The tide has turned
It's a new day for New Jersey and Oaklyn
By Rich Luongo
The losers — in this case, the Democrats — don't see Republican Chris Christie's victory over Jon Corzine in New Jersey's gubernatorial race as a rejection of Obama's policies.They see it as a rejection of Corzine.
The Democrats can philosophize any way they want about Corzine's defeat. The voters expressed their distaste, not only for Corzine and the mess he's made of New Jersey (we're about number 50 in just about everything in this country except for property taxes...we're the leader, number one) but also for Obama's controversal agenda and what he's doing to this great nation. The president came to New Jersey and campaigned for his buddy, who spent some $20 million of his own money, about five times what Christie spent, to retain the governor's seat, yet — despite Obama's backing (maybe because of it), Corznie still couldn't pull out a victory.
The people are fed up with the Democrats and the spending that is bankrupting both New Jersey and the U.S. This was manifested in the governor's race. And if the gods smile upon us, it will also result in Republican victories in the off-year elections in 2010.
Statewide, however, the voters did help the Democrats retain many local seats including the boards of freeholder. But in my town of Oaklyn, the two Republicans vying for the two Borough Council seats easily won their races. This was the first time in years that Democratic candidates had any GOP opposition and they were beaten.
Ritchie and MacLean, the two Republican council winners, may be able to breathe some refreshing new life into a mayor/council system that has been stagnant for too many years and under Democratic control for some 25 years and by a mayor who runs unopposed each election and feels that the few votes he does garner represent a mandate of some sort.
But be warned, Mayor LaMaina, the tide is turning. When you're up for re-election you may finally get some healthy Republican opposition that may actually cause you to do some campaigning for the first time in many years. Could you lose? Possibly but even if you don't, there will be enough votes received by your opponent to make you realize the people are tired of your arrogance and cockiness.
It's a new day for Oaklyn and for New Jersey.
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