Response to Energy Poll by Rick Thigpen

New Jerseyans are beginning to recognize the rising energy problem in the state and overall at the national level. However, at this point they are undecided about who is to blame. As time passes and the impacts of statewide and national energy policies become more apparent, New Jersey Republicans may have significant political challenges in justifying both their actions as well as those of the Bush administration.

First, the New Jersey public is not buying the Bush administration's energy plan and opposes its choice of production over conservation as the solution to the energy problems. Second, as concerns over the cost and availability of energy grow in NJ, a political day of reckoning may be coming over the energy deregulation deal passed by our legislature last year. The public already seems to understand that the Bush energy plan is geared towards favoring his friends. If the energy crisis deepens what will happen to the public's view of the energy deregulation plan passed under the leadership of NJ Republicans.

see also:
Larson's Analysis
Salmore's Analysis
Tabular Results
Survey Details

Comment by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind Academic Associate, Rick Thigpen (J.D., Columbia University Law School). Rick is a former Executive Director of the New Jersey Democratic Party and now a partner in The Strategy Group.

Rick Thigpen, Esq. can be reached at (609) 394-0888