Response by Stephen Salmore

Judging by the way people think about the budget, New Jersey should be a good state for Republicans. Both Democrats and Republicans are tax adverse when the tax might apply to them. For Democrats that means they are willing to raise taxes on the “wealthy” whereas Republicans are against any kind of tax increase. While both Democrats and Republicans believe that fraud, waste and abuse are the most fertile ground for budget savings, Republicans are more willing to cut some programs and reduce state employees and Democrats resist any kind of serious spending reductions. This partisan climate should be and has been very receptive to candidates who advocate cutting taxes and reducing spending. However, Republicans in recent years have either strayed from the winning tax-cut message by raising other issues, or have failed to implement serious spending cuts by resorting to increased borrowing. For Republicans to be successful again, they need a candidate who can persuasively stay on message—cut taxes, reduce government.

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.