Morris Politics

Health care bill debated in House

Fred Snowflack — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:26:01 +0000

The House version of the health care reform bill is being debated today, and a vote is possible.

There is still a long way to go, but this would be an important first step in extending health insurance to virtually all Americans, ending pre-existing condition ineligibility and introducing more competition. Republicans are unanimously opposed, but the Dems are in control. They should
pass the bill.

What was so secret?

Fred Snowflack — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:20:42 +0000

The conservative New Jersey Family Policy Council hosted a dinner last night in Whippany in which the featured speaker was former Arkansas governor and one-time presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.

Huckabee must have said a lot of inflammatory things _ his speech was closed to the press.

Christie gets it right

Fred Snowflack — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:41:06 +0000

It is common for many in politics to read more into an election than is there ...
Take Chris Christie's win on Tuesday. Some giddy Republicans think this is a rejection of President Obama. They may still be tipsy from Tuesday night. Christie won not because of Obama, but because Jon Corzine had a lousy record and was unable to rouse up his base.

Christie knows that. In fact, he said it more than once during the campaign. I recall seeing him interviewed on Fox News and being asked about the Obama factor. He said the race would turn on New Jersey issues. And he said basically the same thing today.

A big win for Mike DuHaime

Fred Snowflack — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:46:49 +0000

Who's he, you ask.

DuHaime, who helped Anthony Bucco win a state Senate seat in 1997, was Chris Christie's chief advisor. That raised some eyebrows in political circles, given the fact that DuHaime has had a few recent losses, most notably the sudden collapse of Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign in 2008, one DuHaime had run.

"It goes with the territory," DuHaime said today of the criticism.

As for the Christie campaign, he said, "People were very critical of the strategy, but it worked."

Rodney is heard from

Fred Snowflack — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:05 +0000

And the congressman had this to say

"I am proud to have supported Chris Christie and I will work in partnership with hm to restore fiscal responsibility in Trenton and Washington."

ready to speak

Fred Snowflack — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:09:46 +0000

Chris Christie is receiving congrats in the kitchen just off the ballroom as he prepares to speak to the joyous crowd.

Overriding joy!

Fred Snowflack — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:33:16 +0000

I have covered many elections, but I do not recall ever seeing the overwhelming joy that is in this room at this time .. Republicans have been in the wilderness for a long time and now, they have won a great victory.

There is singing and chanting and everyone seems to be hugging each other. It's as if your team has won the Super Bowl and the World Series at the same time ... As the band plays Springsteen, the crowd waits ... anxiously ... for the governor-elect to appear.

“Big Boy” wins?

Fred Snowflack — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:17:23 +0000

The AP's call of the race for Christie swept through the halls of the Hilton shortly after 10 pm ... The crowd is estatic ... and, of course tipsy. And soon, they will be drunk
Who can blame them ... It's been a while since Republicanbs won one in N.J.

The crowd is chanting …

Fred Snowflack — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:42:07 +0000

Christie, Christie as a group of supporters march into the now very crowded ballroom with Christie signs ...

Excitement in the air ..

Fred Snowflack — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:25:56 +0000

As the early returns show Christie in the lead, the crowd is in a celebratory mood .. But some are cautious ... Upon arrival, former Gov. Thomas H. Kean was asked if he was confident ...
Yes, he said, but "my fingers are crossed."