ON TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2009, NOMINATE THE COLUMN 2 REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES - RETURN FISCAL SANITY TO NEW JERSEY.

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/02/20/what-do-chris-christie-and-john-ashcroft-have-to-hide/

http://www.bluejersey.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6947

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Gm4ae0NNI

http://www.lonegan.com/Home.aspx



Last November, I was chided mercilessly when I predicted a razor thin upset victory in the third congressional district by John Adler. I believed that Mr Adler deserved to succeed Jim Saxton and become the first Democrat to represent the district in 122 years. I explained my reasons and stood by the projection. On election night, the final numbers fell exactly as I expected. The congressman’s former staff, which was a significant factor in that victory, is now working for Adler*s successor State Senator James Beach. They are maintaining the same level of constituent service that is second to none,


I would now like to make a prediction concerning the much maligned candidacy of former Mayor Steve Lonegan in his uphill challenge to the GOP organization’s favorite, Chris Christie. Mr Christie does not know it yet, but he is going to lose this primary election by a very narrow margin and rightly so.


Mr. Lonegan has run for governor before and has a better knowledge of the turf. If the Christie campaign saw Lonegan as an insignificant challenge, why bring in the big guns like Rudy Giuliani? This move may end up blowing up in their faces. Mr. Giuliani was soundly rejected for both the places on the GOP national ticket. The Christie folks, with the help of their shills in the media, are attempting to paint their main opponent as a myopic right winger. Their efforts to do so are not being met with success.



Steve Lonegan has demonstrated an ability to draw substantial votes from Democrats, Independents and Libertarians. Indeed, he was victorious in a town that gave landslide numbers to President Obama and Senator Lautenberg in the last election. So, how does he do it? Well, to start with, Lonegan gets very high marks on civil liberty issues. For example, citing the arguments of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, he supports the state legalization of medicinal marijuana. Mr. Christie, taking the zero tolerance posture, is opposing it and promises a veto should the legislation come to his desk after he takes office. In so doing Christie estranges the votes of Libertarians and suffering patients who are seeking this source of pain relief. Steve Lonegan, on the other hand, neutralizes Jon Corzine as both men have said they will sign it into law.


Steve Lonegan, unlike the governor and Mr Christie, has spoken out against the abuses of eminent domain. Throughout the state our courts, now more than ever, are clogged with people desperately trying hang on to their homes. While eminent domain has its place in times of emergency, it’s widespread use as standard governmental practice, merely for convenience sake, is an absolute disgrace. It is high time that a champion was sitting in Trenton.


Steve Lonegan is being slammed on his flat tax position. He is also the most vocal critic of our state income tax and our obscene property taxes. Unlike Mr Christie and Mr Corzine, he is not preaching deep cuts in services which usually hurt the most helpless of our citizens, the elderly and the disabled. The long term consequences of casting these people adrift will be devastating to this state. The Democrats who have endorsed these short term slashes are betraying the very principals that they campaigned on. Lonegan wants to slash taxes and put the money back into our hands. The cost cutting will be controlled and will be across the board. Mr. Lonegan’s book, Putting Taxpayers First, is a blue print in fiscal responsibility. This will stimulate our economy when we need it most.


Jon Corzine will fall to Steve Lonegan in a squeaker in the same manner that Jim Florio went down to Christine Todd Whitman back in 1993. Mr Christie claims Steve Lonegan is out of touch with the Republican Party, Oh really now, Mr Christie is basically pro-choice while Lonegan is pro-life. Now who*s out of touch with the GOP, Mr Christie? Make no mistake about it. Jon Corzine does not want to run against Steve Lonegan. His hopes for a second term rest on Mr Christie. Mr. Christie, you will not win in June and if by some chance you do, your goose will be cooked in November. After Mr Lonegan wins this primary, and he will, Governor Corzine will be retired once and for all.


Visit the websites of Christie and Lonegan. It will help explain the differences between these two candidates and why at the end of the day, Mr Lonegan has the potential to shock everybody by becoming the Republican standard bearer and ultimately the next governor of New Jersey