As a pratical Catholic, I completely understand missing a political event for a child's Communion. However, the way this story was reported by Max Pizarro, it seems as though Christie had promised to attend, then decided not to. I hope that is not the case. I hope Christie told the New Jersey Federation of Women that he could not be there and would like them to change the date the day he received their invite; but that they could not move their event to accomodate him.

It's just that the way the story is written would seem otherwise, and if that's the case, it's a damned shame because Christie seems to send people to speak on his behalf an awful lot. And I know for a fact that this practice is costing him votes. I've seen people walk into a forum undecided and walk out with Lonegan stickers at least in part because Christie sent a surrogate.

Come on, Chris. Face Lonegan. If you cannot face him, how can we trust you to beat Corzine?

"We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work!"
- FDR's Treasure Secretary, Henry Morgenthau, in 1939, on 8 years of New Deal spending as an attempt to end the Great Depression.

Only in the world of Lonegan & his supporters would attending your sons First Holy Communion be considered "ducking" a joint appearance. It will be interesting how the "Republican News" reports this-----and Steve's "hides from debates" remark says it all.  It will be great to watch Angry Steve distort Christie's record and then watch him shout over Christie as he responds.  It will be the nail in Steves "UNELECTABLE" coffin....state senator---NO...congress--NO...gov '05--NO.  

Perhaps he should replace Christie?

Lonegan has "realized he had a schedule conflict," and sent out his surrogates too, on occasion! There are 566 municipalities in NJ, many of them with Republican Clubs, and then there are numerous other civic & political organizations that request gubernatorial candidates' presence. Combine that with the traffic we have & rainy weather, and it would be tough for anyone to fit in as many public appearances as they'd like .. much less be able to participate in important family events as well.

Christie not showing AGAIN. This is no longer news. If Christie actually shows up somewhere, that will be news. We will see if he shows up May 12.

In our town there is an event at a local restaurant where they will have big screens to watch the debate.

running his campaign as through all he has to do is phone it in. Maybe, he should have waited until his children got older before embarking on this type of race. As opposed to many elected offices in NJ, this is a FULL time job.

I have absolutely zero problem with Christie going to his sons communion, that is of course where he belongs this morning.  This is NOT the issue.

The issue is that he has known about his sons communion FOR MONTHS!  He had to, I have two on my calendar right now for friends children, they have been on my calendar FOR MONTHS! 

What Christie did is what he always doesn, he schedules himself to be somewhere, then either does not show, cancels at the lasy minute, or send a surrogate with zero notice to the organizers of the event or to other campaigns.  Sure, Mayor Lonegan has sent surrogates, however unless there has been an emergency (which he has then told the people what that emergency was) the organizers and the other campaigns knew well in advance.  This way the advertisement for the event would list the surrogate and not Mayor Lonegan.

This is Christie same tactic he has been employing since the beginning, refusal to be in the same room with Myaor Lonegan because he has ZERO chance of being able to argue anything.

Christie knew when his son's communion was sometime in January, Februeary at the latest.  Allowing himself to be scehduled for this event is either outright incompetence and lack of organization or the usual tactic.

Also, this event was NOT on the Christie campaign calendar on his own website, which means he never had any intention of going, or it would have been there.

enough excuses already. Show up and debate Lonegan.
I see it already the famous Corzine Forrester debate repeat. boring.

It wasn't on his website? Because he was never going. You people are grasping at straws. When Christie does debate Lonegan let's hope that EX Mayor Lonegan shows more class than he did in '05. Then again, even if he is his normal angry self you people will find some inane point to press. BTW---to the classless individual above---a bowl is round and you eat things from it. A bowel movement is what I believe you not so funny mind was trying to say. Remember. 75% of Seniors will have their taxes raised. 70% of all New Jerseyans. All the anger and venem doesn't change those frightening numbers

Please enlighten us gored?  What is the purpose of an online campaign schedule and calendar on a public campaign website if not to tell supporters and those who are interested where a candidate will be an when.  He has many other events on the website, I just checked it.  Are ALL of his events subject to his whimsical changes?  Please gored, why would one commit to an organizers event that is public and not put it on the campaign website that the candidate would be there?

70% will get a tax increase.  Let me try again, this is an INCOME TAX CUT!  Therefore, if you pay NO income taxes then yes you will now have to pay some, perish the thought that zero liability voters will actually, finally, have to contribute for all of the free stuff they receive.  Are you saying that 70% of the state of NJ does not pay any income taxes, and therefore 70% will now have to pay the 2.9%!?  This appears to be a very large number.  However, if your numbers are accurate (and thay are not in any way, like Obama's numbers, they are fantsay land) please explain to us how much more then the 3.5-10% of taxes the 30% of us who you claim are paying all of them should continue to have to pay so the 70% do not have to?

Again, 70% is a lie.

This guy must work for christie camp. I can't believe he can't see how negative the christie camp is. Missing this event is totally excuseable, but christie is totally mia. If he could just show up for few joint appearances many of his issues could be explained, but without being present it causes other campaigns to resort to negative campaigning. BTW, IT is scary to see to see the the same people using the same talking points, to Demagog the flat tax, kinda of like obama did, you no 95% will see lower tax, without really understanding it. THE NJ REP SHEEP ARE MOVING!

So funny that you Kool Aid drinkers can't stand anyone who doesn't believe your numbers, your stances and someone who calls you out on your bull....

One more time boys---anyone paying attention to Politics in NJ knows a couple things about Steve Lonegan--he was the mayor of Bogota. He ran and lost for a number of larger posts. He and his media man Rick Shaftan have made EVERY election they have ever run in a personal vendetta not a campaign on issues.

To those that say---"Christie dodges joint appearances---and if he hadn't Lonegan wouldn't have been so negative". To those I say---let me refresh your memory----two days prior to the first county convention---thats right the first---Steve Lonegan...your candidate---mailed out a NEGATIVE MAIL PIECE...NEGATIVE E-MAIL and had a woman from his camp record a NEGATIVE robo call. Thats before the first convention. So this line of horse crap doesn't float.

You also say that Christie copies Lonegans ideas and Christie is worried about Lonegan. If all that concern was true---why is it that Lonegan has someone recording Christies public appearances--not the other way around. Why is it that Lonegan is the one distorting Christie's Pro Life position? etc..etc...it is boring to keep rehashing the facts.

In terms of Lonegans proposed tax increase---the numbers speak for themselves. You would be giving a tax break to the rich( who Loneegan & his flunkie Shaftan assail as Country Clubers)....and penalize the working class and seniors on fixed incomes.

The venom and hostility, the cheating on fundraising, the distortion of positions, the laughable categorizing of making every alleged joint appearance-"a debate"....all the deception will come to roost June 2nd.

Maybe I should make my name "Former Lonegan Supporter"...you guys are witty.

Can you give me details on why Christie income tax plan would be better for a suburban family making around 100k. In detail please because even I can look at his website.

When the news really gets out about Lonegan's income tax hike proposal Republican, Independent and Democratic voters will be ticked.

The income tax is probably the worst for of taxation. Seniors, and low earners pay enough in property, sales and FICA taxes. They do not need to pay more. Lonegan really wants to stick it to the working class and expand government revenue collection at the same time.

The solution is to end the income tax altogether for people making under $20,000, cut it by 3/4 or so for those making under $40,000 and reduce it by at least 1.4% of gross income for the rest of us. That would reduce it's power as a revenue collection scheme for Leviathan and eventually it could be further hacked at.

Lonegan has two income tax related problems. He refuses to release his own income tax returns, which gives pro-transparency votes to Christie, Corzine and Merkt; and he wants to hike income tax rates, which shows that he wants to punish working New Jerseyans and Seniors in order to keep the revenues flowing to big government fascists in Trenton.

Christie plan in effect is the same as whitmans. Cuts off municipal aid, Local school funding, raises property tax, Lonegans plan lowers income tax to almost every middle class, blue collar union worker in NJ like myself. While you feel good throwing out your 70% talking point. You probably still live at home with parents and pay no prop tax, Do you guys actually understand how schools are funded. How income tax funds local school budgets. Start thinking for yourself!

How are retired seniors, who have no income, getting an income tax increase?

"We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work!"
- FDR's Treasure Secretary, Henry Morgenthau, in 1939, on 8 years of New Deal spending as an attempt to end the Great Depression.

No no no!  I will not engage or debunk any more of your liberal nonsense until I get an answer to the last question.  I said that Christie knew well in advance that he was going to skip the above event because it was never placed on his events Calendar.  You then proceeded to make fun.  I then asked a simple question, what is the purpose of a candidates events calendar then if not to tell people where and when he will be somewhere?

No if you are admitting defeat on this one, then say so and we can move on to more debunking of liberalism.

removd

Since the Lonegan tax hike is more than doubling the lowest tax bracket rates, people making under $20,000 will have their tax rate doubled. I suppose people with no income at all will not be affected, but most seniors do have a pension or interest or dividends on savings or capital gains or some extra money from a part time job.

Sorry to once again explain some bad news, but people earning under $20,000 PAY ZERO INCOME TAXES IN THE STATE OF NJ.  ZERO!  They may have this removed from their paycheck but they then get a check from Trenton after they file their return for 100% of it back.  So in order for it to double, they would actually have to pay some first.

Ed Ramirez

For at least three terms, we have had governors that use smoke and mirrors economics to run the state.  We had pension payments deferred we had barrowing schemes, and a Millionaires tax which all have failed.  These past governors made promises and we went deeper into debt.  Now comes along this sloganeer Lonegan and he has more smoke and mirrors promises which he knows he cannot deliver.  He has a bunch of kooks that follow him blindly and get down and dirty when ever necessary.  I have had it with people like Lonegan.  Christie is telling the truth, NJ is in trouble and only reduced government spending and a reduction in the scope of work the government does is going to heal out economic sickness.  Debate or not slogans are not going to fix NJ and neither will Lonegan.  No more smoke and mirrors let Chris Christie do the work that is necessary to fix NJ.

Retired people with no income will not see a tax increase. As for people who make minimal money on pensions, they may wind up paying a couple hundred a year, but remember, Lonegan wants to roll-back the sales tax increase.

I know, Dem's called it a "penny tax" when Corzine increased it, but if you buy a $20,000 car, that "penny tax" costs you a couple hundred bucks. Add that "penny tax" to every other good and service you buy in a year and clearly people will save money over the course of Lonegan's first 4 year tenure.

As a former mayor, Lonegan also knows that unfunded mandates raise taxes. He wants to eliminate those mandates which will save a ton in property tax increases.

"We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work!"
- FDR's Treasure Secretary, Henry Morgenthau, in 1939, on 8 years of New Deal spending as an attempt to end the Great Depression.

He needs to get off his ample tush, stop reconnoitering the buffet tables at staged events, start kissing babies and pressing the flesh.

Those stupid commercials attacking Looneygan won't help either. All they do is give Looneygan name recognition and credibility as a serious candidate. And if the Fat Man wants to go negative on Looneygan, then he does assume an obligation to debate him as well and attack him to his face.

Shaftan/Looneygan baited Christie and he took it. Now the big fat whale is on the hook and can't get away so easy. This race will depend on turnout, and if the weather is bad and turnout low the Fat Man will have lots of time over the summer for picnics, barbeque and clam bakes.

So far I'm disgusted by the entire spectacle. For the primary I've got to choose between the Simp and the Blimp. Of course I'll vote for the Blimp in the primary, but it looks like regardless who wins in June Corzine has no problem in November. The circular firing squad a.k.a. the NJGOP does it again.

He needs to get off his ample tush, stop reconnoitering the buffet tables at staged events, start kissing babies and pressing the flesh.

Those stupid commercials attacking Looneygan won't help either. All they do is give Looneygan name recognition and credibility as a serious candidate. And if the Fat Man wants to go negative on Looneygan, then he does assume an obligation to debate him as well and attack him to his face.

And this is from a Christie supporter!!

I have to give you credit this time, you are an equal opurtunity basher.

Panama , Bad joke, not funny, and posting pictures of minors might even be illegal.

Well i tryed. And you're right it wasn't my best work. I tookem all down cause i don't want trouble. But Cliff is very right. Chris seems to be that guy that's full of excuses for bailing on an event and I bet he's been saving the best for last so that no one dare say he didn't have a good excuse.

I had my last track race on the Day of my sisters confirmation. I finished my race, jumped in the car and showed up at the church.

Chris SHOULD have been able to make this debate. His communion guests would have understood the importance of his run for Governor, and those at the debate would understand that he's got to attend his sons communion and would have had no problems accommodating him.

He could had the time of the debated moved shown up, debated for twenty minutes or half hour, and left to rejoin the communion festivities. Hell he could have had the day of this debate moved if he wanted. Was there a reluctance to move the date of this debate? Didn't Christie know for some time that these two dates would conflict? This is just another cop out.

Is this how a good governor manages his time?
You're going to be governor for pete's sake. People with less prestigious titles juggle their time on a daily basis for their family and work. I'm seeing a lack of effort on his part.

"He could had the time of the debated moved shown up, debated for twenty minutes or half hour,"

That's ridiculous. So for 20 or 30 minutes he shows up to be double-teamed by Merkt/Looneygan, and doesn't get the same amount of time as the others. Even Looneyganistas should concede that puts him at a significant disadvantage.

And if he only showed up to talk for 20-30 minutes and take questions from the audience he'd still be accused of ducking debates. So he can't win either way.

My previous post did not imply Chris Blimpie should attend the forum. But he does need to attend other forums and grassroots events, and if that means a confrontation with Looneygan so be it. He can't attack the guy on TV and then run away from him at live events.

I know squeezing the debate into one day probably wouldn't be feasible but as JoeSchilp
said, If Christie made an effort to change the day or something and we knew that he tried but they couldn't accommodate him, that would be fair.

Problem is he's done this so many times before it's getting irksome. If I were apart of an expectant audience that gathered to hear Chris Christie and got another no show without any warning or notice I'd be annoyed. Saturday was a nice day, and these people could have been doing something else.

If Chris wants a one on one with Lonegan I'm sure that could somehow be arranged, but as the main debate rapidly approaches a debate beforehand also becomes undoable.
...how convenient.

The guy never shows for anything. I remember going down to a Republican College meeting at TCNJ where Christie was suppose to speak. He was a no show. Instead we got to see Matt Rooney, who seems to pop up at places where Christie promises to attend. Oh... and Lonegan and Merkt were there. One of those guys will get my vote in the primary. Havent' decided, but I won't be voting for Christie if he wins the primary. Not going to do it. I mean this is the fifth time I've tried to see the guy and its getting ridiculous. I am trying to find out his positions from a speech and not from what people tell me, but i have nothing to go on.

"a ball game, a communion, a confirmation, a bowl movement"

You're stretching the truth, Paramus. I looked all over the place on Chris Christie's calendar and saw nothing about moving any bowling alleys.

Would you care to expound on this allegation???

Steve Lonegan: Fighting for your right to have your cake and eat it too!

to the day that we don't have to read anymore crap from Clifford Case / Alan Marcus and PadrePeon Bill Brennan. Why because if Christie wins they will be campaigning for Corzine

Dino, Christies supporters have been suffering from Acute diarrhea
of the mouth and the pen recently . You must admit that a lot of the crap will only fade after Christie has a good political colon cleaning.

that was a good one....in spite of your Elementary School humor, Christie will win by 9 plus June 2nd.

Ed Ramirez Looneygans is an appropriate name for the followers of Steve, if they can not find anything truthful to say about Christies they make it up or they resort to toilet humor. In less than thirty day now we will not have to hear from Steve or his Looneygans, except for the ones that run over to the Corzine campaign.

In response to Ramirez, it appears that he has the wrong candidate.  It is Christie who is all smoke and mirrors, Lonegan has specific things he has said he will do, Christie says Nj is broken and he will fix it without one specific as to how.

I do get tired of repeating myself, but it appears liberals need to see things over and over again and never really answer the questions:

1. Lonegan will NOT build the COAH houses which end this state and this party, 250,000-300,000 more non tax paying voters living in 115,000 cabrini green style projects means that no republican will EVER get elected again, period.  Christie/Corzine will build them, whether Christie "guts" the program or not, whatever that means.

2. Lonegan will close many state departments, dept of community affairs, dept of senior sservices and have HHS do their job as well, not combine the beauracrats in one, but close it.  And cut the DEP budget in half.  Christie will create a brand new dept for auditing, we have plenty of enforcement depts in this state already.  His firends are just going to have to find employment elsewhere.

3. Lonegan has a tax and finance plan, before being critical of the flat tax and cutting the sales tax back to 6% maybe Christie should actually have one of his own, which I cannot seem to find anywhere.  I know, NJ is broken and he will fix it.  Once again HOW!?

Finally, the historical facts that the liberals hacks in the Republican party cannot answer, what is the difference please between Christie and all of the others that have come before him.  The NJGOP tells us this is the guy.  They also told us Forrester was the guy, TWICE!  Bob Franks was the guy, TWICE!  Dick Zimmer was the guy, TWICE!  Tom Keans kid was the guys, how did that work out. 

Chris Christie, based on the above track record, has about as much chance of being Governor of this state as I do.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again thinking you will get a different result.  One of the main reasons many are supporting Steve Lonegan is we are sick and tired of losing, and Chris Christie will get clobbered in November, just like the above list.  Steve Lonegan can win!  Chris Christie can not.

Sorry if these facts bother leftists, the truth usually does.

Seems like all the comments ignore both the messenger and the message.

Richard Merkt, and his point of promising voters realism rather than saccharine.