Why is Levine running?
By Wally Edge
Franklin Township Mayor Brian D. Levine is thinking about getting in the race for the Republican nomination for Governor, and he's won twice in a heavily Democratic town. Levine is supposed to be smart, hardworking, and a pretty good retail campaigner. But few pundits think the obscure certified public accountant from Somerset County can win a statewide primary.
Running for Governor could be a good thing for Levine. He could impress Republicans enough that the nominee picks him to run for Lt. Governor. If Republicans win the governorship, he could wind up with a cabinet post. The exposure of running for Governor could boost his chances to challenge U.S. Rep. Rush Holt in 2010, if the political climate of Barack Obama's mid-term election is favorable to Republicans. And if legislative districts change and Franklin moves from the very Democratic 17th to a more Republican Somerset-based district, Levine could be first in line to run for State Senate or Assembly in 2011.
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Because he's an overinflated idiot
Seriously, it's ridiculous.
I dont think so
Mayor of a town of 60,000, smart, effective, Jewish, seems a good profile to me. Even if he doesn't win the primary, he is a welcome addition to the GOP in Blue Jersey.
Levine a good choice
He would be a great candidate- hes a Trenton outsider, hes smart, he has executive experience and he wins in a blue part of the state. I think he would provide a strong contrast to Corzine, although the money factor would be a huge problem.
Except for money, you're talking about Lonegan.
Lonegan won three times in a row by double-digit margins in a town that just voted 64% for Obama and 66% for Lautenberg.
Lonegan's conservative record kept Republican Council control for ELEVEN STRAIGHT ELECTIONS!
The biggest difference here is money, and Lonegan is going to have more money than all the other Republican candidates COMBINED.
Time to get on the bus.
He is as plausible as anyone else
Levin is the mayor of a town of 60,000, and the mayor of a large town (Woodbridge) was elected Governor in 2001. Levin has won an election in the last twelve years, which Crowley and Christie have not done. He has won an election in a town bigger than 10,000 people, which Lonegan has not done. He has won in a Democratic area, which Merkt has not done.
On paper, Levin is as plausible, or more so, than the other candidates.
"Time to get on the bus" ??
Mountaintop: Mayor Lonegan is well known to the 5% of people who are interested in party politics, and he will have money, but let's get serious. The party leadership is not going to endorse Lonegan even if he wins the primary - which he might. Unless Lonegan is prepared to run his own column, all the way down the ballot, and change the entire party leadership at once, where does a Lonegan candidacy take us, except another defeat?
Difference is more than just money
Lonegan also has statewide support of thousands of grass roots activists. That is something no other potential Republican candidate has. Add that to Lonegan's message and credibility on fiscal issues and with the money I bet he can raise everyone should get on that bus.
And Willmonk, the leadership (if you can call it that) will get on the bus - or at least try to. Even if they don't it doesn't matter because Lonegan has that much support and the right message (that the purported leadership lacks). At the end of the day it would be better for the Republican party if they weren't on the bus and there was a change.
Ron Paul had all that, too
Ron Paul had grass roots supporters, and lots of money, and a unique message. But he did look like a guy who could actually be President.
I like much of what Lonegan says, but he has to convince voters to take him seriously. Lonegan has to appear like he could actually be Governor of a complex state. Pulling stunts like getting arrested at a Corzine rally makes him look like a goof.
Corzine has money and party support and name recognition...he will be very tough to beat regardless of what the polls say.
A goof?
For exercising his First Amendment protected right of free speech? For exposing Corzine's attempted authoritarian rule? For leading the charge against the biggest increase in debt and taxes and size of government proposal in state history? For being the strongest advocate for the taxpayers in that situation?
Are you kidding me? His popularity went through the roof after that.
His experience as mayor for 12 years where he cut spending and the size of government and stood up to the unions and kept taxes low, and his business experience leading a company to prosper, will convince the people he is up to the task.
No Goof
I applaud Lonegan for attending Corzine's forums and expressing his opinion. I attended one and expressed mine as well. I also attended a TPK hearing and expressed my opinon on these outrageous toll increases. This state needs people to stand up and tell the Dem's that enough is enough! We're literally being taxed out of our homes.
I studied economics in college and have read many, many books about economics and history and I can tell you that the worst thing gov't can do during economic difficulty is raise taxes and fees. So what do Corzine and his complicit Dem's do? Raise taxes, tolls and fees.
Lonegan understands economics. Corzine does not. And if Lonegan does not win the primary, I would hope that whomever does will be smart enough to make Lonegan his top economic advisor.
"I figure people drift toward liberalism at a young age, and I always hope that they change when they see how the world really is.”
- Johnny Ramone
Don't worry Joe
Steve will win the primary with more votes than everyone else running put together.
And whether the Republican Party "leadership" supports Steve or not is irrelevant to Steve's potential campaign. It should be of concern to these so-called "leaders", however. There won't be any "unity" meeting the day after the primary with the people who bet wrong.
It's mighty cold outside.
Keep Ignoring
Lonegan won in a town where like 3,000 total people vote, hardly something to brag about.
People think he is an arrogant prick, and thats the kind of message he sells, comes off like an elitist a-hole.
Time to get on the bus?!
Is that the same busload of wingnuts driven by "Maverick Murray" Sabrin in the GOP primary last spring?
Lonegan's incredible record?
I don't understand why people make other people s records look amazing when they are really only ok. Lonegan won in a town where there are only about 3,500 voters. BIG WHOOOP. And even if this "soldier" wins his primary, he won't win the general. The GOP can fight as much they want but at the end of the day, they won't beat out a Democrat in New Jersey, even if its the unpopular Corzine. O and about how young people will eventually become conservative, good one. I don't have a preference but it annoys me how people say liberal with such disgust but conservative is ok. Liberal or Conservative, don't hate someone beacuse of their opinion.
Levine
Levine would be great but needs money. He's a regular middle class guy. Where can we donate?
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