Post by Libyan Sibyl on Oct 31, 2007 10:09:25 GMT -5
Beck for state Senate
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
For the most part, the outcome of Tuesday's elections isn't much in question. Gerrymandering has carved up the state to ensure that the vast majority of the 40 legislative districts are havens for either Democrats or Republicans. So the real election battles come down to just a handful of districts, if that.
Arguably the most competitive is the 12th District, where two women -- relative newcom ers to politics -- are facing off in what has deteriorated into an exchange of distorted facts used for personal attacks. The party registration in the district is split evenly, with 17.3 percent of voters registered as Democrats and 17 percent registered as Republicans. The bulk of the voters are independents, who generally side with Republicans to decide most outcomes. In 2004, the district went for George Bush.
Despite that Republican edge, Democrat Ellen Karcher, daughter of the late Assembly Speaker Alan Karcher, won the state Senate seat four years ago in a race dominated by the ethical lapses of her opponent. Her party is now spending lavishly to keep her in office. Republican Jennifer Beck, who won an Assembly seat two years ago, is seeking to oust Karcher.
On Tuesday, voters in the 12th District will confront a dif ficult choice. Our advice is to go with Beck.
In her time in the Legislature, Beck has shown herself to be a bright, articulate legislator who is passionate about representing the interests of her constituents. With the state about to devise a new school aid for mula, Beck has thrown herself into the issue, absorbing information and demonstrating a determination that needy stu dents in her district will not be shortchanged.
Beyond that, Beck will be a forceful voice in the Senate -- something in too-short supply on the Republican side of the aisle.
Karcher's campaign is based on her portrayal of herself as a corruption fighter. She relentlessly holds herself up as a one- woman campaign to make the state ethical -- to such a degree that some in Trenton refer to her as Saint Ellen. But the reality is that the bills she spon sored all came with big loopholes, insisted on by the party leadership. She has failed to demonstrate that she is really a leader on reform, as opposed to being the legislator chosen to sponsor halfway measures to stave off serious change.
This race has degenerated into unwarranted attacks by both candidates. In each case, the candidate has taken a relatively small matter and blown it out of proportion.
Such charges only serve to lower the tenure of the campaign and tarnish the characters of those leveling them.
In the end, we believe Beck will add an independent voice in the Senate, where a more rigorous Republican opposition can only benefit the state.
www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1193809154226530.xml&coll=1
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
For the most part, the outcome of Tuesday's elections isn't much in question. Gerrymandering has carved up the state to ensure that the vast majority of the 40 legislative districts are havens for either Democrats or Republicans. So the real election battles come down to just a handful of districts, if that.
Arguably the most competitive is the 12th District, where two women -- relative newcom ers to politics -- are facing off in what has deteriorated into an exchange of distorted facts used for personal attacks. The party registration in the district is split evenly, with 17.3 percent of voters registered as Democrats and 17 percent registered as Republicans. The bulk of the voters are independents, who generally side with Republicans to decide most outcomes. In 2004, the district went for George Bush.
Despite that Republican edge, Democrat Ellen Karcher, daughter of the late Assembly Speaker Alan Karcher, won the state Senate seat four years ago in a race dominated by the ethical lapses of her opponent. Her party is now spending lavishly to keep her in office. Republican Jennifer Beck, who won an Assembly seat two years ago, is seeking to oust Karcher.
On Tuesday, voters in the 12th District will confront a dif ficult choice. Our advice is to go with Beck.
In her time in the Legislature, Beck has shown herself to be a bright, articulate legislator who is passionate about representing the interests of her constituents. With the state about to devise a new school aid for mula, Beck has thrown herself into the issue, absorbing information and demonstrating a determination that needy stu dents in her district will not be shortchanged.
Beyond that, Beck will be a forceful voice in the Senate -- something in too-short supply on the Republican side of the aisle.
Karcher's campaign is based on her portrayal of herself as a corruption fighter. She relentlessly holds herself up as a one- woman campaign to make the state ethical -- to such a degree that some in Trenton refer to her as Saint Ellen. But the reality is that the bills she spon sored all came with big loopholes, insisted on by the party leadership. She has failed to demonstrate that she is really a leader on reform, as opposed to being the legislator chosen to sponsor halfway measures to stave off serious change.
This race has degenerated into unwarranted attacks by both candidates. In each case, the candidate has taken a relatively small matter and blown it out of proportion.
Such charges only serve to lower the tenure of the campaign and tarnish the characters of those leveling them.
In the end, we believe Beck will add an independent voice in the Senate, where a more rigorous Republican opposition can only benefit the state.
www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1193809154226530.xml&coll=1
