Posted on 07/18/2004 2:32:51 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Former Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler announced on Sunday that he intends to challenge embattled New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey in next year's election.
"I do plan to run again for governor," Schundler told WABC Radio's Steve Malzberg, explaining, "I'm not going to talk a lot about the campaign until after the November election."
Asked to clarify his intention to challenge McGreevey, Schundler told Malzberg, "It's official." For now, however, it's important to concentrate on re-electing President Bush and local New Jersey Republicans in 2004, the rising conservative star added. The race would be a rematch for Schundler, who lost his first gubernatorial bid to the scandal-scarred Democrat in 2001.
Schundler's announcement comes amidst growing speculation that Democrats may dump McGreevey and run Sen. John Corzine instead.
"If a consensus emerges among the Democrats to dump McGreevey, Corzine just might do it," a longtime Democratic operative told the New York Post on Saturday.
A Democrat close to Corzine echoed the sentiment to the Philadelphia Inquirer, saying that the one-term senator will make the move "if the circumstances are right."
Publicly, however, Corzine is insisting that he has no interest in running, saying on Saturday, "I am not a candidate for governor in 2005 and will be supporting Gov. McGreevey's re-election."
The behind-the-scenes jockeying comes as controversy swirls around two McGreevey fund-raisers who have been implicated in pay-for-play scams.
New Jersey real estate developer Charles Kushner faced stunning federal charges earlier this week that he hired prostitutes to blackmail cooperating witnesses in an investigation into his own fund-raising practices, the Post said.
Another McGreevey crony, David D'Amiano, has been charged with extorting $40,000 in cash and contributions for the governor's 2001 campaign.
While McGreevey himself has not been charged, his voice popped up on an FBI surveillance tape, where he used a previously agreed-upon code word that suggested he had knowledge of the D'Amiano fund-raising scam.
Despite the governor's mounting troubles, however, Schundler said the Corzine replacement scenario seemed unlikely. Unless, that is, McGreevey himself is actually indicted.
"The theorizing about whether or not Corzine is going to come into the race, or some substitute Democrat - I don't think McGreevey is going to step aside of his own accord," he told Malzberg. "But you could certainly have something happen because of an indictment."
In the meantime, Schundler said, New Jersey residents are getting fed up.
"For years now our state has had a reputation for corruption, and in recent years it's gotten worse and worse," he complained. "It just makes people cringe."
ping
Prayers for Bret Schundler. Get that McGreedy out of there!
Gee, I wonder why Bush is doing pretty well in the state poll wise so far?
This is excellent news!!!
"It just makes people cringe."
Good luck to Brett, he will always have my vote. And he is clean, squeaky clean. I believe he's got no friends, no chit-holders of either party to re-pay, or let play, or anything else.
I hope Bush carries Jersey, and I hope Schundler does the same. And I don't think McGreevy is personally corrupt, I think he is more and Ed Koch/Harry Truman type, swimming in the swill and personally gaining nothing for it. McGreevy may not prove so lucky as Koch and Harry though, that may be due to some other level of deceit going on with him, or just due to ineptitude.
I really do hope Jersey gives its votes to Bush, we cannot say 9/11 is forgotten here. If those who remember vote for Kerry, it will give me a very bad feeling.
The New Jersey "rat" party is a collection of crooked money men, trial lawyers, and (yes) Mafia errand boys. Look at the mega-weasels Bob "The Torch" Toricelli, Corzine, Lautenberg, and that creepy Jim McGreevey.
Too bad the NJ GOP establishment will sell Shundler out, same as last time.
ping
Bret has one HUGE hurdle to overcome: nomination. The Republicans may be very reluctant to run him,because he's considered "conservative" ( but isn't,except when it suits him.)
We could have Schundler running New Jersey, if the morons at the RNC had given him a little support.
McGreevey has turned off the voters in New Jersey with his blatant corruption. I think Schundler has a good chance if Rove and the RNC can get their act together this time. Yes, I know, it's too much to hope for, but we can always dream.
Thanks for the ping. He could win this time.
Why do you say when it suits him? Always seemed conservative to me.
Forester will get the nomination.
Nick, I'm recalling how he was pro-2nd amendment-until he was questioned on the issue.He then started sputtering like a piney woods pickup truck.
Pols are pols. Regard them witha healthy measure of cynicism and you'll seldom be disappointed.
Forrester? Why would he be a good choice?
Those who can should read the NYTimes article today, an extended write up of Schundler, with a page of the Democrat's mug shots and corruption charges on the facing page.
Schundler is the only one running with any personality, how does one "energize" primary voters to vote for Allen, or Forrester?
WOOHOO!!!! Go Mr. Schundler! Where do I sign up to help?
It's excellent news if you want McGreedy for 4 more years.
Shunlder is a loser. He might be a decent political figure if he were in another state, but he'll just lose again.
If he wins, great. But if I were a NJer, I'd look for someone else.
Oh great. Two 'losers' running for the nomination.
There are losers, and there are "losers".
John Thune is a loser. Jim Talent is a loser.
Shundler and Forrester are 'losers'.
If Corzine decides to run early on I don't think any Republican has a chance. If McGreevey runs and finds himself trailing, the rats will replace him the week before the election.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.