New Jerseyans aren’t always civil, but it’s still possible for a liberal Democrat and a conservative Republican to have a rational and pleasant conversation about politics in the state. Dan Bryan is a former senior advisor to Gov. Phil Murphy and is now the owner of his own public affairs firm, and Alex Wilkes is an attorney and former executive director of America Rising PAC who advises Republican candidates in New Jersey and across the nation, including the New Jersey GOP. She is currently the campaign manager for Curtis Bashaw’s U.S. Senate race. Dan and Alex are both experienced strategists who are currently in the room where high-level decisions are made. They will get together weekly with New Jersey Globe editor David Wildstein to discuss politics and issues.
Rob Menendez and Ravi Bhalla will face off in their first debate of the 8th district Democratic congressional primary on Sunday night. What do each of them need to get out of the debate?
Dan Bryan: First of all, good on both of these candidates for agreeing to debate. In the age of declining media, it’s easier than ever for candidates to refuse to debate. This will be the most-watched primary in the state, and voters deserve to see Congressman Menendez and Mayor Bhalla lay out their policies and draw distinctions.
Congressman Menendez needs to build on his campaign’s messaging of effective leadership, delivering results for his district, and his assertion of Mayor Bhalla’s negatives. There is no doubt that he will endure endless attacks on his father – when they come, he shouldn’t get defensive. Hit back, pivot to offense, and move forward. He can’t fall into a defensive crouch.
Mayor Bhalla’s goal is pretty simple: tie the Congressman to his father as much as possible. But he’ll also look to establish himself as an independent Democrat, one that isn’t tied to “the machine.” He has run an effective and hard-nosed campaign thus far, and I don’t think he’ll take his foot off of the gas pedal this weekend. I think he should add a focus
Alex Wlkes: I think Junior’s job will be to show up and make the case that he is an independent brand, separate and apart from his scandal-plagued father – even though he traded on that same name to get to Washington in the first place.
It won’t be easy, but at the same time, no one likes seeing someone kicked when they’re down, particularly someone who has not actually been accused of any wrongdoing. This also isn’t a statewide debate, and I would have to imagine that the Menendez brand still has some juice in Hudson County – enough, say, for a congressional race. There’s always a risk for someone in Bhalla’s position to go over-the-top and generate some sympathy for his opponent.
In short, Ravi Bhalla just has to show up and not be someone named Menendez – but he can’t be a jerk.
So far, five county chairs aren’t seeking re-election this year. As organization lines go away, are we starting to see a mass exodus of county chairs?
Alex: I think it depends on the partisan makeup of the county.
If you’re the county chairman and your party’s in charge, life is still probably pretty good (at least for the next few cycles) with other levers of power at your disposal, like control of the county government.
If you’re the chairman in a county where your party is out-of-power, however, the internecine battles over nothing have to be getting old. The only favor you could give your friends and threat you had against your enemies (imaginary or real) is now gone.
In these counties, like it or not, the proverbial cave has been bulldozed, and along with it, the shadow puppets of candidates who waited “their turn,” bad fundraisers, and other unvetted, underfunded disasters. Come and enjoy the sun everyone; the cold winters of ballot Siberia have perished.
Dan: County chairs are experiencing the same thing the rest of us are: it is a pretty miserable time to be involved in politics. There has never been more venom, more divisive rhetoric, and less upside for getting involved in politics as there is today. Maybe that ends when (if?) Trump finally goes away.
I know it’s not fashionable to call for strong party organizations, but if Democrats want to keep winning in New Jersey, they’re vital. Getting some new blood in those positions chairs isn’t a bad thing, but to the extent that those that have worked so hard to build up the party simply don’t see the upside to serve any longer, we should be concerned for the strength of the party moving forward.
Former Congressman Tom Malinowski is launching a comeback as a candidate for Hunterdon County Democratic Chairman. What’s his thinking here?
Dan: Despite a relatively low population, Hunterdon County is an important red-to-blue area for New Jersey Democrats. Arlene Quinones Perez has done an incredible job building the party and delivering key victories in an area that was once ruby red. I’m sorry that she isn’t seeking another term, but I’m sure we haven’t heard the last from her.
I’m glad to see former Congressman Malinowski throw his hat in the ring to succeed Chairwoman Quinones Perez. Hunterdon County knows him well, and he clearly cares about the direction of our party. He can fundraise, he has a team of volunteers, and he can win tough elections. If he’s able to win the chairmanship, I’m looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the position.
Alex: If I ever go from ousted congressman to county chair with no line, for God’s sake, David, please don’t humiliate me by labeling THAT a “comeback.”
(Ok, I’ll make an exception if Bob Menendez beats the feds twice and comes back as the chairman of the Hudson County Democrats.)
America seems captivated by South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s assertion that she shot and killed her dog. I know we are living in a world sharply divided by partisan politics, but can we all agree that it’s bad politics to shoot your dog?
Alex: From this to Mitt Romney putting the dog on top of the family car, we have, sadly, fallen a long way from the “Checkers” gold standard of pets and politics.
Dan: Congrats to Kristi Noem for accomplishing something once thought impossible: being such a horrendous human being that you’re toxic even in Trump world!
I’ve enjoyed the “whataboutism” from right-wing lackeys trying to somehow make an equivalence between this situation and Biden’s dogs biting Secret Service agents because…both involve dogs? Or something? You’ve got to give them an A for effort. And for shamelessness.