Jersey Lessons

National Review ^ | 11/07/2001 | Rick Shaftan

[l33t]

ompassionate Conservatism” bombs again in New Jersey.

With a message designed to "reach out to minorities in the inner cities," Bret Schundler joined a legion of other Republicans who failed at trying to reinvent the wheel. Schundler got exactly the same 42 percent vote G. W. Bush received last year — almost exactly district by district — and proved once again that Republican efforts to attract urban black votes are counterproductive.

Schundler's message of "empowerment" didn't attract black votes and turned off the white, Catholic, suburban men. And without the energized white, Catholic, suburban male vote, you cannot win as a conservative in a state like New Jersey. That's why as many as a third of conservatives pulled the Democratic lever yesterday and many, particularly in the northwest counties, stayed home.

After running an excellent primary election, Schundler made a number of mistakes:

1) Pandering to the Franks voters. All the Tom Keans, Bob Franks, Don DiFrancescos, Christie Whitmans, and other liberal Republicans added up to only 130,000 votes — 20,000 fewer votes than third-party candidates Murray Sabrin and Rich Pezzullo won in 1997. Once the Franks party machine was defeated they had proven to the world their powerlessness. But the Schundler campaign didn't get the message, spending half their effort trying to win just five percent of the electorate. This might explain why exit polls were showing 30 percent of conservatives voting for McGreevey.

See the rest here

[kylaka]

Bend over NJ Taxpayers.

[Alberta's Child]

Excellent article. And please note that none of the author's reasons for Schundler's defeat had anything to do with President Bush's failure to appear in support of him. I can't imagine why anyone would take the time to mount such a pathetic campaign.

[kylaka]

Only in NJ can people who don't own property, get a property tax rebate. Thank You Governor Florio.

[uscit]

Not mentioned is the fact that NJ has become much more "diverse" because of overwhelming immigration, which has accelerated in the last decade from an already high level. Native-born New Jerseyans, the large majority of whom are Republican, resent this. Schundler, however, billed himself as rabidly pro-immigration---part of the definition of a "compassionate conservative", in the GWB mold---rather than energizing his base of native-born Americans. It did him absolutely no good.

[MoralSense]

It's a lot simpler -- money.

Because of 9/11, Schundler's fundraising was interrupted at a key point. He never raised enough to qualify for matching funds. McGreevey did. Schundler's team, therefore, was outspent 3 or 4 to 1 on ads in the last two weeks of the campaign.

Schundler's advertising team is one of the best and most effective there is. Cut off from his own best weapons, and relying only on state and national party help, which was pathetic, Schundler couldn't win.

And the demo ads were among the snarkiest and ugliest things you ever heard.

[Alberta's Child]

You may be right about that, but Schundler had an uphill battle from Day 1 just because of the state where he was running. When I think of New Jersey, the first image that pops into my mind is a greasy little mutt of a politician -- This description fits McGreevey to a T.

I actually think this bodes well for REAL Republicans -- Those @ssholes in New Jersey are about as corrupt as they come.

[Hugh Akston]

I am very sad about this result. And I think Bret was let down by very many folks.

But this article does point out- he made a lot of foolish mistakes.

Disappointing, all around.

[Leto]

Right on target about the McGreedy and DNC ads, Shundler were nowhere to be seen in the media. Also McGreedy campaigned on 2 thing scaring soccer moms on guns and abortion, and promising to lower property taxes. This is of course nuts, but it worked. Like Florio he will raise taxes and win unanimous praise from the media for his 'courage'.

Well we get the ogverment we deserve. The next 4 years will stink. 8 years ago the Republicans swept in (>2/3rd majorities in both houses and the goverership) with the promise of lowered taxes and gov spending. They lowered taxes once but then spent like drunken sailors in a whorehouse. THey are paying the price now.

[hchutch]

The thing is this: Had the RINOs not stabbed him in the back, he'd have done much better.

If anyone is to blame for the NJ fiasco, it's the RINOs to the most extent. The rest was an act of evil that knocked everyone off, and that's when the RINO betrayal really did the job.

Bret made mistakes, but I hope he comes back and attains vengeance.

[TonyInOhio]

A plain truth Bump.

[white trash redneck]

I've been one of the loudest whiners about Bush's failure to help Schundler. While I still think that Bush should have done more, for party solidarity if nothing else, this article has really opened my eyes to the fact that Schundler probably doomed himself with his lame campaign.

[rightwingextremist1776]

I think it is time to turn this around on the RINOs. Just think of all the times they have played the spoiler in trying to advance the conservative agenda. Time that they learn THE HARD WAY that two can play their game. Their silence was DEAFENING! It also was a very strong message to us that they don’t need us. Hell, every time we vote in a RINO, we vote in a Demonrat! Just look at all the RINOs that pulled the rug out from under the House at the impeachment. SHAMFULL!!! I am SICK of supporting the traitors within. They can live without my vote! I was a STRONG SUPPORTER of the Repubs! I will no longer blindly support a Republican. If we as conservatives want to advance our agenda, we will have figure out a way to do it on our own. The “Moderates” within our party must feel that we are the minority. Well, maybe we are, but I GUARANTEE that they will feel the lack of our support if we walk away.

I didn’t agree with Pat Buchanan when he walked away from the party. I thought he was being foolish. I wonder how many of us feel foolish now? I know I do!