You don't SERIOUSLY think Lonegan has a chance tomorrow. If you do, there's a bridge I want to sell you. Do they allow people to place bets on elections in Atlantic City? If so, I'd be willing to throw some pretty large amounts of cash down on Lonegan not even coming close tomorrow.
Like I said, Lonegan is right on the issues. But he's got no chance in hell- not in this primary, and CERTAINLY not in the election itself. Reagan may have won twice in this state, but this was a different state back then. Recall that this state also once voted for Bush 41, and once had a Republican governor for 16 out of 20 years. That New Jersey is gone, and you know it.
This is now a liberal state with people who are inclined to vote Democrat. The ONLY thing that will change that is if somebody who can be perceived as moderate (but not liberal) lights a fire under their asses on an issue like property taxes. Bret Schundler can do that, because he's already set up the legislation card- we know his legislation won't pass by November, and he can play that into "Change is needed." Forrester's plan stinks, and he's a flat out liberal, so he's out of the question.
That leaves Lonegan, and like I just said, he's got 0 chance. Schundler could have competed against McGreevey 4 years ago if our party had actually, you know, supported him. Schundler can play both the moderate and conservative cards, which will give him a good opportunity here. Plus, this is an election that's based on entirely different issues than the one in 2000.
Lonegan, should he win, would immediately be shredded apart by the media as being a right wing crackpot, and Corzine would jump all over him in an instant. It's just not practical.
"Schundler can play both the moderate and conservative cards"
You mean like Christie Whitman? Maybe we can have our very own John McCain!
"Lonegan, should he win, would immediately be shredded apart by the media as being a right wing crackpot, and Corzine would jump all over him in an instant."
You seriously think this won't happen regardless of who the nominee is?
"It's just not practical."
Neither is nominating a "triangulator". I believe voters respect someone more who takes a position and sticks to it than someone who sticks his finger in the air in order to decide whether or not to be a "moderate" that day.
I can accept voting on pragmatism in a general election, but not in a primary. No way, no how. We have to get our party in order, and actually have it represent what we believe, before we can expect it to start winning any voters over. "Faking it" is a losing proposition, and always has been.
Qwinn