Estabrook forms exploratory committee

For an outsider in politics I am very impressed with the names on her list. Ferguson, Eisenberg, 4 chairs, Kyrillos and some business people A good start.

I think everyone realizes that Lautenberg's time is up. NJ is ready for a fresh perspective, and well thought out positions from a successful businessperson - not rhetoric from a career politician.

I admire candor and private sector sensibility. Not Frank Lautenberg's colonoscopy.

Finally. A republican that can win in the state of NJ. With Ferguson backing her, she as to be the top-runner

No experience. No record. No stances. No issues. All money. Sounds like a certain U.S. Senator turned Governor?

Same gang, different gender.

Frank by 10 pts. Doesn't matter who the GOP candidate is.

Reads like a who's who of republican toadies....Ferguson, who is a carpetbagger, who's father financed his unsuccessful run in Monmouth County...then moves up north so Daddy can pay for that run in a safe republican distict. Votes 100% down the toadie line in DC....then there's Stalinista Puharic, who runs the county republicans with an iron fist and was the first republican county chair in 20 years to lose an election for Freeholder. Drives out the only Republican Freeholder with any guts and integrity, Anna Little. Has to have 2 goons standing next to him to keep him from losing his temper when he had a meeting the Little...in his office no less. Great bunch. Go Frank Go!

When are NJ Republicans going to get it? Stop putting up lackluster, boring, plastic, out-of-tune candidates!

Here's a thought: how about actually rallying behind and investing in fresh, young, promising, talented candidates who actually relate to and have appeal among everyday NJ people. Believe it or not, there are possible NJ Republican candidates out there who's credentials are not primarliy defined by their millions or their family tree.  Baroni, Christie, and Doherty come to mind as potential alternatives to the status quo. 

Give voters someone to actually get excited about and maybe, just maybe, there's a chance of electing a Repubilican state-wide in NJ.

One of the reasons (and not the only) Menendez (like him or not) won the Fall 2006 Senate race was because the blue collar son of immigrants was able to better connect with and relate to NJ's people. Perhaps its a factor to consider, before the powers that be propel the next statewide GOP candidate to the forefront.

Abraham Kennedy,

Baroni and Christie would be a continuation of the status quo for NJ Republicans. Baroni is a Democrat running as a Republican; look at his record. And, while I can't say the same for Christie based upon a record in recent years, his recent tirades appear to indicate he would be no different than the last several lackluster candidates REpublicans have run in statewide contests. If you want a real choice, and a true Republican the people can stand beind (that will provide a choice from Democrat candidates) look to Mike Doherty. He is the ticket in '08.

at least +15...Doherty is too conservative for Hunterdon County, the only place he gets votes is Warren, how could anyone think he has statewide support. Not to mention he is incredibly lazy and likely will not run given his lousy work ethic. I would be surprised if he mounted a serious bid, seeing how he has never done anything while in office. You should see him on the Assembly floor, he spends more time checking baseball scores then voting. In fact he gets teeenagers to vote for him and then he goes and checks the scores. We should get a tape of that to Edge. Furthermore it's clear that he does not have the establishment support of the Republican party...so what if he has some good names THEY ARE ALL IN DISTRICT. Not even his fellow legislators want to endorse him. Where are his county chairs? Kuhl and Steinhardt? Steinhardt is a flaming idiot as it is and shouldn't Kuhl of come out already? The guy is a JOKE. Plain and simple.

I have heard rumors that Lou Dobbs (NJ resident) was contemplating a run for Senate as an R? If this is true, he would be a formidable opponent given his name ID and ability to self-fund.

I love the ultra conservatives who call him a Democrat. This is why that last labor backing for Seema was shocking, because Baroni's constant support for unions puts him at odds with conservatives and that is why he is so respected among independents and soft democrats in his district. They know he's a fiscal conservative and pro-life, but they still respect the job he does and the intense effort he puts out all the time.

You know it's easy to come from Warren County and call the more logical and moderate Republicans Democrats, but when you come from Central Jersey you completely understand and respect why these Republicans are the future of this state. Because you have the logic to know that if Mike Doherty ran in Hamilton and the 14th District he would get trounced, just like he would if he ran statewide.

Why do you think so many people flocked to Estabrook outside of the fact that she's loaded? She has absolutely no positions and no experience, but they know that Doherty can't win state wide.

So why is Baroni a Democrat? Because he supports Clean Elections which makes complete sense for Republicans in New Jersey to even level the playing field in campaign funds? How does that make him a Democrat? Give me some good reasons why he is a Democrat.

If the race is about Republican values, Doherty can carry the ball, if it is about money and an attempt to moderate the message, Republicans will lose like before. The truth is how the "D" posters keep begging to have Doherty run. If they really thought that he was a loser they would keep their mouth shut and let him lose. The game is to get people to shift to the candidates that they know will give another term to Frank.... moderates. Run Mike, run!

"If Baroni were running, we'd be in deep trouble, and we'd be doing all we could to /counteract/ his candidacy, rather than shoot ourselves in the foot by supporting it."

If only the 14th was a Safe District...

That being said, I wouldn't discount anyone just yet, it's still somewhat early, although Doherty's record will most likely turn off independents who tend to lean liberal on the social issues.