April 18, 2008 - 1:48pm
Ferguson blasts Whitman ad
By Matt FriedmanKate Whitman’s controversial attack ad against rival Leonard Lance has drawn the ire of the Congressman they’re both hoping to replace.
Seventh district Rep. Mike Ferguson, who’s retiring after he serves out his current term, has remained neutral despite the crowded field of candidates vying to replace him. But yesterday he told the Bridgewater Courier-News that a recent cable television ad from the Whitman campaign was particularly outlandish.
The ad argues that, during Lance’s time in Trenton, spending and property taxes have increased.
“I was very disappointed to see Kate’s ad, because it’s false, it’s misleading, it’s a complete distortion of Senator Lance’s record,” Ferguson told the newspaper.
Lance has cast himself as a fiscal conservative who fought against state borrowing during his time in the legislature, including the plans of Whitman’s own mother during her terms as Governor.
Ferguson went on to say that Lance could be considered the frontrunner for the nomination, and that such accusations hurt the party as a whole.
“One of these candidates is ultimately going to be our nominee, and obviously I think you could make an argument that Senator Lance is the frontrunner because he has the county organization support in both Hunterdon and Somerset counties,” Ferguson told the paper. “To launch this kind of an attack on the frontrunner candidate who may well end up being our nominee, and have that attack come from a fellow Republican, is really just out of bounds.”
In the article, Whitman defended the ad.
“I am not saying that Leonard Lance hasn’t been down in Trenton and hasn’t fought the good fight. I think he has fought, but he has failed,” she said. “My point is that he had his chance, he failed, and now it’s time for someone new.”
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Yep. The GOP Sticks Together...
Even if it means driving right off the face of the cliff!
Copyright Infringement???
i wonder if the CN gave permission to the Lance campaign to reprint its article.
ferguson!?!?
Does this guy forget the 2000 primary where he tried to cut Kean's throat? His campaign went so far that Kean sued.
Its also nice to see Lance is a strong viable candidate who can take a hit. I'm sure stender is planning on running a positive campaign... Stender will eat Lance alive if he wins the nomination.
I thought Ferguson was "neutral"
Isn't this the guy who was staying out of the primary race, yet most of his Congressional staff is working for Lance, and they share the same consultant, and he worked the room on Lance's behalf in Somerset County at the convention.
I see that Ferguson is playing the "attacking fellow Republican" card, when the truth is being revealed and they can't counter with anything else.
And what does Mike Ferguson know about fiscal Conservatism, anyway? Have you checked his voting record recently.
Perhaps he can give another quote to the Times about how he is happy that the Democrats are in the majority so now bills that wouldn't come up for a vote, would now make it to the floor:
WASHINGTON, April 6 — If the Democratic ascendancy on Capitol Hill was supposed to usher in dark days for Republicans, it is hard to tell from talking to moderate ones like Mike Ferguson, who represents a suburban district in central New Jersey.
“Under the Republican majority, those bills would have never gotten to the floor,” he explained before heading back to his district. “Now they have been brought to the floor, and I’ve voted for them.”
http://www.gopusanj.com/wordpress/?p=51
Ferguson Criticizing Negative Politics
Ferguson ran a very negative race against Kean in 2000 and against Stender in 2006. Now he's against it. Is he trying for hypocrite of the year!
Kate's defense makes no sense.
Mike should have stayed out of the fray if he is neutral. Either get off the pot and endorse or shut the heck up.
Estabrook
He still has egg on his face for not delivering Union County for Estabrook last month. His excuse for not runing for re election is flimsy at best considering he was the chairman for her campaign even though he was going to spend more time with his family.
He weakened the district the last time he ran and now he is meddling in this race.
Maybe he should just go away and spend time with his family like he said he would.
Alot of these guys are double dealing each other in this race. Why is Marks even staying in this race? To help neutralize Union County against Hatfield for Lance?
Kelly Hatfield will work harder then all of them in the fall.
Chill Losers
Fergy was just stating the obvious. Kate is getting bad advice. Lennie ain't perfect but he is clearly the strongest cadidate we have and if she wants a future in NJ Politics she should try to stick to the facts. Her mother did huge damage to NJ Republicans (and our state frankly) and Kate is adding to that legacy. We don't need more Christie/Kate "Its our party too[, and we'll cry if we want to]" Whitmans. Mike's first campaign was tough but fair (Tom doesn't hold any grudges). Frankly you guys have no idea what you're talking about.