| New Jersey Democrats are understandably pleased to watch Chris Christie wrestle with questions about the ethics of decisions he made as U.S. Attorney. Yet while Republicans throw temper tantrums and call them press conferences, Democrats should refocus our message to reflect Governor Jon Corzine's budget success in an effort to win over middle class voters in critical suburban battlegrounds.
Last month, Quinnipiac University published a poll that showed Corzine trailing Christie by nine points. Seven months remain until Election Day, but right now Corzine is losing the battle for perception amidst the most difficult election environment since 1993. Now is the time to redouble our efforts, beginning in our own neighborhoods, to convince friends and family that Corzine inherited a fiscal disaster, is addressing it, and continues to make important investments in education, health care, and property tax relief.
When it comes to our children's future, he has proposed investing a total of $8.8 billion, or 28.5% of the total budget, in the form of direct school aid. That is separate from the additional $3.9 billion set aside for school construction that will modernize our classrooms while putting 20,000 New Jerseyans to work building them. And it represents a $304 million increase in funding from last year.
Similarly, under Jon Corzine more New Jersey children than ever have access to health care. Working in conjunction with congressional leaders in Washington, Governor Corzine proposes expanding NJ Family Care, bringing us one step closer to removing the estimated 273,000 young New Jerseyans from the rolls of the uninsured. Significantly, $9.9 billion of the proposed budget will go toward investments in Medicaid, pharmaceutical assistance for seniors and the disabled, and grants to college students.
When it comes to our pocket books, he's dedicated $12.1 billion (41% of the total budget) to assist municipalities, ease the burden on homeowners, and pare down property tax increases.
On the one hand, you have a responsible leader who invests in our priorities while also reducing the size of government through historic back to back cuts in state spending. On the other, you have a Republican candidate and party that has yet to present a workable plan to solve the daunting challenges facing our state.
A lot can happen between now and Election Day, and nine points is not an insurmountable deficit. However, we need to remember that, no matter how much of a cry baby he may be, Chris Christie is the most formidable Republican statewide candidate since Christine Todd Whitman.
I may sound like a broken record when it comes to Jon Corzine, but so should you. Suburbia is essential to winning, and in order to do so our grassroots work must begin in earnest. We should share with family, friends, and neighbors our party's record of responsible leadership and demonstrate the GOP's inability to come out with a coherent plan that addresses the massive challenges we face. Rather than crying about bad press and the public misunderstanding our candidate's record, let's shape opinion from the ground up. Nothing less than the future of New Jersey is at stake. |
