AFP IS A PLAYER

By Richard J. LaRossa | October 15th, 2009 - 12:55pm
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Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an Americans for Prosperity (AFP) event in Washington, D.C., titled:  “Defending the American Dream”. 

What I found most enlightening at this AFP event was a commitment to what should be Republican principles, but which Republican leaders in New Jersey, seem to have forgotten or are just ignoring.

Among the people speaking at the “Tribute to Reagan Dinner” event were, among others, Fox News Contributor Laura Ingraham, Republican Congressman Mike Pence and Dr. Jim Miller, former Reagan budget director. 

Clearly, if the Republican Party is to survive both nationally and or in states like New Jersey, it needs to start acting like an organization that knows how to frame a message, organize and energize large numbers of people with the ability to move an agenda in a positive, proactive direction.  That has to start from the top, and right now because the lack of leadership from the NJGOP is appalling. 

At this event, people had lots of questions about New Jersey.  One of the more interesting questions was one I received came from a gentleman that I sat with during dinner.  He asked about some of the consultants who are running the Republican gubernatorial campaign. 

He wondered why the campaign was pouring money into such a disjointed message and why, incredibly, they seemed on the path to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.  I told him that these are the same people who ran the Giuliani campaign into the ground and then were hired by the McCain campaign. We all know how those campaigns ended. 

How much does the truth hurt?  Even my fellow columnist, Alan Steinberg has come to the conclusion that the Christie campaign is in deep trouble and is now predicting a Corzine victory.   Seems that the warnings I had written about months ago were prophetic. 

Following is part of what I wrote in a column on February 11, 2009: 

“Mr. Christie's evasive answers to questions may be able to get him a nomination, but when it comes to a General Election, people are going to pay a great deal more attention.” 

I further wrote about property taxes: “The voters want - and need - to know what you are going to do about them. In the General Election, the question is going to be a great deal tougher and subjected to a lot more scrutiny.” 

And finally, I wrote:  "It is a great sound bite to say you are going to gut COAH.  However, the voters are going to want to know how this will be accomplished within the framework of the law and recent court decisions. While it is obvious that the current attempt to implement the program is wrought with problems and intrusive on suburban communities, how will Mr. Christie make it better for the state?" 

At the AFP event, the Republican message of smaller government, lower taxes and more personal responsibility was echoed repeatedly.  This is the message I heard for two solid days, with specific ways to achieve those goals.  It is a message that is sorely lacking from the NJGOP.   

The morning session on the second day at the AFP Summit included Senator Jim DeMint, Larry Kudlow, CNBC & CEO of Kudlow and Co. Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal.  The speakers further included Tim Phillips, President of AFP, Phil Kerpen, Director of Policy, AFP and finally former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich who produced and lead the GOP back to prominence with his Contract with America.  My suspicion is that today’s NJGOP would reject that document as too Republican.  Unlike the NJGOP, AFP is clearly in line with the RNC Platform and they are not ashamed of it. 

The NJGOP would have been totally out of place at this event, because they are now acting more like they are ashamed of being Republicans in the first place. 

The most recent Quinnipiac Poll shows Christie at 41 percent and Corzine 40 percent.  On September 1st, Christie had a 46-30 percent lead over Corzine among independents, with 16 percent for gubernatorial candidate Christopher Daggett.  As of September 30th, it was 45-32 percent in Christie's favor, with Daggett holding on to his 16 percent.  Why? 

How else can you explain the effect of following statement from NJGOP Chairman Jay Webber relative to the question of adopting the RNC Platform?  He said, “This doesn’t help Chris Christie because Chris Christie isn’t out there running as the Republican candidate.” 

Is it any wonder why even ardent supporters such Alan Steinberg not only see what is happening, but are writing about it in spite of some not-so-veiled threats they are receiving from leaders of the NJGOP.

Tags:

Defeat ballot question # !

How long will Dick suck Lonegan's AFP popsicle?

Four more years apparently. Hey, Dick why don't you write about how Lonegan lost a few months ago against a lawsuit that a police officer brought? I hear he was a disaster on the witness stand. I think the jury's finding of fact, was that he violated the officer's right to free association and free speech. The whole court saga cost the taxpayers a fair amount of do re mi. In my view he is a typical me first Bergen county pol of the Ferriero, Oury species.

Must Lonegan feed you every single piece of tripe? Last I looked a few days ago, Lonegan did not have signs on his lawn supporting Bogota GOP candidates, Bergen GOP candidates, or of course Christie. Lonegan is about Lonegan, period. He lost and we don't have to deal with him for at least four more years. If Corzine wins, we are still better off than we would be with your popsicle in charge.

LaRossa...

Hopeless egomaniacle loser who does nothing but attack republicans (sort of like a democrat).  When he had 3 ounces of power as a state senator, he voted like a liberal democrat for union giveaways, against tax cuts, for eminent domain, and then took a pension padding job with Whitman.  Now he thinks he has credibility speaking for conservatives?  Spare me.  Corzine is more conservative than this self-serving, self-quoting, pingpong ball-picking idiot.  I like AFP too.  Hopefully, they won't allow liberal, grandstanding squirrels like LaRossa to influence their policy positions.  Hey Dick... tell us... are you voting for Christie or will you sit at home and look at yourself in the mirror all day thinking about your great run for U.S. senate where you got 7% of the vote or some pathetic number?

Hey Dick...

can you tell us all your secrets for how you won the US Senate seat? You did so great and we should all learn from your greatness. Blowhard.

Perfect together

Dick "the ball picker" LaRossa and Steve Lonegan. These two bozos have lost more elctions combined than any other two politicians I know of.

These clowns have as much political credibility as Chris Christie and Joe Doria doing commercials for Weight Watchers.

http://christiegonewild.blogspot.com/

It is not about being

It is not about being ashamed of being a Republican. A good candidate with a solid background in public policy (something the current race lacks) doesn't go around spouting any party's line. They talk about substantive policy issues and provide research as to what might work and what could not. The same should go for both party's but NJ allows candidates to spew national talking points without address local concerns. This is because your average voters is just not paying attention.

If Chris Christie

plans on being a one-term Governor, he will hire his campaign staff - those arrogant idiots to screw things up.

All the married staff post over the weekends

Cool. Lots to say but you shouldn't be afraid to say it to LaRossa's face. Think he'd beat you up?

Mulshine's column today is wicked.

http://blog.nj.com/njv_paul_mulshine/2009/10/why_the_republican_party_in...

State Proctologist Needed Here

Same folks posting on everything he writes. Guess the State GOP and minority offices don't have enough for you to do.

I hear Rick Wright's next job will be as the Proctologist General so you guys can all have licking good time.

Enjoy the loser fest!

Suck, blowhard . . . so what are you telling us?

Have hot pants for Lonegan? Does the thought make you go all giggly? You don't sound like political commentators, just people crying out to be understood.

That Sucking Sound

That sucking sound is the NJGOP circling the drain. Mulshine was right. Hopefully this disaster will be the end of that pile of refuse.

As to those people trying to be understood, what's to understand from a bunch of blithering idiots who have not never made an intellegent post.

Just a sad example of a bunch of losers who can't handle the truth.

I'm so dumb...

it's true. But I still don't understand how a moron who got 7% in a primary has credibility when it comes to lecturing others about successful campaign tactics. I also don't understand how someone thinks they can be a spokesman for conservativism who voted against tax cuts... voted for pension jackups... fathered the current laws that allow for eminent domain to be abused... and took a pension padding wasteful job from Whitman. Those actions sound more like someone who is a statist liberal. Can Opus please explain that to me. I'm too dumb to understand. And I'll say it again... AFP brings some good ideas to the table... I like them. And I like conservativism - small government, individual freedom, low taxes and spending. I just don't understand how ball-picker LaRossa represents those things. I thought AFP is the type of organization that would barf on his voting record.

Answers for Stupid's questions

Wrong election. It’s kinda like judging big boy by the time he was running against a conservative State Senator, messed up his petitions, and then asked the Democrats if he could run with them.

LaRossa ran and won twice in a really tough district. It’s the kind of district the big one thinks he’s running in when he runs those butt licking Obama commercials. But LaRossa really was running there, in Trenton and Princeton, and he won twice.

As for the vote against tax cuts. You know, cutting taxes is only one side of being a conservative. Cutting spending is the other side. To cut taxes, you need to cut spending first. If you don’t, other taxes or borrowing will have to make up for the loss in revenue. Isn’t that what happened? Isn’t that why you were kicked out of the Governor’s office?

Cool, your tax cuts forced up property taxes and gave us Jimmy McGreevey. Good plan. Glad it worked out for you.

Pensions? Hey Stupid, you worked for Whitman. You really wanna talk about pensions? And patronage jobs? You’ve had a whole lotta really cool patronage jobs. And so has your (let’s not go there).

Yeah, you’re conservative alright, but there’s conservative and then there’s conservative.

Imwithstupid

To quote you, "I'm too dumb to understand."

That is why I won't bother to explain it to you Rick! My words are probably too big for your self admitted, limited intellect.

But please help me understand...

If LaRosa Is conservative, why did he vote for the pension bond, pension increases, and write (not just vote for) the abusive eminent domain law.  You made it perfectly clear to me why DL voted against tax cuts... he believed in spending cuts (that he never offered and that maybe could have been possible if he quit his patronage job that Whhitman gave him.)  I wish he would share his secret of getting 7% of the Republican primary vote in his US Senate vote... that was such a good effort.  Oh yeah... and who raised all the money for his campaigns?  Don DiFrancesco... probably someone LaRosa would say nasty things about now.  Poor Larosa bitter... tired... defeated... liberal... and now he wants us to think he is a great campaign strategist and a conservative.  Whatever.  Oh... and I couldn't possibly be Rick since Rick is in the field today offering to help republican candidates go door to door today.  Meanwhile LaRosa is looking in the mirror and thinking how good he looks and how perfect he is and thinking bad thoughts about every republican who is not... well... him.    Talks a good game... votes like a liberal... and doing his best to derail Chris Christie which means Corzine has a better chance of getting reelected.

Wake-Up Call

Morning News Digest: February 9, 2010

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