February 29, 2008 - 8:40am
Three months from the Senate primary, Republicans don't know who the candidates are
By Editor
Tags: poll, U.S. Senate, Frank Lautenberg, Murray Sabrin, Joseph Pennacchio, FDU, Anne Estabrook, Bob Menendez, New Jersey, Peter Wooley, senate race, Fairleigh Dickinson
Voters have no idea who the Republican U.S. Senate candidates are, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll released this morning. 84% of voters have never heard of State Senator Joseph Pennacchio, 87% don’t recognize Anne Evans Estabrook, and 89% have no idea who Murray Sabrin is. Among Republicans, the number is similarly dismal: 82% haven’t heard of Pennacchio, 83% don’t know who Sabrin is, and 87% are unfamiliar with Estabrook.
“No brand name has entered the race for the Republicans,” said Peter Woolley, a political scientist and director of the poll. “In part, that is a reflection of poor prospects for the Republican Party nationally which is bogged down with an unpopular President, an unpopular war, and a softening economy.”
The four-term incumbent, Democrat Frank Lautenberg, is known by 85% of New Jersey voters; he has a 42%-23% favorability rating.
“He’s a brand name and they like him.” Woolley said.
Reviews on U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez are mixed: he has a 30%-26% favorability rating.
Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, a potential 2009 GOP gubernatorial candidate, is known to 25% of state voters, and to 33% of voters.
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July 6, 2008
"I do not." -- James Laurie, an 18-year-old Brookdale Community College student, asked if he knew who Dick Zimmer was.
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It is not the name that counts
So Senator Lautenberg is known by 85% voters in NJ. You would hope that after 30 years in the US Senate somebody ought to know your name. It comes on top of a statewide discussion on Lautenberg's age. The guy is 81 or 82 or 84 (who knows?), please, it is time for a younger person. I have nothing against wise old people (if they are still able to comprehend where they are), but it is time for new ideas and new messengers. Who would that be? From the present crop of candidates only one stands out. It is Dr. Murray Sabrin. He might not be recognized by NJ voters yet. However, when the state GOP machine with Tom Wilson at the head will get behind him, the voters will get to know his name in no time.
NEVER ASKED
I have been a registered Republican for 24 years, and have been a consistent voter. I have never ever been called or asked to participate in a poll like this or pretty much any other kind.
If they are targeting inconsistent voters, of course no one would know who any of the candidates are, but it doesn't matter, they probably wouldn't vote anyway.
Even more telling is last week at the Woodbridge GOP meeting, a couple of people didn't even know there was a US Senate and Congressional race this year. And these are the party insiders !!
Someone even asked Senator Lance, what kind of US Senator he would make.... Lance is running for Congress!!
Welcome to New Jersey
"The Apathetic State"
Tom Wilson
behind you is the equivalent of the Sports Illustrated curse.
If Republicans don't recognize Murray's name after a General Election and a Primary run, it says something about RINOs.
Like Joe's campaign of waiting for Anne to burn out on her own. The last man standing?
I know the candidates but no one asked.
Republican Candidates are in two classes:
The Republican Wing and the Democrat Wing. Esterbrook is the candidated from the left on the Democrat Wing of the Republican Party.
Hi Ho, Joe Pennacchio is one of the two on the Republican Wing, but is part of the Good ol' Boys Club that had a hand in the problems we are facing. Sometimes you must just get rid of the old reliable typewriter and buy a computer.
Murray is a genuine conservative and would be a refreshing change, especially since he has not been corrupted by the political system.
As for Lautenburg, you might have to throw out the reliable stone and chisel, and replace it with a quill and parchment.
"Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state." - Thomas Jefferson
Recognition
Its funny how the more moderate, albeit better funded candidate, is doing better than the more conservative one. Even more telling is the fact that the more conservative candidate has already previously run statewide, so one would naturally expect that his name recognition would be better.
This leads me to the conclusion that the NJGOPs failures are not policy related. But can rather be attributed to running bad candidates who are not charismatic nor personable.
Bergen ring a bell Eric?
Estabrook got her clock cleaned despite Ortiz trying to carry water for her. The Republican candidates defeated the Republicrat in the screening by 39-6 combined. So Estabrook is doing so well? I heard she isn't showing up for routine GOP events in the part of NJ near the Mason-Dixon Line.
Lets not get too excited
Lets not get too excited, it was a screening committee, not the actual convention. We'll see what happens in Union tomorrow, either way there's a long ways to go. Everyone's getting a little too jumpy here, last time I checked the primary isn't until June and most of these voters have no idea who any of these candidates are.
Jack Jacobs
I'm shocked that no one has approached Medal of Honor recipient, Vietnam veteran, successful businessman, and MSNBC military analyst Jack Jacobs to run for any position this year, especially Senate, where Jacobs would match up very well with the Republican national nominee, John McCain.
While Jacobs wouldn't satisfy any name recognition problems, he is by far the most capable Republican to take advantage of McCain's advantages and Lautenberg's disadvantages. Give him a moderate Susan Collins or John McCain style platform to stand on and he would be good to go.