Like Virginia, New Jersey is in the middle of a very heated race for Governor between billionaire Jon Corzine and billionaire Douglas Forrester. During this weekend’s short trip to New Jersey, I was reminded why I am glad that I don’t have to worry about voting for losers like these anymore.
The race for governor in New Jersey was expected to be notable as a spending spree by two multimillionaires, but instead of money it has become all about women – wives, an ex-wife and mistresses.
Republican Doug Forrester buoyed his campaign at the start with ads anchored by his admiring wife, Andrea.
But Democrat Sen. Jon Corzine’s ex-wife took the star turn – on Forrester’s behalf.
In the most inflammatory comments by a politician’s wife since Donna Hanover kicked Mayor Rudy Giuliani out of Gracie Mansion, Joanne Corzine charged her ex-hubby’s Wall Street and political ambitions “destroyed our family.”
The Corzines divorced in 2002 after 33 years of marriage. They have three adult children.
Forrester – who was trailing badly in polls – quickly packaged the spurned ex-wife’s comments into a TV spot that has propelled him into contention.
“When I saw the campaign ad where Andrea Forrester said, ‘Doug never let his family down, and he won’t let New Jersey down,’ all I could think was that Jon did let his family down, and he’ll probably let New Jersey down, too,” Joanne Corzine said
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Apparently, its worked, though, because Forrester has closed to within 6 points of Corzine in the polls. In the end, it probably won’t be enough. New Jersey is a blue state and, between Corzine’s money and the Democratic machine, I’m sure that they’ll be able to keep the seat in Democratic hands.
And, as George Will points out today, this may not be the last we hear from Mr. Corzine:
A New Jersey governor is an American Caesar. The most powerful of all governors, he or she is the only state official who is elected statewide and who appoints the other state officials. Still, some people suspect that Corzine wants the governorship because he has his eye on another property 16 blocks down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Senate with which he has become disenchanted. Many more presidents have come from governorships than from Senate seats, and New Jersey’s governor gets attention in the largest media markets in two contiguous blue states — Philadelphia and New York City.
Good lord.
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