WHO IS PHILLIP MURPHY ?

[SnakeTom]

Apparently Philip Murphy has the Dem nomination to be NJ's next Governor all wrapped up. But who is he?

What do we know about Philip Murphy? Answer: Not much. He has no record good or bad.

What we do know is this:
1. He was a Goldman Sachs exec (just like Jon Corzine)

2. He has a shitload of money (Just like Corzine)

3. He is trying to buy the Governorship with his wealth ( just like Corzine)

Now does this mean he will be just as bad a Governor as Corzine. ANSWER IS NO. There is just no way to tell at this time.

But let's hope that he is a better Governor than Corzine if elected. NJ is in terrible shape fiscally due to our past 4 elected Governors. We desperately need competent leadership regardless of political party. Hopefully Murphy can provide that if elected.

PS: I have no idea who the GOP nominee will be, but who ever it is will have a tough road especially after Christie's second term.

Tom K

 

[HALL85]

Did a little research. I don't buy into any argument that just because you worked for the same company as a criminal, makes you one by association, so the comparisons to Corzine would be unfair. I actually like the idea that he hasn't been a lifetime politician (especially in this state) and he gets points for being critical of Angela Merkel, having called her insecure...lol.

IMO, it shouldn't be held against him that he has wealth although I want to learn more about him and what he thinks needs to be done about campaign financing. Like the idea that he supports selling public assets.

I'd just like to see two strong candidates (or the anti-Presidential election).

 

[SnakeTom]

I'd just like to see two strong candidates (or the anti-Presidential election).

I certainly agree with that. Competence is much more important than political party. Hopefully we will have two competent candidates to choose from.

TK

 

[cernjSHU]

I would love to know how he cleared the field within two weeks. But let's face facts, the Democratic nominee will win the Governorship due to Christie's awful 2 terms. Let's just hope that this guy can do some good. Make some tough decisions like consolidating the 500 some odd town into 20 or 30 governing bodies would go a long way on property tax relief. Small towns paying captains of the police $200k is outlandish.

 

[Bobbie Solo]

I thought my man Fulop had the inside track. Guess I haven't paid attention recently though.

 

[SnakeTom]

All along it looked like it was going to be a primary battle between Sweeney & Fulop with Ray Lesniak and Murphy also declared. then suddenly within the past two weeks Sweeney Fulop & Lesniak all withdrew while Murphy was garnering endorsement from virtually all of the Dem County chairmen. Quite a coup for a candidate pretty much unknown. My guess was that money talks & Murphy had the wealth & financing to run the statewide campaign. IMO not the best way to choose a Governor but politically it works and like Cernj said there is little chance NJ will elect a Republican this time around.

PS: The best chance the GOP has would be if Christie was removed from office or resigns and Lt Governor Kim Guardano was running as a sitting Governor. But even then she would have little chance of winning.

Tom K

 

[HALL85]

All along it looked like it was going to be a primary battle between Sweeney & Fulop with Ray Lesniak and Murphy also declared. then suddenly within the past two weeks Sweeney Fulop & Lesniak all withdrew while Murphy was garnering endorsement from virtually all of the Dem County chairmen. Quite a coup for a candidate pretty much unknown. My guess was that money talks & Murphy had the wealth & financing to run the statewide campaign. IMO not the best way to choose a Governor but politically it works and like Cernj said there is little chance NJ will elect a Republican this time around.

PS: The best chance the GOP has would be if Christie was removed from office or resigns and Lt Governor Kim Guardano was running as a sitting Governor. But even then she would have little chance of winning.

Tom K

From a pure strategy standpoint, whoever runs on the Republican side has to position themselves as the anti-Christie, at least personality wise. I have no idea who that is and if they can pull it off, but it's not impossible, even in this state. Like I said, I'd like to see two strong candidates that have some leadership skills....Murphy seems pretty good to me so far, but it's pretty early.

 

[Section112]

I like what I've heard so far from Jack Ciattarelli who has declared his candidacy. See the article below:
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/10/jack_ciattarelli_a_republican_candidate_for_govern.html

 

[Seton75]

Lots of brilliant people live in Middletown like Phillip!

 

[SnakeTom]

I like what I've heard so far from Jack Ciattarelli who has declared his candidacy. See the article below:
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/10/jack_ciattarelli_a_republican_candidate_for_govern.html

I have to say that I am impressed reading that interview. It is important that the next governor look at things objectively rather than to just tow party line.

Tom K

 

[cernjSHU]

I like what I've heard so far from Jack Ciattarelli who has declared his candidacy. See the article below:
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/10/jack_ciattarelli_a_republican_candidate_for_govern.html

I think I met Jack Ciattarelli when he was a Freeholder in Somerset County. He attempted to consolidate the towns in Somerset County with regard to their municipal courts and police. I believe this attempt failed. He was charismatic and down and down to earth guy.

I am a big proponent on consolidation. However, I think the only way to do it is by a State wide effort. My biggest complaint in NJ is property taxes. The duplication of services with regard to schools, police, and other municipal services cost this State too much money. I think this is where money can be saved.

I wonder if he would bring that idea State wide?

 

[HALL85]

I think I met Jack Ciattarelli when he was a Freeholder in Somerset County. He attempted to consolidate the towns in Somerset County with regard to their municipal courts and police. I believe this attempt failed. He was charismatic and down and down to earth guy.

I am a big proponent on consolidation. However, I think the only way to do it is by a State wide effort. My biggest complaint in NJ is property taxes. The duplication of services with regard to schools, police, and other municipal services cost this State too much money. I think this is where money can be saved.

I wonder if he would bring that idea State wide?

+1. Seems like a straight talking guy that gets it. It's just an interview, but didn't see much bravado and he isn't afraid to go off the party line....we need that desperately in this state!

 

[lloyde dobler]

The election was decided last week when all of the other Dems stepped aside. And let's face it, the NJ Republican Party is a feeble organization. It's amazing they had the governorship for two terms, let alone asking for another.

If I was a Democrat, the thing that would concern me is that they took away the primary process when Corzine bought his way through and forced Codey out. Personally, I'm not a Codey fan, but the people liked him. He would have won.

The rise of Christie wouldn't have happened without the rise and fall of Corzine. (Because for a Republican to be elected Gov in this state, it's generally a reaction to a Dem doing something wrong).

The gripe many people had on both sides with Corzine was that he was a Wall Street guy who had bought his US Senate seat, which is a totally different job than Governor. He had no local, county or state legislative experience to handle the job of governing. The Democrats admitted that was a problem, yet now they are going to let Murphy do the same thing? The answer, of course, is because that's how politic$ work$ in NJ.

Either way, the one thing clear is that the election is over...like it or not, Murphy is the next Governor of NJ.

 

[donnie_baseball]

I think I met Jack Ciattarelli when he was a Freeholder in Somerset County. He attempted to consolidate the towns in Somerset County with regard to their municipal courts and police. I believe this attempt failed. He was charismatic and down and down to earth guy.

I am a big proponent on consolidation. However, I think the only way to do it is by a State wide effort. My biggest complaint in NJ is property taxes. The duplication of services with regard to schools, police, and other municipal services cost this State too much money. I think this is where money can be saved.

I wonder if he would bring that idea State wide?

In TOTAL agreement with you on this one. I am with the candidate that is willing to address this.