New Jersey

A new Quinnipiac poll has Hillary Clinton leading Barack Obama, 48%-43%: Getty Images Photo
Hillary Clinton's lead in New Jersey has shrunk to just five points and leads Barack Obama 48%-43% among likely Democratic primary voters, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released this morning. On the Republican side, John McCain leads Mitt Romney 52%-30%.

"Sen. Obama has put together a coalition of blacks and independents to dramatically narrow the gap in just the last few days in New Jersey, but the big question remains: Will there be enough of these new, young, first time voters showing up to pull a surprise on Super Tuesday?" said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

The Quinnipiac poll mirrors one conducted at the end of last week by Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg for George Norcross that showed Clinton ahead by six points. Clinton had a 17-point lead in a January 23 Quinnipiac poll, and had been ahead by as much as 34 points late last year.

U.S. Senate candidate Joe Pennacchio wants Bill Marino to resign as N.J. Chamber of Commerce chair for backing toll hikesState Senator and U.S. Senate candidate Joe Pennacchio is so adamant in his opposition to the Governor’s fiscal restructuring plan that he wants the Chamber of Commerce’s president to resign for supporting it. Or the Chairman of the group’s Board of Directors. Or both.

In a press release sent out yesterday, Pennacchio today called on Horizon Blue Cross & Blue Shield of New Jersey President William J. Marino, who he identified as the chamber’s president, to resign.

"The Chamber of Commerce's endorsement of Governor Corzine's toll-and-borrow scheme is very disappointing. For six and a half years, the Chamber has proven itself ineffective at lobbying the Democrats against their overtaxing, overspending, and over borrowing ways,” said Pennacchio.

Marino is actually the Chairman of the chamber’s Board of Directors. Its president is Joan Verplank. When informed of the apparent mix up, Pennacchio said that they both should resign.

New Jersey Right to Life endorsed Mike Huckabee, saying that Ron Paul's libertarian views conflic with his pro-life stand: Getty Images Photo
New Jersey Right to Life has endorsed Mike Huckabee for the GOP presidential nomination, saying that the former Governor of Arkansas supports passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life, and believes that Roe v. Wade should be overturned.

Jack Kelly and Chris Myers, the two leading candidates for the Republicans’ third district congressional nomination, have both indicated that they plan to keep their primary contest gentlemanly despite strong pushes from each of their counties’ Republican organizations.

“What you don’t want to turn this into is us against them,” Kelly, an Ocean County Freeholder, told PolitickerNJ.com in November. “We need to assure them that the needs of the district come first. Which one of us becomes a successful candidate comes second.”

But are the candidates merely paying lip service to civility this early in the race, or will they actually be able to live up to the idea?

If the 1984 primary race for the seat is any indication -- the last time there was a competitive primary in the district and Burlington and Ocean Counties went head-to-head – then yes, the contest may very well remain civil.

“We had a gentleman’s primary,” said retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton, who went on to narrowly win that primary and then serve 12 consecutive terms in the House. “We debated the issues. Ronald Reagan was a theme of the campaign. He was very popular at the time.”

Dick Codey, who may be New Jersey's most popular politician, will endorse Barack Obama for President
Senate President Richard Codey is expected to endorse Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to sources close to Codey. Codey, who served as Governor from 2004 to 2006, had served as New Jersey Chairman of John Edwards’ campaign.

Less than an hour before state Sen. Joe Pennacchio is to formally announed his run for U.S. Senate, one of his likely primary opponents has trumpeted the support of two powerful out-of-state Republican Senators.

According to a press release from Anne Evans Estabrook’s campaign, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Ensign (R-NV) contributed $5,000 and $10,000 to her campaign, respectively.

State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio will announce today that he is entering the race for the Republican nomination for United States Senator.  The Brooklyn-born Dentist and legislator from Morris County, wants to take on the Democratic incumbent, Frank Lautenberg.

A guest column from Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, a Morris County Republican:

During his inaugural address, Governor Corzine repeatedly emphasized one theme: “hold me accountable.”

So, as the midterm elections approach, and his Party defends its record – his record – the question presents itself: has Corzine fulfilled the promises made during his campaign, or in his inaugural?

Corzine enjoys a huge advantage: following Jim McGreevey, virtually anyone looks good by comparison. The Democrats under McGreevey compiled one of the most shameful records of political and fiscal irresponsibility ever witnessed. The Democrats turned New Jersey into a national laughing stock, an economic basket case. If Corzine inherited a mess, his Democratic legislative counterparts created it.

Corzine promised change: an end to fiscal gimmicks, REAL property tax relief and reform (without new taxes), and a rebirth of ethical standards. He assured us that his private life would not impinge upon his public duties. He pledged to drive a hard bargain with state employee unions and to end the power of political bosses.

Quinnipiac University will release a new poll on Tuesday on Gov. Jon Corzine's job approvals and the 2008 U.S. Senate race.  Corzine had a 48%-39% approval rating in the last Quinnipiac poll, released on July 9.