Matheussen brings `folksy' appeal to race

The Courier-Post ^ | May 9, 2002 | ALAN GUENTHER

[Exit 109]

John Matheussen once argued that owners of assault weapons should be allowed to keep them. But today he supports smart-gun legislation that would prevent weapons from firing for anyone but their rightful owners.

Matheussen is the only one of the three Republican candidates for U.S. Senate who opposes abortion rights. Yet he says abortion is not the driving issue in the June 4 primary election.

[Exit 109]

Interesting article devoted to candidate Matheussen - his positions and track record in the Legislature.

[VeritatisSplendor]

I ran this poll personally. Matheussen has no chance, unfortunately. When Treffinger dropped out, a lot of voters became newly undecided, and Forrester's ad blitz came at exactly the right time to persuade them. Forrester went from 19% to 33%, Allen went from 21% TO 25%, and Matheussen was unchanged at 14%.

[Exit 109]

Thanks for the info. I still know several officials who are on the fence since Treff dropped out.

Matheussen has two large handicaps:
1. The lack of funding. It's severe, and prevents him from communicating to the base.
2. The Southern Jersey connection. He's just not well know among the rank and file in Central and Northern NJ (where the majority of the votes are).

It's a shame, because of all the candidates, IMO he is the best public speaker. But without that shift in his numbers, you're right. He's dead in the water, with no ability to gain any ground.