Opinion

South Jersey Democrats are touting Cinnaminson native Anthony Mazzarelli, the head of the emergency medicine department at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, as a potential candidate for State Senator in the seventh district.  Mazzarelli is reportedly testing the waters for a 2011 Senate bid ... >

The decision of Assemblyman Herbert Conaway (D-Delanco) to run for Burlington County Democratic Chairman could complicate a 2010 special election for State Senator if Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park) were to leave the Legislature.  Allen is battling an aggressive form of cancer and recently ... >

As Christopher Christie begins to assemble an administration, it makes sense for local elected officials who want a full-time job to remember the Governor-elect's opposition to dual office holding.  The convention wisdom seems to be that Christie will allow a mayor or councilman, for ... >

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 but a limited number that can be achieved. He needs to get up every morning, read the list, and raise hell until the list is complete. When ... >

The contest for Governor of New Jersey might be the most visible but in the long term it might not be the most important. Long after our youngest children have forgotten the winner of this year's gubernatorial election they'll be aware of the pernicious loss of our quality of life in New ... >

The decision of who to support in this year's NFL match ups just got easier. I'm for anybody who plays against the Eagles.

Michael Vick is joining the team. The same man who just left a federal jail on felony counts involving the torturing and death of animals is about to reenter ... >

Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: that advocates offered such documents to the public as political arguments astonishes us. Fancy: honest, intellectually respectable political ... >

In a rebuke to Judge Sotomayor, who found neither empathy nor justice for victims of obvious racial discrimination, the SCOTUS struck another blow for a color blind society. >

Now, one case does not (necessarily) a career make. But few cases decided by the New Jersey Supreme Court in recent years rankle Republicans as much as the infamous Torricelli switcheroo case.

Recall the facts: Senator Torricelli long labored under an ethical cloud, but as the 2002 general ... >

The NJ gubernatorial election result demonstrates that Governor-elect Chris Christie resurrected the center-right voter coalition of Republicans, Independents, and conservative and moderate Democrats that has always produced Republican victories.  Even Christie Whitman failed to do this in both ... >

Governor-elect Christopher J. Christie.  How sweet it is for the thousands of volunteers who worked since February to support this great man for NJ Governor.  I am proud to be one of them.

Congratulations go to him and to his wife Mary Pat and terrific family.  Also congratulations to Lt ... >

Early in the year, when President Obama enjoyed a strong honeymoon upon Inauguration, it appeared that the new national mood would be a strong wind at Governor Corzine's back.

As the year went on, however, especially in late summer, rising public discontent with ObamaCare brought ... >

With a convincing win in defeating an encumbent Governor, why were there no coattails? >

If you don't vote, you are leaving the choice of who becomes our next governor to someone else. >

Why has NJ spent $2 billion on "Green" Acres programs that include astro turf and asphalt? >

As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney General.   His appointment to the position of Chief Counsel, however, will be equally as important.  Traditionally, in situations where the ... >

Going into Election Year 2010, the outlook is hopeful for Republicans nationally.  The victories of Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie in Virginia and New Jersey respectively may well be a prelude to a sizable gain for Republicans in gubernatorial races nationally.  In the Senate races, ... >

Last Thursday, Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the appointment of my successor as Regional Administrator of Region 2 EPA, Judith Enck, who had been serving as Deputy Secretary of the Environment under New York Governors Eliot Spitzer and David ... >

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 foremost, this was a "pocketbook" election. The No. 1 issue on the minds of voters was the state of the economy, followed ... >

I am often asked by my students, friends and even reporters why campaigns in New Jersey are so nasty and why candidates rely so heavily on negative ads.  The answer, quite simply, is that candidates rely on negative campaigning because it works.  If it didn't work, candidates would have ... >

Whenever a politician is charged or convicted with violating the public trust, I am asked by my students, reporters and friends why this happens with such regularity in New Jersey.  What is it about New Jersey that fosters such a climate of corruption?

The best answer I can give is that the roots ... >

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 biggest kid there to show he has grit even if he got his nose broken.  During this year's gubernatorial campaign, Chris Christie seemed to go out of ... >

It was a dark and stormy November night.  An icy wind whistled through leafless moonlit trees. A loud thud is followed by a piercing scream.  A lone figure emerges from the mist, bloodied and weary, but victorious.  Coming to your hometown, Tuesday November 3rd.

This year has brought the ... >

Trimming the state budget is a little like dieting. The plan might be good but sticking with it is tough . Most of us have had to diet at some point and we start out with great intentions, will power and a pledge to stick to a detailed diet and exercise regimen to shed those damn extra pounds.  ... >

Ronald C. Rice tweeted not so sweetly about soon-to-be Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

Well, we were able to obtain the rest of the tweets---in fact, there was an entire conversation tweeted between the future Senate President and the current Newark Councilman…. >

Pardner, you’re a busy person. You need a news  round-up you can just nibble on, and then get on with your day.

So here goes, NJ buckeroos: >

Seems like everyone makes their money here, and then moves to Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

Some to avoid high property taxes and higher auto insurance rates.

Some ‘cause, I guess they have to. >

New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd.  Republican Chris Christie and Independent Chris Daggett received nearly 55% of the votes cast.

The anti-Corzine voters played it safe on Election Day, pulling the lever for Christie instead ... >

According to the latest SurveyUSA and Rutgers Eagleton polls, independent gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett has the support of 19% and 20% of the electorate, respectively, while both Corzine and Christie are polling around 40% each.   

In short, Chris Daggett in striking ... >

At the first debate gubernatorial debate televised by NJN last Thursday none of the gubernatorial candidates proposed a credible plan to deal with the state's high tax burden, runaway spending and projected $8 billion budget deficit for fiscal 2011.

Yet all the media attention and buzz by ... >