And now the real work begins….

I know that this has been a long, uncomfortable and bumpy car ride.

"Are we there yet?". "Yes, we are here."

I did not have a really great transition experience. The last few weeks have been very hard, as we lost a much loved one in our household---someone who was with Obama early on [and with Henry Wallace even earlier than that in ‘48]. She would have really loved seeing the inauguration on television----with all the people of all colors, ages, and sizes and shapes. Yup, she would have just loved it.

I have not blogged in a while, but now I am going to try and blog everyday.

So, now that the party for the people is over, the real work begins. The Dems have the White House, Congress, and [possibly] a few more seats to fill on the Supreme Court. Maybe John Paul Stevens will step down. And I hear Souter may take Amtrak back to New Hampshire.

I experienced watching the Obama-thon on TV. Best moments: Pete Seeger singing all the verses [even the banned ones!] of “This Land is Your Land”. And Dr. Joseph Lowery's delivery of the Inauguration Benediction for Barack Obama.

And now, the real work begins.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! This year will certainly be a challenging one for the Garden State as we march towards a year in which there will be a legislative and gubernatorial election. Buzz being what buzz is, as this is written, there are just a few folks running [literally and figuratively] on the Republican side.

There is perennial candidate Steve Lonegan of Americans for Prosperity who stands for everything libertarian, capitalist, and 'small government'.

There's Richard Merkt, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1998, where he represents the 25th legislative district. He is the one who has pledged to "jog" in all 566 towns, and has recently completed running in 300 of them.

Also, upping his New Jersey ante is Franklin Mayor Brian Levine, considering a run for governor himself. Now, I have met Brian before [I believe he is the brother of someone I know from Hunterdon County], and he seems like an affable guy, but his political eyes are a mite bigger than his political stomach, methinks.

But, what do I know. A year ago, I was at the New Jersey progressive political caucus standing with with the Bill Richardson supporters.

Of course, the real candidate everyone Republican is waiting for is my fellow Seton Hall Law grad Chris Christie. He should announce soon, if he is running---the filing deadline is mid-April, as usual. So, hmm.....

Hint: No one has booked www.christie4governor.com, www.christieforgovernor.com or www.christieforNewJersey.com or www.christie2008.com or even www.I'mChrisChristieandIamstilldecidingwhetherIamrunningforgovernor.com as of yet.

Happy New Year, and thanks Rob Tornoe for all the great NJ stuff in 2008.