Tom Kean probably would have won a third term in 1989, but would he have wanted it?
By Wally EdgeFor New Jerseyans who follow the race for Mayor of New York City more closely than they do the contest for Salem County Freeholder: a new Quinnipiac University poll released this morning shows that NYC voters, by a 54%-42% margin, support extending the eight-year term limit to twelve years so Michael Bloomberg can serve as third term as mayor. Bloomberg, who says he wants to run again in 2009 even though city law does not currently allow it, has a 75%-19% job approval rating. Nearly two-thirds of the voters (65%) say they still support the basic concept of term limits -- especially for City Councilmembers -- but they still want Bloomberg to remain in office. In a head-to-head matchup with six other potential candidates, Bloomberg is at 51%; none of the others break out of single digits.
“Will it be a coronation? Bloomberg’s support is more than 50 percent. The others? Way down in single digits. His job approval is still up in the stratosphere, where it’s been for three years,” said Maurice Carroll, the Quinnipiac poll director.
In Quinnipiac's last New Jersey poll, Governor Jon Corzine has an upside-down approval rating of 40%-51%. Other gubernatorial approval ratings, according to Quinnipiac polls: Jodi Rell (R-Conn.) 65%-23%; David Paterson (D-N.Y.) 64%-14%; and Ed Rendell (54%-37%).
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Maybe
One could also argue that Courter's 39% was a referendum on 8 years of Tom Kean's liberal administration.
Only if one
were an idiot. Florio took advantage of every mistep Courter made (and there were many) and made him unelectable. That campaign wasn't about the last 8 years it was about Courter. Tom Kean was and is the most popular political figure in New Jersey history and given the chance to put him in office today, voters would do so in overwhelming numbers.
Kean Sr's "popularity"
Other than Bob Menendez, Rush Holt and Bill Clinton, can you tell me the name of ANYONE Tom Kean has endorsed in the last twenty-odd years who won an election?
Mountaintop
That is question offers a false choice. Can you name anyone that Giuliani endorsed that won? Still he could run in NYC and win. Popularity is not transferable.
Say what you want about Whitman
At least SOME of the people she endorsed actually won their elections.
The Kean myth.
Tom Kean won the governorship after losing a congressional primary to Millicent Fenwick and playing ball with Hudson Republicans and the late Tony Imperiale as well as David Friedland when he was made Speaker.
Kean won a race that Florio lost. By 1985, Kean had become for the most part a Democrat who made deals with the NJEA and awarded them with higher salaries and minimum salary requirements which have blossomed into the fiscal nightmare of today as it relates to salaries, pensions and health benefits for public employees.
Kean never ran for public office again, but flirted with potential US Senate runs. Both times those attempts had no traction because he became such a liberal he couldn't win a GOP Primary!
His son's easy defeat is an extension of that liberalism.
Had Kean ran again in 1989 he would have probably lost a rematch to Florio.
Vote Column "A" - All the way!
Hudson Republicans?
Wasn't it Esposito and 4 other Dems?
He would of won
If you would of given Bill Clinton and/or Tom Kean Sr, a chance for a third term. They would of most likely won by a land slide!
I am surprised to see Bloomberg's competition only receving single digit percentages, I thought the NYC Council Speaker had a better chance.