Jon Corzine: Why New Jersey Democrats Won

[CMT]

It is fun reading something about a truly wonderful statewide democratic victory such as the Democrats had on Tuesday night in New Jersey. Here is Sen. Jon Corzine's take on it:

New Jersey Democrats Tuesday defied conventional wisdom and defied history, by winning control of the State Senate for the first time in a dozen years, and holding on to control of the General Assembly at the midway point of Governor James McGreevey's first term. It's been well documented by others that the governor's party historically loses seats in the first midterm election.

So why the reverse true of Tuesday? First, the party ranstrong candidates--both incumbents and challengers. Second, the candidates ran with strong messages that confronted serious issues facing New Jersey.

And third, people paid attention to what candidates put on the table, and voters were not distracted by irrelevant arguements. Voters paid attention to how incumbents did their jobs, and they paid attention to the concrete proposals laid out by challengers. Voters were exacting and specific; they were not in the mood for any surrogate war...

http://www.politicsnj.com/corzine_2003.htm

[helleborient]

1. Congrats! The unfortunate slant of news on election night...

Was that the Democrats were falling behind in the South.

Big news as well were the big gains in the Mid-Atlantic states anchored by the New Jersey victory and the Philadelphia mayor's race.

Looked to me like both parties were consolidating in base states.

[wryter2000]

2. Wow

Sounds like it could be the whole country in microcosm. I hope the DLC is paying attention.

[NJCher]

3. this is important

Because much has been made of the polls that show McGreevey is not particularly popular here. Personally, I'm a big supporter but this election might show something else is going on. I hope it's a portender of a national trend in many areas of the country.

Living in NJ is like living in a little island of sanity in this insane nation which is being led over the cliff by bush. It is what life could be like with Democrats running the show. Examples of what I mean are: fact that I can buy health insurance at a fairly reasonable rate. Another is that there is a solar energy program that may help me offset natural gas as a means of heating my home. My compensation from working with a state educational institution is going up, albeit modestly, next semester.

Cher

[LARED]

4. IMO, Corzine is putting a good spin on things.

I live in NJ and at least in my area (south Jersey) the main factor in Dems winning were the Repubs thankfully ran the stupidest campaigns I have ever seen.

This doesn't take away from the good dem talent that won the fights, but it always helps to have the republicans campaign in a circular firing squad.

[blm]

5. Well, I hope the Dem candidate with the most comprehensive programs

and policies wins.


Hot, empty rhetoric with no record to back it up be damned.

[AP]

6. I think this election was every bit as portentious if not moreso than MS &

KY races. MS and KY together are worth 14 electoral votes. NJ is worth 15. Who didn't think the Republicans were going to do well in MI and KY? NJ was actually real political news.

However, all the national coverage was on MS and KY, and nothing was said about NJ, PA, OH, IN, etc, where Dems made big inroads.

The PA trend (21 electoral votes) will probably have a way bigger impact on 2004 than MS and KY.