Lewis was a briliant tactical move. Now the GOP has fallen further into the trap of fighting him and looking petty.

This will all help the Democrats in LD 8 and other places.

I hope some can give credit where credit is due!  

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by: firstamend07 @ Tue Apr 26, 2011 at 23:12:40 PM UTC

Reporter Matt Friedman questions "significant error" (4.00 / 1)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.s...

But Guadagno wrote in her decision that Lewis purchased only one home for his mother in 2005 and there is no evidence that he lived there. She said he did not sign a contract for his own home until 2007, writing "the defendant owned the home his mother lived in but did not yet own his own home in New Jersey."

"The Lieutenant Governor has her facts wrong. He purchased two condos in 2005, one for himself and one for his mother. He lived in one, his mother lived in the other," said Lewis attorney William Tambussi. "This evidence is highlighted in Lewis' closing brief... and apparently went unread by the Lieutenant Governor.

via twitter.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

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by: Hopeful @ Tue Apr 26, 2011 at 23:40:19 PM UTC

Facts? Read the evidence? (0.00 / 0)

Does Christie give a whit about facts? this is pure politics!

"Discrimination caused by ignorance and fear is a tax on human progress" - Barbra Casbar Siperstein

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by: Babs NJSD @ Wed Apr 27, 2011 at 05:00:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Karl Rove is the puppet master (0.00 / 0)

This has the Rove fingerprints: disregard for the law and politicizing every office possible. Then taking the position of making their own reality, facts don't matter.

Restore democracy and the Constitution for which it stands.

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by: The Wizard @ Wed Apr 27, 2011 at 02:42:30 AM UTC

If not Kim Guadagno, then who? (0.00 / 0)

Why is the #2 on Christie's ticket, the most political governor in New Jersey history, the top election official in the state of New Jersey?

While it is fair to argue that if Loretta Weinberg were LG and Sec. of State right now, she would wear both hats far more honestly and honorably than Guadagno has to date, I think that it is also fair to argue that any Christie-appointed Sec. of State would have produced the same politicized decision, particularly after seeing how quick Christie was to fire Bret Schundler when he put good policymaking ahead of politics.

That said, if Democrats had any reason to be concerned about the top election official in the state being a political appointee, they had eight years of opportunities to rectify the situation, but as with so many issues related to honest and open government, they never really considered them to be a high priority.

Then again, neither did the Republicans.  Maybe if they had spent the last decade being the party of good government instead of being the anti-abortion and gay-bashing party, they might have won a few more elections than they did.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Wed Apr 27, 2011 at 02:52:32 AM UTC

as an aside... (0.00 / 0)

apparently there is a bill (not sure if it is R or D sponsored) in the legislature that would have made the admin. law judge's ruling final in such cases. (in an attempt to streamline the process) It's been languishing in the legislature for some reason.

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

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by: William Weber (WjcW) @ Wed Apr 27, 2011 at 12:32:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

At the risk of being slammed... (4.00 / 1)

Why the "F" do the Dem's seem to ALWAYS find the most issue-distractive and self-destructive way to fight a war?

Someone in the Norcross / Sweeney team of "Anointment" should have seen this bus coming from miles off and acted in a more mature, principled and constructive way. Do they really want to be so blatant about handing the state to Christie and Corporate interests?

Now, instead of a candidate out there talking about the issues and executing talking points on the unremitting attacks on the middle class and working poor, we're hearing about an accused "Carpet Bagger" suing a "Christie-con" over running against an beatable rethuglican puppet.

that old axiom that the Dems can "Snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" is an oldie that keeps getting validated.

Letting Norcross and Sweeney act as the Democratic leadership is like letting G. Gordon Liddy act as campaign manager for (Insert democrat name here). They are DESTROYING the best opportunity the N J Democrats have at obliterating the GOP and their attacks on the poor and working class in New Jersey.

Somebody bench these traitorous fools and start managing this party in a responsible and effective way! The only people doing any damage to the GOP right now is the GOP because the Dems sure the hell aren't!! If it weren't for the Tea Party psychosis hamstringing the GOP in the court of public opinion, there would be no limit to the sweeping damages the GOP could do under the radar.

The Dems owe the Tea Party a huge debt of gratitude for doing the one thing the Dems themselves have not been able to do under Sweeney... Damage the credibility of the GOP.

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

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Wed Apr 27, 2011 at 03:24:10 AM UTC

Sweeney hater (0.00 / 0)

No matter what happens in this State the Number one Hater on this site ,CPP, attacks Sweeney.

Lewis will be on the ballot and he has received tons of free, good press.

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by: firstamend07 @ Wed Apr 27, 2011 at 10:33:58 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Facts don't make hate (0.00 / 0)

Does the flavor of Sweeney's posterior ever leave your lips?

Fact: Lewis has ZERO political history.
Fact: Lewis has ZERO NJ Political experience.
Fact: Lewis is CARPET BAGGING for Sweeney.
Fact: Lewis' lack of the above have made him a TARGET and POSTER CHILD for the GOP to call out the NJ Dems for "Boss Politics".
Fact: Norcross, a millionaire insurance exec, pulls Sweeney's strings.
Fact: Sweeney has shared values on workers rights with Christie.
Fact: Legislating workers rights to collectively bargain healthcare enriches Norcross.
Fact: Sweeney has shared far too many "BFF" moments with Christie to be a real adversary.
FACT Almost none of that would be in dispute by you if any of the three (Sweeney, Norcross, Lewis) by 99% of Dems (Likely including YOU) if they had a "(R)" after their names.

It isn't hate, it's being HONEST and calling a DiNO a DiNO and a DUMB PLAY a DUMB PLAY!
It's is the support of crap like this that perpetuates everything BAD in politics and the stereotyping of Power Boss Politics".

None of this shows an ounce of altruistic motivation but rather plenty stupid selfish politicking for NORCROSS' benefit and Sweeney's ego.

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

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Wed Apr 27, 2011 at 11:02:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

voters see through this ploy (0.00 / 0)

When you really look at the situation objectively, Carl is simply not qualified and was kicked off the ballot. Rather then accepting the fact that he attempted to break residency rules, every trick in the book will be played in the court and public opinion to have him on the ballot again. The race card will be played ,the gay card as well  that is fact, sympathy, what ever the democrats can conjur up to force him on the ballot. I see an ethical problem with favortism and not following the rules. The democrats have a pattern of pushing for whatever works for them irrespective of legitimate qualifications or real experience .

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by: speedkillsu @ Wed Apr 27, 2011 at 11:57:21 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

the gay card? (0.00 / 0)

I knew that Carl Lewis was black, but this is the first that I am hearing about him being gay.  If there is a gay card to be played, then by all means, he should play it, but I have a hard time believing that it will do much good in a district like LD8.  Once you get below NJ's Mason-Dixon line, I-195, there is not much difference between South Jersey and the Southern United States.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Wed Apr 27, 2011 at 13:01:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]