NJ-Sen: Kean up by 7%.

[AuH2O]

That's not what I've heard from NJ Democrats, maybe you know more of them than me. I doubt it though. Polls also indicated that Andrews was a stronger candidate.

[WalterMitty]

when was the last time the people of the nj actually elected someone decent to any office?

sadly, i dont expect them to start now.

[minionofmidas]

That's not what I've heard from NJ Democrats, maybe you know more of them than me. I doubt it though. Polls also indicated that Andrews was a stronger candidate.

I recall that they didn't...

Andrews is popular in the South of Jersey.

[AuH2O]

That's not what I've heard from NJ Democrats, maybe you know more of them than me. I doubt it though. Polls also indicated that Andrews was a stronger candidate.

I recall that they didn't...

Andrews is popular in the South of Jersey.

NJ is a Democratic state. He wouldn't have to dominate north Jersey to win, just hold Democrats and grab a few independents, while racking up votes in the south.

Either way, Kean is the Democrats' worst nightmare, but Menendez basically is going to lose and Corzine knew that.

[minionofmidas]

You want an example of why the Republicans *probably* won't win?


Here.

The rest of us don't "deserve" to pay for Jon Corzine's mistake, if it indeed turns out to be a mistake. Should we also "pay" for the fact he's a slimeball that he ditched his wife and only used his big fat checkbook to steamroller his Senate job?

He was married to his wife for something like 30 years. You really have no idea what happened to his marriage. And I wish you could tell how Corzine is a "slimeball". No one can ever give specifics about how either Corzine or Menendez are "slimeballs". It's basically just another right-wing talking point with no substance.

And my god, talk about overreacting to one poll! This is New Jersey and Menendez still has a pretty good shot of winning. The Democrats are much more organized and will probably have more money in this race.

You seriously have no idea what you are talking about.  You want examples of Corzine being slime?  He embraced, funded, and was clearly and was ACCORDING TO HIS OWN WORDS "loyal" and connected to such disgustingly corrupt characters as McGreevey, Kushner, Toricelli, and Norcross.  He also voted for bills to obviously benefit himself and hurt the country, supposedly payed off news stations so they wouldn't air his scandals, and pays off union leaders for support.  Possibly one of the best ever is when his political puppeteers put him up on stage right before McGreevey resigned and had him say what a great Governor he was.

Independently of the truth content, that kind of rhetoric is extremely polarizing and is the best campaign strategy to ensure high turnout among North Jersey Dems and Dem-leaners. (It also reminds me a lot of how the Italian left attacks Berlusconi, and why Berlusconi is a lot more popular than he has any right to be. Mind you, North Jersey machine dems may be slimebags, but they're models of sainthood compared to Berlusconi. Still, the mechanism is the same: ) "Don't tell me I'm stupid!" for voting for these people. Ah bah, it's all lies! Or whatever! Anyways I won't vote for you!
Bush, to a lesser degree, profited from the same phenomenon in his elections.

I'm not saying that Menendez is a particulary good candidate, by the way. Codey would have been far better, no debate about that.

[minionofmidas]

I'm not saying that Menendez is a particulary good candidate, by the way. Codey would have been far better, no debate about that.

Ugh, why does everyone keep bringing Codey up.  He would be a terrible candidate considering that he has stated numerous times that he hates politics and will NEVER run for office!  I don't think someone who wouldn't be running for re-election would be a good candidate.

Well, yes. He has by now declined a run a little too often and too loudly to be able to change his mind gracefully, at least for 2006. That chance is over.

[Adlai Stevenson]

I am annoyed at Corzine's decision to run for Governor; was it the embarrasment of his losses as DSCC chairman?  I wish he had lost for Governor now or that Codey had run and won.  Would Kean have run against Corzine and would he have been as effective?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Yeah, but people LIKE Andrews. No one likes Menendez. In elections, that matters.

Except in NJ.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Yeah, but people LIKE Andrews. No one likes Menendez. In elections, that matters.

Except in NJ.

So do you think people like Bachmann in her district?  Or is it that when YOU oppose a candidate there is a special reason for his/her victory?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Yeah, but people LIKE Andrews. No one likes Menendez. In elections, that matters.

Except in NJ.

So do you think people like Bachmann in her district?  Or is it that when YOU oppose a candidate there is a special reason for his/her victory?

It wouldn't suprise me if they do. The area between the northern metro and St. Cloud is the Bible Belt of Minnesota and a religious right stronghold. I've given up on that area, if they want to keep electing loons and embarass themselves to the rest of the state, go ahead.

[Rob]

In any case, this cycle is important because Democrats have got to be nervous about 2008... a strong 2006 showing would go a long way towards building momentum for the big show in '08.

Cool.