This story at Politico is truly amazing. Josh Zeitz's opponent, long-time incumbent (and 'pro-life' House caucus chair) Chris Smith, is paying in state tuition for his child enrolled at the University of Virginia. Smith is, in theory, representing the people of the Fourth District of New Jersey.
As if we didn't already know that Chris Smith was out of touch with his New Jersey constituents. We learned not long ago that, in the last eight years, he has spent maybe two dozen nights a year in his home district (which is not in, say, Alaska, but only a reasonable two hours-plus by train from Washington, DC). He is basically a full-time resident of the great state (no disrespect meant here) of Virginia.
More after the jump.
This is a huge story that has the potential to reshape the media narrative in this fight. A number of major bloggers are covering this already.
Matt Stoller at Open Left has a diary up, as does Josh Marshall at TPM, and Matthew Yglesias at Think Progress.Blue Jersey has front paged this story as well, and is doing a great job of getting the word out to New Jersey Democrats.
So, what say us here at dailykos? Let's get this story on the front page and get people here involved. This is a wave election, and this is our best chance in more than 25 years to sweep out a pro-deregulation, pro-Bush foreign policy conservative who is radical on social issues, especially those related to reproductive rights. Remember that Smith has introduced, on twenty twooccasions, bills that would outlaw the common, everyday birth control pill and the IUD.
Josh Zeitz needs your help. I'm taking the next two weeks off from work to volunteer full-time for Josh. Please consider volunteering as well as donating. To volunteer contact steve_at_joshzeitz_dot_com. And please recommend this diary.
Thanks!