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As someone who works and has lived in Jersey City, and also as a person who was VERY disappointed that Schundler did not win, I must highly recommend this article. It is quite astute, and shows a great familiarity with both Schundler and Jersey City. These are the mistakes that Brett made, the ones he can't blame the state party for. If there was EVER a time that an argument in support of a concealed carry law would have carried weight, or at least deserved to be made, it's in the past 6 weeks. ESPECIALLY in New Jersey, comfortable (evidently) home to both Muslim terrorists and the nation's MOST restrictive gun laws. Talk about blowing your opening! And abortion? Is anybody BUT pro-lifers really worrying about abortion now? Most (maybe not all but most) "pro-choicers" are VERY pro-life when it comes down to their own personal post-natal lives. Jersey was very much affected by the attacks of the 11th, we lost a lot of people. We made great efforts to help in the recovery, ironworkers were ferrying across the Hudson river from Jersey City day and night. I wonder if Schundler ever went down and shook hands with them. Schundler blew it, and the consession speach was bad too. He's getting too much like Jack Kemp. Maybe somebody will wake up and realize that to win, we need to WIN!

My two cents:

Apparently, the Schundler camp knew that the rumors that McGreevey is a closeted homosexual were true. They chose not to use this. IMHO, this was a mistake. New Jersey is heavily catholic. While pro-choice is something that catholics tend to split over, they do not split very often over the issue of homosexuality. It is a sin and most catholics still believe this. The fact that it was also a secret also brings up the issue of lying to the voters.

They could have and should have used this.

Excellent post. Thanks.

I myself believe that
9) Mail and phones instead of TV and radio.Whoever came up with this strategy was really responsible for the debacle
hits the nail best.

New Jersey was INUNDATED with McGreevey ads, bang-banging constantly and shrieking that "Schundler wants to put assault weapons back on the street!" - while Schundler had few radio and TV spots, and what he had was very low key.

I'm afraid it's true about advertising, that lots of noise and constant repetition wins the day.

I don't think the words "compassionate conservatism" fell from Schundlers lips one time during the election.

McGreevey did make a public statement today that he's going to work harder than he ever has not to raise taxes, but he may not be able to hold the line. Now, who does THAT sound like. He didn't waste any time either. Bend over New Jersey. The Dems never learn. Neither do the voters.

I posted something like this article yesterday and got hammered by the 'we have to run the most conservative candidate even if we lose' group. One even accused this nice Baptist Southern OH girl of being a CA Republican operative!

The Democrats learned LONG AGO that Southern Democrats were entirely different than the NE Liberal and CA wierd Democrats. Republicans tend to want all Republicans to be alike. Jesse Helms could not have been elected from NY, , VT, etc. In fact, Jesse Helms might not be electable if he was starting NOW given the current situation in North Carolina.

BTW, I agree with you about Schundler. For such a good-looking, well-educated obviously intelligent man, he did a miserable job in the debates. I think the RNC needs to set up a Debating department, because frankly it is not a strong point of the party. I suggested that perhaps GWB could give Schundler an appointment somewhere and give him some broad exposure.