The Ledger also is incorrect about why the vast majority of districts are safe havens for either Republicans or Democrats. Rosenthal, a past tiebreaker of the redistricting commission and longtime adviser to many state legislatures, has argued for many years that safe districts create desired stability in the legislative branch, an important equalizer in the balance of power.

In their endorsement of Beck. This, coupled with the TT and APP endorsement, demonstrate to me that the media is not interested in real reform, ethics or otherwise. They just want partisan back-benchers who will yell and scream and throw grenades, piggy-back on other people's ideas, pick up and put down policy ideas as they find them convenient or popular, and not out of conviction, and basically accomplish nothing.  Whatever the over/under is on how many bills Senator Beck would get passed, I'll take the under. 

...running for office!!!  Well said, thanks. 

From Frederick Douglass

If there is no struggle there is no progress......Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

Framers of the US Constitution (yes, I know this is a State issue) never intended representative public service to become a profession. Which is exactly what its become.

"Stability" in the legislative branch leads to the lack of a will to compromise, or speak their minds on issues, simply because the incumbent representative is in a "safe" district. I'd say lack of competitiveness, choices is what the problem is with the State political system. Its almost as if the powers that be (the judiciary, special committees) are saying the People can't be trusted to decide on their government. Thus they try to marginalize a Government of the People, By the People, For the People, by putting the "fix" in, in so many districts. Anybody seen how some of these districts, especially the 12th stretch?

As for the SL endorsement, that is interesting that they only endorse one race, out of what 120? I'd say they're shirking their responsibility here to make a call either way, or at least tell their readers why they're abstaining from making endorsements...due to whatever their reasoning is.

As far as Beck being a backbencher, well no kidding. How many watered down bills did Karcher get past? Whats wrong with principled, loyal opposition? Isn't it enough that the NJGOP lacks a spine, and in complete disarray? Surely you can't be calling for a one party State? How....totalitarian of you, my friend.

The fact of the matter is legislation moves because of 1 of 3 men. The Governor (through the bully pulpit), the Senate President (by deciding fates of bills, committee stall? or quick floor vote?) or Assembly Leader (same deal as Senate President) nothing moves without approval by one of these 3. That's one of the reasons the 12th sent Karcher to Trenton, to replace the compromised John O. Bennett, to clean up Corruption and install some Ethics reform. Karcher tried her best, but her bills were either bottled up in committee, or were mere shadows of their former selves after the committees got done with them.

Additionally, Senate President Codey is not well liked in Monmouth County, due to lack of action on various bills Karcher introduced, as well as the general inability of the majority to solve issues important to the residents of that county (school funding formula, dual office holding, etc, etc, etc) Karcher had her shot, and nothing has really happened. The 12th is looking, perhaps, to go in a different direction. We'll find out when they get through counting the votes on Tuesday night....if thats alright with some of our more partisan friends out there.

PS. Not for nothing, but its interesting that we'll probably get record low turnout for this election, but political junkies on the left and right love this race because it IS one of the very few competitive ones out there. Geez, wonder what would happen if more of the races were competitive? The turnout would be higher? I'd think that'd be a good thing for democracy....but apparently democracy ain't the name of the game in New Jersey. Just my take...

Not all minority party members take their backbencher ball and go home, like Beck does. She could just as easily have taken her cues from Baroni, O'Toole, Bramnick, etc. Even Handlin and Karrow have gotten bills passed. Instead, Beck cast her lot with the firebrands, waiting for Karcher or Panter to introduce legislation so she could drop the same bill and claim credit for the idea. For all of her disingenuous belly-aching on farmland, she conveniently forgets that the issue was already thoroughly dealt with during the property tax session, and it was her party that opposed farmland reform. "Principled, loyal opposition" is one thing, but at some point it is a representative's job to produce results for their constituents. Beck acts only in her own self interest.

but your a savvy veteran. Seen a few elections.
How did this race get framed up in the 12th?

Beck's played this one just about right, and Karcher's campaign has been well, mediocre, to be nice. (For disclosure, I voted for Karcher last time out)

To be honest, I've seen many DEM campaign commercials, and alot of them look the same, with the black and white pictures, the scary music. I'd say the DEMs have not gotten their money's worth, at least in the 12th.

Beck stuck it to Karcher on the farm assessment issue. Reminds me of the old Clinton triangulation strategy. Yeah, she punked a couple of her supporters, but at the end of the day, who are they going to vote for, and how many independents (homeowning independents, like me) did Beck pick up?

Additionally the wheeling issue which Karcher was sent to Trenton to combat is biting her in the tuckus, especially the money pumped in by Codey (again a POL not well liked in Monmouth County)

Again we'll have to count the voted, and Karcher could easily be helped by the changing demographics of the 12th (more Staten Island/North Jersey voters moving in, plus a burgeoning Hispanic electorate) Like I said, turnout is a big deal, if Karcher can get her base, Manalapan, Marlboro, and traditional DEM blocs out, it'll be tight. Right now, it just seems....blah, I'd be amazed if even 50% of the voters knew there was an election on Tuesday! I'd love to see some Statewide turnout numbers. Would not surprise me if they were south of 40% which is pretty sad considering...

I apologize for the repeats.

The site is slow, and I wanted to continue the dialog with Shore.

Very bad on my part.

But look at it this way I was so excited about it, I posted it 4 times!

Again apologies to all. 

but your a savvy veteran. Seen a few elections.
How did this race get framed up in the 12th?

Beck's played this one just about right, and Karcher's campaign has been well, mediocre, to be nice. (For disclosure, I voted for Karcher last time out)

To be honest, I've seen many DEM campaign commercials, and alot of them look the same, with the black and white pictures, the scary music. I'd say the DEMs have not gotten their money's worth, at least in the 12th.

Beck stuck it to Karcher on the farm assessment issue. Reminds me of the old Clinton triangulation strategy. Yeah, she punked a couple of her supporters, but at the end of the day, who are they going to vote for, and how many independents (homeowning independents, like me) did Beck pick up?

Additionally the wheeling issue which Karcher was sent to Trenton to combat is biting her in the tuckus, especially the money pumped in by Codey (again a POL not well liked in Monmouth County)

Again we'll have to count the voted, and Karcher could easily be helped by the changing demographics of the 12th (more Staten Island/North Jersey voters moving in, plus a burgeoning Hispanic electorate) Like I said, turnout is a big deal, if Karcher can get her base, Manalapan, Marlboro, and traditional DEM blocs out, it'll be tight. Right now, it just seems....blah, I'd be amazed if even 50% of the voters knew there was an election on Tuesday! I'd love to see some Statewide turnout numbers. Would not surprise me if they were south of 40% which is pretty sad considering...

but your a savvy veteran. Seen a few elections. How did this race get framed up in the 12th? Beck's played this one just about right, and Karcher's campaign has been well, mediocre, to be nice. (For disclosure, I voted for Karcher last time out) To be honest, I've seen many DEM campaign commercials, and alot of them look the same, with the black and white pictures, the scary music. I'd say the DEMs have not gotten their money's worth, at least in the 12th. Beck stuck it to Karcher on the farm assessment issue. Reminds me of the old Clinton triangulation strategy. Yeah, she punked a couple of her supporters, but at the end of the day, who are they going to vote for, and how many independents (homeowning independents, like me) did Beck pick up? Additionally the wheeling issue which Karcher was sent to Trenton to combat is biting her in the tuckus, especially the money pumped in by Codey (again a POL not well liked in Monmouth County) Again we'll have to count the voted, and Karcher could easily be helped by the changing demographics of the 12th (more Staten Island/North Jersey voters moving in, plus a burgeoning Hispanic electorate) Like I said, turnout is a big deal, if Karcher can get her base, Manalapan, Marlboro, and traditional DEM blocs out, it'll be tight. Right now, it just seems....blah, I'd be amazed if even 50% of the voters knew there was an election on Tuesday! I'd love to see some Statewide turnout numbers. Would not surprise me if they were south of 40% which is pretty sad considering...

but your a savvy veteran. Seen a few elections.
How did this race get framed up in the 12th?

Beck's played this one just about right, and Karcher's campaign has been well, mediocre, to be nice. (For disclosure, I voted for Karcher last time out)

To be honest, I've seen many DEM campaign commercials, and alot of them look the same, with the black and white pictures, the scary music. I'd say the DEMs have not gotten their money's worth, at least in the 12th.

Beck stuck it to Karcher on the farm assessment issue. Reminds me of the old Clinton triangulation strategy. Yeah, she punked a couple of her supporters, but at the end of the day, who are they going to vote for, and how many independents (homeowning independents, like me) did Beck pick up?

Additionally the wheeling issue which Karcher was sent to Trenton to combat is biting her in the tuckus, especially the money pumped in by Codey (again a POL not well liked in Monmouth County)

Again we'll have to count the voted, and Karcher could easily be helped by the changing demographics of the 12th (more Staten Island/North Jersey voters moving in, plus a burgeoning Hispanic electorate) Like I said, turnout is a big deal, if Karcher can get her base, Manalapan, Marlboro, and traditional DEM blocs out, it'll be tight. Right now, it just seems....blah, I'd be amazed if even 50% of the voters knew there was an election on Tuesday! I'd love to see some Statewide turnout numbers. Would not surprise me if they were south of 40% which is pretty sad considering...

If it's Marlboro, it's Silly Season 24/7/365.

Staring:

Ellen Karcher
Robert Kleinberg
Jonathan Hornik
Frank Abate
Matt Scannapieco
Tom Broderick
John Bennett
Saul Hornik
Richie Vuola
Art Goldzweig
Corky Spalliero
Marie Muhler
Stan Mollica
Mort Salkind
Howard Klau
etc.
etc.
etc.

Throw away the TV set, the live entertainment at Town Hall is twice as good and ain't got no commercials.

If they charged either admission or put it on pay-per-view, they could abolish the township property tax.

Rufus: I have to say your first post is RIGHT ON THE MONEY. No matter anyone political persuasion, we should all agree that voters should choose their elected officials -- it shouldn't be elected officials choosing their voters, the way it is now.

Please stop.

From the day Beck was elected, she was a threat to Karcher, and Codey and Roberts werent going to let her pass any legislation. Not one of the legislators you named is in a competitive district. Anyone who makes the arguments you just made is either lying or ignorant of what gos on in Trenton.

It seems to have been deleted!  A glich?  Or intentional?

In any event, the Ledger "endorsement" was a joke; at best.

On one hand they criticised Karcher because her bills were passed in watered down versions (because the Dem "leadership"   is afraid to passreforms with large sharp teeth) then on the other hand the Ledger endorses the candidate that is 100% in bed with the corrupt pay to play status quo.

Does the Star Ledger think it's readership is stupid?   LOL

From Frederick Douglass

If there is no struggle there is no progress......Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

To FreedomFighter:  I won't stop making my arguments, and they are just that -- arguments, so I don't know how you can accuse me of "lying". Besides that, Baroni is in a competitive district, the only reason he's not at risk this year is because no Democrat worth their salt would stake their career going up against him. The fact is that Beck has not offered one original idea in her time in the Legislature, and has proven herself incapable of rising above partisan rhetoric and political stunts. She exists only to be a naysayer to anything the Democrats propose, without even educating herself on their proposals. She proved her ignorance when Michael Aron asked her point blank where she was when the R's killed farmland assessment reform during the property tax session, and she had no answer. If what you say is true, then Codey won't let her get any bills in the Senate, either.  So if the voters in 12 actually put her there on Tuesday, they deserve all the nothing they will get.

 To Nick Lento:  My first comment is still there...I got persnickety and edited it to take out a spelling error, and it got moved down.  :-)  And you are right; in one breath, the media bows down to the all-mighty power of Codey and the Dem Leadership, but then expects Karcher to take them down all by herself.  They put her in a Catch-22, and set her up to fail.

You guys are misreading the endorsement. I think the Ledger is more endorsing splitting control of the houses (hoping control of the Senate goes Republican) more than being thoroughly impressed with Beck. The come out in the 12th because it's one of the few races where there is a chance of the Republicans picking up a seat. As for Karcher, I know it's not her fault, but I believe most of the legislation she was behind was watered down almost to the point of uselessness. If she would have pulled her sponsorship after the leadership gutted the bills I would have had more respect for her.