Congressional wannabe John Runyan made millions of dollars playing a game (protected by a government-sanctioned monopoly) in hundred million dollar taxpayer-financed stadiums. Upon retirement, he promptly took a government subsidy to turn his luxury McMansion into a hobby farm.
Thankfully, Congressman John Adler is taking him to task for it.
Last week, County Party Committees reported their net worth or (in some cases) their debt. The detailed results are available at the NJ ELEC website, but here are some highlights:
Democratic committees are prospering in Passaic ($629,688); Camden County (315,487); and Bergen (271,243.)
Some Democratic committees are deep in the hole: Burlington Co is in the red for about 100k. Hudson is worse in a $181,723 hole. Ouch.
On the GOP side, BurlCo takes the prize. At $719,804, it's the wealthiest committee in the state for both parties.
The GOP lags badly in Warren, Essex and Cumberland Counties which report less than $1,000 net worth.
Curious about the net worth of your County's committee? Leave a comment, take a guess. I'll reply with the tally promptly.
It's been tough going for Jon Runyan recently and he hasn't gotten the most favorable coverage recently. That's why PolitickerNJ has him listed as a loser in their weekly recap of "Winners and Losers:"
The only good news for the former offensive lineman is that he's still competing in the 3rd Congressional District, which has Republican roots going back to reconstruction. His handlers keep telling him that U.S. Rep. Jon Adler (D-Cherry Hill) can make every master chessman's move in the manual and still fall short of his goal in a district naturally weighted toward the GOP. That may very likely prove true. But that didn't ameliorate what on one level has been a bad news couple of weeks for Runyan, whose ideas on the economy the Asbury Park Press proclaimed "stunningly naive." Examining the results of an Adler campaign poll this week that has the incumbent improbably up by 17 points, Chris Silliza of the Washington Post wrote nonetheless, "Republicans had high hopes for Runyan, a former Pro Bowl offensive lineman. He has struggled with his fundraising, though, and the race hasn't risen to the level of a top GOP priority despite the competitiveness of the district." It's not that we believe the poll is a rock solid reflection of the contest by any means, but the perception right now is that Runyan as a candidate is struggling to find his stride.
When the only good news is that you're still in the race, that's a problem. Perception can easily become reality unless action is taken to correct the problem. Here is the assessment of Brigid Harrison:
"Jon Runyan has not raised the kind of money that would bring about the recognition and support of national party leaders," said Brigid Harrison, a political scientist from Montclair State University.
Analysts had "expected his friends in professional football and his business contacts would step up to the plate and give generously, and we have not seen that happen," Harrison said. "When that occurs, the national party has a tendency to set its sights on more viable candidates."
The trump card still remains Runyan's ability to write a check to his own efforts, to which half of his money raised has already come from. But if things keep going the way they are and don't change, his money will be the only card left in the deck to play.
Republicans had high hopes for Runyan, a former Pro Bowl offensive lineman. He has struggled with his fundraising, though, and the race hasn't risen to the level of a top GOP priority despite the competitiveness of the district.
Runyan's latest fundraising shows him at $650K raised, with $470K Cash on Hand and of that total money, he's given $300K from his own bank account. With those increased numbers from Runyan, Adler still maintains a 4-1 fundraising advantage with over $2 million in the bank. Adler's camp also released a poll yesterday showing Runyan trailing far behind, though its still very early in the game with plenty of time left. This race will remain one to watch.
Despite the worst oil spill in history, Jon Runyan still wants to drill baby drill. You wonder what it would take to change his opinion and I can't imagine beach residents in Ocean County are going to like this position:
Since the disaster, Runyan said he still favors drilling off New Jersey's coast.
"We have to sit down and get our regulations straight and make sure they are applied, and once that's done, I don't have a problem with it," he said.
Adler has already tried to point to the difference in positions:
Minutes after Runyan won the June 8 GOP primary, Adler was on NJN public television from Washington saying he was "very, very surprised" that Runyan supported drilling off the Jersey coast.
Adler's distinction is that he opposes drilling off the Jersey shore and Virginia coast, but if they want it in the Gulf that's their call. As Oil continues to flow into the gulf, you wonder if this position will hurt Runyan with the voters particularly in the shore areas of his district. Here's a live camera shot of the oil flow:
With tar balls now hitting the Texas beaches, the impact of this oil spill has been felt by every state touching the Gulf. The two candidates will have their first debate on the Michael Smerconish show tomorrow morning and I'm sure this issue will come up.
Reading the Asbury Park Press Editorial which took a look at Jon Runyan's 1st press confefence of the general election, I kept thinking it could be something written by us here at Blue Jersey. First they began:
...novice politician Jon Runyan revealed that while he may not have a knack for macroeconomics, he has a great feel for pandering to potential voters.
A great feel for pandering, ok. But they took a look at some of his actual proposals too:
In unveiling the "Runyan 8-point Plan to Lower Taxes, Improve the Economy & Create Jobs," he revealed an appalling lack of understanding about how to do any of those things. His ideas about Social Security, in particular, were stunningly naive.
Stunningly naive and a great feel for pandering. Things are not going well for the S.S. Runyan on its maiden press conference voyage. Here's how the APP summed things up:
He apparently made all these promises with a straight face. And no answer to how the federal government, facing record and growing deficits, would compensate for the untold billions in lost revenue.
There is some truth to the maxim that anything that can be put in a nutshell probably belongs there - bullet-pointed 8-point plans among them.
I couldn't even read the editorial with a straight face, so I have no idea how he was able to get through this nonsense without cracking. In conclusion, the APP believes that Jon Runyan is a novice, pandering and stunningly naive with no answers. If things continue to go like this, the best thing to happen to John Adler could be Jon Runyan running against him on the ballot.
The candidates certainly are not wasting any time in the 3rd Congressional District campaign. Having already exchanged barbs in the media repeatedly, the first debate is already scheduled and it will follow the fireworks on the 4th of July:
Rep. John Adler, D-N.J., and Republican challenger Jon Runyan will participate in the first debate of the 3rd Congressional District election campaign on July 7.
The debate will be aired live on Michael Smerconish's morning radio show, which is broadcast locally from 5 to 9 a.m. on 1210 AM.
I find it interesting that they're debating so early and on Smerconish's show as he's no amateur. Adler will have to manage expectations going into the debate so as to not make Runyan just showing up a victory. It will be good to hear where he stands on some of the major issues and if he gets past the talking points he's memorized so well. A funny note, 1210am which will broadcast the debate spelled the beginning of the end for Chris Myers in 2008 as an appearance on the Dr. Mazz show led to this television ad:
After covering the election night victory speech by Jon Runyan, who was joined by surprise guest Chris Christie because Diane Gooch wasn't doing well in the results, Zach Fink had this take for Runyan:
Far be it for me to give anybody advice, but if I were Runyan's handlers I might call on the Governor to do all the talking in this race. Perhaps Christie can run for Congress in the 3rd while simultaneously running the state. After all, he is very popular in the district ( perhaps at an all-time high ), and the Governor is a natural campaigner. Adler will no doubt be a tough opponent, but I think Christie can beat him.
Christie did the majority of the speaking after the victory and then Runyan gave a short follow up. So of course I couldn't pass up an opportunity like Fink presented and had some fun with photoshop:
Runyan released a signed pledge to serve only four terms, or eight years, in Congress if elected.
"Today we find ourselves saddled with a system that makes it nearly impossible to defeat an incumbent Congressman due to their close ties to powerful special interests, vast powers of incumbency . . . and congressional districts that are gerrymandered to rob voters of competitive elections," he wrote.
Runyan acknowledged that few Washington politicians have actually stuck by term limit pledges.
Sure, few actually stand by the pledge, but Runyan will take it anyway. If he wanted to get rid of John Adler, one term would be enough, so I was curious about the significance of the 8 years. Why not 6 or 10? What can a member of Congress in the minority accomplish in just four terms? Runyan says the biggest problem is that elected officials are always focused on the next election, which I think is a valid concern to raise, but then why will he focus on that 3 times after his initial election if it's such a big concern?
Maybe it's not about accomplishments, but about retirement security. See after five years, Runyan would be fully vested in the Federal Employee Retirement System deferred annuity - which means he could pick up a retirement check when he turns 65. It's not like Runyan needs the money, but it's curious how he arrived at his limit.
Something happened on the way to Jon Runyan self funding a campaign flush with cash and cruising to a challenge against John Adler in November. With his fundraising numbers lagging and endorsements going against him, Jon Runyan is attacking the primary opponent. Here's the latest straight negative mailer Runyan sent to voters against Murphy:
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It's funny that the candidate who held a press conference to clean out his own closet is attacking someone else's problems. It's unlikely Murphy, who has only raised $12,000 total actually could pull of a victory. But the fact that Runyan has had to spend precious resources in a primary they never expected to have on defining his opponent and not himself is certainly something to take note of. So much for that clear path leaving a strong candidate for the general.
Justin Murphy is upset because he says Jon Runyan is stealing his yard signs. Normally, I wouldn't write about an issue like this and the Murphy campaign shouldn't waste their time putting out releases on it either, but the release they sent out the other day contained something I've never seen before:
"We are appalled at the cheap tactics of the Runyan campaign," said an anonymous spokesman for the Justin Murphy campaign. "We have worked very hard to get literature and signage for our campaign. We are trying to run a straight up campaign effort, and having their workers directed to steal our signage is a cheesy practice," the spokesmen continued.
Anonymous spokesman? Really? That's like an invisible road sign.
Third Congressional District candidate Jon Runyan reports $135,000 cash on hand, according to campaign consultant Chris Russell.
It's $2,000 less than what he finished the quarter with exactly a month and a half ago. Between then and now he reported raising just over $75,000.
The former NFL offensive lineman has raised a total of $226,000, including $100,000 of his own money.
Compare that haul to another Republican self financing hopeful challenging a Democratic Incubment in Diane Gooch:
Sixth Congressional District Republican candidate Diane Gooch has nearly $250,000 in her campaign warchest, according to the Federal Election Commission.
Gooch spokeswoman Toni Angelini said over 300 people from the 6th District have contributed over $110,000 to the GOP establishment candidate.
Now these are only primary endorsements, so it's not like the CC GOP neglected to publicize an endorsement of a Democrat over a Republican. In fact, they neglected to say the chosen candidate of the bosses in the 3rd district was passed over:
The Third District's Republican primary is getting a lot of attention because it includes former Philadelphia Eagles player Jon Runyan, who faces Tabernacle lawyer Justin Murphy.
The two match up pretty evenly in their positions, but because he seems to have a better grasp of the issues before Congress, the endorsement goes to JUSTIN MURPHY. Navy veteran Murphy came in a close third in his 2008 bid for this same nomination.
I'm sure this is just an innocent oversight and am glad I could be there to remind them of all the endorsements made by the Inquirer. I guess the Inquirer wasn't moved by Runyan's pocket constitution.
Tonight, I attended the "debate" in Willingboro among the candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Jersey's Third Congressional District. I put the word "debate" in quotes because the sanctioned candidates from each party (Jon Runyan for the GOP and John Adler for the Democrats) were conspicuously absent1.
The challengers to the establishment candidates were Barry Bendar for the Democrats and Justin Murphy for the Republicans. There were about 100 people in attendance, and the program was moderated by Ersula Cosby, an attorney from Bucks County who did an excellent job of running the debate. The atmosphere was collegial with a cooperative audience and no fireworks. Questions had to be submitted in advance, and no follow-up questions from the audience were permitted.
Both candidates presented themselves as the anti-establishment choice, decrying the political bosses of their respective parties. Murphy proudly proclaimed himself a "right-wing Republican" and Bendar explained his disappointment with Adler, for whom he campaigned in 2008.
I won't repeat their stance on many of the issues - the reader can learn about these at the candidates' web site, or from the "mainstream media" (Burlington County Times, Courier Post, and Asbury Park Press were there) or they can pretty much figure out where a "Progressive Democrat" and a "Right Wing Republican" stand on the major concerns of the day. Rather, I'll give my take on where the two agree (sometimes surprisingly), provide some highlights, and mention where they may differ from their party's dogma.
On Health Care, both candidates agreed that everyone should have health insurance and that preventative care should be a priority. Bendar asserts that health care is a right, and supports "single payer." Murphy contends that health care is not a right, and was not clear on how everyone could be insured without a government-run single payer system. Both agreed that "bureaucrats" should not get between a doctor and a patient, but Bendar's assumption was that the bureaucrats were insurance company personnel and Murphy's was that the bureaucrats were government workers. Bendar said, "You shouldn't have to make a [medical] decision based on money." Interestingly, Murphy asserted that (despite being an attorney and successful small businessman) he has spent most of his adult life without health insurance. He pledged to forfeit any Federal health insurance benefit if elected.
On the lightning rod issue of abortion, Murphy is fiercely anti-choice, stating that he firmly believes that life begins at conception. Bendar follows the Progressive line of contending that the Federal government should not intervene in what is a personal decision, although to me he seemed uncomfortable discussing this issue.
On Energy, both candidates agreed that nuclear energy needs to be part of the solution. Murphy wants to double the number of nuclear reactors in the next 10 years. I was disappointed in Bendar's response that nuclear energy in the short term is acceptable, especially given the proximity of the Oyster Creek facility in his home town. Neither candidate addressed the problem of disposal of nuclear waste. Unsurprisingly, both agreed that we need more wind and solar power, but Murphy downplayed the effectiveness of renewable energy in reducing our dependence on foreign oil. He also favors offshore drilling, stating "we have to be tougher than one oil spill." He would like to drill off New Jersey and have the royalties go directly to fund education. (Like most Tea Partiers, he favors abolishing the Department of Education.) Disappointingly, neither candidate mentioned conservation or CAFE standards as a part of the energy solution.
When asked what their top priority would be if elected, unsurprisingly both mentioned jobs. Bendar wants to penalize companies for sending jobs overseas, and Murphy believes that corporate regulation and taxes are impeding the economy and job creation. He wants the IRS abolished and capital gains taxes eliminated.
On gun control, Murphy would not support the bill currently before the House that would require background checks before a private gun sale could be consummated. He argues that criminals will have guns, anyway. Bendar supports the Second Amendment but finds no reason for private citizens to own assault weapons.
Oddly, there was a question about the Separatist movement. I was relieved to hear that both candidates agreed that this issue was settled in 1865.
On immigration, Murphy contends that the Federal government has failed miserably, and that profiling in some cases is acceptable because "we are a nation at war with radical Islamic terrorists." Again, Bendar seemed uncomfortable or unprepared on this topic with a response that was wishy-washy at best.
On "too big to fail", both agreed that companies should be allowed to fail, if necessary, but Bendar supports a plan for a "soft landing" for the affected workforce.
Besides Adler and Runyan, something else was conspicuous by its absence. There was absolutely no mention of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and their toll on the lives of our soldiers and our national budget. Apparently, these wars have faded into the background and neither party is willing to bring them to a close.
1After the debate was over, the organizers said that although Adler and Runyan were invited, Adler had to be in Washington for a vote and that Runyan never responded to their invitation. I asked the moderator whether or not the candidates were permitted to send a proxy, but she was unable to answer that question.
An email plopped into our Inbox at contact@BlueJersey.com a few hours ago. Attached is a Google document that when the image resolves, purports to be a voters' sign-in sheet from the June 3, 2008 Primary, headlined: CERTIFIED BY THE BURLINGTON COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF ELECTIONS.
Justin-Michael Murphy, DOB 12/27/1965 appears signed in with a signature.
See, on Wednesday, the Camden County GOP posted what looks like a screen shot from Politifax, the political newsletter edited by Nick Acocella, in a snarky, disapproving tone proclaiming Justin Murphy "Loser" for not voting in the 2008 GOP congressional primary. In which he was a candidate. The GOP site adds its own commentary, an accounting - unattributed and without links - of a crappy voting record for some of the rest of Murphy's ticket too. Camden County's Republican Committee has endorsed Murphy's GOP opponent Jon Runyan, and his ticket.
Shall we take this image as proof Murphy did in fact cast that 2008 vote? Who's to know? It was released on Friday, just before offices close. Courier Post reports that the office of the Burlington County Superintendent of Elections wouldn't verify the validity of the poll signature statement that Murphy emailed, and that the superintendent was out of town until next week.
Challenged on his GOP voting history, Murphy lashed out at Runyan's own spotty voting record. That Runyan got himself photographed at a Dem fundraiser, only registered as a Republican a few months ago, and has yet to vote in even one GOP primary.
The GOP side of this race is mind-numbing, with the Football Republican Runyan celebritizing the trouble in his background, and stepping in donkey droppings. And Murphy dripping his stupid all over the newspaper. Frustrating pickings for voters in NJ-3. Rep. John Adler will be a priority for the DCCC, but has trouble energizing his base. Adler's primary challenger, Barry Bendar, has a sharp uphill climb and not much money to run on. And the GOP candidates are trying to out GOP each other. I wish I found it funny.
Former Tabernacle Township Committeeman Justin Murphy sought the Republican nomination for Congress in 2008, but he didn't vote for himself. According to records from the Burlington County Superintendent of Elections, Murphy did not cast a vote in the June 2008 primary. He did vote in 2009.
Quite frankly, if you can't vote for yourself, why should anyone else bother putting their support in your hands? It's going to make it difficult for Murphy to attack Runyan on his voting record. Good thing for Murphy, there is plenty more in Runyan's closet to scrutinize.
Maybe the lesson here is that Sports Illustrated is a lot more forgiving than the opposition research anybody with a couple hours and familiarity with the internets can dig up. Though, come to think of it, Sports Illustrated is pretty good at that, too.
With uncomfortable details leaking out routinely now about Jon Runyan's past decisions, the NJ-3 GOP candidate is rushing to get out in front of them all, just in time and weeks months after the wet slimies started crawling out from under the rocks.
Runyan called a press conference for damage control of his dirty laundry, which includes 2 lawsuits and 33 late payments on his property taxes. It should certainly be noted by journalists, and will be noted here, that Football Republican Runyan isn't coming clean to come clean, he's coming clean because he's being forced to. Maybe the Associated Press is easily star-struck, becuase they lapped up what he served, reporting bad news like good news. Disappointing.
At his presser he promised to "open the floodgates" and provided some detail about the lawsuits, a tax lien on a business he owned and those 33 late property tax payments (memo to Chris Christie: collect on Mr. Runyan and maybe that's a teacher or 2 that don't have to get canned) on houses estates in Mount Laurel and Texas.
I take ownership of every mistake I've ever made in my life, and I think that makes me a better person for it.
Okay, Mr. Runyan. But I'll bet your GOP handlers wished they did better vetting, and a little earlier, like before the property tax embarrassment, the lawsuits, your little donkey problem, the fact that you frequently skip voting, etcetera, etcetera.
Jon Runyan Watch: a good place to track the presumptive GOP nominee.
Republican Jon Runyan, a newcomer to politics, likewise has declined to debate his opponent, Justin Murphy, who ran in a GOP primary for this seat two years ago and came in a close third. Runyan has been on the trail as well, meeting with largely Republican groups.
"This kind of Rose Garden strategy tends to be the purview of powerful, entrenched incumbents," said Montclair State University political scientist Brigid Harrison. "It tends not to be the purview of people who have not run for public office before."
Runyan's been taking heat over ducking debates, but he's hoping his name recognition and pocket constitution win the day. The Adler campaign last week put out a map comparing the appearances around district. Here's Adler's stops and here are Runyan's. Yesterday, they followed up putting out this video of residents asking, "Where are you, Jon Runyan?":
As Jon Runyan ventures out onto the campaign trail, he's sure to get many questions that will give us an idea of where he stands. We'll try to keep track here at Blue Jersey. He was recently asked how he feels about the Employee Free Choice Act:Maybe he forgets the fact that the only reason he's able to sell people on the idea he may finance his own campaign, getting him the nomination is because of the efforts of the NFL Players union. He probably wasn't trashing them when he was cashing those checks. I'm not really sure how card check polls in the 3rd district and some speculate that Democrats missed their opportunity by not tackling the issue right after the President was elected. As the race goes on and Runyan has to say where he stands, we'll see more on the differences between the candidates. And we'll see what else Runyan benefited from in his prior careers, that he will now begin to trash as he seeks his next opportunity.
Well this is fun. As Jon Runyan brings his pocket constitution to try and woo the tea party vote, not everyone is buying his act. Late yesterday, we got this statement from the Burlington County Tea Party founder Bill Haney:
"Jon Runyan is becoming a joke around the District," said Bill Haney, founder of the Burlington County Tea Party. "Runyan has been offered, what?...four or five opportunities to debate Murphy and to prove that he is the better candidate and he keeps saying he is busy?! That's a load of chicken....manure.
But they were far from done. Apparently Runyan informed the Veterans for Education group that he would not participate in the debate they were proposing, but didn't bother to call. He had his campaign manager send an email saying he respectfully declined to participate:
"First of all, that is a slap in the face of all veterans. You don't send an email! That is really bush league. Secondly, you don't respectfully decline...that is not a reason, that's an excuse and a lame one at that," said Haney. He went on to say that the Runyan campaign is ducking the debate because their candidate would expose his weaknesses which in Haney's words "are legendary...Runyan couldn't tell you the difference between the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and taxi cab."
And it wasn't just Runyan who was the object of their attacks. They said the Republican party in all three counties should be ashamed of themselves:
"they found a guy who can spend his own money and they convinced him that he was smart enough to be a Congressman. I feel sorry for Jon because Adler will make a fool out of him if he gets past the primary. The party bosses should be taken outside and have the snot kicked out of them. Maybe Runyan will do that after he loses the primary."
Can I just say that I love Republican primaries. Primaries in general are entertaining, but the right side really knows how to put on a show. Below the fold, I'll put a list of debates and opportunities that Runyan has declined.
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