The upcoming gubernatorial election in New Jersey pitting the incumbent, presumptive Democratic nominee Jon Corzine, against the GOP nominee seems like it will be close given the former's low approval rating in recent polls. However, I believe the real bloodletting will come this June. In what has become almost an annual spring tradition, like their Taliban counterparts in Afghanistan, the wingnut faction of the NJGOP is launching another offensive against their RINO (Republican In Name Only) rivals for control over the hearts and minds of an ever dwindling number of the GOP faithful in New Jersey.
This year the main event features uber-wingnut Steve Lonegan, New Jersey's answer to Sarah Palin, against RINO establishment favorite, former US Attorney Chris Christie. Like Palin, Lonegan's only experience in elective office prior to running for Governor consists of being mayor of Bogota (population 8249). Lonegan's claim to fame is his call for a boycott against McDonalds a few years ago because they put up a billboard in his town advertising in Spanish.
Despite his claim to be the taxpayer's friend, Lonegan recently accepted taxpayer matching funds totaling half a million dollars for his campaign. However, in accepting these funds he failed to disclose his leadership of an issue advocacy group, Americans For Prosperity, which would require him to publicly release the list of donors. Instead, Lonegan issued a press release, posted on a political website, attacking his accusers for supporting his Republican opponent, Chris Christie. Judging from the press release, and the comments posted on the website as well, even though the primary is nearly four months away it looks like when the wingnuts and RINOS get through with each other Jon Corzine can save his money and still win the election.