Focusing yesterday on the election of a Republican Senator in the Bay State, most of those of us who blog about politics all but ignored the inauguration of a Republican Governor in the Garden State. And while many factors contributed to the victories of these two good men, it may well have been a bit of political theater which turned the tide in each of their respective races.
Recall how, in the last month of the New Jersey campaign, polls showed the race tightening? Chris Christie had not made a strong enough case for his candidacy. Then, in “a brilliant piece of retail politics,” on the Thursday before the election, the rotund Republican went on Don Imus’s radio show and joked about his weight:
“I’m pretty fat Don,” Christie declared.
“You weigh?” Imus asked.
“550 pounds,” Christie jokingly responded.
What Christie did with humor, Scott Brown did with a one liner:
Albeit in different ways, with the above remarks, each man came across as personable, the kind of guy you’d like to meet. That surely had an impact on the race. Voters eager for change in these two “blue” states could more readily embrace these Republicans.
This is the third time in a row a Democrat scorched Earth smear campaign has failed. Creigh Deeds’s campaign was based on attacking a 20 year old term paper. Jon Corzine attacked Chris Christie’s weight. And Martha Coakley flogged the absurd lie that Scott Brown wanted to make it illegal for hospitals to treat rape victims.
The Republicans, meanwhile, talked about issues.
Apparently, the Democrats have learned nothing, because Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are still basing their 2010 strategies on scorched Earth.
Perez Hilton starting the talk of the next president, run Hillary and McCain. I wonder who Hillbuzz or Sarah Palin will back. They are trying to get rid of as many great people and people who support great people out of the way. I know in my heart Sarah will always do the right thing for the country, what will Hillbuzz do????
Another thing I don’t get, Perez’s family is from Cuba, why is he on the wrong side??