As Goes Corzine, So Goes Obama?

[NickCole]

Of course we all know gays lost our right to marry in Maine.

But that's not all, folks.

Republicans won the governor’s mansion in VA, Gracie Mansion in NYC, and Drumthwacket in New Jersey as well.

Corzine losing is what should have Obama very worried.

Corzine was elected as a financially savvy socially liberal Democrat who promised to fix New Jersey’s egregious property tax system. Democrat Corzine came to office with the power of a Democratic Assembly and yet he did virtually nothing about the property tax issue. He shuffled some things around and made incremental changes. Then he walked away from the issue and spent the last four years coasting on the fact that he’s a Democrat.

Promising bold change, it's the glacial incrementalism that did him in. He was elected with the same expectation of hope and change that swept Obama into office. And what NJ got instead was more of the same. New Jerseyans are really struggling to pay these taxes, just as Americans across the country are struggling with under- and unemployment and real health care coverage concerns. Corzine couldn't be bothered to make the bold changes he promised with NJ's property taxes so he's being replaced by the Republican who at least promises to not raise them.

Obama, who personally campaigned for Corzine's re-election and supplied the Obama campaign machinery as well, and Democrats, should be worried. And, I think, so should America.

 

[jackoroe]

Nick, I have to tell you. Corzine did nothing about our oppressive property taxes which are even higher then we he arrived, but he raised every other tax we have as well.

He promised transparency, but was amongst the most secretive administrations in our history. We also have continued to be one of the most politically corrupt states in the nation.

He was the worst governor in our states history.

The reality is that we're going to be billions short before the next budget year even begins. Taxes can't be raised anymore, because they are already causing people to leave in droves. Massive cuts to services and bankruptcy are our only options.

I'm at a loss as to why Obama invested so much of his own prestige into an election that Corzine richly deserved to lose.

 

[NickCole]

I'm at a loss as to why Obama invested so much of his own prestige into an election that Corzine richly deserved to lose.

Because losing NJ is a really bad indicator for Obama. There are, as I pointed out, similarities between Corzine's and Obama's circumstances. The really big difference is that Corzine wasn't popular and Obama is. Obama could get away with ridiculing his opponent about being fat but Corzine couldn't. You've seen it right here at CE&P, the way Obama supporters protect and defend him while they're being betrayed by him. Obama's power of seduction remains very strong.

ObamaCo will play it down but Corzine's loss is going to worry them and it should. I suspect what they'll do now is come up with a big seductive marketing campaign to fool people into believing ObamaCo is doing a lot of hard work on the economy and that it's getting better. It'll be interesting to see if people who are making do with less can be bamboozled into believing more Obama lies.

 

[gambit22121]

NJ Property taxes are a very tough problem to crack. Looking very quickly through some numbers published in the papers, the high taxes are largely due to high education costs (teachers salaries controlled by unions) and administration costs (salaries for government workers including police/fire/municipal workers). Despite having one of the highest costs per student, our students rank in the bottom half of test scores. Yet no one ever votes for fixing the broken system. We also allow government workers to accrue sick leave, so when they retire, they get huge payouts (just this year retiring police officers in Morris County were receiving $244k for sick leave piled up...why should sick leave accrue? Why isn't the government adopting use or lose?). How can a NJ Governor campaign on "I'm going to reduce teacher salaries and cut salaries for government workers, including Police" and win (even more difficult considering both have VERY strong unions).

Obama should take this as an indictment of the frustration of taxpayers for government officials who do nothing. Not that it will do much good. Our Federal Government is so rife with party politics and special interest groups that nothing "for the people" can ever truly get done any more.

 

[Xzilla7]

NY-23 Owens should have Republicans worried.

 

[unclaimedblessing]

Bill O'Reilly type swill.
Corzine lost because he did a terrible job and New Jersey has a lot of serious problems.
State voters don't re-elect governors they feel are personally responsible for their problems, regardless of who is president.
This election does not and should not reflect on Obama.

 

[Orlandude]

Look at the numbers. Christie and Corzine were/are weak candidates at best. Christie will not be a panacea for NJ. He won because a wide spectrum of voters did not vote. Why is that? Watch and see. Unfortunately for NJ, very little will change. This is no "victory" for anyone, especially the people of NJ.

 

[chance1]

I do not think Corzine going down is a reflection on Obama but .......................................

The WH fighting hard FOR Corzine suggests a lack of knowledge, understanding and intelligence - see you know who's going to Copenhagen for the Chicago bid and getting blown out in round 1

NOT VERY POLITICALLY SMART

then after doing that - fighting hard FOR Corzine - after he loses then saying it's NOT a reflection nationally

well that's just bullshit - lying - fill in the blanks

I think Pres. Obama has proven himself to be very much of a newbie politically and all of the primary success vs. Hillary - pushing the right buttons seemingly at every point ............................ well that's yesterday's news

you cannot have it both ways

if you involve yourself .................. you must accept the consequences and not back away from them

seems like the Pres and his "people" want to have it both ways

but I think Corzine - Richy Rich with ethics problems and a crumbling state - was gonna lose - kinda like the Repubs for Pres in 2008

 

[NickCole]

Look at the numbers. Christie and Corzine were/are weak candidates at best. Christie will not be a panacea for NJ. He won because a wide spectrum of voters did not vote. Why is that? Watch and see. Unfortunately for NJ, very little will change. This is no "victory" for anyone, especially the people of NJ.

I sure agree about that.

 

[chuck10x]

Bill O'Reilly type swill.
Corzine lost because he did a terrible job and New Jersey has a lot of serious problems.
State voters don't re-elect governors they feel are personally responsible for their problems, regardless of who is president.
This election does not and should not reflect on Obama.

Yes Corzine did a horrible job, And New Jersey has a lot of serious problems.
Yet, President Obama campaigned heavily for him.
Why?
To keep Democrats in control despite Corzines problems.
President Obama became involved once he started campaigning for Corzine.
He supported him, campaigned for him and used his influence.

 

[josher]

I believe the days, when a president, no matter how popular he may be, can influence a local election are long over. As is the idea of "party loyalty" for the overwelming majority of Americans.

 

[chuck10x]

I believe the days, when a president, no matter how popular he may be, can influence a local election are long over. As is the idea of "party loyalty" for the overwelming majority of Americans.

People vote with their wallets.
The mid-term elections are coming.
The Democrats are currently in charge.
By your statement we are really going to be screwed if the Democrats lose control.

 

[NickCole]

I believe the days, when a president, no matter how popular he may be, can influence a local election are long over.

I think it depends on what the pressing campaign issues are and the strengths and base support of a particular President.

As is the idea of "party loyalty" for the overwelming majority of Americans.

I wonder if that's true. I heard a lot about that from Obama supporters last year and I wondered then if they were being sincere or just bullshitting.