A Corzine/Weinberg Ticket, Please

I "Second The Motion" For Weinberg! (0.00 / 0)

Not that I don't think Buono would make a great LG, she would!  

However, this new possibility is intriguing! If Loretta Weinberg is offered the job, and she wants it, that would be "just the ticket"!  

Either way Corzine couldn't go wrong, but like Carol, my preference would be for Loretta Weinberg as she would add a substantial degree of stature, gravitas and credibility (for all the reasons Carol details above and more) to Corzine's run that no one else in the state could match.

However, I would hope that if Weinberg is offered and accepts the job that, after they kick Christie's butt, the new LG is given a substantial/powerful role in moving along a genuinely/profoundly aggressive progressive agenda as part of their partnership.  

The people of New Jersey are more than ready for the kind of boldly positive transformational governance that a Corzine/Weinberg ticket could provide!

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by: Nick Lento @ Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 13:52:08 PM CDT

Would be a mistake (4.00 / 3)

She is a great person with great ideas.

That said , she brings not one extra vote to Corzine. I just think that he needs someone who can get him some " new" votes.

Since he seems to be set on a woman then go with Buono.    

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by: firstamend07 @ Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 15:42:01 PM CDT

I Disagree (0.00 / 0)

Weinberg could inspire/motivate progressives who may have felt that Corzine was too much a captive of the establishment.  Such people may register, come out to vote and be more active as volunteers with a solid progressive like Weinberg in a position of power and influence.

Another group for who she could have the same effect are senior citizens, who, I believe would respond very favorably to Loretta's candidacy.

From my perspective, we Democrats could register another half a million voters in New Jersey IF Goveernor Corzine makes a clear, credible and EXCITING case that he is 100% committed to fundamental/transformational/PROGRESSIVE reform/change.

Of course, he had better then be prepared to deliver when he gets the landslide victory!   And if that means upsetting elements of the permanent "establishment" then so be it!

Democratic values are essentially progressive, populist and in full compliance with The Golden Rule.  We have the Republicans beat on the moral/values issues IF we choose to take the high road.   Weinberg has demonstrated in Bergen County that she has the guts to take on the machine and kick ass and that's a good thing, eh?  

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by: Nick Lento @ Fri Jun 12, 2009 at 10:47:33 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Weinberg just will not work (4.00 / 1)

According to the latest poll 19 % of all Democrats are NOT voting for Corzine. These are not the Progressives that you speak of, those people are locked up.

Corzine is in real trouble with the blue collar democratic voter and he is in trouble with women.

Assuming that the choice is now between Buono and Weinberg Buono is the clear choice between the two if you are going to make any inroads with those two needed groups.

I think Buono's age is an advantage to getting the soccer mom and I think her good working relationships with blue collar representatives , people like Sweeney , will give her more  crediblity in the union halls of this state.

Corzine will shore up the Progressives on his own he does not   need Weinberg.  

Shallow or not a Corzine /Weinberg ticket " looks" old. Seniors vote senior issues, they don't vote for old people.

A Chrisite/ Donovan or even a Chrisite / Allen ticket( now that she is feeling better) is a lot more vibrant than a Christie / Weinberg ticket.

Perception is a lot more important then reality .

Plus there is something to this " only North Jersey " strategy" . In a normal election you can ignore South Jersey , but this is not normal. This election will be a 1-2 % election. Buono at least balances the ticket a little more than Weinberg.

Weinberg is a mistake.      
 

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by: firstamend07 @ Sat Jun 13, 2009 at 08:54:54 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Bottom Lines.... (2.00 / 2)

I understand that for folks like George Norcross et al, Weinberg is an anathema.  The opposition to Weinberg from the old line party establishment is to be expected. They see her as a threat to their future income and that's an accurate perception.

I also understand that, as intelligent astute folk, y'all are quite capable of coming up with all manner of rationales that look for negatives re Weinberg being on the ticket....and they are all quite rebuttable, and then you could re rebut...and I could come back with more rebuttals etc etc etc.    The last thing we need is to fight over this....so let's not.

Note that in my own endorsement above I refrained from criticizing Buono in any way. Why?  Because she's a great Democrat and was MY OWN first choice!    I'm quite content to support anyone Jon Corzine chooses for the simple reason that the idea of Christie winning is unacceptable.

Chronologically Weinberg is "old" but in terms of her ideas, ideals, policy initiatives and spirit she's a pretty hip and even cutting edge (if you consider reform to be the cutting edge/future of NJ's Democratic party) political asset and Jon Corzine could do a lot worse than to bring her on board.

Neither Weinberg nor Buono would be a "mistake".  We can win with either one; but I believe we'll win bigger and better with the more substantively progressive of the two.  

Ultimately it's Corzine's pick and I'm absolutely positive that neither of these two great ladies would want us arguing in negative ways that could bruise feelings.

PS

As for the "superficiality" of the public and how they may vote on cosmetic image alone.....that's BS.   If that were true, Christie wouldn't be leading in the polls.  People who come out to vote are not as stupid as some of us may think they are.   Have you already forgotten how old and wrinkled Lautenberg handily defeated his young and smooth faced opponent?  If anyone out there thinks we're going to beat Christie just because he's obese, you are delusional (and bigoted).

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by: Nick Lento @ Sat Jun 13, 2009 at 09:33:11 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

The ticket needs balance (0.00 / 0)

and Corzine will provide same. And I'd only give a woman LG candidate a less than 50/50 chance - I'd be looking for Jon to nominate a man, possibly of color, from below I-195

Loretta is best for us in Senate. I doubt she'd even accept the job of LG - where's she gonna go in 4 years? Gov? not likely ...

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by: denniscmcgrath @ Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 07:41:59 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Fortunately, The Choice Is Not Yours Or Mine... (0.00 / 0)

....I'm content to accept and support Jon Corzine's judgment on this on.

If she was offered the job, and if the job was more than just a title (i.e. he would adopt a substantively progressive agenda and give the LG authority to act on his behalf) then Weinberg would be a good fit......and, as I've already said; Buono would also be a great LG......I'll be happy either way.   :-)

I don't believe the people of NJ are as geographically chauvinistic as you seem to be saying.  In any event, this decision will be made soon enough, chill out and focus on winning in November.

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by: Nick Lento @ Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 13:25:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Looks like I got 2 of 3 right n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: denniscmcgrath @ Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:47:19 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

My only concern with her (0.00 / 0)

is her age.  But substantively, she'd be the best choice.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Fri Jun 12, 2009 at 09:56:24 AM CDT

too North Jersey-centric (4.00 / 1)

isn't it enough to have both senators AND a governor from the same tiny corner of the state?  can't we have a Lt Governor from one of the other 19 counties?

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Sat Jun 13, 2009 at 05:59:01 AM CDT

Maybe if more people... (3.00 / 2)

and voters lived there.  Until then, probably not.  

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 14, 2009 at 22:12:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

with than attitude..... (4.00 / 1)

.....good luck courting the "base" outside your neck of the woods.

Don't think we can sit on our hands homeslice?

I tell you what:  you might not be able to win a statewide election in south jersey.... but but you sure can lose one!

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 06:37:03 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Chill Out..... (0.00 / 0)

....you perceive "attitude" where there is none.

We're just talking about possibilities and expressing our opinions.

Whoever Corzine chooses, we all should support her, or him, as actively as possible and put aside our own petty geographical chauvinism.

The progressive base of this party is far more mature and intelligent than you may imagine.
 

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by: Nick Lento @ Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 13:34:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

yep (4.00 / 1)

An entirely fair point. I don't share South Jersey's upset that so many of the party's top slots are taken by north Jersey politicians. I come from central western NJ and we're more underrepresented. But it's certainly deeply felt in South Jersey, and should be taken into account.


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 Jun 15, 2009 at 08:38:00 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yes, "Should Be Taken Into Account"... (0.00 / 0)

...sums it up well.   But geography shouldn't be dispositive, either way.   Let's not fight over this.  

Let's focus on the many flaws, faults and foibles of Chris Christie if we're looking to throw darts.

If Weinberg were offered the job in a way that she could accept it, she would have to spend lots of time in the South and Center of the state respectfully  winning over the folks there (of both parties) with substantive policy rationales for them to support the Corzine ticket.    

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by: Nick Lento @ Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 13:48:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

as a North Jersey guy who lived in Egg Harbor for a time... (0.00 / 0)

I'd hate to see the LG position devolve into just a way to keep the geography satisfied.   we'll have North Jerseyans as governors and each year will pick someone from Egg Harbor to make the ticket look balanced.

Sen. Weinberg brings a variety of things to the table, both from a political strategy standpoint and good government standpoint.

That being said, if we must do South Jersey then Meg Worthington is my choice.  (See I can throw down the South Jersey.)

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by: CouncilmanBruceCarlson @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 07:21:29 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think its a mistake to think of LG like a VP (4.00 / 1)

Being that its a new position, voters aren't aware of it to a great extent.  The person will not get the coverage by proportion that a VP candidate does in a US election.   They provide a one-day news story, a helpful addition to the campaign.  And if your opponent is going to attack you on corruption/ethicsin gov., i'd use this as a chance to counter that move.

I do understand geographic representation, but this LG position can't right all the wrongs. Fact is, Bergen is the 'Ohio' in the election so we shouldn't be surprised if its Weinberg v Donnovan.  Weinberg by a mile in that case.

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by: CouncilmanBruceCarlson @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 07:31:06 AM CDT