[Mypepraipse]

Republican Christie captures NJ governor's race

TRENTON, N.J. -- Republican Chris Christie has defeated Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine in New Jersey.

With 71 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday night, Christie had 50 percent of the vote to Corzine's 44 percent.
Christie, a 47-year-old former federal prosecutor, became the first member of his party in a dozen years to win a statewide contest in heavily Democratic New Jersey.

The Republican victory deals a blow to President Barack Obama as he readies for next year's midterm elections. Obama campaigned heavily for Corzine.

Christie accepted public financing in the race against the wealthy incumbent and was outspent by more than $12 million.

He ran on a platform of smaller government and criticized Corzine for what he called poor economic stewardship. State unemployment was nearly 10 percent in October and property taxes are the nation's highest.

[sisuarmalmicy]

Ok, he may have won the election, but this is carrying it a bit too far ...

Christ Christie elected Gov. of New Jersey.

[Catieliecutty]

^^^^ Ha! Sorry about that!

[oxixernibioge]

Meh.

Not that Corzine was doing great, but people get too reactive during bad times.

NJ state income taxes are pretty low compared to the fed, and the sales tax is lower than NY.... So when Christie says "lower taxes", how is he going to pull that out?

I have seen SO MANY politicians use that as their war-cry, and almost none of them have actually done it (except to their own political supporters, ala Bush).

If the biggest tax people have to pay is Property, and THAT comes primarily from the county, how will he be able to do anything about that? With a broad-stroke general cut to education spending with no real line item prohibiting things like Pensions for Executive Staff over XXX$? How about Cops? Cut the cops pay but allow their Supers to getthe same pay they have always had... DURING A RECESSION?


Oh, and that is one thnig that gets me about ALL union disputes. On both sides. The blind fighting. During a deficit, and a recession, people complaining about pay reduction when the private sector has had just that. On top of that, the executive levels of city administration, in all departments, getting much higher pay than their subordinate bretheren. When a cut comes through, the guys that pay are rarely at the top.

But back to topic. How is he going to reduce taxes when the taxes he can reduce are not the big guns? Is he going to magically clean up all of NJ? Wave a wand and make corruption and kickbacks dissappear?

None of his ads were specific. Although I hate negative ads, I also do not like ads showing him having a family dinner and hugging his kids.

Great, you are not an abusive Dad, how does that work for us in Government again?

I hope one of two things. That miracle of miracles he is able to get the kinks out and get the money that comes in to where it needs to go, or that he fails miserably and we have a doubly bitter voting public willing to go Independent.

[rowneigerie]

^^^ So basically, we're screwed...

I can't wait till I leave!

[fotodemujerahldesnugdo]

I hear Italy is nice this time of year.....


*whistles innocently*

[Master_B]

^^^

I can't wait till I leave!

But why????

[PhilipBartew]

Cuz.... Christie might suck.

[TughEmotteTug]

I have absolutely no faith at all that this guy is going to one bit different than Corzine. So he has a different party label... big deal. I see almost no differences between the two major parties. Nothing will change. Same goes for the GOP win in Virginia. Things there will be the same. Second verse, same as the first!

[P3bWjm1j]

Cuz.... Christie might suck.

IYO, is NJ a great place that is now going to suck, or is it a sucky place that will now suck even more?

[rusculture]

Cuz.... Christie might suck. you mean like McGreevey

[BruceCroucshs]

Corzine would have garnered a few more votes had he taken Christie's challenge and called him "Fat".

There's something about fat politicians that turns me off. I don't have issues with other folks being overweight (though I wish them a healthy life). I just find that fat lumbering politicians are emblematic of "the system". Christie is too big to fail. Let's see what happens.

[bawayTeen]

Part II of my earlier rant:


...and another thing. Lots of people in Arizona were thrilled when photo-radar maniac, Governor Janet Napolitano, left office and we ended up with republican Jan Brewer. Many thought taxes would go down and photo radar would be torn down. The reality? Photo radar is still up and running. Jan Brewer has suggested a "temporary tax" to solve the state's budget problems. Brewer is Napolitano with a shorter skirt. Other than that, NO DIFF between these two Republicrats. Sickens me.

[advabHixavoip]

.....yeah, probably as "temporary" as the tolls on the Garden State Parkway.

[Aztegjpl]

I don't think I'm the only one fed up with both political parties. I'm not talking about just being fed up. I'm talking about people who are downright ANGRY at inefficient, wasteful, and tyrannical government. We are not there yet, but at some point people may get fed up enough to do something about it.

[HitAttetlyTek]

What would they "do"

Despite what Christie promised he can't lower taxes in NJ. That's what the legislature does. And I believe that the recent election didn't cover any of that crew, so those players remain the same.

[AgindyMinnife]

^^^ Good point, as always.

I try to tell people that; they wouldn't listen. Funny thing is, one of the reason why property taxes in New Jersey is so high, is the fact you have these 8 block X 6 block, towns that have their own police and fire departments, school districts, DPW, Parks department, etc. Untill these towns share services ( especially in Bergen County ), taxes are going to continue to go through the roof. Why won't these people get it?

[TNOULbr2]

IMO, it would be a big mistake to eliminate those individual police departments. Mega departments dehumanize the citizen - police relationship.

[Frinzer]

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=D83C32D0-2791-430D-9FB7-47A237945F9D

Christie, 48, has struggled with his weight over the years ya think?

N.J. Gov Christie hospitalized
By: Reid J. Epstein
July 28, 2011 12:11 PM EDT New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was hospitalized on Thursday and is having tests after having trouble breathing, his office said.

“Governor Christie was having difficulty breathing this morning and out of an abundance of caution he went to Somerset Medical Center to be checked out,” said a statement from Christie’s office.

“In line with someone dealing with asthma, he is being given routine tests as a precautionary measure. The Governor is extremely grateful for the quality of care he is receiving this morning and has nothing but praise for the world-class doctors, nurses and staff.”

A spokesman added shortly after that the governor is “fine and in charge.” The Star-Ledger reported that Christie is due to be released this afternoon.

Christie, 48, has struggled with his weight over the years and has periodically made efforts to try to slim down.

At town hall events, Christie often tells audiences that he has asthma, the Newark Star Ledger noted, adding that when the governor explains the difference between the federal government’s health care plans and New Jersey’s, he describes going to his local pharmacist to refill his inhaler prescription.

Christie had been scheduled to attend a bill-signing ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in Hillsborough, but the event was canceled, the paper said. He is also expected to take questions at 7 p.m. tonight on “Ask the Governor,” a monthly call-in radio show on New Jersey 101.5 FM, but there was no indication whether he would participate.

Christie has repeatedly ruled out a bid for president in 2012, despite efforts by some Republicans to push him into the race.

[Metalhead]

Asthma my arse.

As for NJ health care plans, what the hell is he talking about?