Daggett and RGA trade barbs
By Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com ReporterIndependent gubernatorial candidate Christopher Daggett responded to the Republican Governors Association (RGA) ad against him by laying it at the feet of Republican Chris Christie’s brother, Todd.
"This ad was essentially paid for by the $200,000 contribution that Todd Christie laundered through the Republican Governors Association to help his brother’s campaign in New Jersey in circumvention of the $3,400 limit that my campaign is honoring," said Daggett in a press release that accompanied a press conference he held in Trenton this morning.
“There’s two standards in New Jersey,’’ he said. “One for the Christie brothers and one for everyone else.’’
The 60-second RGA radio spot says that Daggett’s tax plan is like Gov. Jon Corzine’s, “only worse.”
Although Daggett says that his candidacy eats into support for both major party candidates equally, polls show him sapping anti-incumbent votes from Christie. While Corzine has treated the independent gently, Christie recently has downplayed the significance of his candidacy, calling it “an amusement.”
By running the ad, however, the RGA seemed to acknowledge that Daggett could hurt Christie’s chances against Corzine.
The group admitted as much in a press release, callin Daggett “A Corzine in sheep’s clothing.”
“A vote for Chris Daggett is a vote for Jon Corzine,” said RGA Communications Director Mike Schrimpf. “This November, New Jerseyans will have more than 10 choices on the ballot, but there are only two who can win: Chris Christie and Jon Corzine.”
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee said the ad "reeks of desperation."
"Republicans in New Jersey are in disarray and losing confidence in their ethically challenged candidate," said DNC spokesman Michael Czin.
Contributors
Wally Edge
Michael Doherty. a West Point graduate and one of the state's most conservative legislators, will take his seat in the State Senate today. A ... >
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
As pundits and party leaders look to next year’s Congressional elections in NJ, it appears that freshman Democrat John Adler is the most vulnerable ... >
Richard LaRossa
When will NJ Republicans start acting like Republicans rather than Democrats. Time to stand up for your principles, assuming they have any left. >
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
Back in 1974, when NYC was facing a mounting financial crisis, then-Mayor Abe Beame went to then-President Ford and asked for financial help from ... >
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
Hot Topics
Most Active Stories
- Milgram charges GOP consultant over robocall impersonating Rumana staffer
- Dem leadership teams come together after emerging from caucus meetings
- Gallery packed with Garden State Equality activists as Doherty assumes oath of office
- Christie says Cryan should get out of chairman mode
- Runyan, now a Charger, announces NJ-3 congressional bid
- Wisniewski to make formal play for state party chair when Cryan makes departure official
- Pou won't rule out bid for Democratic State Party chair
- Goldstein leads 250 marriage equality activists for march on the Statehouse
- Stack: HCDO leaders need to put organization in order before trying to take out Cunningham
- Qpac poll: voters support public worker wage freezes, layoffs
- Quinnipiac: Christie leads 50%-40%
- Quinnipiac poll has Christie ahead by 4 points as Corzine gets closer
- Christie, in West New York, takes questions
- Gore makes his case for Corzine
- Potential LG rivals Allen and Weinberg ally for county committee reform legislation
- Final debate schedule
- Torricelli on making perfection the enemy of good
- Autistic man seeks Assembly seat in 37th
- Jeb Bush attends Christie fundraiser
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
“A lot of blood on the floor.” - Senate President Dick Codey (D-Roseland), emerging from the caucus room after losing his leadership position to Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford)
Recent Press Releases
- Nov 25 2009
Syndicate
Daggett and Corzine
I had hoped that Daggett was not in bed with Corzine but his actions and words speak otherwise. He is using the Corzine tag lines to attack Christie and the polls clearly demonstrate that he cannot win and can only help Corzine. Daggett, rather than promoting his own policies, flawed as they might be, is acting like the politician he is and throwing mud. The RGA attacked his policies, not his family, and for Daggett to attack Chrisitie's brother shows Daggett's true colors and hurts his credibility. I have lost faith in his candidacy and soon his 14% will be back down to single digits.
Thin Skinned
Doesn't seem like the alleged independent candidate likes being questioned. His plan is ridiculous and just another shell game which will cost the taxpayers of NJ more money.
And it's funny listening to a Country Club guy, who's fed at the state's teet for the last 7 years complain about money. Dip into the money you've made off of taxpayers Daggett. And for Gods sake---don't ever say you're running a clean campaign---that commercial was laughable and anything but clean.
Someone should remind Mr Sensitive that giving to a National organization is 100% legal...but I guess when you are calling a 4 BILLION dollar tax hike a tax cut---misusing the term laundering is no big deal.
Looks like Mr Sensitive is not Ready for Prime Time. Go back to milking taxpayers with your environmental "consulting".....LOL
Two republican Christie HAcks^^^
How are these two hacks who commented above so blind as to not see the parties for what they are...machines of corruption. Both parties have screwed this state up and both parties aren't doing anything about it. Daggett is the only hope we got in this state. If he doesn't win, I'm outta here cause I know damn well Christie is just as worthless as corzine. They have the exact same tax relief plan, except for that whole 1 billion dollars christie is going to dream up to give tax breaks to the already billionaires of this state.
Oh, shut up gorednj...
I'm sick and tired of your anti-Daggett comments. You have never given the man any chance; you were the first person I ever heard trashing Daggett, even before there was any good reason to trash him. For some reason you can't come to terms with the idea that a large chunk of New Jersey's population is angry that the party machines have managed to churn out such awful candidates. Well, I'm sick and tired of your baseless attacks on Daggett, who has impeccable credentials and is probably the most deserving candidate in this race. Your "not ready for primetime" gibe is such B.S. I can't believe it. Most media outlets agree that Daggett won the first debate and your man Christie was the worst, and for some reason Daggett's the one who's "not ready for primetime"? And you call him "thin-skinned" when Christie is the one who blows up so easily when criticized the least little bit. Gorednj, you're a hack and you're full of it.
Union Cty
baseless attacks...LOL. This thin skinned Country Club WASP from Somerset County has been making his money off the state for the last 7 years---that's a FACT. His so called property tax plan would extend(nice word for raise) the sales tax on everything from hair cuts to lawyer fees---that's a FACT. His commercial made fun of Christie's weight---thus its a LIE when he says he has run a clean campaign.
thin Skinned Daggett was hoping to get a free ride from everyone---no shot.
Christie Revealed
The longer this campaign endures, the more we see the true nature of Christie. It will be a shameful day for New Jersey. He is an abusive manipulator who believes that the rules that apply to all of us do not apply to him. Giving it some thought, you have to understand that if it were you who drove the wrong way down a one way street and if it were you who put a man in the hospital for injuries and if you gave the explanation that you were late for a swearing in, the police in the ordinary course of events would have issued tickets, possibly would have charged more serious criminal offenses and would have impounded the car. The entire event would have had long term impact on your driving credentials and pocket book. Why is it that he is given a pass. Why is it that he can spend $450 a night for a hotel room for himself and his "good friend" Ms. Brown? Why is it that when he forgets to include interest income on his tax return or disclosure on his Federally mandated financial disclosure forms, he is given a pass for his "mistake". I submit that he has never made a mistake in his life but has contrived and deliberated every action taken to cover up his wrong doings. This is a bad person. Elect him if you want, but it will be your mistake.
Rory
Your not so vailed "Ms Brown" refernece has been pettled to all media outlets since June. So desperate is Corzine, that they must have scum like you posting the story online, since NO media outlet feels it has a shred of credibility. I guess because Corzine, Cryan and I guess you have lived your lives devoid of any moral integrity, that you assume everyone does.
But your traffic comments show the point of your post---lets think about everything BUT the state of NJ.
Remember Rory--you and the rest of the lying scum that have perpetuated these lies will have to eventually answer for your acts---enjoy burning in HELL.
"Don't let facts get in the way"...Corzine '09
"Thin skinned Country Club WASP"
Yeah, because Corzine and Christie aren't rich White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, right? Oh wait...yes they are, just like most every other politician in U.S. history. Nice try though.