Response by Stephen Salmore

Recent events have been unkind to New Jersey. The state has always had something of an inferiority complex--hidden in the shadows of New York and Philadelphia.  In the last year, there have been a series of events reminding the nation as well as the state of its political problems.  A governor has resigned. Senatorial candidates have stepped down in the face of ethics charges. Mayors have been indicted. It should not be surprising that New Jersey citizens are in something of a funk. George Bush happens to be President at this time and therefore receives some of the blame. But none of the elected officials in New Jersey are doing much better. The state desperately needs a political campaign that will lift its spirits, reminding its citizens of what is positive about the state. Unfortunately that’s not likely to happen this year.

Comment by Fairleigh Dickinson University Research Professor of Political Science, Stephen Salmore (Ph.D., Princeton University). Steve specializes in both national and New Jersey politics and presently operates Raritan Associates, Inc. He is co-author of Parties, Elections and Campaigns and New Jersey Government and Politics. Dr. Stephen Salmore can be reached at 973-292-3633.