Tom Kean, Jr. picked to be new Minority Leader
By Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter
Tom Kean, Jr.: Getty Images
Tom Kean, Jr. was unanimously selected by Senate Republicans today as the new Minority Leader, replacing Leonard Lance.
Lance told PoliticsNJ.com that he allowed Kean to ascend to the position unchallenged, and said that he will become the party's ranking member on the Budget Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Joe Kyrillos said that he nominated Kean for the position.
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The Stars are Aligning
If this isn't the first sign that he's going to be the GOP frontrunner for Goveror in '09 I don't know what is.
I'm happy for him and I wish him the best.
"I can remember way back when a liberal was one who was generous with his own money."- Will Rogers
New Blood
Kean, Jr (Leader/39years old), Baroni, Beck, O'Toole, Haines, S. Kean, etc. etc... hopefully, the new blood won't be as passive and will shake it up a little.
What a surprise
It is apparent that the NJGOP is controlled by the Democratic Wing of the Republican Party.
What was the rationale behind elevating the silver spoon? Couldn't Kyrillos at least select a Republican?
"Sometimes it looks as if the Democrats are out to win at all costs, while the Republicans are out to compromise at all costs." Thomas Sowell, September 8, 2007 - Random Thoughts.
Nothing like placing
Nothing like placing firecrackers under the o'l guard's proverbial butts, to remind them that government is not Caligula.
Agree with Conscience.
Agree with Conscience. Hopefully he's a better administrator than campaigner. It would be nice if they chose a Republican.
Governor?
Dino you are wrong. Baroni is the Republican front runner for Governor. Tom is a good man but as we saw last year he can't win a statewide race. Bill Baroni's strong showing this year proves he is the only one who can beat Corzine. In a tough district Baroni did better than Kean did in an easy district. He's miles ahead of Kean already, reaching out to chairmen and fundraisers across the state. I predict within six months Bill will make his intentions public.
pluses and minuses here
Kean Jr., the positives: moderate (Lance even voted against civil unons), seemingly likeable on a personal level, strong on the environment, smart, new blood
Kean Jr., the negatives: most state voters knowledge of him extends to remembering his loss against Menendez; isn't really the consensus-building, crossing-the-aisle guy that he claims; stumbles badly, and I mean badly, at times in press conferences, gaggles, and public forums; can be overly cautious and calculating before forming an opinion on legislation and other initiatives
Wondering?
Congratulations to the new Senate Minority Leader, Tom Kean Jr.
I just wanted to ask Repub Con. something. I've read many of your posts, and have agreed with quite a few, but I'm wondering, is there some sort of litmus test for being in the Republican Party?
If the party is veering away from "conservative" values, wouldn't it make sense that the right wing of the GOP break away, and form their own party?
What happens to supporters of Ron Paul?, folks that want smaller government, less spending, and to get the US out of foreign entanglements that our 1st President warned us about? would they pass the litmus test of "true" Republicans?
What about Teddy Roosevelt? looks like a good Republican to me, spoke softly and carried a big stick, but since he was an avid supporter of the environment, would he be considered an eco-nut, thus not a "real" Republican?
Wasn't Ronald Reagan once a Democrat? and while later changing political status in life, could we actually consider a Hollywood actor, and divorced man, a "real" Republican? I mean after all the man never cut the size of the government in all his 8 years in power despite his promises.
I really don't mean this as harsh as it sounds, but I'm curious as to your definition of "real" Republican, and who would that term most fits; Ron Paul, Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, or Sam Brownback? All that identify themselves as Republicans, but obviously all can't be "real" ones.
Like I said, not to be harsh, but I'd like to get an idea of where your coming from when you rip the NJGOP, and what your plan would be for the NJGOP to win in this blue leaning State.
As for Martin (whats up guy?) fortunately for most of us, life is a journey, most of it defined by experience. Sometimes that experience ain't real good, but hopefully we learn from it. The fact of the matter with young Mr. Kean (39 years old, and a State leader) is that someone in a depleted, demoralized NJGOP had to step up and take the challenge to the Senator from San Juan. Now granted, the campaign he ran was poor, but hopefully he can grow from that, and become a GOP leader this State can be proud of it.
Wonder what would have happened to Bill Clinton if he had decided to quit politics after his 1st loss running for Governor of Arkansas?
The measure of a man is not in how he gets beat, everybody gets beat, its in how he gets up from those beatings that tells us his worth.
Bad Choice
Thank you GOP, you hae effectivly come to a gun fight with a knife.