Republicans all but certain

By Matt Friedman | November 3rd, 2009 - 10:23pm
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PARSIPPANY – Some prominent Republicans in the room have dropped their guard a bit and have started to acknowledge that Chris Christie is all but the declared victor tonight.

Former Governors Tom Kean and Christie Whitman are walking around the press area and smiling, after seeing their party win its first statewide race since 1997.

“I think the state of New Jersey needed this change.  I’m not so worried about the party as I am the state,” said Whitman, who was the last Republican to win statewide.

When asked why it has taken 12 years, Whitman said it’s “hard to say.”

“I’m probably more moderate than maybe some of the others that have come after me because of the process that they went through in the primary. I went through it, too, but I was able to stay more in the center. This is a centrist state.”

A reporter pointed out that Christie's ideology is pretty down-the-line conservative.

“Well, on some specific social issues, but you know what the most important social issue today? It’s the ability to support your family.”

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Contributors

Robert
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 done... more »
Jeff
Michaels
A new Governor and Legislature offer the perfect opportunity to re-think the Trenton status quo and for experienced observers and practitioners to offer their best ideas on improving the... more »
Steve
Adubato, Jr.
 I grew up in a neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey where gambling was part of every day life.  Many of my relatives gambled.  The guys gambled on games, and... more »
Alan
Steinberg
Due to a highly inappropriate breach of etiquette by President Barack Obama in his State of the Union Address, the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United... more »
Carla
Katz
When life is bad---natural disasters, families losing homes or jobs, an attack on our country, health crises--people come together and do things that are inspiringly good.  After the... more »
Michael
Patrick Carroll
Our new Governor suffers from no lack of advice.  Much of it, contained in the transition reports, deserves prompt attention.  Obviously, economic prosperity benefits everyone, and – as... more »
Michael
Kempner
The agenda has been ambitious.Jobs.  Homeland security.  Iraq.  Afghanistan.  Healthcare.  Energy.  Banking.   Taken together, the Obama Presidency has all the makings of a compelling story -- action, adventure, emotion,... more »
Richard
J. LaRossa
The new regime pushes the only conservative off the Budget Committee.   This is a direct result of pressure from a certain Republican County Chairperson who was hired by Garden... more »
Dr.
Joseph R. 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 election. First and... more »
Joey
Novick
A  few years ago, my brother Paul gave me a birthday present of Tim Russert’s book, The Wisdom of Our Fathers. Great book. Read it cover to cover. Or skim... more »
Murray
Sabrin
New Jersey's spending and borrowing spree over the past three decades is coming home to roost.  State debt has increased 700% under both Republican and Democratic administrations, and spending... more »
Anthony
M. Bucco
On January 11th New Jersey’s 213th Legislature ended its session, followed the next day by the commencement of the 214th Legislature, with newly elected officials being sworn into office,... more »
Julio
Tavarez
On January 6, 2010, several newspapers published articles with titles like “no more aid for struggling cities”, “Christie will cut state aid” and the like; furthermore, in the body... more »
Rafael
Román Martel
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, you target teachers. That’s not a positive note to start your tenure. You forget that the Teachers’ Union makes decisions on its own, such... more »