Bouno (Running Against Christie) Isn't Getting Full Party Support

[JustAnotherGen]

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/13/06/10/buono-s-battle-not-just-against-governor/

Put the 'Running Against Christie' in the subject as folks outside of NJ probably don't have any clue as to who our Nominee is.

At that time, there was speculation that such heavy hitters as Newark Mayor Cory Booker or Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) would also be on the ballot. Now that Buono is the nominee, she still has not gotten the full backing of the party’s biggest powerbrokers -- Joe DiVincenzo in Essex County and George Norcross in South Jersey – but Norcross and heavy hitters north and south are fighting her choice for state party chair.

A press release last Friday from Sweeney announced that he, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex), Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D-Camden), virtually the entire South Jersey Democratic legislative contingent, Norcross, Essex County Democratic Chairman Phil Thigpen, and a host of others want Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) named the state Democratic chairman. It made no mention of the fact that the choice of the chairman traditionally goes to the gubernatorial nominee. Buono wants Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell (D-Hudson) named chair.

Buono and Sweeney have a history: She was his first majority leader but the two did not get along and he first booted her from that position and then took away her committee chairmanship.

She is also not getting support from the nation’s highest Democrat. Two weeks ago, when President Barack Obama visited the Jersey Shore for a post-Sandy tour, Christie was by his side, shaking hands, and even winning him a stuffed bear. Buono reportedly only got as close as a group of 30 local officials who met Obama off camera before he spoke publicly, despite being one of only two Democrats running for governor in the United States this year.

New Jerseyans - check out UnitedBlue and look into meetups. If we want her to have a fighting chance - she's going to need a strong grass roots movement behind her.

I'm also beginning to wonder if the October 2013 $10 to $12 million dollar special election stupidity has some support of people who maybe don't think that highly of Buono.


When you review this candidates history of voting in Trenton and belief system - you kind of have to wonder why the party leadership isn't engaging in a full court press to get her elected.

[graham4anything]

1. The special election has date specific rules. Better Oct, than waiting til 2014

One election has nothing to do with the other.

(and CC could have held off calling for a special, at which time he could have demanded the interim remain til 2014,
so it is far better to get Cory Booker into the seat, then have him as Senate get out the vote in November.

And it would be far better too if the minor other candidates would quit the race, but the party bosses in NJ
don't control Cory Booker, so they don't want him to easily win.
Cory is NOT beholden to the bosses, and its time to show the bosses the door and get Cory seated, as Cory is the people's candidate.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. But even better

November 2013 . . . I understand the rules - but you DO see the insanity of that amazing waste of money for a WEDNESDAY election - don't you? I don't think I'm voting for Booker in the Primary. I'll vote Pallone - if he would hurry up and declare already. Anyways - the Party Bosses need to get behind Buono or I'm going to have to be a petulant brat in October. I'm serious.

There is nothing wrong with Buono as the candidate for Governor other than the fact that she won't step and fetch for Sweeney. And that's a good thing. It shows character.

And that's JUST as an important election as Lautenberg's Senate Seat. It will have a greater impact on my day to day life than what goes on in Washington DC.


You are voting Buono graham aren't you? You aren't going to vote for Christie -right?

[graham4anything]

3. there are specific dates. The legislature would have to enact a brand new law to change it.

CC did a favor doing it this way.

And what if something important is voted on in that month period?

We need Cory Booker in as early as possible.

I just voted for Buono in the primary, and will do so again in Nov.

but that has nothing to do with the special election, which has a specific date in the rule book.

(Why didn't Bill Bradley answer the call? Where did Dollar Bill disappear to after his bad run for President in 2000?
He could have run instead of Corzine 4 years ago, but he just up and disappeared from the scene.)

[JustAnotherGen]

4. Except for

Booker has 'star power' and if he was on the ballot in November - it would bring people to the polls.


Anways - this is really about the abject neglect by the Democratic Party at the state and national level to even TRY to beat Christie.


And - she needs money. I've given to WI, MA, etc. etc. in the past few years. This candidate needs regular folks from out of state that can give $5 here, $10 there . . ..

[graham4anything]

5. The more important question is-why didn't people vote for Jon Corzine 4 years ago? I did

any protest vote against any democratic candidate anywhere is a vote for the other side.

I told everyone I know about the real CC 4 years ago, having known of him for a long time.

I would have preferred CC name Booker and say no special election at all, but come on do you think CC or any sitting
governor would do that?

I mean, why didn't Gov. Patterson in NYC name Caroline Kennedy?

[JustAnotherGen]

6. Eh?

Bouno is no Corzine.


We gotta get a win. Are you near Princeton at all? There's a grassroots group there that meets down there - and we know have to get folks in Newark, Trenton/Camden, Jersey City out in two consecutive months if we want to get rid of Christie.

All we need this November is a turn out like we had in 2012 and Christie is gone! But it's going take small out of state donors and people knocking on doors on the streets to make it happen.


The Booker thing is in the bag and will get the leadership's money . . . but Bouno? She could be ours.

[tabbycat31]

7. This is my theory about her race

I wonder if Bob Buono would have the same level of support as Barbara Buono.

(And I say this as a woman very active in NJ politics).

[JustAnotherGen]

8. I've kind of wondered

That too.


When we look at her voting/record serving the people of NJ - and what she would WANT to do as Governor -

How can ANY progressive, liberal and/or Democratic Party member in this state NOT be energized by 'her' as a candidate.

[tabbycat31]

9. I don't get it either

I'm energized by her. I've been at several events with her (including her campaign kickoff), I have a button of hers, and I have her bumper sticker on my car.

I haven't donated or volunteered for her, but that is because I'm co-managing a state senate race here and I'm focused on that.

I voted for her last week and will again in November.

[ahostett]

10. In some ways, this is a good thing

If she were cruising to an easy race with CC, then I'd be worried she was in with the Sweeney-Norcross gang. They stink to high heaven and need to be shown the door.

If BB was canny, she would get her opposition out publicly to the Norcross-Christie attacks on higher ed. The pro-Rutgers voters managed to bruise Sweeney, Norcross, and Christie this past year and would be interested in knowing explicitly who is on their side.

No one in South Jersey is fooled by the intentions of the party bosses any longer, despite their deep roots and long reach.

Go Barbara!

[JustAnotherGen]

11. I hope so

The Rutgers thing is a big big deal. I think she can leverage it.

And pay attention to tabby's posts. Tabby has me feeling like we have a shot at this. And can I say - People marrying each other that just happen to be of the same sex? I think she can punch Christie in the nose with that.

I'm sorry Chris - but if you don't think gay people should be allowed to get the Federal Tax Bonus for being married - you can talk all day long about not "hating" gay people - but in my book you do. The GLBT Community is filled with HUMAN BEINGS that have as much rights as you and Mary Pat!