April 2, 2008 - 6:07pm
Baroni endorses Unanue
By Matt FriedmanState Sen. Bill Baroni endorsed Goya Foods heir Andy Unanue for U.S. Senate tonight, just an hour before the Mercer County Republicans’ executive committee meets to endorse a Senate candidate.
"Andy Unanue has what it takes to get the job done in Washington for the working men and women of New Jersey," said Baroni,a Hamilton resident and popular Republican figure in Mercer. "Andy's experience and achievements - not only his business successes, but also his unselfish public service to nonprofit and charitable organizations – make plain his commitment to having a positive impact on the lives of those around him.”
The endorsement may also mean that Princeton biotech millionaire John Crowley, whose compelling personal narrative could have made him an instant favorite, has signaled that he is definitely not going to enter the race. Republican circles had been rife with speculation -- or at least hope -- that Crowley was reconsidering his decision not to seek the office.
Last week, after word came that Crowley planned to enter the race, the Mercer County Republican Party voted to defer its endorsement to today’s executive committee meeting.
Unanue faces state Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Ramapo College finance professor Murray Sabrin in the Republican primary.
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July 4, 2008
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
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In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
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Bob Torricelli is Mad at the Big, 'Mean' Bergen Record― THE MEDIA MOB
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Newark’s Mayor Cory Booker at Midpoint ― DICK BENFIELD
MUCHAS MARGARITAS― ANDY UNANUE
NJ Economic Growth chief leaves office― Gary Rose
Candidates spend plenty of their money― Philadelphia Inquirer
News anchor sizing up run for governor― Star-Ledger
Political parties get right down to business― Daily Record
Ex-city official should give all of it back― Star-Ledger
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Baroni
A huge endorsement! Nice!
"Never attempt to murder a man who is committing suicide."- Woodrow Wilson
why endorse anyone?
not sure what Baroni stands to gain from alligning himself with a guy who's candidacy hasn't gotten off to such a hot start. Maybe he should sit out the primary, and stay above that fray.
Having said that.....its not as if Jersey Joe and the Mad Professor really have the same politics as Baroni.
Maybe there was no real choice to be made. Must be delightful to serve in the Senate w/ Joe P.
And in Other News
"Moderate" State Senator Bill Baroni endorses "moderate" US Senate candidate Andy Unanue.
And in other shocking news:
The sun will rise in the east
The sky will be blue
The NY Yankees will have the highest payroll in baseball
Would Wayne DeAngelo?
be able to credibly win conservatives in 2011 against Billy Boy?
RINO for WINO
This guy really thinks alot of himself. What's the point of a republican holding that Senate seat when this guy acts just like a dem time after time? All the top RINO's in this state are knocking each other over to get first in line to kiss up to this millionaire.
Two weeks ago Baroni votes against the party on the family leave bill, now he endorses an unqualified candidate for US Senate with questionable moral issues and no experiance.
I smell a run for governor for B. B. next year and supporting a bad candidate like this strictly because he has cash shows a lack of integrity.
It is also my understanding he double crossed Joe Pennachio to boot.
That's ok, real elephants have long memories and it will be fun next year when this RINO comes calling himself for support for the GOP nod for governor.
Just adding this to the list.
Expected
When Baroni endorses you, you know you're not a conservative.
Thank You!
Thank God, there are other sane people out here that see Bill Baroni for what he is, a Democrat who runs as a Republican, who is beholden to the Unions..
Other Republican blogs kiss this guys butt like he's the savior of the party, when he is actually everything that is wrong with it.
Save the Republican Party!
Vote Conservative!!
I see that Bill Baroni didn't listen to well to Newt Gingrich's advice.. The theme of his talk was how to stand up better to Democrats, the problem was some of those in the Senate GOP Caucus ARE Democrats ...
Disappointment
If Baroni was a statesman he would stay out of it. If Baroni was a leader, he would endorse somebody weeks ago. If Baroni had a sense of what is wrong with the GOP in NJ, he would stay out of it altogether and wait for the June primary results. It is a disapointment.
Typical..
The response to this endorsement is so typical of most Baroni articles on this site.
Of course, everyone outside of Mr. Democrat has an agenda and a different candidate they are backing; whether it be the one commenter who supports Jersey Joe, Dino who supports Unanue, or the Sabrinists.
I still do not have a candidate I am supporting, and I think everyone knows I'm a big supporter of Baroni.
The pure fact is that this endorsement helps Unanue, because Baroni was without a doubt the best possible challenger to face Lautenberg until he could not run because of Inverso's retirement.
So if everyone can get past their immature rhetoric and grudges, I think this endorsement will definately help Unanue in Mercer and could certainly influence other people who may be on the fence, It certainly won't hurt him, the typical Baroni hater would probably never support Unanue anyway.
That being said, not every Baroni supporter will support Unanue all of a sudden, I'm sure a lot of us understand and respect his decision, but will make our own decisions.
It's the voters that decide in the end, not county lines and not endorsements. (although both certainly help)
Huh?!?!
Unanue is still in the race? He carries more baggage than the Howells brought to Gilligan's Island. Then again, one of the Howell's bags was full of cash.
"A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.” - Thomas Jefferson
Ummm...
What is wrong with pointing out that Baroni is not a conservative? There is nothing "immature" about stating the truth. This is the same Republican, and only Republican, that voted FOR the Paid Family Leave Act. This endorsement should not be a shock at all. How any Republican could find Unanue appealing is beyond me. That fact that so many are rallying behind him says a lot about Republicans in this state. It's really unfortunate.
TDG
How did you know I was referring to you when I said "immature" rhetoric?
Not every Republican thinks like you and I'm sick and tired of the knee-jerk reaction by some "conservatives" who think Republicans who think differently should be kicked out of the party.
Who defines what a "conservative" is? I have some conservative views and some moderate views depending on what issue your talking about. Does that make me not a "conservative" or a RINO?
"That fact that so many are rallying behind him.."
So Many? A few county chairmen, some elected officials, and some rank and file convention attendees aren't "so many" to me. We'll see how many are behind each candidate on June 3rd. Thats when many voters will speak, until then it's a pretty small fraction of the voters, consider over 150,000 (and that's a very safe guess) will vote in the primary.
Unanue
Conservative is not the point here. Responsable descision making that is good for the GOP party as a whole is the point.
What qualifications does this man have?
You cannot tell me he isn't getting endorsed for the simple fact he has money.
It is disgraceful a so called party leader like Baroni would tell GOP voters he feels this man is qualified to be a US Senator from NJ.
What office has he held? What legislation has he helped get passed?
What are his positons on the War? The economy? Taxes? Federal Judges?
What candidates has he campaigned for Stae wide office in the past?
Has he voted in a GOP primary in the last 10 years?
What education does he have?
Does his personal behavior disqualify him from being a candidate?
THINK ABOUT THAT!!
Too Soon
Why endorse someone who you would poll higher than?
Endorsing McCain early and sticking with it proved to be a stroke of genius for Baroni, but lightning doesn't often strike twice.
This also does little to prove Baroni's GOP bona fides. Unanue is a marginal Republican's marginal Republican (at this point in the campaign).