Friday, November 11, 2005
Everybody's Talkin'
about the Democrats who're suddenly, finally, saying that yes, the war was a mistake they wouldn't have made if they'd known better, and how they're all suddenly looking better as candidates because of it. Kerry did it the other day, and the latest is John Edwards.
This is a good thing, I guess - certainly long overdue. But elected leaders are supposed to lead, not follow, the electorate. They are supposed to tell us things we don't know and may not want to hear, and do it in a way that makes us feel better for knowing - better about ourselves, better about them, better about the country and our place in the world. And none of these folks are doing that. They're watching where the electorate has moved, and scuttling over in that direction as slowly and reluctantly as they can get away with. The only (relatively) mainstream politician who WAS a leader on this issue was Howard Dean, and we saw what the the ever-dutiful-to-power press did to his candidacy.
This is a good thing, I guess - certainly long overdue. But elected leaders are supposed to lead, not follow, the electorate. They are supposed to tell us things we don't know and may not want to hear, and do it in a way that makes us feel better for knowing - better about ourselves, better about them, better about the country and our place in the world. And none of these folks are doing that. They're watching where the electorate has moved, and scuttling over in that direction as slowly and reluctantly as they can get away with. The only (relatively) mainstream politician who WAS a leader on this issue was Howard Dean, and we saw what the the ever-dutiful-to-power press did to his candidacy.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Good News for Maplewood
Jon Corzine's election as Governor may be good news for Maplewood. Mr. Corzine has been a good friend to our town, visiting often, campaigning for local Dems or just visiting. It doesn't hurt that his daughter is the "Jen" of Pen & Jen's Tea Shop in the Maplewood NJ Transit station.
More importantly, for a politician, is this - Essex County voted for Corzine more strongly than any other county in NJ, at just over 72%, and Maplewood's percentage for Corzine was higher still - over 77% - so he should have no second thoughts about seeing to it that we get more of what we need from Trenton over the next 4 years.
Now here's a question - did Corzine leave the Senate and run for Governor because it better positions him for a Presidential run in 2012? He'll be 65 years old then - is that too late? I certainly don't see him running in 2008 - he doesn't have the political organization, or the experience, to do it so soon.
More importantly, for a politician, is this - Essex County voted for Corzine more strongly than any other county in NJ, at just over 72%, and Maplewood's percentage for Corzine was higher still - over 77% - so he should have no second thoughts about seeing to it that we get more of what we need from Trenton over the next 4 years.
Now here's a question - did Corzine leave the Senate and run for Governor because it better positions him for a Presidential run in 2012? He'll be 65 years old then - is that too late? I certainly don't see him running in 2008 - he doesn't have the political organization, or the experience, to do it so soon.
A Harbinger?
Up until last November, no Democrat had been elected to Millburn's Township Committee in 30 years. But this year, Dems won both seats that were up - including one held by an incumbent Republican. It's probably too early to predict anything much for next year's Congressional elections from that, but maybe, if we're very good and very lucky, Mike Ferguson's days in the House might be numbered.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
DeLuca and Profeta in a landslide
Democrats Fred Profeta and Vic DeLuca won with a huge margin over Republican Bart Albini. I don't have the numbers at hand, but the Democratic team won by well over 4000 votes, with about 5500 votes cast.
Jon Corzine easily beat Doug Forrester in the Governors race, by 54% to 43%.
Jon Corzine easily beat Doug Forrester in the Governors race, by 54% to 43%.
Vote!
Today is election day.
In NJ, polls are open from 6 AM to 8 PM
Vote for Jon Corzine for Governor
and
Vic DeLuca for Maplewood Township Committee!
In NJ, polls are open from 6 AM to 8 PM
Vote for Jon Corzine for Governor
and
Vic DeLuca for Maplewood Township Committee!
