| In which case I hope he tells Andrews to go **** himself. Because we don't need him as Governor any more than we need him as Senator.
On issues and philosophy, Rob Andrews is like Bob Kerrey or Evan Bayh, without having the excuse of coming from Nebraska or Indiana.
On corruption, he may be less tied to the machines than Sires or Payne, but he's certainly more so than Pallone or Holt. I don't know enough about Pascrell or Rothman to know where they fit, because they're so far north they're out of my orbit.
By personality, he shows overwhelming ambition and limited maturity, even compared to other politicians.
The only thing he's got going for himself is the sense of South Jerseyans that they've been neglected and are now entitled to get theirs, no matter who they make the mistake of choosing as their champion.
I don't totally reject the regional argument. I think national and global issues are a lot more important, but all else being close to equal, I want South Jersey to have people in positions of power who don't need an introductory course whenever they need to do constituent service south of Trenton.
I worked for Jim Florio's nomination and election in 1981, and had I not been working in DC at the time, would have worked for him in 1989. Being back in the state, I enthusiastically supported his reelection in 1993. But in the days since Florio left the county to become governor, Camden County has been sliding back in the direction of Erichetti-style politics, and Andrews is part of the problem.
I also need to point out that some (likely most) of the regional loyalty Andrews has is simply pride in the possible success of someone folks are already familiar with. That's fine for picking a sports team, but it's a lousy way to choose a political leader.
So if South Jersey wants more prominent representation, how about finding somebody else to be Mr. or Ms., South Jersey? Because so long as you choose a Norcross-allied, centrist-voting popinjay, you'll get limited sympathy from most of the folks I know. |
