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Schundler Boosts Christie Effort

From Politicker NJ via ChristieForNJ.com:

Bret Schundler's endorsement of Christopher Christie in the GOP gubernatorial primary is significant, although Steve Lonegan's camp will suggest it is not. Support from Schundler makes it more difficult for Lonegan to persuade conservative Republican primary voters to oppose Christie, the former U.S. Attorney who has become the front runner for the chance to challenge Gov. Jon Corzine in the fall. Like U.S. Rep. Christopher Smith, whose endorsement of Christie is like a Good Housekeeping seal of approval within the pro-life community - a vote Lonegan must win big if he is to be successful in the June primary - Schundler is popular enough with conservatives that his support will be helpful.

Christie Radio Campaign Begins!

NJ Indictments Keep Comin

Former Democrat Mayor (and now State Assemblyman) Joseph Vas of Perth Amboy had been indicted on charges that, while he was mayor of Perth Amboy, he conspired with city employees to steal approximately $5,000 in funds from the city to pay for personal purchases and expenses.
Vas, 54, was indicted with his personal driver, Anthony S. Jones, 48, of Perth Amboy, on charges he rigged a city housing lottery so that Jones won the opportunity to buy a home through the city’s affordable housing program.
Vas is the 13th Democrat Mayor in New Jersey to recently be indicted. Here's the (nearly)complete list (from Red State) with links to the full story for each.
(1) Orange Mayor Mims Hackett Jr, who pleaded guity to extortion;
(2) Passaic Mayor Samuel Rivera, who pleaded guity to extortion;
(3) former Newark Mayor Sharpe James, convicted along with his former mistress in connection with shady land deals;
(4) former Atlantic City Mayor Robert Levy, who pleaded guilty to making false claims to receive more than $24,000 in veterans’ benefits;
(5) former Hoboken Mayor Anthony Russo, indicted for extortion and bribery and who ultimately pleaded guilty to mail fraud;
(6) former Guttenberg Mayor David Delle Donna, who was convicted along with his wife of extortion and tax fraud;
(7) former Irvington Mayor Sara Bost, indicted for taking kickbacks and who ultimately pleaded guilty to witness tampering;
(8) former Irvington Mayor Michael Steele (no relation, I assume) indicted for bribery;
(9) former Patterson Mayor Martin Barnes, convicted of accepting gifts in exchange for city contracts;
(10) fomer Brick Mayor Joseph Scarpelli, convicted of taking bribes;
(11) former Burlington Township Mayor Joseph Foy Sr., who pleaded guilty to tax evasion;
Oh, and throw in Jersey City Mayor Jeremiah Healy, convicted of resisting arrest and obstruction of justice. Of course, the list * * goes well beyond Mayors.
We can only hope that Joisey residents are FINALLY beginning to come to their senses and are prepared to vote for Christopher Christie for Governor. We need to throw the bums out and turn our state over to a tough prosecutor. That person is CHRISTIE!
To get involved in the Christie campaign, click here.

NJ: It Just Gets Worse

Higher and higher property taxes (via an end to tax rebates). Higher payroll taxes. No cut in the bloated state employee rolls. Frozen or reduced aid to schools or municipalities (more taxes!).
The news is all bad from wacky Jon Corzine's proposed budget that the Governor is set to unveil today.
Of course, Corzine will preserve rebates for "low income" residents. As always, Corzine is out to punish those who are productive and pay taxes and reward those who aren't productive and pay no taxes. And even in the midst of a total economic meltdown (with businesses closing down or fleeing the state in droves) Corzine continues to punish the private sector.
Democrat Senate President Dick Codey says this is the worst economic scenario he's seen in 35 years in the legislature. Hey, Codey: After all that time in Trenton if it's so bad why don't you pack up and get the hell out of town? You've earned enough at our expense and piled up enough money in your pension to pack it in. What are you waiting for?
As for Corzine, we've pretty much given up any hope that this old-line liberal will ever come to his senses. His elitist tax-and-spend mentality is hopelessly out-of-touch with current realities.
New Jersey needs smaller government, fewer regulations, consolidation of government agencies and local government entities, an end to waste and mismanagement, lower taxes and a new, solid pro-business climate.
Here's what Christopher Christie plans to do:
It will be a priority in the Christie administration to reduce New Jersey’s gross income tax during Christie’s first 4 year term as Governor. Christie will seek two types of income tax reductions: One will be an “across the board” rate cut for all taxpayers. The other will be an additional cut or credit for those taxpayers who derive business income from New Jersey-based small businesses. These taxes will be reduced to encourage investment in and expansion of New Jersey-based small business, and make our tax policies more competitive with the other states in the region that have better private sector job growth.
And Christie also plans to reduce the corporate business tax rate, freeze all new agency rules and regulations to eliminate red tape, eliminate agency funding from fees and fines and mandate funding "on budget" from the general fund, eliminate special interest giveaways and nurture and expand the state manufacturing base.
Christie's been one tough prosecutor and he will be an equally tenacious Governor. New Jersey's culture of corruption will be put on notice: Clean up you act or wind up in jail.
New Jersey will face one of the most critical decisions in its history this November: more waste, corruption, mismanagement and tax and spend or a new era of positive action under a new, courageous, independent leader committed to growth and reform.
Avanti!

Christie Soars Over Corzine

The latest Farleigh Dickinson poll is just out in New Jersey and it shows GOP Challenger Chris Christie soundly defeating Joisey's wacky Governor Jon Corzine in a November contest:

Corzine trails former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie by 32%-41%. In that heat, 73% of Republicans line up behind Christie, while just 55% of Democrats line up behind Corzine. . . .

Christie’s name recognition continues to climb, from 40% in September to 44% in January and to 57% this month. Just as important, 30% have a favorable opinion of him against 6% whose view is unfavorable, a five-to-one ratio.

Christie Unveils Plan

From Chris Megerian in the Newark Star-Ledger:
Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie outlined his plan for economic growth . . . promising to cut taxes and fees while playing a hands-on role in attracting new businesses.
Front and center was his proposal to create a "New Jersey Parternship for Action," an umbrella organization to assist companies in the state. Led by the new lieutenant governor, it would interface with business leaders to streamline regulatory and relocation efforts.
"This will give business a seat at the table in my cabinet," Christie said.
The former U.S. attorney also proposed a "Red Tape Review Group" to assess regulations currently in place.Christie downplayed the role of the global economic recession in the state's financial woes, saying problems existed before the current crisis while laying the blame squarely at the feet of Gov. Corzine."The governor is going to say, 'It's not my fault,'" Christie said.

Daily News' Most Popular

Thank you for making us today's most-read column in the Philadelphia Daily News opinion pages.
It's quite an accompliahment, considering these two factors:
1) Another columnist in the Daily News today (who shall remain nameless) actually set out to write the most-read column of the day by picking a sexually-related topic, and;
2) Our op-ed piece didn't even focus on Philadelphia. Indeed, it is rare for a piece about New Jersey to become the day's most widealy read column.
BTW: The column was also featured at Lucianne Goldberg's popular web site.
If you have already read the op-ed you can read it now by clicking here.

The Jersey Bounce

Let's face it - sooner or later the Republican Party will rebound. It will find its voice and the tide will begin to turn. The only question is where, when and how.
When the answer arrives, I'm thinking it's going to surprise a lot of people. The resurgence won't begin exactly where you might expect. And the timing and personalities who trigger it are likely to defy expectations as well.
The turning point may be right here in our own backyard, sooner than you think. And it may be arrive in a rather unlikely personality. . . .
To continue reading my column from today's Philadelphia Daily News click here.