“I am Leonard Lance and I approved this message”

In 2006, the Hunterdon County Democrat newspaper did something really menschy: they took Mike Ferguson to task for his “Stender is a Spender” series of commercials. The commercials were low-brow, sophomoric and childish. The newspaper, known mostly for their conservative/Republican leaning editorial policy--- was highly critical of the radio and TV commercials that essentially lowered the bar for political campaigns in New Jersey – as if that were possible. Stender went on to be endorsed by every major newspaper in the district, including the Democrat. However, she did lose. But the Democrat was right about the commercials.

And so, it was with great surprise and disappointment that I now see that Senator Leonard Lance is using the same theme in a TV commercial---perhaps even a commercial recycled from 2006. While it is true that Mr. Lance does not have the campaign cash that Assemblywoman Stender does, he has lowered himself to the same levels that Ferguson did just two years ago.

Senator Lance has received praise from Republicans and Democrats alike over the years because of his honesty and his courage in taking on his own Party. And as long as I live in district dominated by Republicans, he seems better than most. While I don’t agree with him on all issues like the war, paid family leave, marriage equality, and the Bush tax cuts--- he certainly is much better representing the 23rd than Mike Doherty or Connie Myers. So, I hope he stays put.

But the Stender is a spender commercials were a departure form his usual campaign style, and it does not do him well at all to take that tack.

Hopefully, the Hunterdon County Democrat will use the same criteria to judge the commercial Mr. Lance is using, that they used in judging Mike Ferguson.

Like mother, like daughter? No experience necessary.

This passed weekend, I gathered with a group of Democrats in Flemington at the Union Hotel for a few drinks and appetizers on Saturday night. We began discussing the 7th Congressional District race, and how Linda Stender would fare now that Mike Ferguson had dropped out. They all rejoiced at the good news. Beers all around.

The general consensus was that it was hers to lose. With all the likely 'best possible' candidates on the Repub side having dropped out –Senator Tom Kean, Assm. Jon Bramnick, and former Congressman Bob Franks---it seemed, the group gathered declared, that it was a cinch that Stender would soon be in Congress.

But, wait, I thought. There are lots of factors to consider:

Who will be at the top of the ticket in a presidential year? Who will be the Rs presidential candidate? Who will run against Senator Lautenberg? All factors yet to be decided. Then I predicted that the Republicans will run a woman, younger than Linda Stender, self-funded, without any record to attack.

And, voila, just like that Kate Whitman appears.

The daughter of Governor Christie Todd Whitman. Just turned 30. From a well-known wealthy New Jersey family. Never held office before.

Hmmm.

It’s doubtful she will not face a primary challenge ---Senator Leonard Lance most likely. However, it would not surprise me at all if Senator Lance, a long-time Todd-Whitman family friend, was talked out of a primary run, so that the short-cashed Repubs would not waste valuable financial resources by spending money in a primary.

The young Whitman's [lack of] experience: She worked in Washington as the communications director for Representative Christopher Cox, Republican of California. She graduated from Wesleyan University. Her husband of four years is a lobbyist for Zeliff, Ireland & Associates in Washington. And she is listed on the website for her mother's group, the Republican Leadership Council, as the Executive Director of that organization.

And she is practically scandal free---except for a ticket for littering she received back when she was 21 years old. She tossed a beer can on the ground in front of a police officer in Bethlehem, Pa. Her then-governor mother said of the incident, that her daughter seemed ''to have had a lapse of judgment" and "She will pay whatever fine is imposed."

Stay tuned.

I guess Ferguson IS a Schmerguson

If you're a reader of political blogs, you probably already know about Ferguson's decision to bow out for '08.

A shocker to say the least.

Last week it was Jim Saxton in the NJ-3 dropping out; now it's Ferguson. If this keeps up ---one Republican dropping out per week---by Christmas, the Republican Congressional delegation will have no incumbents left to run.

And so the New Jersey buzz in the blogosphere these days is the fact that Mike Ferguson is not seeking re-election in the NJ 7th so that he "can spend more time with his family".

So, now Ferguson is a 'spender', too.

"Can spend more time with his family". That's always the number one reason an incumbent drops out. Or maybe it's "the system is broken". Or maybe "politics so become much too expensive to run a campaign."

It's never "Things are not going well, and I may be beaten by my opponent and the last time I ran I nearly lost." That's never the reason.

Some Ferguson Facts:

• In June 2003, after a three-year dispute with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Congressman Ferguson agreed to pay $210,000 for a loan that he made to his campaign during his first election of $525,000 from a trust established for the Congressman by his parents. The FEC claimed that this loan from the trust equated to a gift from his parents. According to Federal law, the cap on personal contributions from an individual to a candidate is capped at $25,000 per election cycle. The fine was one of the highest ever paid to the FEC. Ferguson maintained that he did nothing wrong.
• Ferguson received the third most money of all recipients of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's ARMPAC campaign contributions. DeLay is being prosecuted on charges of felony money laundering of campaign finances and conspiracy to launder money. To date, Ferguson has not offered to return any of the $54,403 he received from DeLay or ARMPAC, despite calls from Democrats to do so.
• In 2003, Georgetown University junior Michelle Mezoe accused Ferguson of grabbing her at the Rhino Bar and Pumphouse in Georgetown.
• In 2006, Ferguson came within a point of losing to Assw. Linda Stender.

Maybe those are some of the reasons.

Anyway, whether it's Senator Lance or Assm. Jon Bramnick or Tom Jr. or former congressman Bob Franks, it will be an interesting race, none-the-less.

Support Linda for Congress. And we hope Mike enjoys his time with his family.

No Holiday From Politics as House Dems Launch Ad Blitz

The Democrats will be launching an ad blitz this July 4th weekend, attacking Repubs on a range of issues.

The key targets will be those Republican members of Congress who have been solid supporters of President Bush's failed policies in Iraq.

Well, it's about time. If you cannot muster the votes to change the President's policy, at least attack those who do. Way to go Dems.

Two Republicans — Phil English of Pennsylvania and Mike Ferguson of New Jersey — will be targeted with Web ads.

I am very glad we're starting EARLY to bring Linda Stender to represent the 7th Congressional District in Washington.

Hope-
fully, Mike is waving NJ-7th Good Bye!