Pallone’s Vulnerability Exposed
Reports out of Long Branch are that Frank Pallone was shocked and dismayed that he lost his first election ever last night.
The story is that it took him two hours after the Associated Press called the primary for Cory Booker to show up at McLoone’s Pier House because he was holed up in his office, unable to compose himself. It was only after he heard the media was leaving that he was able to pull himself together and join his own party while Senate nominee Cory Booker was delivering his victory speech on live TV from Newark.
But the big story, and what Pallone should really be upset about, is not that he lost a primary few thought he could win, but that he is now exposed as vulnerable for reelection in the 6th Congressional District. Pallone performed poorly in his Middlesex and Monmouth base.
Numbers and graphics from Politico.
Pallone supporters could make the argument, and it is a fair one, that Pallone and Congressman Rush Holt doomed each other in Middlesex and Monmouth. We don’t have town by town numbers, but it is a safe bet that the support that both Holt and Pallone got in Middlesex, where they got 58% of the vote combined, came from the towns they represent in the House of Representatives. Similarly in Monmouth, where Holt represented much of the county until last year, the local congressmen combined for 62% of the vote over Booker, but cancelled each other out.
NJCD6
Unless a wealthy self-funding candidate emerges, it is unlikely a Republican could beat Pallone in 2014. Monmouth County has plenty of talented and worthy Republicans who could carry the Monmouth portion of the district, as Anna Little did in 2010, but no one who could carry the Middlesex portion with the possible exception of Middletown Committeeman Tony Fiore, who hails from Carteret. Middlesex County doesn’t have any Republicans who can beat Pallone. Chris Christie is the only Republican who has carried Middlesex in recent memory.
But a Democrat could beat Pallone in a primary next June.
Former Edison Mayor Jun Choi already has about $500K in a federal fundraising account. Former Monmouth County Chairman Victor Scudiery says he would like Hazlet business leader Cliff Moore, a candidate for Hazlet Township Committee this year, to run. “Tea Party Democrat” Mark Falzon tried to run a primary challenge against Pallone in 2010 but his petition was disqualified. Falzon can’t beat Pallone in a primary, but he could pull enough Bayshore Reagan Democrats away from Pallone to make Choi more viable and give the Bayshore Tea Party Group something productive to do next spring.
More from my site
Does Pallone have the fortitude to run for U.S. Senate?
FDU Public Mind Poll is bad news for Frank Pallone and the politicos who want to replace him
DiBella Takes A Pass On Challenging Pallone
Scudiery Endorsing Booker For U.S. Senate, Bashes Pallone
Cullari: Little Blew It Against Pallone
Who Should Challenge Pallone?
Golden Not Running Against Pallone
Bayshore Tea Party Group Boasts of 1000 Members, Staunch Backers of Anna Little
Anna Little Announces That She’s Running Against Pallone in 2014- Little not running against Pallone
A few years back (2010), Diane Gooch beat the pants off Anna Little in Middlesex County. Little beat Gooch in Monmouth. I have no doubt that Gooch would’ve beaten Pallone in the general election.
I thought Pallone might do a little bit better but keep in mind he was up against one of the two most popular pols in the state (Booker) and Holt being on the ballot certainly cut into Pallone’s support.)
Starting point for the R’s in the 6th would be having a candidate that was able to at least run a competitive race. I believe that would have to be an current (or recently current) office-holder in the Legislature, Freeholder, etc. Would also have to have major financial backing. Even with all of that, a win is still a major stretch.
For all the stats mentioned above, it’s a shame that this great blog hasn’t devoted much attention to the amount of taxpayers’ money that was wasted in yesterday’s special election.
Anecdotally …
I worked as a poll worker yesterday in Ocean County. There were five of us working at that particular election district. 4 of us will get paid $200 each for our labor (5:15AM to 8:15PM). One worker received an extra $25 because she picked up and dropped off various election materials (e.g., the results) at town hall.
Total cost to the taxpayers for the five polls workers at my particular voting district: $1,025.
Total number of Republicans and Democrats who actually cast ballots at the polls during the 14 hours that the polls were open (this doesn’t include those voting by mail): 30
Cost per vote for just the poll workers (not including votes by mail): $34.16 per vote.
This is in addition to whatever expenses the county spent. The township, for example, had to pay overtime to those working in their clerk’s office and who worked until 10PM yesterday. I am sure the Ocean County Board of Elections incurred addition expenses as well.
I won’t feel any guilt cashing the check from the County when it arrives in the mail. I earned the money I will receive. That said, this election was a waste of money. Anyone that calls Christie a fiscal conservative is fooling himself.
What I just read is:
“Democracy, it is a waste of money!” ~ Molon Labe
“Democracy”, reading isn’t something that you do well.
Don’t worry, Moron Labe has already been discredited as a miserable and hateful person who likes to throw out ad hominum and pejorative attacks at respected elected officials.
Stop with drinking the Kook Aid talking points and learn that there were sound reasons for doing a special election. Otherwise, again STFU.
Signed,
Silence Dogood, Redux
I’m curious as to what everyone thinks the final numbers would have looked like in Middlesex and Monmouth were either Pallone or Holt not in the race.
Booker won almost 60% of the vote, and either would have lost soundly if they were alone in the race. Did Pallone win any county other than Monmouth?
Since we are kicking numbers around, there is a breakdown on Politico by county here for anyone interested:
http://www.politico.com/2013-election/results/senate/primary/new-jersey/
The only good thing about losing in a landslide is that you don’t wake up the next day saying “if I had only done (fill in the blank) I would have won.”
Tommy…to try to answer your question, even if Holt or Pallone picked up 2/3 of the other guys numbers, its still Booker taking the victory lap by a wide margin
Tommy…just realized you were specifically talking about Monmouth and Middlesex……regarding either Pallone or Holt not being in the race…some voters probably stay home…..if people wanted an alternative to Booker it could help the one in the race a bit in Monmouth and Middlesex…..still a wipeout statewide
Mr. Spartan (molon labe) is just upset that Anna Little didn’t run again.
Oh and by the way-
‘Molon Labe: “Democracy”, reading isn’t something that you do well.’
The comma goes inside of the parentheses. So you can take the stones you like to throw around back there buddy.
AH HAHAHAHA!
I’m pretty sure ‘molon labe’ is crazed. First he connects his name to YouTube videos of doomsday preppers.
NOW on his comments above, he has his screen name linked to a another video for something called “Fantasy Fest 2011” and a video for the “Song for the South.”
Hahah what a weirdo. We are supposed to take your comments seriously about anything you say??? Where is Silence DoGood, he would have a field-day lol.
So molon, do you prefer World of Warcraft or Starcraft hahaha.
Why would anyone get in a race with Booker? He is a national figure to the point that even the non-political average Joe on the street knows his name.
You can’t overcome that without barrels full of money.
See, e.g., Arnold Schwartzenegger.
@ Silence Dogood, Redux = Mental Patient = Put On Ignore List
Art — Actually the Middlesex County Clerk’s office has town by town (and even precinct by precinct) results for the election on their website! Here is the link if you would like to post it: http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Middlesex/47459/117893/Web01/en/summary.html
It’s about time.. He so does not deserve o be there…
This has turned into one seriously weird thread.
Pallone would have won big if it wasn’t for Vic Scudiery.
Moron Lube? Who’s calling a respected legislator a whore? Besides, if that’s ALL you got to come after me, bring it on. I will bury you at every turn
Signed,
Silence Dogood, Redux
Molon Labe is ….
Jim McMahon
802 Begonia Court
Jackson, NJ 08527-4140
(732) 367-2616 (home #)
(908) 910-5911 (cell #) — I am a big fan of text messages
[email protected]
Who are you, coward? What is your name? What is your address? When can I expect you to arrive in order to “bury me?”
Oh I have patiently waited a long time for that information.
My name is:
Inigo Montoya
1313 Mocking Bird Lane,
Shire Twp, Middle-Earth 867-5309
202-555-2368
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/national_world&id=8820885
He thinks I mean to “literally” bury him. Hint, Moron; it’s a rhetorical bury.
And if that info is REALLY his own info,and he thinks I would be dumb enough to take that kind of bait; he is even dumber than I thought.
It’s probably a bogus, wild goose chase address anyway.
Signed,
Silence Dogood, Redux
Spare me the drama, MLaffrey. Where are the cops? Where are the process servers? If you needed the information I’ve posted above, you could have obtained it long ago. All you had to do was file a lawsuit against John Does 1 – 100. My Internet Service Provider would have complied with a court court. If you wanted to know who I was, all you had to do was ask.
Bring it on, you pussy.
@SenseCommon, you are a coward. I pity you.
How do you know that Silence Dogood, Redux is a he?
You could be wrong ya know 🙂
Go take your meds. You are really going over the top. If your filthy language is all you have to show you are a man, you are really a sick dude.
Silence Dogood, Redux
A Deborah Kahn comes up at 802 Begonia Court when doing a reverse address look up.
Hmmmm
That’s my wife. She bought our home before I moved in to it / married her. She is Jewish. I am Irish-Catholic. She practices her faith. I practice mine. I am giving you ammo. I don’t imagine you’ll grow a pair any time soon. If you do, please feel free to knock on our door. I would love to see what you bring to the table.
puts up with your filthy language McMahon, God only knows. Does she REALLY accept you calling a woman a whore?
BTW, there is an interesting inconsistency here to be illustrated.
Your wife is Jewish. I wonder also how she feels about you attacking someone who is over there for an understanding of Israel and it’s culture. Someone who is obviously pro Israel. Boy, would I love to be a “fly on the wall,” listening to THOSE conversations.
Knock on your door? That seems like you want to set up a problem for me and accuse me of harassment.
I’ve spent enough time hammering you and it’s time to get on to more important things than to give a scarecrow a brain.
But to close; any one who gives out their address on line like that IS surly a fool and could not be trusted. Who knows, you’ve gone into fits of rage here; what would prevent you from going into a rage and attacking someone in person.
You see, people post anonymously because they are scared of people like you. I had something put in my mailbox once because I had posted something that nut didn’t like. Surely, I don’t want anyone knowing where I or my family live because of nuts like you
Sick puppy you are.
Signed,
Silence Dogood, Redux
What’s your name, “Silence Dogood, Redux”? I gave you my name, address, and phone number. Why are you such a coward? Why are you such a pussy? Why are you hiding?
Very good point, I do not know if Redux is a he or she, but either way it’s all good 🙂 . The only person to seem to have a problem with women is ‘Jim McMahon.’
@’Jim McMahon’: Listen old man, you have not a clue of who I am, where I come from, or what I have been through in my life. In other words piss off.
You think you are ‘tough’ because you post information on the internet??? You must be new to the millennium. Do you even lift bro? (If you don’t get the joke then not my problem)
I would tell you my real address, but I’m pretty sure your ass doesn’t like going into “those neighborhoods.”
Nobody is scared of you, intimidated, or impressed so stop puffing out your chest peacock and move along.
Your problem is that you only think your opinion matters. Get over yourself.
You can not read because I told you why I don’t post my name, because of scary people like you.
I wouldn’t even meet you in a public place because you are dangerous.
As I said, enough is enough. I’m not going to waste a minute more on your self sanctifying dribble.
“Butching up” with curse words to make you look like a tough man won’t get you anywhere. You’re just a punk.
Signed,
Silence Dogood, Redux
Enough of these Seamfull comments.
Comments closed in this post.
First, I never asked for your name.
Second, you never bothered to answer my questions above. What, too hard for you because you got caught with your pants down?
No matter, because I just don’t care about your problem. Squirm in your own little wormhole.
“No Mas,”
(Now) Silence