Gov. Jon Corzine in West Orange today: Politicker photo
WEST ORANGE - A Quinnipiac University poll released this morning that shows Gov. Jon Corzine just one percentage point ahead of potential GOP candidate U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie does not surprise Corzine, who said it’s the unfortunate consequence of making tough decisions.
"We will continue to do things to make sure New Jerseyans have a much better quality of life in the long-run, though it may be unpopular in the short term," said the governor, who according to Quinnipiac trails Christie by a margin of 41-40%.
With high food and gas prices and America in the midst of a recession, New Jerseyans do not feel good about the national environment, said Corzine. If he were a Republican he would also be interested in a Christie candidacy. The law and order man has a "relatively high profile, name recognition and a credible record. ...in one area," Corzine said.
"I suspect he’d be a formidable candidate," he added of Christie.
The governor, who claims to have presided over a $600 million slashing of the state budget this year, said while he would of course like to see higher poll numbers
"If they were up, it’s better than it feels to be down," said Corzine, but he does not anticipate being happy, he added, until the public feels the benefits of what his administration is doing.
The governor’s comments came at a bill signing here today at the West Orange Armory. The bill expands voting rights for military personnel and New Jersey citizens overseas to include state and local elections.
Assemblyman Michael Doherty seems to be playing out of the Bill Baroni playbook: Doherty is rapidly rolling out endorsements to scare the ... >
There's nothing more difficult to see than the history before your eyes. It sometimes takes generations to understand the significance of ... >
OK, he didn't say precisely that, but when the Chairman of the Budget Committee informs us that governmental spending is the key to prosperity, ... >
The Star Ledger got it right last April when it gave a thumb's-up to the NJN management plan to wean “the state's only public ... >
The sub prime mortgage melt down and its ensuing financial “crisis” has tested the mettle of all of us who believe in and support the free ... >
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 ... >
To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here. >
The media, which loves headlines and knows little history, is trying to sell President Elect Obama as another Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But that ... >
Whenever I get the chance to visit my parents in Florida when working a comedy gig down there, it’s like living in a “Seinfeld” episode. They ... >
In an election year driven by a hemorrhaging economy and an electorate hungry for an end to divisive politics, 7th Congressional District candidate ... >
A couple of weeks ago, my mother, Angelina Katz, did her second debate on behalf of Barack Obama. A debate? My mother? If you knew her, you’d be ... >
A press release on the official Union County web site admittedly made me snicker just a bit today because it brought back to mind something my late ... >
Short term stuff to help in the long term
Can someone list the pros of corzine - what has he done for NJ and the cons - being of course what he hasn't in additon the little things he has not been forthright about (katz gifts, emails, Cryan stalker bail) etc.
Well,
I'd rather be credible in one area than not credible in any area like Corzine is.
Oh please
In case you missed it all rumors (despite Tom Wilson's barking) about the emails from Katz is that they are boring and filled with nothing remarkable. Corzine has been the most forthrite governor this state has had in decadeds when was the last time a Governor took on State Leg members in his own party, directly told the people of his state that it was going to get worse before it gets better, resposibly cut 600 million from the budget?
Oh please, NJ taxes over the
Oh please, NJ taxes over the last 6 years have increased by about 30% more than any other state in the country. Budget cuts? Laughable. Private sector jobs are leaving the state in droves.
The mindset in Trenton has not changed at all. It's still spend, spend, spend.
So....
So because Democrats say the rumors about the Democratic governor's emails will reveal nothing of substance, we should all take their word for it. I'm sure Sharpe James would have loved to use this type of logic. "I know you all think I've been doing some underhanded stuff as mayor, but the rumors say I'm not...so there's nothing to see here".
And one more thing, you don't get credit for cutting the budget by $600 million when a month later you spend over $3 billion more outside the budget. It's like our gov. learned a thing or two from Fannie and Freddie.
Sure, Middle Class Squeeze. . .
If you're a sycophantical Democratic apologist like SJ Blue, you take Corzine's word for it and move on, just like he probably accepted John Edwards' denials.
Of course, if there were nothing in those e-mails, Corzine would've gladly given them up.
"I figure people drift toward liberalism at a young age, and I always hope that they change when they see how the world really is.”
- Johnny Ramone
CUT ! GIVE US A BREAK !
Corzine Cut.. O.. ZERO. nothing from the budget ....He raised the sales tax by 17% last year to pay for rebates ,then cuts the rebates by 550 million (his painful cuts)..and declares he cut the budget but forgets to mention he 's Borrowing 3.9 Billion ....the man is a Charlatan !
PossiblY the worst governor ever!
Can anyone name anything this man has done in three years?
I honestly can't think of one thing.
Vote Column A - All the way!
Corzine's "Accomplishments"
Raising taxes, spending and debt to record levels and getting rid of the Death Penalty for sadistic murderers.
forthrite corzine?? ( sp too? )
I suggest we start labeling Corzine as a radical extremist...
How can you say he is forthright... every plan he has is some crazy secret until 2 days before a vote is required... he hides emails and says they are of no consequence...
If you don't think he is extreme... just look at how much he spent to run for senate and governor... money is nothing to him... which is apparent in his taxation plans, toll hike schemes, etc...
Even his cutting aid to towns won't help take the burden off any tax payers... All it does is increase property taxes... woohoo!! can't wait...
how a radical extremist like corzine even has the approval rating he does is beyond me...
The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets. - Will Rogers
Corzine had done nothing!!
Besides raise taxes and borrow money!
Every one of his little gimmicks are shot down within a week and he backs down. Only if he was traveling 5 more MPH!
Christie, the Empty Suit
Corzine's right, of course: Christie has only established himself in one arena, as U.S. attorney, and doesn't have much of a record otherwise. We hear state Republicans laud their "next great hope" every few years. Remember Tom Kean Jr.?
Christie has no discernible policy positions; bundled money as a Bush-Cheney pioneer, then magically got the U.S. attorney job; has used his office improperly for partisan purposes; had a major ethics issue concerning the federal monitor contracts and Rummy; calls press conferences and media appearances just to inflate his ego; doesn't go after Republicans in Ocean Co or BurlCo; and more.
I'm glad that Christie has gone after some of the bad guys, but the fact of the matter is that his hands are dirty, too. I'm equally surprised that Republicans conflate image/media construction with reality, -- though I shouldn't be with their nomination of a B-movie actor for president (Reagan) and the popularity of a 'Law and Order' District Attorney (Thompson) for president--as with Christie, who has no record of policy positions or political accomplishments. Corzine makes unpopular, but solution-oriented, policy proposals, and he's certainly not perfect. But he is far better for this state than Christie.
classless post of the day
And the most classless post of the day goes to... "thetruthofnj" (improper pseudonym) for saying that he wishes our governor was dead: "Only if he was traveling 5 more MPH!"
Classless, tasteless, and disgusting.
Christie is not the issue
Chris Christie really isn't the issue. He hasn't announced that he's running so all this banter is missing the point.
The point is that Corzine has been a disaster as Governor. He has done absolutely nothing to improve life here in New Jersey. He makes claims to have done things (FALSE) but they're all gimmicks.
This poll running a hypothetical candidate against him and having the hypothetical probably winning drives this point home. Let's focus on the real issue. We have a Governor who works against us.
Christie can't comment on broad policy yet.
As a US Attorney if he was to venture outside of busting corruption, the one area his job requires him to look into, people like MartinOne would call for his resignation. Think of the firestorm that would errupt if a US Attorney in ANY state commented about the poor job that state's governor was doing or even how bad a fiscal situation that state was in. Dem's know this, which is why their attacks on Christie on this are disingenuous.
No transgression Christie has done, real or imagined, can compare to the dire fiscal straits that Corzine and cronies have put this state, and its people in.
Corzine's numbers are so bad
He could be vulnerable in a primary.
Christie is not a good choice.
Sensible Republicans should choose someone with executive and business experience. Someone who can say no to the legislature and use the power of the veto pen.
They need a candidate who will do the following:
* abolish toll roads
* Cap car insurance premiums
* Eliminate state funded pensions for employees with 401K's
* Mandate health benefit co-payments of all new state employees
* Cut the Sales Tax and Income Tax by one cent
* Abolish duplicative boards and commissions
* Invest in a bullet train from Philadelphia to Manhattan and deregulate ferry service from New Jersey by creating competition.
* Close down all race tracks and sell the proceeds to private developers
* Force the legislature to adopt two-year budgets.
Vote Column A - All the way!
I'm Disappointed With Corzine....
...and would love to see him defeated by a strong progressive reformer in a Democratic primary.
Having said that, if he's the candidate and he's up against Christie or Lonegan; he'll win.
With all his flaws and warts, Jon Corzine stands head and shoulders above these two potential opponents.
As I've said, if the Republicans can come up with a clean John Lindsay type reformer who is progressive on social issues but fiscally conservative; y'all have a good chance to win.
Christie is hip deep in the merde of the Bush administration....and it's only going to stink more next year. Lonegan has all manner of unpleasant ideological baggage and associations.
Corzine is a decent and competent man. I wish he had the chutzpah to be something of a revolutionary; the people would support him if he did.
'Nuff said fer now.
From Frederick Douglass