Christie campaign sees DGA play as Corzine-Lonegan tag team
Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, left, with Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Parsipanny)

Christie campaign sees DGA play as Corzine-Lonegan tag team

By Max Pizarro | May 6th, 2009 - 3:13pm
| More

Maintaining a single field of fire, the campaign of Chris Christie issued a two-for-one blast at movement conservative Steve Lonegan and Gov. Jon Corzine, linking the pair of would-be rivals by virtue of the Democratic Governors' Association’s decision to attack Christie in the Republican Primary.

Democrats so fear Christie’s advance into the general election that they cannot contain themselves from aligning with movement conservative Steve Lonegan, Christie’s allies charge.

“Jon Corzine is afraid of his record and afraid of a conservative candidate like Chris who has a plan to cut taxes, slash wasteful spending and make New Jersey a place where opportunity thrives,” campaign manager Bill Stepien wrote in a message to the gubernatorial candidate’s supporters. “The only option Corzine has is to attack because he has nothing else to stand on.”

The New York Times said there is no certainty how much Democrats will spend attacking Christie in the primary but note there are no strictures on how much donors can give, and the DGA is free to take “money from all comers, including corporations and unions... It also received $100,000 from Mr. Corzine himself..."

Instead of proposing solutions, Jon Corzine, DC Democrats and Steve Lonegan have teamed up to attack the one candidate in the race who has real, conservative answers to our state's fiscal debacle,” said Stepien, who then twisted in a diss of the rival party’s moniker for good measure in a gloves off Republican Primary. 

“This is the time for us to show Governor Corzine, the Democrat Governors' Association and Steve Lonegan that unlimited dollars, dirty tricks and negative campaigning will not win you the Governor's office,” Stepien wrote. “You need good ideas and a commitment to New Jersey's future.”

In response to the email blast, Democratic State Chairman Joe Cryan insisted he and the upper echelons of his party’s operations didn’t know about the DGA’s decision to play here. It doesn’t surprise him – he said he just didn’t know about it.

“The governor’s campaign is only focused on the Republican nominee, whoever that may be,” Cryan said.

Relentlessly on message, Lonegan campaign strategist Rick Shaftan charged the DGA with leaking the story to the New York Times as a way of trying to generate mega press coverage prior to the ads running, which he argues undermines the argument that they truly want to damage Christie.

“If they really wanted to hurt Chris Christie, they would just run the ads, but they want publicity for the ads, which means they fear Steve Lonegan,” Shaftan said. “It’s reverse psychology.”

Tags:

presumptive GOP frontrunner

Submitted by RussOCNJ on May 6, 2009 - 2:39pm.

presumptive GOP frontrunner seems to be a historical term. Isn't Lonegan leading now?

Put down that free beer

Submitted by gorednj on May 6, 2009 - 3:24pm.

Russ----I know that you're all excited by the Joe the Plumber event---but check a poll---Christie's lead is widening. You guys had your one moment in the sun.

ummm.....No

Submitted by GnIPGnOP on May 6, 2009 - 3:35pm.

Not even close.  Heck, not even Shaftan is saying they're winning.

and what poll would that be

Submitted by formaja on May 6, 2009 - 4:14pm.

that shows the gap has widened, please link to it, and no strategic vision does not count any more then the Rick Shaftan's do.

The last poll was 9 points, and Christie has been in full swing since then, please show us the poll that shows this widening gap.

Democrats playing with fire

Submitted by CliffordCase on May 6, 2009 - 4:23pm.

This could blow up in Democrat's faces if Lonegan wins the primary. He gains instant credibility and celebrity nationwide, and if he attracts enough blue-collar democrats and out-of-state money could pull off a major upset in November.

wait. clifford case just

Submitted by reagan conservative on May 6, 2009 - 9:06pm.

wait. clifford case just admitted that lonegan can win?

Clifford.

Submitted by Demsandonts on May 6, 2009 - 9:19pm.

That's what I've been saying for months. Have you finally stopped typing with your eyes closed? Vote Column "A" - All the way!

No, now that Corzine has

Submitted by YoungNJ on May 7, 2009 - 10:52am.

No, now that Corzine has decided to aim his crosshairs on Christie, CliffordCase has dutifully changed his tune to support Lonegan.

the picture is great on this story

Submitted by formaja on May 10, 2009 - 2:43pm.

Two pols who will soon be a thing of the past.  Liberal Chris Christie who will soon be in private prcatice, and based on everything we have discovered about him in this campaign that may be a stretch.  And a member of the failed GOP leadership that has done his best to bully and intimidate anyone who will not get on board Christie derailing train.  While attacking those who have the convictions to know enough to see not one but two empty suits when we see them.

I look forward to Mayor Lonegan running in November with Lou Signorino standing by his side.  Along with many other down ballot positions all across the state.

Will The Real Negative Campaigner Please Stand Up!

Submitted by Cary Dickey on May 11, 2009 - 9:43am.

Let's get things straight! Who is the one, who is running a nasty video about his opponent? Not Steve Lonegan!

Who is the one, who is falsely accusing his opponent of being part of the Democratic machine? Not Steve Lonegan!

Who is the one, who is falsely claiming to be the only conservative in the Republican Primary? Not Steve Lonegan!

Who is the one, who is falsely claiming that the flat tax plan, will raise taxes for 70% of New Jersey taxpayers? Not Steve Lonegan!

Who is the one, who has turned this race into a nasty race, for Governor of New Jersey? Not Steve Lonegan!

Who is the one, who is attacking his opponent, instead of talking about the issues? Not Steve Lonegan!

Who is the one, whose nasty campaign tactics, are going to make New Jersey Republicans in the Republican Primary for Governor of New Jersey, vote for his opponent? Not Steve Lonegan!

Will the real negative campaigner please stand up! Steve Lonegan is not the negative campaigner in this race. Sorry, Chris Christie! The real negative campaigner must be you!

In response to the email

Submitted by menokia on May 28, 2009 - 9:47am.

In response to the email blast, Democratic State Chairman Joe Cryan insisted he and the upper echelons of his party’s operations didn’t know about the DGA’s decision to play here. It doesn’t surprise him – he said he just didn’t know about it.

good

Wake-Up Call

Morning News Digest: February 9, 2010

Garden State Equality fires new broadside at Dems Smarting over the state Senate's refusal to pass marriage equality and disillusioned at the moment with the Democratic Party majority, Garden State Equality’s 85-member Board of Directors unanimously decided against giving financial contributions to political parties and their affiliated committees. ...

Wally Edge

Pallone's brother runs for Councilman
The brother of U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone has announced his candidacy for the Long Branch City Council.  John Pallone, who served as a Councilman from 1990 to 1994, said today that he would run with David Brown, the former Roselle Business...
Does anyone know whose handwriting this is?
A handwritten note left behind during a Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee meeting indicates that Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) would support a plan to require all current public employees to contribute at least 1.5% of...
This is how you get re-elected
As New Jersey braces for another snowstorm, noteworthy is Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo’s website, where residents can use “Snow Plow Sal” to monitor the movements of snow plows to determine when their street will be plowed.  Hamilton also has...
Sweeney may void Codey redistricting pick
Just before leaving the Senate Presidency, Richard Codey (D-Roseland) appointed Orange Mayor Eldridge Hawkins to the Congressional Redistricting Commission.  Now his successor, Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford) is considering making his own...
Leading up to the Sarcone vs. Matthews vs. Richardson Senate race of 1963
Mark Anton, the Chairman of the Suburban Propane Gas Corporation, was a half-term Republican from Essex County who was elected in a 1953 special election after Alfred Clapp, who had mounted an unsuccessful campaign for the GOP gubernatorial election...
MORE >

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 »