Tom's Mom's Blog

There are five short weeks to go before the registered Republicans of New Jersey's 7th Congressional District will cast their votes in the primary race. Up until now, at every opportunity to gather, the candidates repeat the same canned speeches and tell us about all the money they have raised. Well I am not of the opinion that successful fundraising is a fair measure of a candidate.

Media coverage has been limited to a few short comments about each candidate and even fewer direct quotes from the candidates themselves. This is an election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Access to candidates should not be limited to websites and stump speeches. Shouldn't we have an opportunity to ask a few direct questions? What do these candidates know about local concerns and national issues? How are we to decide between the remaining six candidates?

It has been two weeks since the Somerset County Republican Convention. It was frustrating night, and with a son deploying to Iraq in early May, it all seems very petty. What about the issues? Today, two of the frontrunners are on TV, criticizing each other about fundraising. Do they know how expensive it is to live in NJ?

I must tell you that my first impression of the night of the convention was that the blind support for the other candidates did not give the others a chance to even be heard. It appeared that voters knew what they were going to do and that explains why it took so long for me to write again. The regular, working people don't seem to be voting for the issues as they should be. Even today, voters complain about taxes, but they allowed expensive school budgets to pass yesterday and every year. It is the same with candidates. People complain, nothing changes. And then they vote for the most familiar name.

I have heard it said that God’s greatest blessing is a mother’s love. That said, I will try to be objective in describing my son and his quest to be elected to Congress representing New Jersey’s 7th district.