New Jersey's Own Presidential Caucus - Tonight

no designated speaker (1.00 / 1)

I am not surprised that Chris Dodd is lacking representation, but I am shocked that someone from "The Group" isn't stepping forward to represent Hillary. 

Those shameless self-promoters rarely miss an opportunity to put themselves out there, but I guess they figured that there weren't going to be a lot of $2,300 check writers in the audience nor would this be the friendliest crowd for their candidate.

I am also surprised that Paul Aronsohn isn't representing Bill Richardson, considering the fact that Bill Richardson came out here and helped Paul raise money for his 2006 Congressional campaign.

This will be an interesting organizing test for the Obama campaign.  With support from Mayors of some of the state's largest cities, Barack Obama is clearly well-positioned to compete with Hillary here in NJ, but his primary obstacle is probably going to be the popularity of John Edwards amongst suburban progressives, who would probably support Obama if Edwards dropped out of the race before February 5.

If Edwards does as well this Friday as I expect him to, then  if he is still running on February 5, he will probably get just enough votes to keep Obama from finishing a close second to Hillary in NJ and getting a significant share of the state's delegates, but not nearly enough to win any delegates for himself.

But if Team Obama can make their presence felt on Friday, it could be a good sign that they are better positioned to attract the support of suburban progressives than I originally thought and Edwards will probably perform much worse, thankfully.

Another bit of interesting drama will come from the battle for 3rd place.  If Kucinich finishes in 3rd place, then I think that the progressive movement in this state is doomed.  However, if Biden or Richardson finish 3rd, there is some hope.

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by: rachael'sdad @ Mon Dec 03, 2007 at 21:52:20 PM CST

Dodd (0.00 / 0)

We reached out to the Dodd campaign, but they have been unable to come up with an in-state or nearby supporter of Senator Dodd's presidential candidacy.  (Do I hear any volunteers out there?)

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by: John Bartlett @ Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 13:28:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Just Signed Up (0.00 / 0)

The page says 6PM even though things start at 5.

Blue Jersey is not mentioned as a potential source of referrals.

I was only the 12th to sign up!  So, click the link!!

If we get a fair number of people, then perhaps Senator Clinton and Governor Richardson will realize they missed out!

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by: Creed Pogue @ Mon Dec 03, 2007 at 23:28:56 PM CST

Fixed (0.00 / 0)

The time is fixed - the event had been listed in the wrong timezone.

Blue Jersey was and is mentioned (in fact, it's listed as the very first sponsor).

Don't worry about the number of signups. No RSVP is required to attend, and the various sponsors, and candidates, are doing their own recruiting. For instance, NJ for Democracy has 40 pp RSVP'd already. It's going to be big.

Neither Clinton nor Richardson are missing out - just a little slower to confirm the identity of their surrogates.

See you Friday Creed!

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by: Jeff Gardner @ Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 09:38:24 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Excellent! n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: Creed Pogue @ Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 10:53:09 AM CST

[ Parent ]

i used to like hillary (0.00 / 0)

and now the sound of her voice makes my skin crawl.  i am not sure if this a case of filckeness run amok or if i have just awakened to the notion that she's a tool, but it's safe to say i am done a total 180.
 

Jay_Lass on Twitter.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 07:55:08 AM CST

My Own Preference, So Far... (0.00 / 0)

...is for Edwards, in great measure based on the quality of support that his wife, Elizabeth has given him under their trying circumstances.  Also, I believe he's the most progressive candidate who can be elected by a solid majority in 08.  (Richardson should be offered the VP job ;-)

My ideological ideal would be Kucinch; but I confess to believing he's not "electable".

Obama is (relatively speaking)  still a wee bit unseasoned.

Richardson has a wonderfully clear commitment on Iraq...and clearly has the requisite experience/qualities to lead.

Dodd is a deeply decent gentleman who actually had the guts to bring up the Dalai Lama and the Tibet situation when asked about China policy at yesterday's NPR debate!

Joe Biden is a mature adult with the kind of straight talking intensity that we would all love to see in the White House.

Mike Gravel was a breath of fresh air for a while; but is now coming across as somewhat bitter/shrill/angry and worst of all, confused;  I'm more than content to allow Kucinich to carry the banner of the disestablishmentarians.

Bottom lines: Any one of these candidates (even Gravel!!!) would be a vast improvement over the policies of this Bush misadministration warmed over; which is what we'll get if a Republican is elected.  Paul would try to change the Iraq policies but would create worse messes in other areas given that he's a stone cold Libertarian.

If any of the Republicans now running (including Ron Paul) were to win the Presidency; it would extend the ongoing disaster to catastrophic proportions.

Jay, if Hillary winds up as the nominee; then we should all get enthusiastically behind her and work our tails off; whatever her flaws may be...she's an angel compared to any one of the Republicans running.

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by: Nick Lento @ Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 16:34:40 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I wish I could go (0.00 / 0)

but I already am handing out Obama literature down here.  I hope it warms up.

I have to think of a witty signature about Frank LoBiondo

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by: Hopeful @ Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 11:22:28 AM CST

Progressive Polling Results FYI (0.00 / 0)

For those who may be out of touch with the progressive movement, here are the poll results from a few "progressive" organizations.

Blue Jersey
  Edwards 31.94%
  Kucinich 16.67%
  Clinton & others - less than 12%

DFA National Poll
  Kucinich 31.97%
  Gore (non-candidate) 24.77 %
  Edwards 15.6 %
  Obama & the rest - less than 14 %

PDA National Poll
  Kucinich 41 %
  Edwards 26 %
  Also rans - less than 13 %

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by: billbrown201 @ Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 12:11:25 PM CST