No matter how one may feel about each candidate, I think that anyone who throws their hat in the ring and is subject to the scrutiny that comes with that is worthy of respect for having done so.

So, congrats again to each of these three men.

Fellow CWA! poster Sharon Soon and myself.

Here is a brief synopsis of the day’s events:

Congressman Frelinghuysen was the first major speaker to address the conference and he touched on some of the things going on in Washington, such as proposals that will lead to nationalizing health care. He urged everyone to be ‘vigilant’ in opposing the very left-wing legislation coming from the new administration and Congress. And on another note, in no uncertain terms the Congressman said that Nancy Pelosi’s claims of not being briefed on interrogation methods were ‘a lie.’

Minority Leader Alex DeCroce spoke to the attendees about the prospects of winning this year. He said he was ‘charged up’ about this election cycle and felt we had opportunities to win in areas of the state where Republicans haven’t been successful recently. He also urged people to run for office and to not ’sell themselves short’ and that the party needs people ‘from all walks of life.’ The Assembly Leader spoke of the importance of this year’s elections and that in this state (and the nation) we have ‘gone too far left’ and need to bring things back in the other direction.

Matt Rooney of SaveJersey gave a talk about blogging. Matt did a nice job and emphasized the importance of those of us on the right using blogs and other social networks in getting our message out. Obviously, the Democrats and the Obama campaign used these tools to their advantage last year, but if I may inject my own opinion here, I believe we are catching up quite fast in this regard.

Keith Davis, Atlantic County Chairman, effectively laid out Corzine’s long list of failures, calling him the worst Governor in the country (hard to disagree with that!). But Keith also pointed out what he felt were the two biggest challenges we Republicans face: unity and money. Keith called for the party to come together after the June 2nd primary, going on to say we have the right message this year and were poised to bring back competence to Trenton.

Assemblywoman McHose was next up and addressed several issues. She mentioned that the dying print press has led to fewer press people in Trenton and, ergo, less watchful eyes there to report on things going on in the legislature. Assemblywoman McHose also spoke of women in politics, mentioning that the legislature is composed of more women now than at any time before and that she has had a hand in forming Women’s Caucus. She is also working to pass legislation to further transparency in government. Two such pieces of legislation are the Party Democracy Act and the Transparency in Government Act – the latter of which is being co-opted and watered down by Democrats in Trenton. The Assemblywoman also went on to rail against the DEP, an agency that she said is ’strangling’ the state.

Assemblyman Webber followed and also touched on a number of issues. He touted his role in defeating taxpayer funded elections. The Assemblyman also spoke of the need to use technology and for YR’s to get online and network. He spoke of the YR’s as not just the future of the party, saying ‘we are the now of the party’ (the Assemblyman himself only being 37). He urged them to run for office themselves if they saw fit and not to hold back or wait their turn.

Assemblywoman McHose and Assemblyman Webber then fielded questions from the audience and on issues including how to build a better relationship with the YR’s to education. With regards to education, each Assemblyperson put forth some good ideas on state aid and school choice but did not convey a clear idea with respect to combatting the liberal indoctrination so many kids are subject to in schools today which was the premise of the original question. 

Mark Campbell of Campbell Campaigns gave en enjoyable, funny, yet very informative talk about what Republicans need to do to win elections. Mark advocated being a bigger tent and increasing the number of women YR’s. He said the party must be the party of fiscal conservatism and smarter government. In New Jersey, he said voters are asking themselves a) who is most like them and b) would act like them. Not surprisingly, Mark said that likeability is the #1 factor in being elected. Additionally, he pointed out that younger voters vote their hopes while older voters vote their fears. The key, of course, is finding the right way to connect with each voting bloc, as well as being able to communicate in an understandable way with those voters who do not pay close attention to politics. The Republican message, Mark said, needs to ‘resonate on pocketbook issues.’ Lastly, Mark also emphasized the role of YR’s in building the party, although he feared there weren’t enough up and coming leaders right now.

Keynote speaker Andrew Wilkow ensued and delivered an address totally in keeping with his radio program. The conservative talker was not shy about saying the party needed to return to its roots and ‘must advance with principle.’ Wilkow urged conservatives to stand tall and avoid terming themselves ‘moderate’ just to get along and be popular. Wilkow said Democrats are merely promise-makers — making promises ‘whether they are right or wrong, whether they work or not.’ He also accused Democrats of wanting to change people’s entire lives (think health care) because of the issues experienced by the few.

Wilkow, who is also a New Jerseyan, called COAH ‘unworkable.’ In a scenario where people are being shoehorned into ‘affordable housing’ throughout the state, Andrew remarked that ’either others have to pay more or everyone must get less.’

Andrew said that we needed to educate voters and have a ‘rational discussion’ with them. He rejected the idea of consensus as just a recipe for turning good ideas into bad ones. He also stated that the only obstacle we have in our way is government (Amen to that!).

Wilkow also took questions from the audience and was someone who appeared to me to be ‘the real deal.’ He stayed for some time afterwards and was more than happy to talk to those of us in attendance who sought him out. Andrew, if you happen to read this: thanks for coming!

The conference ended with appearances from GOP gubernatorial candidates Richard Merkt and Chris Christie. All in all, it was a great day for those of us who went. While the party still has rebuilding to do and tough challenges ahead, this to me represents a real step in the right direction. No matter who you might be supporting in the primary, I think we can all agree that it’s time for the Republican Party to start fighting back in this state and no longer act like a doormat. Not only do we owe it to ourselves, but we owe it to the voters to give them a clear choice.

For more on the event check out the NJYRF Facebook page.

Cross-posted at Conservatives with Attitude! and Red County.

In large part this poll firmly indicates 2 things: 1) Corzine is unpopular and beatable and 2) Christie is simply benefitting from greater name recognition than Lonegan. #1 is obvious and speaks for itself but let’s look a little closer at #2.

• Among all Registered Voters: 43% are unaware who Christie is, 67% are unaware of who Lonegan is
• Among Republican Voters: 33% are unaware who Christie is, 53% are unaware of who Lonegan is

Steve Lonegan is trailing Christie by 24% and 20% among Registered Voters and Republican Voters, respectively. Quite simply, if Steve is going to have a chance to win this primary, he must – absolutely must – find a way to close this gap in the next few months.

Another component to the poll which is obvious, but needs to be pointed out, is that there are many undecided voters out there still. 

• In a Corzine/Christie match-up, 27% are undecided
• In a Corzine/Lonegan match-up, 31% are undecided
• Among Republican voters, 39% are undecided about which GOP candidate they will be voting for.

As such, there are many ’swayable’ voters – both for the GOP primary – and the upcoming general. The candidate that is best able to bring these voters clearly stands the best chance of winning.

But from a Lonegan camp perspective, the positive is plenty of opportunity still exists. Steve’s team will just have to find a way to capitalize on it.

Cross-posted at Conservatives with Attitude!

More than 230 Bergen County Republican officials formally endorsed Christopher J. Christie’s bid for governor Friday, dealing a setback to his rival, former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan.

Sen. Gerald Cardinale, the long-time conservative stalwart from Demarest and Bergen County Clerk Kathleen Donovan of Rutherford, a social moderate, top the list of prominent officials.

All five GOP legislators representing Bergen endorsed Christie, as did Bergen County Republican Organization Chairman Bob Yudin, whose endorsement is not an endorsement of the entire BCRO. The BCRO will hold its convention on March 19.

Assemblyman Richard Merkt of Morris County and Brian D. Levine of Franklin Township, Somerset County, also are vying for the nomination for governor.

Yudin said “practical politics” led him to back Christie, the former U.S. attorney for New Jersey, over Lonegan, who runs a conservative non-profit group.

“I believe Chris Christie has the best chance of winning,” Yudin said Friday. “It will be a close election, but Christie will carry Bergen County. If he is able to do that, my freeholder candidates will win. For me it is practical politics of who can win in November.”

While the economy is expected to dominate the political agenda this year, polls taken last year showed that public corruption was a major concern for Bergen voters, Yudin said. Christie’s conviction of 132 public officials during his seven-year tenure as U.S. attorney — including his investigation of the Bergen County Democratic Party — will “go a long way toward Christie doing well in Bergen County,” Yudin said.

Lonegan dismissed the endorsement as “proof that Chris Christie is the candidate of the status quo.”

“We are going to win the convention in Bergen County and we’ll win the primary,” Lonegan said. “This is a good old-fashioned insider game against the grassroots, the failed established Republicans versus grass-roots activists and I’m glad to be on the side of the activists.”

Early polls show Christie with a double-digit lead over Lonegan.

Despite my support of conservative Steve Lonegan in this race, I have tried to be open and fair to Mr. Christie. However, to this point I have yet to see or hear anything from Mr. Christie to convince me of his passion and commitment to conservative ideals and conservative solutions for New Jersey. Quite honestly, I am not sure at this point that he can.

On the one hand Steve Lonegan has a long track record of where he stands on the issues. Having been a mayor and State Director of Americans for Prosperity NJ, there is no reason to doubt Steve’s principles.

On the other hand, Mr. Christie does not have a track record. His major accomplishments come as a prosecutor, not as a politician or activist. This makes it difficult for a discerning voter to have faith in his stated positions and not think it’s just saying the things one needs to get elected.

This aside, my frustration with the Republican establishment in this state is growing as this primary period continues. As Mr. Yudin implies, winning at any cost is really their goal. If this means going with the candidate with the “best chance to win” then that is what they will do. You see, ideas and solutions are secondary. Supporting the candidate who actually best represents, and is most committed to, real change is secondary.

This is something that grassroots Republicans in New Jersey need to reject. The ultimate goal is not to have more politicians with (R)’s next to their name in state government; the ultimate goal is to achieve true reform in keeping with our founding principles. True reform that limits government and puts it back on the side of the people.

In order to succeed in this respect, as voters we need to identify and support those candidates we truly believe will do so; not just go with the latest ‘name.’

Cross-posted at Red County.

Former U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie, the latest Republican to enter the New Jersey gubernatorial race, has a slight lead over Democratic incumbent Jon S. Corzine in a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of voters in the state.

Christie leads Corzine 42% to 40%, essentially a toss-up given the poll’s margin of sampling error. Five percent (5%) support some other candidate, and 13% are undecided.

Forty-four percent (44%) approve of the way that Corzine has performed as Governor while 54% disapprove. Those figures include 12% who Strongly Approve and 32% who Strongly Disapprove. The governor is seeking a second four-year term in the elections this November.

Seventy-eight percent (78%) of Republicans back Christie versus Corzine, who has the support of 66% of New Jersey Democrats. A plurality of unaffiliated voters prefer Christie, but 25% remain undecided.

My first reaction to this poll is clearly it’s good news for Republicans. Governor Corzine is clearly not too popular right now and the door is open to unseat him in November.

Of course, next time Rasmussen Reports runs their poll we’d like to see how the other Republican candidates, Steve Lonegan and Richard Merkt, are faring versus the Governor as well. After all, Mr. Christie hasn’t won anything yet. In fact, he might not win at all.

Understanding the state’s problems and having real solutions to those problems is what really matters. But Christie’s record on the issues is mostly unknown. As my fellow blogger Michael Illions has pointed out on Conservatives with Attitude! the only things we do know about him are not too encouraging for conservatives.

Is he still Pro-Choice and Anti-2nd Amendment like he was in the 90’s when he ran, and lost, for the State Assembly.

Does he really believe that illegal immigration is not really illegal or a crime, and just a paper work mishap, like he suggested at a press conference?

Does he really believe, like Jon Corzine does, that the answer to ‘Big Government’ is that there are to many towns/municipalities in New Jersey, again like he suggested at a press conference?

In fact, Christie’s comments about illegal immigration caught the attention – and wrath – of Lou Dobbs which led to this segment on his TV show:

Ouch!

Sorry, as I said it’s not enough just to have a strong prosecutorial record. Christie now needs to step forward and find a way to explain his comments on illegal immigration. And quite soon, he also needs to come forward and clearly present his views on the many vital issues facing the state.

While I’m on the subject of Christie’s candidacy, a while back I posted here at GSP that the media and some bloggers were already attemping to anoint him the Republican nominee (this, of course, even before he entered the race). Since Christie announced his intention this is exactly what we have been subject to.

- We have article like this one from the Courier Post Online: Christie’s entry into the race is good for voters Based on what?

- Or this from NJ.com: “For the GOP, the news is welcome.” Really? Who did they speak to in the GOP? Did they do a poll?

- An article at centraljersey.com entitled, Christie for governor sounds right for voters, gives us this little gem as if they speak for voters (let alone Republican voters): 

Things are looking up for New Jersey, believe it or not. Christie’s candidacy has long been assumed, and he has been viewed for years as the Republicans’ best chance to unseat Gov. Jon S. Corzine. That he is, and the GOP should rally around him, beginning right now.

- Even outfits like redstate.com knee-jerkingly tried to spur their ‘army’ on to support him, seemingly ignorant of Christie’s stance on the above-mentioned issues as well as the credentials of a candidate like Steve Lonegan.

- Heck, even radio talker Steve Malzberg, who is as conservative as they come, has thrown his support to Christie while not even having the other candidates, Steve Lonegan and Richard Merkt, grace his airwaves.

Frankly, as a voter who is concerned about issues I’m tired of this celebrity-like mentality we have vis-a-vis our political candidates. Whether or not Christie is the best person for this job, voters deserve a serious candidate. They should listen carefully to what they say and what their solutions are. They should make judgments about their character and leadership abilities. They shouldn’t be making their choice based on name recognition, how they look on camera, or who Internet bloggers and ‘journalists’ say is their ‘best bet’ to win.

Generally, these estimates are based on the premise that for every $1 billion spend by New Jersey on capital construction projects, between 11,000 and 35,000 jobs will be created.

 

“The only problem with this boast is that it is based on a distorted interpretation of a statement contained in a 2002 study by the federal Department of Transportation, which even the DOT has tried to correct,” explained Merkt.

The article goes on to point out that any jobs created by these projects would come at the expense of private sector jobs. In other words, this is a jobs transfer program, not jobs creation program.

In sum: No jobs. More debt. Sounds like a fitting slogan for the Corzine years.