Gut check: Who do we want at the top of the ticket in 2013? Sweeney? Or somebody else?

Several good possibilities (0.00 / 0)

Codey, Buono, Pallone, Holt.  I could live with any of them.  Nix to Sweeney, Greenwald, Andrews, Booker (he won't run).

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 17:09:45 PM UTC

I like the idea of Holt as governor (0.00 / 0)

I hadn't heard his name mentioned until I read the politicker article this week, and I think he'd be a good fit if he wants the job.

http://outspokenliberal.blogsp...

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by: tabbycat31 @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 20:41:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Holt (0.00 / 0)

I love Rush, he would be on my very short list for Senate if there was an opening.

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

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by: Babs NJSD @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 18:12:48 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Rob Andrews (4.00 / 1)

(but y'all knew I'd say that, right?)

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 17:32:16 PM UTC

Nix Sweeney and Booker (0.00 / 0)

There's a lot of possibilities after that though.

The problem is Lautenberg's Senate seat is also being coveted by a lot of the names 12mileseast mentioned.

Grand bargain?

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by: DSWright @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 18:37:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Just watched (4.00 / 1)

Booker on Pierce Morgan. He was turning in his Dem card and is now an "American", neither Dem nor Rep. Sounding alot like Adubato Jr. & Sr. Chump.

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by: FreeDem @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 01:50:13 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Josh Henne lit him up on Twitter and rightly so for (0.00 / 0)

going on TV while the city is in the middle of a violent crime wave.

Wasn't 2 seasons of Brick City vanity enough?

Booker is all hype. How about some results?

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by: DSWright @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 03:46:32 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Andrews has the smarts, quickness (0.00 / 0)

and toughness to be in the same political arena as Christie. He has also traveled the state. He has also shown a learning curve and is not afraid to say he has changed his position and given a logical reason.

Some may sat that Jon Corzine used him to get him to work for him for Governor and wave his "open" Senate seat which was to me obviously going to Bob Menendez, but he did a lot of campaigning and work and showed much energy.

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

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by: Babs NJSD @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 18:08:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

He also... (0.00 / 0)

... signed Grover Norquist's anti-tax pledge. Not too bright.

http://jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com

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by: Jersey Jazzman @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 20:23:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

He did? (4.00 / 2)

And he accused Obama of siding with Hamas.  Another putz.

Not to mention that he's a loser.  Lost to McGreevey.  Lost to Lautenberg.  Promised that he was done with the house and then had his wife hold the seat for him.

He's not as bad as Sweeney.  But he's not much better.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Fri Jul 15, 2011 at 01:02:15 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who Do the Independents Like? (0.00 / 1)

Democrats will come home because they have to come home. Another major loss would be a diaster.

Sweeney vs. Christie would be fun and close. Sweeney gets the Democrats ,whether they hold their nose or not,and Chrisite gets the Republicans.

Sweeney would win the Independents because he is better with the woman vote.

Everyone who hates Sweeney hates Chrisite more!

.... and there is your campaign slogan, " You might not agree with me, but you can't stand him!"

It would be one helluva race!

 

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by: firstamend07 @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 19:11:48 PM UTC

Democrats will not "come home" you've (2.00 / 2)

been trolling here since 2007 so presumably you know that in 09 Dems didn't come home for Corzine.

Sweeney is a nonstarter and you know it.

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by: DSWright @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 19:43:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sweeney would be a guaranteed loser (3.50 / 2)

Many, if not most, progressive Democrats would never vote for him (I know I never will), increasing the likelihood of an independent progressive candidate getting in, thereby draining votes from the Democratic ticket.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 20:10:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Unions turned on Corzine (0.00 / 0)

Please go back and read some of the comments. Especailly from groups like CWA which gave Corzine very lukewarm support.  

The union vote doomed Corzine.

Democrats,REAL DEMOCRATS ,know that no matter how much one dislikes various Democratic Party leaders ,EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM IS BETTER THAN CHRISTIE.

Real Democrats will come home.

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by: firstamend07 @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 21:16:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Unions didn't turn on Corzine YOUR GUYS did (4.00 / 1)

More "Revsionist History".

Tell the truth, just once, please.

Support for Corzine was less than anemic from Norcross and Adubato and everyone BUT YOU knows it. Unions didn't throw the election, the BOSSES did and they did it for one major reason, they hoped to position Sweeney for 2013.

"Christie, whose gubernatorial ambitions were well known years in advance his 2009 campaign, began cultivating friendly, symbiotic relationships with two key Democratic bosses well before he even became governor: South Jersey's George Norcross and Steve Adubato Sr. from Newark. It's a widely held view by insiders from both parties in New Jersey that Norcross and Adubato essentially left Governor Jon Corzine to wither on the vine in the '09 campaign, boosting Christie's prospects in the Democratic state. In fact, Christie's first public appearance after his victory that fall was with Adubato in the heart of his political/educational/social services empire in Newark's North Ward. "

Your false history doesn't float here so please stop trying to brainwash readers. If you're looking for Sheep, go to "In The Lobby" or Fox News online. You routine is tired and doesn't even rise to Sweeney-pandering anymore. It's just embarrassing.

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

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 21:31:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Corzine did himself in... (0.00 / 0)

He fell victim to 'trying to please everyone, and pleasing no one'.

I think someone here had the perfect description, "Governor Half Measures."

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

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by: William Weber (WjcW) @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 13:37:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Because trying to WORK with EVERYONE is bad? (0.00 / 0)

Corzine did what a politician/leader is supposed to do; He tried to work with all sides for the answers. He asked for sacrifices from the unions and got them, he has been the ONLY governor in the last 15 years to make payments to the pension funds in an effort to meet the states obligations, he TRIED to help while trying to move forward.
He actually reduced the cost of government in NJ (Christie, for all his bragging hasn't).
Corzine even chose to forgoe his salary as a show of character and commitment. Christie (Millionaire) and his Staff cost more than Corzines adminstration even if Corzine HAD taken a salary.

Name ONE governor in the last two decades that could claim to be that fair.

Was he perfect? Hardley. Was he better than the current model of intolerance, bullying and borishness? By MILES.

Corzine suffered from the worst two political curses of all, the apathetic democratic hangover (Obama won and there was an assumption the world was all better) and blatant abandonment by the Party Bosses who hold the keys to the state political machine (Which explains how a politically ignorant puppet like Sweeney got into the Senate Presidency seat).

Your view is overly simplistic and mostly inaccurate. The "Governor Half Measures" was a term used by Republicans and the New York Post, not democrats and we know that the Repubs and NYP have no love or appreciation of democrats so we'll just accept their monikor for Corzine was political hackery at it's most juvinile.

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

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 14:57:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yeah, but (0.00 / 0)

Corzine had his own problems that went beyond being betrayed by the bosses.  Don't forget that he was down by double digits to Chrisite throughout the first half of 2009.

He lacked the requisite communication skills for a governor, aside from being charismatically challenged.  And he did piss off many Democratic constituencies, such as public workers and environmentalists.  And at times he could be arrogant and even ethically dubious, witness the Carla Katz business.

We all would have been better off had he stayed in the senate in 2005.  And he should have stepped aside for Codey in 2009.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 15:18:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Very True. (0.00 / 0)

He was hit by the perfect storm.
Tea-Partiers
Wall Street ties
Nordubato betrayal
Democratic apathy
Katz (All her whining and manipulations, cus as you may recall, it was HER that brought the heat, not Corzine).

Wife got to meet and greet him a few times and she said that the one thing she came away with is that he was a sincere, likable and genuinely nice guy.

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

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 15:37:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

His proudest moment... (1.00 / 1)

was increasing the sales tax.

Half Measure examples -

Dual office holding (really should have been a slam dunk)... but we'll 'grandfather' in current ones. (fine, but just let them finish their terms) But no, we'll allow them as long as they keep getting re-elected to both posts!?!?

If dual office holding is bad, it's always bad, for current people as well as future ones.

Special session on ethics -
It was never the right time... not before the election, not in lame duck, not in budget season...

Special session on property tax -
Legislature came up with 1.2 billion in savings... Corzine short circuts it and puts through 100 million (or something)...

Negotiates a tough contract requiring retirees to pay 1.5% for health care... rescinds said concession 3 months later...

And so on... and so on....

Special convention on property taxes... it's a good idea... no it's a bad one... no it's a good idea... no it's a bad one....

But I do agree. Generally a very nice and sincere man. Just caught up trying to please too many interests at the same time...

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

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by: William Weber (WjcW) @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 16:46:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm always amazed... (0.00 / 0)

... that people find it so odd that the former CEO of Goldman Sachs lost an election in 2009.

People didn't like Wall Street very much that year. Still don't.

http://jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com

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by: Jersey Jazzman @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 21:57:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA (0.00 / 0)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

(catches breath)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

That's awesome.

Scott Garrett - on the wrong side of, well, everything.

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by: Adam L @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 23:54:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Somebody else! ANYBODY ELSE!! (3.50 / 2)

Sweeney is a walking failure in leadership and has single-handedly delivered some of the most crushing blows to New Jersey public workers and the middle class and poor while making the Christie administration an unstoppable force for destruction.

Sweeney is a ZERO challenge to Christie because between the disgusted dems who wouldn't show up for him, republicans who would sell their kids before they'd vote a democrat and fence sitters who, as Truman once said would, given a choice between a republican and a democrat acting like a republican will always choose the republican, he has no shot at all. Every poll rates him as lower than Christie.

Sweeney on the ticket is a solid guaranteee that Christie gets another term and a solid assurance that by driving that many dems away from the ballot box, even districts where GOOD dems sit, republicans will a better than average chance of taking over those seats.

Sweeney is a suckers bet that New Jersey can't afford and the baggage he carries is a cancer to the democratic party in New Jersey and must be excised.

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

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 20:21:22 PM UTC

sweeney (0.00 / 0)

New Jersey's version of the Flintstones....Barney should be tossed from the ticket he did all of the digging and filling of the pool for FRED. Good "ol" pal that Governor Hamburger is

Paul Betzler

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by: defendcom @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 20:29:50 PM UTC

Hey Radical Left! Make your pick! (0.00 / 0)

Sweeney? Chrisite? Stay home and do not vote?

Your call!  

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by: firstamend07 @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 21:18:20 PM UTC

Sweeeny won't even pass the primary test (0.00 / 0)

Your horse died in the gate.

Sweeney is done, finished, kaput, dead-political-career walking, on life support, out of time, off the deep end, OVER but too clueless to get it.

Give up and go home.

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

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 21:34:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Dead political-career walking? (0.00 / 0)

No, I disagree that Sweeney's career in politics is over. Are you assuming that he will be defeated at the ballot box in his home district come November? I wouldn't assume that. And whether he retains his leadership position then or not, or loses it before then, Senator is still a very powerful title and position for any man or woman to hold in New Jersey.  

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 @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 21:40:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I have to hope! (0.00 / 0)

Sweeney is a lead weight on real progress and I can only hope that he either gets relegated to the back bench or has the lack of vision to see he hasn't a prayer against Christie and gives up his seat to try to win what, for him, would be the unwinnable.

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

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 21:44:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Though I guess he wouldn't go all in... (0.00 / 0)

.. but once he loses in a primary battle, simply slink back to his Senate seat.


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

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 21:47:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Booker will go for the U.S. Senate seat (0.00 / 0)

The Adubato/Norcross cartel has purged the Party of Codey loyalists. Our only hope is Christie eats one too many deep fried pork rinds as the Adubato/Norcross cartel has an interest in keeping the bombastic blowhard in power so as to privatize public schools and fill the Cartel's coffers. Follow the money. At least they won't have Murdoch's spies tapping phones for them.  

Restore democracy and the Constitution for which it stands.

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by: The Wizard @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 21:50:52 PM UTC

Question here is (0.00 / 0)

not who we want at the top of the ticket, but who won't get Corzined by  Nordubato? Sweeney would've been Sweet for Nordubato, since who better than a direct report? (They got Sweeney and Sheila now, so that's good enough) But they're probably looking at plan B right about now for a Democratic Governor. Then again, they already got Christie. You guys follow politics, and you know who you would like as a candidate on the issues/record, but to the casual observer, a lot has to do with star power or name recognition. Would they vote for a Democrat they know or one they don't know? As tabbycat states about Holt,

"I hadn't heard his name mentioned until I read the politicker article this week, and I think he'd be a good fit if he wants the job."

And everybody else too would be like "who's Rush Holt?" come election time.

Maybe others will emerge after the November shake-up, and then we'll have a better idea of which direction the political winds are blowing, and what are the effects of pen/ben, the budget play, and Christie's incessant maneuverings on the electorate. But as it stands now, only Codey stands out against Nordubato and has the name recognition. Putting real Democrat party unity ahead of personal preference, Codey emerges as the only hope at present, maybe with baggage, but also with recognition. He'd (or any candidate) have to get some self promos in in the run-up, and be seen as better than Christie (ABC - Anyone But Christie?).

Unfortunately, by having Sweeney and Oliver in their present 'leadership' positions, none of the strong party faithful with potential can emerge and stand out among their peers as worthy of the challenge. This all plays to Christie's and Nordubato's advantage. That's why Cryan was warned not to touch Oliver, and Cryan knows better than to go against the power of the party bosses, because it would eventually come back and bite him. That's why Sweeney and Oliver need to go ASAP, and replaced with and make room for real Democrats. Ones not afraid to buck the bosses if they want to stick around and move up... but who among them dare?  

Absent a financial scandal (Dems generally get caught up in sex/relationship scandals, Reps in $ scandals. Pork bellies, not pork rinds, Wizard.), Christie amazingly remains as long as the favors keep flowing. To our disbelief, like after the hanging chads (Rosi & HBO), and then amazingly getting elected to a 2nd term, only to in the end be chalked up as a mistake. Who cares? Somebody made some money on it. As the nation continues to suffer the consequences. Or for purposes of this discussion, our state of NJ.

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by: FreeDem @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 23:59:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Don't forget Buono and Weinberg (0.00 / 0)

Strong, liberal women might be just what the state needs for a change!!

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

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 01:31:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

FreeDem (0.00 / 0)

I'm laughing through my whiplash that you referenced an @Rosi_Efthim Tweet in a Blue Jersey diary by me. It makes perfect sense, but the multi-platforms at the same time give me the wild giggles.  

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 @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 19:20:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I for one don't want to lose my state senator (4.00 / 1)

So I'll ask FA07 once again to tell his friend Sweeney not to run for governor.

#lol

 

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

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by: Hopeful @ Wed Jul 13, 2011 at 22:08:23 PM UTC

The candidate who can beat the Nordubato/Christie oligarchy... (4.00 / 1)

...must be able to excite much of the Democratic coalition so as to offset the votes that machine would have been able to turn out.

A viable candidate would need to appeal to women, minorities, progressives, young voters, labor, environmentalists, LGBT voters, and maybe even public workers so that these blocks would be inspired to vote.

The candidate also would need to raise big bucks to take on Christie without the financial backing of the machine, and a semi-national profile would help in this regard, particularly someone already familiar to Hollywood and Wall Street donors.

I'm pretty sure that candidate exists. But is the desire there?

Does Lisa P. Jackson have the fire to return to New Jersey and run for governor in what would be a tough but likely successful candidacy?

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by: Anzana @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 02:42:42 AM UTC

Buono and Weinberg (0.00 / 0)

Buono and Weinberg both have the traits you describe as well as the name recognition thanks in large part to Christie's attacks and Sweeney's betrayals.

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

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 02:50:30 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm not so sure (0.00 / 0)

I don't think they have the appeal to minorities and young voters.

They also don't have the charisma to match Christie, which I think Jackson has.  

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by: Anzana @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 04:22:20 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Some more food for thought (0.00 / 0)

I'm not sure what our new congressional map will look like.  I think that if a Republican is eliminated through redistricting that will be Lance.  However, I'm not sure what Democrat will be eliminated if one is.  Perhaps a concession for the losing Democrat would be the chance to run against Christie and give him a year head's up to travel the state, raise money, and get his name known.


http://outspokenliberal.blogsp...

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by: tabbycat31 @ Thu Jul 14, 2011 at 21:11:30 PM UTC