Exploring a Senate run, Estabrook says "no comment" on Iraq

In essence, she is doing what most politicians (John Edwards notwithstanding) already do: waiting to speak with a phalanx of advisors before coming to a policy position. I've seen many a politician from both major parties do what Estabrook did tonight, but that doesn't excuse her not answering a question of whether she supports a troop withdrawal.

The illegitimate and resource-depleting war in Iraq has plagued this country for years, and Bush and co. have no game plan and no end in sight. Any politician who argues that we should not put any pressure (benchmarks) upon the Iraqis, should maintain our position as a mediator between warring factions, and not make any concrete plans for withdrawal, is making a major error in policy. Let's see how far Estabrook and other N.J. GOP senate candidates run, if at all, from Bush's failed Iraq policies.

This has been the biggest story, affecting all our citizens, for over four years now. How can she consider running for this great office and not have an opinion?  I am so sick of politicians running from the great issues of our day.  What would our Founding Fathers think? 

Hmm...let's see. A leftwing journalist ambushes a Republican who is not even a candidate on her way to a meeting. He wants a detailed answer NOW! How dare she not answer! Doesn't she know he's THE PRESS? Since he can't attack her position he attacks her for not telling him what it is! If lefty journo's start the campaign whacking Estabrook then it's obvious we Republicans have a good candidate. Very professional of the reporter too I must add. You'll be working for the New York Times in a year (if it's still publishing that is).

Very typical of GOP supporters to attack someone's character and not focus on the ISSUES- that being Iraq.

There is no bigger issue facing this country and no more important issue for New Jerseyans in the next general election than Iraq.

Did I mention Iraq? Becuase whoever the GOP candidate will be must be strong in their convictions and understand foreign policy- this is after all the U.S. Senate- not Trenton... Estabrook's votes will decide how/when we end this war- so let's get serious here and get to know the issues and the person who has "no comment" on THE issue... sad really.

I think no comment is a pretty typical answer when your ambushed by a reporter, unless you're Chuck Schumer. Then you can give a 2 hour non-answer even when ambushed. Still she should probably have something to say on the war, its not like it started yesterday.

Just what the GOP needs, a candidate reaching out to the "common man" who gets driven to work!! Isn't there a term for that ? Oh yea, it's called a LIMOUSINE LIBERAL !!!!

Max followed up his UNANSWERED phone calls with a personal visit. That's good reporting. Sounds like Ms. Estabrook wants to get her story straight before announcing she's officially a candidate. Iraq is the biggest national issue and she's already dodging it. Go away already and don't bother running. It's no wonder the Republicans are clueless in New Jersey. Get yourselve's a candidate with balls one day why don't you.

The new owners political bias is evident. The reporter says he cares about Iraq and got Doherty's view, but doesnt print it. He says that a big vote was taking place, but politicsnj doesnt report it. Why? He wants to sandbag the GOP's strongest candidate. Who is the new owner of politicsnj (Kushner) and who have they supported so generously? Maybe thats why they dont bother reporting on Iraq, the pretense of the sandbag.

Journalism used to be such a respectable occupation. Why do reporters think readers care about THEM? Reporters should basically be invisible. It is fair to go and ask the question. It is even fair to go and ask unannounced. It is sophomoric to report the event as if what you did was unique and in any way important. I like my reporting straight up, not with an umbrella and a straw.

He has the nerve to ask someone that's preparing to run for office if they are are actually running for office. And then he has the nerve to ask about the biggest issue of our time (the Iraq war). Eastabrook has every right to issue a no comment on the Iraq war. That's what I look for in a candidate. I'm looking for a candidate that when it comes to a war that may or may not be the biggest foreign policy debacle that this country has ever faced, this candidate will look the public in the eye and confidently say, "No comment." Now that's what I call leadership.

She has no position. She doesn't know all the facts. However, I have yet to see one democrat nationwide that actually has a PLAN to fight terrorism, other then to wave the white flag, bring everyone home and play defense, hoping that the next attack won't kill more than 3,000 people. The terrorists hate us, they hate our freedom, our way of life, EVERYTHING. For them, this is a war of attrition and they have been fighting it for more than 30 years. You think all the terroist attacks in the past were isolated incidents? You can't fall back and say "let's negotiate". How can you negotiate with people who have no value for human life??? If we pull out, they will be emboldened and they will come here again. Bush hasn't done everything right, however, having NO PLAN is not the answer. Where is the democrat plan? The Democrat plan is "Bush is a bad person and the war is bad." OK..so what next????? This is a multi-generational war, and refusing to see that will contribute to more deaths. This is their jihad.

either way.

I think this exchange just typifies the political dynamic between politicans in the press-- it's as dependable and unchaning as any law of physics. Reporters will be pricks because it's the best way to get a name for yourself. Candidates will defer from answering questions until they have perfectly crafted, market-tested messages ready in their holster. If they don't answer with canned, well-honed messages, the aforementioned pricks, who like to pretend that they would lavish them with respect and adulation for being direct and honest, would really just take their sincerity and chew them alive. At this point, I have no problem with Pizzaro's question or Esterbrook's response. She knows she has to answer this question. He know she has to answer this question. And she will. No story here.

-The Secessionist

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"Peaceful secession and nullification are the only means of returning to a system of government that respects rather than destroys individual liberty."