Quote: “I don’t mean to be pessimistic, but the reality is this state is lost for so many reasons. What is encouraging is that Lonegan attacked Booker’s weaknesses and went after him. This is how we will eventually win elections. Draw out the differences and provide an alternative. Republicans have never learned that this is a long war and you win battles and small tactical engagement so that someday you win the war. Steve is a hell of a soldier in the battle.”
You are not being pessimistic but realitistic. Look, Governor Tubby (GOP-e) screwed Lonnegan by having this election now instead of in November such that Steve’s name could appear on the ticket wtih Christie. As much as I detest Tubby, he is popular and could have pulled through a ton of votes for Steve.
The Christie people believe that a double digit victory in a blue state will sell GOP primary voters on "his ability to win moderates across the aisle."
They may be right too, since the majority of GOP primary voters have repeatedly gone Ahab in search of the white "ability to win moderates" whale.
So Christie refused to appoint a Republican to serve out Lautencorpse's term (which he could have done, but he would have been scolded by the likes of the NY Times editorial board) and ran from a proxy fight with fembo Booker.