Carla Katz's Halloween MMIX and Election Resurrection
By Carla KatzIt was a dark and stormy November night. An icy wind whistled through leafless moonlit trees. A loud thud is followed by a piercing scream. A lone figure emerges from the mist, bloodied and weary, but victorious. Coming to your hometown, Tuesday November 3rd.
This year has brought the usual ration of menacing slasher movies that inexplicably compel us to spend billions at the box office just to be scared out of our seats. It is possible that we are collectively trying to find something more pulse pounding and heart stopping than opening the bills. Here, in New Jersey, we don't have to go to the movies to get our dose of ghouls and goblins, as the governor's race is giving us all an unhealthy, unwelcome dose of good old American horror.
Unlike last year's Presidential election and Obama's victory, this governor's race is not about hope. In fact, it seems to be all about the opposite of hope--fear. The campaign messages by the candidates shriek dire economic warnings: Christie is a heartless George Bush clone with no budget plan who will slash health care, eliminate mammograms, side with insurance companies over the people and destroy the middle class without flinching. Corzine is an untrustworthy Wall Streeter who doesn't care about regular New Jerseyans; a tax-raising spender who will drive businesses out of the state faster than a priest can exorcise a demon. Cue the howling.
Early in the game, the Corzine campaign identified the need to scare voters about Chris Christie to drive his negatives up. They have done an exceptional job, with admittedly good material to work with and a surprisingly thin-skinned candidate to batter. The Christie campaign, on the other hand, has played it far too safe. Like the babysitter who squeals when the phone rings again but stays put the when the caller-killer says "I'm calling from inside the house", Christie's campaign has illogically stuck with their "white knight" strategy while Corzine repeatedly stabbed through their armor.
Both Christie and Corzine's campaign commercials have the usual foreboding music and grainy images of each other the public has come to expect in political ads. Eerie black and white video of a zombie-like Christie standing alone staring into the abyss and slowly clapping at nothing. Corzine has been portrayed as an evil vampire lurking Wall Street's gilded halls who has come across the river to suck the lifeblood out of Main Street. Cue the bloodcurdling screams.
Maybe the candidates are holding a dusty mirror to the emotions of a recession-weary electorate suffering actual dread as family members and friends lose jobs, go bankrupt, and fall prey to health care crises or foreclosures. It can be no mistake that two of this year' top-grossing and frightening films are set in and about suburban, middle class America. In the terrifying "Paranormal Activity", a young couple buys a ‘starter home' only to find it terrifyingly possessed by a demonic presence. We are no longer safe in our own homes (foreclosures, predatory lenders). Meanwhile, in "Stepfather", a young man returns from military school to find that his single mother is happily in love with a seemingly all-too-perfect boyfriend-a husband and father wannabe who turns out to be--spoiler alert--a vicious killer. We cannot trust strangers with our family.
Fear sells movies and it drives up television ratings. And, for better or worse, fear dominates elections. We can't seem to look away. It's what we remember when all else fades. Recently, the nation held its collective breath, as we stayed glued for hours to our screens watching a silver-spaceship helium balloon careening through the air fearing that a small child was held perilously aloft. Fear captivates, and sadly, unites us.
If the opposite of hope is fear, the opposite of change is safety. Christie's message has been about change but it has not been about hope. He has relentlessly focused on how bad things are in New Jersey on nearly every front without providing the people with real and specific answers about how he will make things better. His message of change without hope has seemed to push voters, who have lost much already, to fear losing even more. Helped immeasurably by repeat visits from President Obama, Corzine's safety message, in part, is that the devil you know, one who wears a sweater vest, is safer than the one who is unknown and unknowable.
Horror films, like this year's governor's race, are a chilling reminder that we are vulnerable n our own homes, that trusting strangers can be very dangerous, even those strangers who appear to be the perfect father or husband-to-be. In the end, the election promises to be a nail biter and, like any good film, has a plot twist. The "law and order" candidate who was supposed to save the state from economic ruin and charge forcefully to victory is recast as the menacing villain. As he trudges across what many believed to be his opponent's political grave, a hand reaches up through the dirt, and grabs his ankle. Whether that hand is Daggett's or Corzine's or Obama's, we don't know. But, at the end of the movie, a bruised but still breathing Corzine walks the State House halls for four more years.
Bwwwwwaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.
Contributors
Wally Edge
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Bob Torricelli
Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
Jeff Michaels
The NJ gubernatorial election result demonstrates that Governor-elect Chris Christie resurrected the center-right voter coalition of Republicans, ... >
Richard LaRossa
With a convincing win in defeating an encumbent Governor, why were there no coattails? >
Alan Steinberg
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
Now that the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this ... >
Carla Katz
When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >
Joey Novick
Ronald C. Rice tweeted not so sweetly about soon-to-be Senate President Stephen Sweeney.
Well, we were able to obtain the rest of the ... >
Murray Sabrin
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >
Poll
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PLEASE DRIVE A STAKE...
in this vampire's cold, dank heart once and for all. Why, in the name of God, is this woman writing a column here? Her writing style is awful, she simply repeats what's been written--better and more cogently--many times before and she does it like a tongue-in-cheek kid on the school newspaper taken with her own cleverness. She has nothing to contribute and what she does contribute is abysmal on every level.
Pay Too Much
I hope Politickernj.com doesn't pay Karla anything for this drivel. But then again look what Corzine has gotten from her for all the money he "loaned" her. But then again if you have no skills and cannot write coherently, you become a NJ State Unionized employee. Good job Karla
Keep writing these Op Ed Pieces..........please
All these articles do is remind NJ voters how ethically and morally bankrupt Jon Corzine is. Do you really think people read what you write Carla? Are you that vain? Is it killing you that all the stories you "Leaked" in 2005 are so insignificant in this years election? You want to have an impact? Tell the people how managed to scam Corzine out of $6.5 million. You will be a hero; songs will be written about you! Heck, the CWA might even welcome you back with open arms. Well maybe not that but the songs will be sung! So just making appearances 101.5 FM is ok and these OP ED pieces make a small dent; but honestly, details of a cold wintering night in Hoboken will make you the true First Lady of NJ!
The Six Million Dollar Woman
I am wondering why this site enables this person. She has no talent for writing. Does she have a column here because the site owners think she's a good example of how a woman can become rich in this world, by performing sexual favors for a middle aged rich guy, and walking away with a pile of cash?
The Losers who write comments here......
The "Losers and Nay Sayers" who comment here and in other sites really don't understand life or what this site and others are about. These dregs are against everybody, everything and anybody who has something different to say from their all mighty opinion. They are very negative and frankly, bigoted against anybody who doesn't agree with them. They always have a snide comment to turn what is the truth into a lie so as to make their positions more palatable to the average reader.
That Carla even has a column here is disputed, she has a total right to speak, isn't this a free country still? That she always is eloquent, has well written columns that interest people and is soft spoken leads me to believe that her view that Governor Corzine might actually win this election might come true is not at all possible in their blinders-on views to any of them. For years I have been reading their closed minds negative comments about The Governor, Carla, our state in general and anybody who posts a comment that doesn't agree with their closed small minds.
Well, I'm against your negativism and shortsighted views of life. I always try to be positive, but I think that this election for me will at least finally put this "Halloween Hoard" of ghosts and goblins to bed for this election. Thank God.......
Gee, that's such an
Gee, that's such an ill-reasoned, pedantic and demagogic post it's almost hard to believe that it wasn't written by Katz. Katz is "ELOQUENT"?! Are you kidding? I've read better written and more insightful stuff on the back of an oatmeal box.
What's very funny, though, is how you write a long, snotty diatribe and close with "I always try to be positive". Watch out for people who claim to always be positive. They're usually remarkably vapid and self-absorbed, with undeservedly lofty opinions of themselves. Let's face it. Katz and Torricelli write here only because of their desperate desire to remain relevant in a State which considers them both irrelevant and undeserving of respect.
You seem to be distinguished by your posts jumping to the defense of every inane posting by Katz, which strikes me as odd. But I am glad that you like Katz's columns, Carla....oh, sorry, I mean ThePeople41.
That post does read like Carla's writing
If she did write it, that's just hilarious.
Best analysis so far
It is extremely well-written and the best analysis of the election I've read so far.
"Horror films, like this year's governor's race, are a chilling reminder that we are vulnerable"
Sounds like a typical GOP primary. Imagine how vulnerable we'd be if Steve Lonegan had won.
"for better or worse, fear dominates elections. We can't seem to look away."
Like Chris Christie passing a buffet table.
"Fear sells movies and it drives up television ratings."
It also brings donations to groups like "Americans For Prosperity" and puts food on Steve Lonegan's table.
http://christiegonewild.blogspot.com/
crazy ex-girlfriends
This woman can't write and probably paid a ghost writer do her essays for the NJ Bar exam.
Some ex-girlfriends are crazy, that's why they are ex-girlfriends. Just like the homely young chick who got Steve Phillips (ESPN, former Met GM) fired.
But did you really expect anything more than mediocrity from a Seton Hall Law School graduate (other famous alum: Chris Christie!)
Truly High Priced Call Girl
Talk about what you know best....sleeping with rich, married men to advance your pathetic career and put cash in your pocket.
Otherwise, shut up.
Yet another pearl of a post.
Yet another pearl of a post. Can you imagine that FanovFlorio (talk about traveling in the Twilight Zone!) thinks Katz can write and he cites such trite claptrap as "Horror films, like this year's governor's race, are a chilling reminder that we are vulnerable" or this gem of an insight..."for better or worse, fear dominates elections. We can't seem to look away."
No kidding...my high schooler writes better and with more originality than that.
The truths of the matter are these: 1) Katz is a terrible writer, lacking both originality of thought and structure, 2) she really has nothing to say and no platform from which to truly say it, and 3) she subjects her unfortunate readers to saying nothing with way too much verbiage. She takes a simple thought and beats it to death as if she's offering a thesis defense on some brilliant new theory. WE GET IT! Elections are often driven by fear and politicians frequently fear-monger. Nothing else she said was meaningful or necessary.
Next column write about something with which you are uniquely qualified. Need some suggestions?
Hope this didn't cost another $6 MILLION
What ever happened to the 101.5 gig? I think she was only on once. I didn't hear her, did she suck that bad? What's the story here? A democrat labor boss predicts the democrat wins...there's a shocker. Hope this didn't cost Corzine another $6 million.
Katz's is amazing...
With Halloween only days away, she still finds time to scratch out a column. You'd think it'd be her busy time of year.
Katz on 101.5
Good question, GOPanimal. Apparently she actually only did a guest shot. And I guess it didn't go over too well. What I'd read about it was that she was very inarticulate, circumspect on matters related to her well-paying affair with our Guv and that her one short guest appearance left nobody thirsting for more. Once her freebie column here gets the boot her 15 minutes of fame (infamy, more precisely) will finally and gratefully be OVER. She's got nothing to offer. She was a successful woman in a traditionally man's role who proceeded to tarnish that accomplishment by engaging in an unseemly, albeit profitable, affair with the man with whom she'd be bargaining and by being castigated and removed for mismanagement by the very union she purported to serve. She's a study in misusing position and opportunity. And once we get that, she's got nothing else to offer.
OMG . . .
. . . what mind-numbingly vacuous pap . . . it's so bad it's actually embarassing to read . .
You're all losers
You guys all sound like a bunch of losers at a school dance, standing around making snide remarks about the head cheerleader giving blow jobs to the captain of the football team.
You're just projecting your own lusts and desires on Corzine/Katz.
http://christiegonewild.blogspot.com/
Bad, Bad Kitty!
It Stinks!! Katz nose better... Way to go out on a limb with your pick! How bout releasing those emails and shutting up! Shutting up being the key part.
Paid for by extorting money from Jon Corzine.
I thought it was a great Halloween Scary Custome and then...
I realized it is still that same old Karla "crooked" Katz. When will she stop?
I would stop short
I would stop short of calling this woman a prostitute. That is unfair, she and Jon Corzine had a life together and the terms of their breakup are really no one's business. That said she is a mess, and all Democrats wish that she would go away. She brings nothing to the table in terms of substance.
With Friends Like This...
From the Katzophile Fanovflorio... "snide remarks about the head cheerleader giving blow jobs to the captain of the football team." Although no one would ever confuse Corzine with anyone with even decades-old athletic prowess this comment may strike a bit too close to home for some. By the way, SJBlue, Corzine and Katz didn't have "a life together". They had a brief fling and she threatened to hold a press conference about it, so he bought her off. There was nothing romantic or heart thumping about it! It was just another busines deal for both of them...in a long line of business deals.
Katz
CWA paid for her law degree and gave her fre time off to complete the work.
Carla: Go be a lawyer and spare us your ramblings.
Please, just go away.
the choice is clear
Between a family man Christie and a six million dollar clown and his union skank
It is
The choice is between a self-made former marine, business leader, United States Senator and dedicated family man or a guy that (I'm sure loves his kids and wife) but doesnt pay his car insurance or registration, gets his brother off of serious criminal charges gives boat loads of money to his old boss, and only achieved what he's achieved because he was a lapdog for the Bush Administration. THE CHOICE IS CLEAR, CORZINE IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE WORTH VOTING FOR
YEAH RIGHT!!!
CHRISTIE WINS!!!
We reject the corrupt inept ways of Corzine!
BYE BYE!!
The choice was clear, Corzine did not have the power to get the job done. Bottom line.
The people have spoken, read it and weep.
WRONG AGAIN CARLA!
Katz wrote..."But, at the end of the movie, a bruised but still breathing Corzine walks the State House halls for four more years."
OK, so we've established Katz is a terrible writer, an extortionate cretin, an arrogant phony and a self-important hack. Now we can also document that she has the same deft skills as a political obsserver and "insider" that she demonstrated as a girlfriend and union official...NONE.
Again, PolitickerNJ, why is she given a forum here? WHY????
Bye bye
So Carla now that Jon Boy has been thrown out of office why don't you and him move to Arkansas or any where but New Jersey.
Just shut up and go away. Nobody with half a brain gives a damn what you have to say.
Put a fork in Carla, she's done.....
in a couple of months she will resurface in another state (I'm thinking New Mexico or Arizona) as part of her "rebranding" process.
I have taken to ignoring her posts ...
In favor of reading the comments below her posts instead! That way, I can get the gist of exactly how awful her writing skills are but not have to painfully see them for myself. Plus, you all make me laugh and provide far more entertainment than Ms. Katz ever could (except for a certain ex-Governor-to-be). If she continues to have this gig, it will be because of the comments section, not because of her skills.
OE
South Carolina
South Carolina might be a good place for Katz to go. Their governor could probably use another fling. And he's got bucks. That should work for Katz the money grubbing cretin.
Not only...
does Carla look like the 1,2,3 Kid - she's a loser just like he was back in the day in the WWE.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1-2-3_Kid_in_1995.jpg
Hey Carla
Good job in keeping your name out there; really reminded people why not to vote for Corslime!
Also, how did it make you feel when he referred to Sharon as the "Love of his life?" Where you standing in the front row?
she wasn't standing in the front row...
She was sitting at her computer, figuring out when to leak the e-mails for maximum impact after hearing the "love of my life" line.
Can we take this article down now?
NJpolitiker.com, can you remove this drivel from Karla Katz? It makes me mad now...its part of the old corrupt NJ...
One word for you Carla
in your own third grade vernacular: Bwwwwwaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!
bye-bye!
na na na na.....na na na
na na na na.....na na na na........
Hey Hey good Bye
and that commie lesbo Milgram too
Get it, Carla.
You're really not a hot commodity, in ANY sense of the word. Time to move on. You've worn out your Jersey welcome. Maybe Jimmy Carter can be your next sugar daddy!
Right idea, wrong name
Another disgrace being resurrected by the media would be much better. Elliot Spitzer is the right name.
Jon is gone...
Now that her last sugar daddy is gone when will this horse faced union turncoat be leaving?
Let me take a guess
Karla will be here until the ex governor's payments, toward her kid's law school tuition at Seton Hall, end.