Cindy Burnham, left, addresses the audience as Sean Di Somma, Kathy Horgan and Sharon Lee listen at the Westside Community Group’s annual candidate’s forum Thursday night. (Click to enlarge) By JOHN T. WARD The question of whether to keep or sell…
For those who try to read political tea leaves, the only lesson to be taken from the results of the Special Election this week is that apples and oranges make fruit salad.
For conservatives and Tea Partiers enthused that Steve Lonegan lost to Cory Booker by a significantly lower margin than Joe Kyrillos lost to Bob Menendez last year, consider this; Kyrillos had more votes in the 2012 general election than Booker and Lonegan had combined on Wednesday. More people voted for Joe Kryillos in the 2012 U.S. Senate race than voted for Chris Christie in the 2009 gubernatorial race.
For Trenton Republicans hopeful about taking control of the State Senate, consider this; If the fact that Lonegan lost Senate President Steve Sweeney’s district by only 347 votes, .9%, means that Sweeney is more vulnerable to Niki Trunk’s campaign than previously thought, does that mean that Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt is a shoe-in to defeat Senator Jeff Van Drew in Cape May where Lonegan won by almost 19%? Does the fact that Booker won Mercer and Middlesex Counties handedly mean there is no hope of picking up the Senate seats in the 14th and 18th districts? None of the above.
Should Monmouth County Democrats conclude that they have a fighting chance on November 5, because Lonegan beat Booker here by only 9%. Let them think that.
Posted: October 18th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2013 Election | Tags: #NJSen, Bob Mendenz, Cory Booker, Jeff Van Drew, Joe Kyrillos, Niki Trunk, Steve Lonegan, Steve Sweeney, Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt | 6 Comments »
And scenes like this will be memories:
Posted: October 17th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Economy, NJ Constitution | Tags: #P2, Minimum Wage, NJ Constitution | 4 Comments »By Tom Bracken, Laurie Ehlbeck, John Holub and Stefanie Riehl
New Jersey’s voters face an important choice on Nov. 5. We can either make annual job losses a permanent part of our state’s constitution, or we can send the minimum-wage debate back to the state Legislature where it belongs.
For the sake of New Jersey’s economy, we hope our state’s voters will choose the second path and vote no on Public Question No. 2.
Public Question No. 2 may seem well-intentioned at first glance, but its placement of future annual increases in the minimum wage on a constitutional autopilot is the wrong policy at the wrong time.
On a constitutional level, this minimum-wage hike should not be placed in the state’s founding charter. Instead, it’s an issue that deserves good, old-fashioned back-and-forth and political compromise between the Legislature and Governor’s Office. In fact, both the governor and Legislature admit that they already support a minimum-wage hike.
The minimum-wage debate belongs in the Legislature, not the constitution. For this reason, both Republicans and Democrats — including those who otherwise support an increase in the minimum wage — have spoken out against this irresponsible and harmful proposal.
Posted: October 17th, 2013 | Author: admin | Filed under: 2013 Election, Economy, NJ Constitution | Tags: John Holub, Laurie Ehlbeck, Minimum Wage, New Jersey Business and Industry Association, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Retail Merchants Association, NFIB, Public Question #2, Stefanie Riehl, Tom Bracken | 1 Comment »Lost in the headlines of yesterday’s special election is the fact that State Senator Barbara Buono would not rule out raising New Jersey’s 7% sales tax, if elected governor, during her debate with Governor Chris Christie on Tuesday night.
Governor Christie noted that the Democrats, with Buono as the Senate Budget Chair, shut down New Jersey’s government in 2006 when Jon Corzine was governor, because they couldn’t agree how high to raise the sales tax.
Assembly Republican Budget Officer Declarn O’Scanlon issued the following statement regarding Buono’s taxing vision for New Jersey:
“Sen. Buono tells everyone that she doesn’t believe in ‘trickle down’ economics. But her failure to rule out an increase in the sales tax clearly shows she is fine with sending a tsunami of economic pain on middle class workers and their families.
“At a time when New Jersey is in the middle of an economic recovery, she has no concept of what a public policy disaster that proposal would be to creating jobs and maintaining our momentum. Increasing the sales tax is regressive and would further impact the most heavily taxed people in the country. It effectively sends the message to consumers to shop elsewhere and keeps New Jersey from being competitive with surrounding states. I am glad she no longer chairs the Senate Budget Committee. We are still trying to recover from the damage done to our economy.
“The fact that Sen. Buono doesn’t regret any of the 150-plus tax increases she voted for during her time in the Legislature tells voters she has no remorse for taking their hard-earned money out of their pocketbooks. One would have thought she learned of all the harm all those taxes inflicted. People moved out of our state. Businesses either relocated or expanded their operations elsewhere. Sen. Buono’s economic policies would send our state back to the same place where we were for the eight years Democrats had total control of Trenton . Those days are finished and so is Sen. Buono’s career in politics.”
#1. The craziest f*er at the table ALWAYS wins, if you’re not him, don’t start the negotiating.
#2. Have a f*ing plan. Make sure the plan encompasses more than the previous five minutes and the next five minutes. The plan has to work even if it’s obvious and exposed to your opponent, otherwise it will not work.
#3. NEVER admit defeat. Even when you are defeated. No one likes a loser, and everyone hates a self-professed loser.
#4. Make sure your team knows the plan and knows they will personally be hurt if the strategy is not followed.
#6. When your opponent is self-destructing stay silent.
#7. NEVER doubt your victory, never talk about defeat, even in the face of certain defeat. There is no consultation for those who predict their own defeat.
#8. Communicate immediately, tirelessly and without ceasing to everyone.
#9. Feed the beast (news outlets) with stories of how your opponent is making everyone miserable and is killing women and children. Positive stories don’t move anyone, EVER!
#10. If you’re not the craziest f*er at the table, DON’T START THE NEGOTIATING AND FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO BE THAT PERSON.
Publisher’s note: Wondering the relevance of Dan’s column to current political events? Read this piece, How Reid and Obama disarmed Boehner, and how to solve the problem, by Dan Calabrese at Best of Cain.com
What kind of U.S. senator will Cory Booker be? (via NJ.com)
NEWARK — Cory Booker, who captured national attention as Newark’s charismatic mayor, now joins the world’s most exclusive political club after a U.S. Senate campaign built on big ideas and the vow to be a healer in politically polarized Washington…
By Greg Kelly
Sunday, October 20
• Arsenic & Old Lace by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• Thompson Park Day (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• Vintage Shopping Expo & Fashion Show (Middletown) – MORE INFO
• Red Bank Food & Wine Walk – MORE INFO
• A Taste of Noir by Jersey Shore Writers (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO
• History Ghost Walk: Asbury Park (Ocean Twp) – MORE INFO
• Broomstick at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Belmar Fall Town-Wide Yard Sale – MORE INFO
• Seascape by South Street Players (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO
• Red Bank Halloween Parade – MORE INFO
• “Rock to the Top” Local Band Competition at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Eco-Kayak Tour of the Navesink River – MORE INFO
• Rotary of Asbury Park “Bowl-a-Thon” (Bradley Beach) – MORE INFO
• Haunted Theater at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• Halloween Off the Cuff at The Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO
• Corn Harvest at Longstreet Farm (Holmdel) – MORE INFO
• “Pumpkin Patch Day” (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO
• Shrewsbury Classic 5k – MORE INFO
• VW & Audi Show & Go at Raceway Park (Englishtown) – MORE INFO
• The Way We Were by the Oasis Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• Art for the Cure Festival at Pier Village (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Brighton Beach Memoirs by Monmouth Players (Navesink) – MORE INFO
• Bronx Zoo Trip (Lincroft departure) – MORE INFO
• Tango for Beginners at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Oktoberfest at Bear Mountain via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Monmouth County Online Surplus Auction – MORE INFO
• A. Casola Farms Fall Fest (Holmdel) – MORE INFO
• Jersey Shore Wine Weekends at Four JG’s (Colts Neck) – MORE INFO
• Asbury Fresh Local Artisan Market – MORE INFO
• Flute & Friends (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO
* * *
And Next Weekend . . .
Friday, Oct. 25: Art & Crafts Show at Monmouth Mall (Eatontown) – MORE INFO
Saturday, Oct. 26: Pier Village Pooch Party (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
Sunday, Oct. 27: Monmouth Symphony Orchestra at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
* * *
And Next Month . . .
Nov. 2: National Theatre of London: 50 Years On Stage (WLB) – MORE INFO
Nov. 8: Bill Cosby at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
Nov. 17: Atlantic Highlands Art Show & Sale – MORE INFO
Nov. 30: Classic Holiday Horse & Carriage Rides (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
Greg Kelly is a longtime Monmouth County journalist. He welcomes comments or questions at [email protected].
Posted: October 16th, 2013 | Author: admin | Filed under: Greg Kelly, Greg's List, Things to do in Monmouth County | Tags: Greg Kelly, Greg's List, Things to do in Monmouth County, Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend | Comments Off on Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, October 18-20, 2013
photo credit: Charles Measley
Former Mayor Steve Lonegan conceded the Special U.S. Senate election to Newark Mayor Cory Booker.
Lonegan was funny and gracious in his concession speech. “I said to myself, ‘Who wants that job anyway?'”
He thanked Governor Chris Christie for his ” bookend support” from his endorsement to robo calls. Lonegan said he couldn’t expect anymore from Christie, “other than putting up lawn signs, and the thought of Christie running up and down the highway putting up lawn signs…”
Lonegan congratulated Booker and said , “May God be with him with the decisions he has to make.”
Lonegan said he has done his part in serving the country and is going back to the public sector.
Posted: October 16th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Senate Special Election | Tags: Cory Booker, Special Senate Election, Steve Lonegan | 1 Comment »© Copyright 2026 | MoreMonmouthMusings | All Rights Reserved