I am disappointed in Mike, he has been putting his toe in the water and never gets his ankles wet. Mike, you can't steal second base with one foot on first.

If we had term limits in the US Legislature, and the State Legislature we would always have good candidates moving up, and bad ones kicked out. The common knowledge is "Keep your nose clean and you have a job until they take you out feet first." It is too easy to develop the work ethic of the Post Office when you cannot be fired.

"The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools." - Herbert Spencer

While I’m saddened that Assemblyman Doherty is bowing out of the race, Assemblyman Joe Pennachio will be a formidable candidate and I wish him the best of luck because I think an Estabrook candidate will be disastorous for the NJGOP.

http://www.redjersey.net/2007/08/10/breaking-news/

This is Al Leiter's golden opportunity to get into the race! C'mon Al, let's do this thing!!!

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."- Winston Churchill

There's not much of a difference when one trades one conservative ideologue for another -- and Pennacchio, a classic "Bush Republican," envisions himself as a "Reagan Democrat." Pennacchio is the slightly warmer version of the fringe-right extremist Doherty; this isn't much of a trade-off at all between one anti-choice Assemblyman for another.

What has Pennacchio done to distinguish himself? He has led the fight to change the state constitution to limit rights to gays and lesbians and has done the grunt work for corporate special interests groups by opposing groundbreaking global warming legislation. He was even one of the few Assembly members to vote against A 1044, which allows workers to know in advance about plant closings and massive layoffs.

Ass. Pennacchio is an undistinguished politician who has failed the state and its voters -- now he wants be U.S. senator.

What a surprise! You mean the man with NO WORK ETHIC doesnt want to run for Senate? wow...i am shocked.

"I have come to the realization that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians."

As much as Doherty turns my stomach, I think he was clearly the more viable candidate of the conservatives in the field. As soon as New Jerseyans hear Pennacchio speak, it'll be all over; Forrester Redux, but this time it's Pennacchio's camp who will be too afraid to put him in his own ads.

"John Ginty, report to wardrobe. John Ginty, report to wardrobe."

Marty, I can tell by your rantings that you receive and memorize your talking points on the regular basis. Anti-Choice? I guess that makes you Anti-life? Global warming? why institute CO2 policies when we know for a fact elevated CO2 levels are NOT causing the rise in global temperatures? Plant closings. Exactly what does a plant owner owe an employee other than negotiated salaries and benefits? NOTHING! Looks like you've never been let go of a job before. Get used to it, your party is in charge. Your rantings are nothing then an advocacy of bigger government with big brother calling all the shots. The more I read, the more I see an avowed socialist. And, in response to that, I offer Dino's quote from Churchill: "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."- Winston Churchill

Does Martin have an original thought? The answer is NO, I thought everyone was aware of that. No the reason he does not have an original thought is because of George Bush. Martin doesn't like any Bush if you know what I mean.

Love the bigoted comments against gay people. You folks, who make up the backbone of the GOP, are EXACTLY the reason that your party will be cast off in the political wilderness for some time to come. And it will be well deserved. You can take Doherty and his narrow minded nonsense with you.

I'm shocked, Doherty was the strongest contender (outside of Christie, Baroni and O'Toole) I thought he would go for it.

I understand his reluctance to go head-to-head with the Stinky Fish.

That's a pretty lackluster field now.

Stop trying to generalize you putz. My comment was directed at Martin only. Your party has destroyed this State and I welcome any party that can take their place.

Doherty was "The Man".

the $35 he raised for his exploratory committee?

That was no generalization, you schmuck. Most Republicans are anti-gay and that's exactly why you guys can't win an election in NJ to save your lives. The bigotry against gays translates into bigotry against lots of other groups--many of whom HATE the GOP, and with good reason.

Lucky us in NJ the man who voted against kids under 14 wearing helmets while riding skateboards and scooters, stiffer penalties for sale of illegal firearms 1000 ft. from a school, and 20% local property tax relief is not running for US Senate, thank the lord!!! Now if we can move him out of state just think how much better our kids and our lives would be.

Really there is no place for your lude comments on this site. While I hate to say this-Grow up. I find it amusing that you cant rebute what Martin says intellegently so you try to undercut his character-it is pathetic. And PoliticSJ while this post is not about Global Warming I have to say this again I literally cant believe that there are Global Warming nay-sayers still alive. The scientific/academic community is not against the GOP. There is no conspiracy against Republicans. Give it up. Increased CO2 causes an increase in global temprature. If you refuse to believe that you might as well believe that you can fly, that the sky is purple, the oceans are made of chocolate milk, and you can grow t-bone steaks from a tree. Regardless on whether or not you believe in Global Warming is not the point, the fact it is is real. How can you not believe that humans have an impact on their environment? I dont expect you to answer. I am sure you will cite a story composed by "scientists" who work for exxon or bp or you might simply call me Gay (As if that means some kind of leper) or a Communist. Either way you can save it.

Whoever the GOP puts up in this race crashes and burns (Thank God). Like Bob Franks, Doug Forrester, Tom Kean Jr. they will be a historical footnote that if they are lucky will get mentioned in a graduate school disertation on Frank Lautenberg. I cant wait for these debates, FL still has it and he will take it to whoever the GOP puts up to lose.

SJBLUE:

 I guess you chose not to read my post, but just assumed I was name calling.  Where did I make a lewd comment about Martin?  I assessed him for what he is:  a socialist.  Anyone who espouses what he does advocates more government control. 

As for global warming:  There has been a five fold increase in the level of CO2 since 1979 and the global temperature has remained within 1/10th of one degree.  Why don't you base your arguments on facts rather than the hysteria you're fed? 

People like you love to beg the question.  And if you don't know what that actually means, here is the definition:  assuming a conversation is within a context when it actually is not. 

And if you have read any of my past posts, I have advocated a comprehensive energy policy and common sense approaches to reducing greenhouse gases that do not destroy the economy or cede our soveriegnty to a global government.

I guess it is you who has to grow up.

Yes I am sure your accusation of "Socialist" wasnt an attack on character. Onto global warming, I am not believing spoon-fed hysteria. I am basing my opinion on scientific discovery. Global Warming is not simply "Earth getting hot". Advanced CO2 in the atmosphere causes many changes in weather, ecosystem(...why bother?). If you want to believe the Bush Cheeny Oil Executive team that made Environmental Saftey safeguards voluntary go right ahead. Besides global warming oil consumption only serves as a bargening chip for the most volital region of the world, the only reason the radicals in the Middle-East have Global Political power is because the US and China allow it.

SJ BLUE:

 Anyone who continues to push for more government control over individual freedom advocates a socialist position.  Plain and simple.  Socialists love to regulate the daily activities of the people.  What else would you call it? 

As for a comprehensive energy policy, nobody has taken the lead on the issue, certainly not Clinton and Bush only a little.  At least Bush has presented something.  Clinton didn't do anything, he just avoided the issue.  We need a comprehensive policy that reduces our dependence on foriegn oil however, your friends in the environmental movement are dead set against nuclear power, the cleanest and most efficient source known to man.  Wind and solar can only account for a small percentage of the energy needed.   We also have plenty of coal, but, again, your friends are against that.  Doesn't leave much.

Don't lump me in with others who make bigoted statements. It's insulting.  I can point out the fallicies of your thining without insulting you or anyone else. 

I'll simply note that coal is a carbon producing fuel and is even more antiquated than petroleum based energy. Despite what you may believe wind and solar energy can power nearly 75% of the United States. Look to Atlantic County with their impressive wind results. Furthmore, if the entire Country of Brazil can be energy independant and they have the largest most sprawled city in the owrld and one of the world's lowest natural oil reserve one can only imagine that political will is the only missing ingrediant in the US. While Clinton was not as environmentally pro-active as his Vice President was/is, the fact remains that he at lest kept pollutors from regulating themselves.