In N.J. Race, Kean Tries to Keep It Local

[cal04]

Robert Menendez and Tom Kean Jr. agree on so many principles that it's hard to believe they are running against each other in one of the nation's tightest Senate elections. Current tax policies are misguided, the status quo is unacceptable and New Jersey needs a senator who will stand up to powerful leaders, both men say.

They are aiming their remarks at entirely different administrations, however, and the contest appears likely to turn on whether voters see Washington or Trenton as the capital more in need of a shake-up.

Menendez, the Democratic incumbent, is trying to make the election a referendum on President Bush, and especially the president's Iraq war policy. Kean, the Republican challenger, wants to keep the focus on taxes, state ethics, New Jersey's Democratic-run government and Menendez's ties to it.

As much as any race this fall, theirs will test whether Republicans in tossup and Democratic-leaning states can shift enough attention from Bush's low popularity to preserve their congressional majorities. Polls suggest the race is about even, and if Kean can stay close or ahead, his keep-it-local strategy may inspire Republicans in other states as Nov. 7 draws near.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/12/AR2006081200779.html

[mconvente]

1. I can't see how this race is even close

Most NJ republicans are "business" republicans - they like bush for his tax cuts and stuff, but for the most part could give a shit about abortion and gay marraige - like my boss.

I think Menendez is taking a hit because of the whole budget crisis, which yes required some sacrifices from all, but as a result of Whitman's (former repub gov) "reduce taxes but not spending" mantra that sent NJ to fiscal disaster.

Still think Menendez will pull it out. We need him - he's a great liberal force in the Senate.

[Cornus]

2. A 'liberal force'...

...who supports a flag burning amendment??? Don't think so...

[mconvente]

3. One blemish in an otherwise excellent record

I believe he supported the filabuster of Alito - when many of our dem senators did not.

Between a flag burning amendment or championing removing tax cuts for the rich, ending the Iraq war, and going after Big Oil, i'll let the flag burning amendment slide.

[ShockediSay]

4. ALL Repugs wanna make it local; we wanna make it a referendum

on the Repug control, and the results, of the last 6 years.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. From the republican standpoint, if they can't win the argument in favor

of the White House administration and republican control of the House and the Senate, then I can see them begging the question and attacking democrats on "local" issues which is irrelevant since the Senate is NJ being represented in national policy more than helping a municipality's problem with say, rising property taxes or zoning issues. Win, win, win - win ANY argument, just win.

[theanarch]

8. it's actually more than one blemish...

...yes, he voted for the flag fetish amendment (which he also did as a congressman--at least he's consistant); he's 1,000% pro-Israeli re: Lebanon; and he's 100,000% anti-Castro (gotta pander to all those ageing, right-wing Cuban/Catholic exiles in Union County, y'know). Beyond that, however, Menendez is a fairly consistant, if moderate, "liberal"...which is more than can be said for Bob Casey, or even Saint Ned Lamont...and he is exponentially better than Tom Kean JUNIOR (not to be confused with Senior, however much his campaign depends on NJ voters confusing the two), who is about as inconsistant, flip-flopping, and cowardly a pol as you'll find.

[karynnj]

9. He did support the Alito filibuster

which took some courage as Alito is from NJ. He was also one of the 13 who voted for Kerry/Feingold. For both of these votes, he gave very nice speeches in the Senate. Both of these are far more important than a lag burning bill that was really a political stunt - that was not going anywhere.

[JohMunich99]

5. I don't care if David Ortiz strikes out here and there

When it matters he hits the damn ball out of the park! Who would you rather have taking swings with the New Jersey Senate seat, our man Mendez or Kean?

[mconvente]

7. exactly - nice analogy

lol im a redsox fan so im all about ortiz!

But it's true, if he has a couple of blemishes (flag burning amendment support), but he's overall a great senator representing most of our liberal values, then I'd definitely rather have Menendez.

Bear in mind that even though Kean, Jr. portrays himself as a moderate, he's just like Scott Garrett (my 5th district motherfucker of a congressman) - that is, Kean supports removing the Estate Tax, supports Big Oil, supports ALL of Shrub's bullshit tax cuts for the rich, etc. He sucks plain and simple, and NJ is not going to let him get in the Senate.