Posted on 04/01/2005 10:07:50 PM PST by Coleus
Bret Schundler is having trouble raising money.
He hasn't won a single county endorsement so far. And he faces a spirited challenge for control of his conservative base.
So why is Schundler so serene? And why are a growing number of Republicans privately picking him to win the nomination?
"He's got a loyal base of supporters, and that support is growing," said one deflated party official. "Even people working for other campaigns, like me, are becoming convinced of it."
When moderate Republicans talk like this, they sound like condemned men marching to the gallows. They are convinced Schundler is too conservative to win in November. But since Christie Whitman left, the party has no leader who can steer it toward more moderate ground.
Schunder's views on guns and abortion are a better fit in Texas than in New Jersey, and his tendency to drone on about policy minutia is legendary.
But he has sharpened his game since his loss in 2001. He stays on message now, like a robot, talking about property taxes whenever a microphone is within reach.
"I've learned that the message has to be simple, and you have to be brief," he says.
He's also blessed with good luck this year.
The field of Republican candidates is undeniably weak. Five of Schundler's rivals are getting support only from immediate family members, if the polls are to be believed.
The only real competition is businessman Doug Forrester, who is tied with Schundler in most polls and says he's willing to spend $8 million of his own fortune to get the nomination.
But Forrester has stumbled badly. He has replaced most of his top staffers at least once. And despite lavish spending, he managed to lose critical county endorsements in Bergen and Ocean counties to lesser candidates.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
Schundler is the best hope for us here in NJ. I've met him a couple of times, he's very smart and quite approachable. GO BRET!
Out of curiosity, Since I won't buy the Red Star Ledger not even to line my bird cage. Please tell me this piece was at least in the Editorial section or did they try passing this hit piece off as reporting the news
About time for a real conservative in NJ. We need an articulate, smart, common sense man of wisdom, with boldness, and able to read people. If you get that you get Ronald Reagan. If you get Ronald Reagan you can win anywhere. Joe six pack won't care if he's got the R next to his name.
The Ledger, the largest fish wrapper in NJ! They are picking up where they left off after the last time Schundler ran.
Schundler can win in NJ if he can keep his mouth shut about his "principles." Once he is in office he can stand up for his principles and get fired next election, or he can change what the people will support and continue to hold power. This paper seems to think he can stay on message and they don't like it. That is because rat newspapers know how the game is played and they sound scared. I wish Schundler luck.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
It was written by a weekly columnist Tom Moran and the article was located on the front page above the fold of the NJ section.
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