Election ‘07
By Michael Patrick CarrollWhen the sponsors of "clean elections" made their pitch to the Legislature, they averred that same would drive the polluting influence of "special interest" influence from campaigns. Having now completed two "clean elections" cycles, the results prove the system to be a costly failure meriting its expeditious consignment to the ash heap of history.
Two years back, only the Democratic candidates in a fiefdom controlled by the Camden County Democratic machine managed to secure enough small contributions to qualify for a taxpayer subsidy. Chastened, the advocates returned to the drawing board and reduced the qualifying obligations. This time, some of the candidates in all three selected districts qualified. In the Dem district selected - where the GOP candidates failed to qualify - the result was yet another ho-hum election. In the Republican district, the favored candidates won handily and faced no significant threat from their taxpayer-funded adversaries.
The race in the 14th proved different, but also conclusively demonstrated the system's failure.
There, Bill Baroni clobbered his hapless opponent, but each received more than half a million in taxpayer dollars to run. So did each of their Assembly running mates, making the district a $3 million experiment on the taxpayers' dime.
But wait, there's more.
Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, attacked by paid media purchased by a shadowy "independent" group, received an additional $100,000 taxpayer subsidy for "rescue money". (Her running mate received another $14K) But the GOP candidates received no similar aid when Greenstein became the subject of numerous, invaluable puff pieces in the press thereafter.
Indeed, the most Machiavellian of McGreeveyites could hardly have written Greenstein a more compelling script: play the "victim" of a "scurrilous attack" chastising her (perfectly fairly) for repeatedly supporting higher taxes, get an additional $100K of taxpayer money to respond, all while reaping mountains of priceless "free" coverage portraying her in a sympathetic light.
So, a privately funded attack ad results in "rescue" money, but an attack editorial - or a glowing endorsement - from the "mainstream" media entitles one (or one's adversary) to nothing. "Independent" organizations like BlueJersey.com can provide free distribution of campaign materials (as it did by reproducing campaign commercials produced by the Dems) without consequence, but paying for an ad on cablevision or radio results in additional funding for the "attacked" candidate.
In campaigns, money's always nice, but it is not dispositive. If it were, Ellen Karcher would be celebrating victory, Gerry Cardinale would be lamenting defeat, your Humble Correspondent would long ago have passed into (perhaps justified) political oblivion, having been repeatedly and overwhelmingly outspent in both primaries and general election contests. The people are - quite often - too smart to be easily bought. (Witness the defeat of the Stem Cell bond issue.
"Clean elections" do nothing to evict "special interests" from wielding disproportionate political power . The two biggest corrupting influences in NJ politics are public employee unions and the Party Line, which permits small groups of powerful folks to unduly affect election results. Barring public employees from participating in politics (a perfectly reasonable proposition: employees should not be directly involved in choosing their own bosses, nor should they be able to win at the ballot box benefits they cannot secure at the bargaining table) and eliminating the Party Line (parties can use any method they wish to choose their candidates, but the State need not abet the process) would do more to make elections competitive and "clean" than regulating private campaign donations - and at no cost to the taxpayer.
Put another way, would the results in Districts 1, 2, 12, or 39 (among others) have been any different had they been "clean" election districts? Would the Parties have chosen different candidates? Assume that EVERY district were "clean", such that every candidate received a massive taxpayer-subsidized warchest; would the results in ANY district have been different? Indeed, why is a monetary contribution to a preferred candidate somehow tainted, while direct political participation in a campaign is not? Does a candidate owe less to (say) the NJEA for its endorsement and its members' "voluntary" campaign work that she would to NJBIA for a $2600 campaign contribution? Why permit the former and forbid the latter?
If one desires (relatively) competitive elections with (relatively) independent candidates, "clean" elections make precisely zero sense. Instead, focus on redistricting reform, such that the people choose their representatives, and not vice versa. Abolish the Party Line. Indeed, one could go farther and make elections more individually important by empowering each elected representative to insist upon consideration of his/her bills, letting the Members set the agenda rather than Party leadership.
To the extent that private money "corrupts", the cure - millions of precious taxpayer funds being poured into the pockets of campaign consultants - is worse than the disease.
Contributors
Wally Edge
The GOP seems to be gearing up for a real Senate confirmation hearing if Governor Jon Corzine reappoints Barry Albin to the New Jersey Supreme ... >
Bob Torricelli
It's hard to not be concerned these days. We've all witnessed frustration with our institutions before but I never remember anything of this ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Instead of borrowing trillions to waste on make-work governmental projects, stimulate the economy with tax cuts. >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
Joey Novick
Hard to believe we have arrived at the last year of the first decade of the 21st century. Boy, seems like it was just yesterday that Bush was handed ... >
Juan Melli
It's actually come to this: A panel convened by the legislature of the State of New Jersey has concluded that discrimination is not good. Maybe ... >
Carla Katz
As it tends to, history seems to be repeating itself as 240 laid-off workers at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago revive a decades old tactic -- ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
Many columnists write a "year in review" or a "predictions" piece for the New Year, however I decided to refrain from going down ... >
Murray Sabrin
Five Democrat governors including New Jersey’s Jon Corzine and New York’s David Paterson have called upon the incoming Obama administration to ... >
Poll
PolitickerNJ Partners
Hot Topics
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Most Active Stories
- Healy and Stack and the late Glenn Cunningham
- Kyrillos: 'We need a leader like Chris Christie'
- Lonegan camp says they qualify for matching funds
- Reilly joins Codey staff
- Merkt fights perceived Christie canonization in Passaic County
- Holt decides to run for assembly instead of state senate
- Christie will run for Governor
- U.S. Rep. Adler assumes seat on financial services committee
- Manzo to unveil slate next week
- Rule him out of District 36 Assembly run, says Scarpelli
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
- Weinberg loses life savings in Madoff Ponzi scheme
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
"Suppose you get stuck with a stiff? You want to pay him more money?" -- Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello, on legislating a pay raise for his successor.
Recent Press Releases
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Yudin may be waffling on word to GOP boss ― CHARLES STILE
The City Boss Becomes the Country Boss ― DICK BENFIELD...MUST READ
Ferriero's support a curse for Kasparian? ― CHARLES STILE...MUST READ
Trenton must stop thinking outside box― DOUG FORRESTER
Three's a crowd, but one man isn't a party― ALFRED DOBLIN
Newspaper Shuns Web, and Thrives― DAN JACOBSON
Murder charge for Prisco― ANGELO PRISCO
Healy: Have yourself a merry little Christmas with my CD― JERSEY JOURNAL
Time for BCDO to clean up its act ― CHARLES STILE
Madoff investors will have trouble getting money back― FRANK LAUTENBERG
Syndicate
I ...
absolutely agree!
MPC
Assemblyman, i make it a point never to disagree with you when you are right. The state of affairs in NJ is such that the democrats will readily give anything to anyone in order to win an election. Its time to take a stand against the abuse of our taxpayer dollars by the democratic majority. I am glad you are now writing on this site, i look forward to reading future installments of your blog.
Well...
Clean Elections is clearly a program better reserved for the Politbouro rather than the NJ Legislature. But the problem was there was only one Republican running for Assembly in the 14th, and that was Democrat Wayne DeAngelo. Goodwin and Bushman acted like they were running for South Mountain Peace Action Co-Chairs instead of us as Republicans for the Legislature, and this was not a good year for liberals.
Assemblyman, why won't the
Assemblyman, why won't the legislature enact pay-to-play laws at the state level for legislators? If the state does business with contractors than all elected state officials should fall under pay-to-play rules.
Also, thank you for doing this column. Republicans are represented by a former Governor and hardworking Assemblyman. The Democrats are represented by Senator Soprano and a union tramp.
"I'm not going to tell you this to insult you, but in the end, the McGreeveys, the Corzines, they're all going to be with me...not that they like me, but because they have no choice."
- The Democrats' Puppet Master
Agreed...
I agree that the process has not worked as originally perceived -- how very appropriate for New Jersey.
I also agree wholeheartedly about the "Line" and "Public Employee Unions" comment as well.
Unfortunately, nothing will change while the current crop is still in power in Trenton.
I don't know who you are
I don't know who you are Pulaski but you can stop talking about the 14th district assembly race now, it's over.
Yet again I say if you think Wayne DeAngelo is ever going to buck his party leadership and Linda, your on crack and obviously have no freaking clue what your talking about.
As a Councilman Wayne DeAngelo always voted with Dems and Gilmore..never once broke rank.
You continue to think conservatives voted for DeAngelo...I really do not know what drugs your on..if there's any definite candidates conservatives voted for it was the libertarians.
Who writes these laws?
What does Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, and Clean Elections have in common? Fill in your own joke.
Here are some novel ideas for clean elections:
1 - To vote you must bring picture ID proving citizenship and residence to the polls and everyone must be carded.
2 - All ads on Radio, TV, and Mailers must pass the same scrutiny as to truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth and the candidate must take a written signed oath to the veracity under the oath. It is not good enough to say, "I'm (candidate) and I approve this ad." They shoudl say "I am (candidate) and this ad is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and I swore to it under oath." Let's jail the slime bags that accuse an opponant of "voting against mamagrams for women," when what was done was a vote against an obscene budget.
If an business person would twist the truth in an ad the way campaign consultants do in their media, the businessman would change careers fast into manufacturing license plates.
Who cares where or how the money was received if they can only apply it to the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. With the punishment being forfiture of the election plus 30 days in jail for each offense.
"Sometimes it looks as if the Democrats are out to win at all costs, while the Republicans are out to compromise at all costs." Thomas Sowell, September 8, 2007 - Random Thoughts.
Let's hear from people who really live it ...
BWT - Your union examples don't hold water Mr. Carroll. Those unions represent organized citizens who come together to advocate for their interests. Sort of the way Democracy works right? I wouldn't expect a lock-step extremist Libertarian Individualist to understand those concepts (you know - organizing your friends and neighbors - something that requires talking to, inspiring, and motivating people). Everyone has the right to do that, even a ticked off taxpayer if so motivated.
Anything that spreads the power across more people instead of deep-pocketed few is alright in my book. MPC is probably in mortal fear of having to ask a large number of peasants for $10 next time.
And while we're at it - let's ask MPC why any of his big donors deserve more of a say in our democracy they any who did not donate....
"The absurdity of people believing that when you jack a huge pile of money into a political campaign that you're not seeking access to the congressperson is just; you know a fairy-land. "
- Senator Alan Simpson
“Yet this is landmark legislation, and not merely because Connecticut is the first state to enact such sweeping reforms through legislative action rather than by referendum, as was the case in Maine and Arizona. Equally important is the opportunity this bill lays before citizens who may have thought about public service but lacked the money to run for office or disliked the process of raising it for a campaign. I believe this legislation will encourage new voices in our political process, introducing fresh ideas and novel approaches.”
- Governor M. Jodi Rell (R), CT, in an op-ed, Hartford Courant, December 8, 2005, upon signing legislation.
"I got to spend time with voters as opposed to dialing for dollars, or trying to sell tickets to $250-a-plate fundraisers. This was much better.
- Governor Janet Napolitano (D), AZ, The Road To Clean Elections Video
"I owe more allegiance to my consituents, all the constituents really, and I don't really give big business or corporations that much consideration"
- Representative Jim Annis (R), ME, The Road to Clean Elections Video
"When I'm walking the halls of the legislature and I see lobbyists from major corporations or even small organizations, I know that I get to make decisions that think about all the people in my constituencies, all the people in my district and not just specific interest groups.
- Senate President Beth Edmonds (D), ME, The Road to Clean Elections Video
"The biggest benefit to the voters in my district is it takes the special interest out of politics. It allows the people of my district to have a voice in what goes on here at the capital."
- Representative Steve Gallardo (D), AZ, The Road to Clean Elections Video
"When you think about Clean Elections, the first word that comes to mind if fairness, because it brings about inclusiveness, it also brings about a good amount of competitiveness, and it opens it up in diversity as well."
- Representative Leah Landrum Taylor (D), AZ, The Road To Clean Elections Video
"You have an opportunity to spend time with voters, listening to their concerns, discussing issues and not have to constantly be raising money up and through the time and after an election."
- Corporation Commissioner William Mundell (R), AZ, The Road to Clean Elections Video
"Why did I run as a Clean Elections candidate? Well, the truth is, I wasn't a political insider and I really had no interest in having to go out and spend my time fundraising. I wanted to be able to talk about the issues door-to-door with my constituents and Clean Elections gave me the opportunity to do that."
- Representative Chris Rector (R), ME, The Road to Clean Elections Video.
"Being a Clean Elections elected official now, there's a lot of freedom that comes with that. I really can focus on what my constituents need and not worry about upsetting anybody and it's going to cost me in the next election. I can really focus on what I think good policy is.
- Representative Nancy Smith, (D), ME, The Road to Clean Elections
clean election laws
what a joke these laws are. Just ask Senator Loretta (I'm clean) Weinberg. After qualifying for taxpayer funded clean elections money for her legislative race, she wheeled some of it to local elections where candidates she was bossing were running. But wait a minute. So called wheeling of contributions is sometheing this alleged reformer opposes. But I guess it;s ok if she does it with taxpayer money instead of private funds. "Reformer"? What a joke.
Up the flagpole, won't salute...
quote: "Clean elections" do nothing to evict "special interests" from wielding disproportionate political power .
It does, however, starve political bosses and their pay-to-play machines.
No system can short-circuit unprincipled politicians willing to sacrifice the public interest to pander for blocs of special interest VOTES.
But reducing incentives for insider trading, quid pro quo no-bid contracts, patronage jobs and the like is worth doing. And I disagree with your other point:
Public funding of elections is more cost-effective than the corruption, featherbedding, cronyism AND incompetence the current pay-to-play spoils system has given us.