John Weingart is the Associate Director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University, as well as the long-time host of  "Music You Can't Hear On The Radio," New Jersey's longest-running folk music and bluegrass radio show on WPRB-FM and WPRB.com.

He is a very funny guy, and agreed to be a guest columnist today. 

It’s campaign season everywhere in New Jersey. And candidates, incumbents and non-incumbents alike, are 'hunting and gathering' for votes. ‘Hunting’ votes is lots tougher than ‘gathering’ votes, as any candidate will tell you. You gotta figure that if you have served a term, and have done a good job, that people will lean more towards voting for you. And gathering those votes should be a snap.

The last time the New York Yankees played the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series, "The House That Ruth Built" was a mere-twentysomething, no stadiums had corporate names, and the Yankees beat the Phillies 4-0.

In the ensuing 60 years, much has happened.

So, let’s compare New York and Philadelphia in nine random categories, and see which town measures up.

Each week here at PolitickerNJ.com Wally Edge and his intrepid reporter, Matt Friedman, do their darn best to help us figure out this whole gubernatorial campaign. (Of course, ‘intrepid’ is used as an ‘adjective’, and not as a reference to any service Matt mayh have had on the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, in NY harbor, just for clarification.)

So, there you have it: Cheese Steak vs. Hot Dog. South Bronx vs. South Philly. The Hudson vs. The Delaware. The City That Never Sleeps vs. The City of Brotherly Love. The Statue of Liberty vs. The Liberty Bell. Philadelphia Daily News vs. The New York Daily News.

In a stunning announcement, sure to surprise the world of politics in New Jersey, Falcon Heene (otherwise known as “Balloon Boy”) has decided to endorse a candidate for governor in the New Jersey race this year. His choice: Republican Chris Christie.

New feature: Every once in a while, I will review books, movies, plays, events, speeches, general stuffs that catch my attention. This week:
 
Review of "Get Rich Cheating” by Jeff Kreisler.

Many of you –both fans and detractors---have asked “Hey, where can I see you do stand–up comedy?” Well, this Friday you can.

And for a very good cause: to help elect two deserving people to the Raritan Township Committee.

Time again for that most fun feature-- Putz of The Week/Mensch of the Week. Well, at least fun for the Mensches.

In September, Fort Dix became part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

“It was where Elvis Presley was demobilized after his duty in Germany ended in 1960; Hall of Fame Dodgers pitchers Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax had basic training there; even comedian Redd Foxx's Fred Sanford television character talked about kitchen patrol there.”