Even before she became a candidate, Jeff Pickens and I were working with Marie Corfield to expose some of the lies perpetrated by the Christie Administration. Jeff and I were thrilled when Marie decided to do something and run for the legislature. But Marie can't do it alone. She has a great team, and we need to send her running mates to Trenton, also.
Marie's running mate on the Assembly side is South Brunswick businessman Joe Camarota. I met Joe early on in the campaign, and he's a down-to-earth practical citizen who understands the concerns of both people and businesses. Here are some highlights from Monday night's debate.
I will post highlights of Joe's and Marie's running mate, Maureen Vella, candidate for Senate, tomorrow.
Last night's cold open of Saturday Night Live, with guest host Alec Baldwin as a rapidly winding-down Rick Perry, ends with a pointed shout-out to that shy butterfly, Chris Christie. Behold:
We now have both debates available on video, both below.
A few observations: Lance goes - many times - to the dusty GOP tactic of mentioning Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as though she's some kind of demi-witch, just in time for Halloween, with evil intentions that well-meaning Republicans must protect America from. It's quite overdone, and in the News 12 debate, Potosnak finally calls him on it, and reminds him of who he's actually running against and who he's not. The DADT conversation is interesting; Lance voted against the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell (he rates only 38% Human Rights Campaign's scorecard). On the War question, Potosnak is unequivocal, a very clear position. Lance uses the opportunity to claim bi-partisanship with Obama, and try and trump Potosnak by showing off an incumbent congressman's access to classified briefings. Not too subtle. Also interesting is how assertive, aggressive even, he is toward Lance's record on several issues, particularly on economic issues. More than a few times, particularly in the News12 debate where the candidates are sitting 2 feet apart, Potosnak stared him down. Lance is good on his feet, a consummate speaker, but several times he appeared rattled and angry.
For the rest of this, frankly, I feel too close to this race (it's my District, and I helped bring Democracy for America (DFA) into the race, full disclosure) to be objective. So, Blue Jersey, I'd be interested in what you think. Of both debates.
NJ-7 Debate, sponsored by News 12 New Jersey 10/20/10
The only other debate (just 2 days earlier) is very different, and you can watch it after the jump. So, jump:
Seriously? Checking in on recent Supreme Court decisions is a general-knowledge question and it flummoxed both Sarah Palin and just days ago left Christine O'Donnell flapping, how did Jon Runyan manage not to see this coming and you know, brush up on civics 'n stuff.
John Adler, Harvard man, put the question to GOP opponent Jon Runyan in last night's debate for Millenium Radio on the campus of Ocean County College.
The Question (as asked by Adler): Can you give me a example from the last 10 or 15 years of a Supreme Court decision with which you strongly disagree. Adler even helpfully points out that the Supreme Court is a "different branch of government" than the one Runyan's running for. Video quality: not great. Runyan's answer: priceless.
After the jump, watch Sarah Palin & Christine O'Donnell's also-not-ready-for-primetime answers to the same damn question).
Monday night's debate between John Adler and Jon Runyan had its share of Tea Party folks posing their wedge issues during the question and answer session. One person asked each candidate if he would vote for their current House leader (Nancy Pelosi for Adler, John Boehner for Runyan) as Speaker if their party were in the majority. Luckily for Runyan, the answer was a no-brainer. But I was surprised at John Adler's response.
Adler is a skilled attorney and politician, and did not give a direct "yes" or "no" answer. Playing into the propaganda propagated by the Tea Party and Fox News, he stated that he felt that Speaker Pelosi was "divisive", and that troubled him. Where has he been?
The capstone legislation of the 111th Congress is, of course, the Affordable Care Act. The House Republicans were just a dead weight in its passage through the labyrinth of legislation. All GOP members abided by their loyalty oath and publicly stated that they would vote "no" on every one of the president's initiatives and obstruct this important bill, even though it is essentially the same bill that the Republicans promoted as an alternative to Hillary Clinton's health care initiative in the '90s. So, as leader, Speaker Pelosi needed to corral all of the Democrats - Liberals, Centrists, and Blue Dogs - to cobble together a bill that they could collectively support. Pelosi is a masterful politician and got the compromises necessary to pass the bill, despite 34 Democrats (including Adler) voting against it. Her ability to bring this diverse group of Democrats under the "big tent" is by no means divisive - on the contrary it is close to miraculous.
Adler's pandering to the right wing's anti-Pelosi (possibly anti-powerful woman) mantra indicates his willingness to swing toward what is required to be re-elected rather than toward what is right and decent. His remarks will encourage other conservative Democrats to mount a challenge to the leadership of one of the most effective Speakers in my lifetime.
I live in Hunterdon County. Leonard Lance, whom I've known for years, is my congressman. It's hard to explain to someone outside this crimson geography Hunterdon's relationship with Lance. He's a known presence on the street, as his father Wesley Lance - who preceded him in both the Assembly and Senate - was. A friendly person, even if you don't always agree.
Why then is Lance ducking a debate with his Democratic challenger, Ed Potosnak, here on Hunterdon home turf? I'm bamboozled.
Potosnak's asked Lance to debate for months. Hearing nothing back, Potosnak accepted 6 debate invitations himself. Potosnak finally heard from Lance last week, a friendly call but without Lance agreeing on the number of debates, location, or dates. (Potosnak also invited Lance on a side-by-side grassroots tour of the District together - yes, he declined).
Now comes word Lance will accept just 2 debates - one for TV (hosted outside NJ-7), and only one in NJ-7 - in Union County. Far away from Lance's home turf. Why is that? You'd think Lance would insist on at least one matchup here where he's served the public his entire adult life, where his father's political legacy still commands respect, where Chris Christie had victory just 11 months ago. Is he concerned his support in the reddest part of NJ-7 has eroded? Lance had 3 Tea Party-inspired opponents - the most of anyone in NJ. Two are from Hunterdon; David Larsen (Tewksbury), the strongest, who's already signaled he's running in 2012, and Alonzo "Lon" Hosford (Milford).
Still, I'm surprised Lance declines to stand up here in this county he's represented for years, and face his opponent. Looks like Middlesex and Somerset get snubbed, too. Two years ago, he wanted more debate with Linda Stender.Is this the same guy? What happens next?
I recently lamented that the debates for NJ-3's congressional seat were in closed-to-the-public radio studios or at for-fee venues. Well, that's no longer the case. John Adler and Jon Runyan will be debating at the JCC in Cherry Hill on October 11 at 7:30PM, and the organizers confirmed to me today that it is open to the public. Prior to the debate, there will be a cocktail reception with an $18 cover charge, but participation at the reception is not required to attend the debate. It should be interesting to see how an ex-footballer who has memorized the Tea Party lines does against the Harvard-educated lawyer.
Representative John Adler and his challenger, Republican Jon Runyan, taped a debate today that will air on Larry Kane's Voice of Reason on Comcast Sunday at 9:30pm (if I understand the schedule correctly.)
According to KYR, both candidates claim to support freedom of religion yet are trying to pressure a religious group to move their house of worship. Do you want to vote for Adler, who calls the Muslims in New York indecent, or Runyan, who calls them "tasteless" ?
If one could believe his words, Runyan apparently would oppose the plan to extend the Bush tax cuts:
Runyan said tax cuts must be matched by spending cuts. He criticized the stimulus package, and said the government was "trying to buy their way out of a recession."
although of course we know that's not actually Republican policy. I think it will be interesting to see if Runyan is lying by commission or ignorance, but it's all moot since Democrats are too weak to let the cuts expire anyway.
Adler did defend the stimulus:
Adler agreed with the need to curb spending, and said he consistently voted against wasteful spending in Congress. But he defended President Obama's stimulus package because it sent millions of dollars to New Jersey and included tax cuts for families.
"To suggest somehow that the stimulus failed because it didn't bring us out of the recession, I think it's one of the political tactics people take when they're desperate," Adler said
Runyan also opposes any timetable in Afghanistan.
In other words, Adler is a lousy Congressman but Runyan will be worse. I hope the debate video is posted online after airing.
via Fred Snowflack, and from NJ-11 Democrats, we find out what went down at Lenape Valley High School in Stanhope last week.
The congressman was having a town hall meeting. And "about five people" - that's "5" - showed up there with signs encouraging Frelinghuysen to debate his Democratic opponent, Doug Herbert.
They weren't making noise, weren't even holding the signs up so everybody could see them. But they were asked to leave. And they said no. So the police were called, and they and their signs were ejected. Mind you, a constituent hand-delivered an invitation to a debate her group - Sparta Unites for our Schools - is having. I can see how that would be unnerving.
I'm here at the NJN radio studios in Trenton. The debate begins in a few minutes and then we'll do some post debate analysis live here on NJN radio. You can listen to the stream of the radio debate here and if you're around, join in on the liveblogging.
They're going up against the Yankee game again tonight. This is expected to be the last debate of the campaign as we only have 12 days until election day. WBGO Evening News Anchor Andrew Meyer and WBGO/WHYY State House Reporter Phil Gregory are the panelists.
I'm set up in the studio:
After the debate, it will be host Keith Farmer, myself, Michael Illions of Conservatives with Attitude and representatives from each campaign offering some analysis.
Tonight at 8pm we have a debate on WBGO and NJN Radio between the three major candidates for governor. Then, stay locked on NJN Radio because the post debate show will feature our own Jason Springer. Michael Illlions will represent the conservative side. I'll just quote Illions:
I applaud NJN for reaching out to the 2 most popular blogs on the left and right and bring us on for our analysis and opinions, rather then then usual party hacks and/or campaign surrogates.
I know Jason will be great because he does such a great job on Blue Jersey Radio.
If you missed the 2nd Gubernatorial debate last night, here's the full video:I was only able to hang around for the beginning of the debate, but JRB did a great live blog of the exchanges. You can also catch some of the post debate spin here, here, here and here.
I've been compiling details and links for the entire debate schedule, as info slowly sifts in. It's a work in progress. Give a shout - contact@bluejersey.com - if you see something needing correction.
The first Governor's Debate, which took place 10/1/09 at NJN will be rebroadcast at NJN Sunday Oct. 4 at 12 noon and 6pm. It's also archived here at njn.net. You'll need an up-to-date flash player.
Next up, are the candidates for Lieutenant Governor:
Lieutenant Governor Debate - Thursday, Oct. 8 When: Thursday, October 8. Doors open 7pm. Audience must be seated by 7:30pm. Debate starts 8pm.
Where: Pollak Theater at Monmouth University
The first-ever Lieutenant Governor debate, called Forum on the Future of New Jersey, is sponsored by Leadership New Jersey.
Format: Debate closes the Forum on the Future of New Jersey (begins 1pm). More on Forum. Watch/Listen: Coverage includes News-12 & 101.5FM. Details here. Submit questions for the candidates here. (interestingly, the form asks several demographic questions, including: Do you consider yourself lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered? Register to attend. Map/Directions.
The rest of the debate schedule, and details of the first one, after the jump - -
It all started so well for the Christie campaign with an invitation to a debate rally and and watching party.
DEBATE RALLY AND WATCHING PARTY
This Thursday, Chris Christie will appear in the first debate of the general election!
Join Christie supporters from all over the state as we rally outside the NJN Studios at 6:00 pm.
And after the Rally, we'll head over to KatManDu on the Waterfront to watch the debate on big screen TVs.
But someone forgot to delete the effective email tips from the template, giving us an opportunity to have some fun with the campaign including this suggestion for promotion:
Try phrases like: dramatic savings, clearance, overstocked, reduced rates, buy 1 get 1 free, treat yourself, you deserve it, and don't miss out.
Ok, I'll take them up on their suggestion:
Since the debate watching party is at the bar, you may want to treat yourself to a drink at reduced rates from happy hour because after watching Christie, you deserve it. And don't miss out on the dramatic savings Christie has realized on lack of printing costs for his plans with details that still don't exist because the Christie campaign has been overstocked with talking points and very short on substance. Maybe you can get a buy 1 and get 1 free deal on no bid contracts.
I don't know if that's what they were hoping for, but it's the best I got.
The GOP candidates are debating on NJ 101.5 is live in a few minutes at 7pm. It's the first time that Rick Merkt will join Chris Christie and Steve Lonegan in an official televised debate.
"Ambition is not a satisfactory substitute for experience,"
You can listen live and feel free to join us with real time commentary in the thread. You can also submit questions via email through the 101.5 website. What do you want and expect to hear?
And here we are for the main event, the much anticipated debate between former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie and former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan.
Let's get an open thread going and hear what Blue Jersey readers have to say about the rhetorical manure about to be thrown across our television screens. Let's have some fun, and for those playing the New Jersey GOP Drinking Game, don't forget to take a shot every time one of the candidates says conservative.
This is the inspiring speech that was delivered on Tuesday night. (The first three minutes are missing due to YouTube time limits).
Garrett can only become weaker as more and more of his constituents discover what/who he truly is. I hope Shulman comes back strong in 2010 and completes the job he started this year.
Parsippany, October 29--Even though Frelinghuysen has raised far more money than Wyka in this election cycle, Wyka has by far the stronger presence on the video-hosting Web sites such as www.YouTube.com, largely because of videos produced by volunteers and by members of the public with no connection to his campaign.
Wyka says, "Frelinghuysen's campaign is money-powered, mine is people-powered. His supporters tend to be corporate interests who cut big checks. My supporters are middle-class people who make smaller donations but roll up their sleeves and work for the campaign. They've been making phone calls and knocking on doors. Some of them have made videos."
Some of the videos on YouTube were produced for the 2006 campaign but are still timely. Others were produced for this election. Still others are clips from public forums and debates.
An independent journalist with no connection to the Wyka campaign made a videorecording of the entire October 26 debate and made it available via the Internet (http://blip.tv/file/1400777). A videorecording of part of a debate from 2006 is also available via the Internet (http://blip.tv/file/9321).
In the videos, Wyka speaks about issues such as campaign finance reform, healthcare reform, support for U.S. troops and veterans, and support for the middle class. Other videos cover Frelinghuysen's record on veterans and the environment, among other issues.
Wyka says, "I have always believed in what Thomas Jefferson said, that an informed democracy will behave responsibly. So it's good that private citizens are videotaping public debates and making them available to everyone with Internet access. It's what the First Amendment is all about."
The debate runs about an hour with a few minutes at the beginning that promotes the college.
Here's my take on the debate....
Clearly Shulman won big on substance; I give Garrett "points" for being more glib and for being able to talk really fast.
Garrett is an "old pro", but his area of "professional" expertise is not in speaking truth. Garrett manifests the worst of the traits that make good honest decent people disgusted with many lawyers.
My sense was that Garrett felt that the faster he talked the less chance there was that anyone would actually have time to think about the nonsense he was spouting...that's an old used car salesman's trick.
Also, Garrett's patronizing and condescending tone/manner was an insulting affront to Rabbi Shulman.
Obviously, Dennis Shulman is blind on a physical level; but the moral and ethical and political blindness of Scott Garrett is a far greater handicap which does, indeed, disqualify him from serving in any public office, let alone the United States Congress.
