In viewing the results, the last-minute smear tactics used by both candidates and the extrapolation by most liberals in the media that the result is a referendum on the US President, I'd say that, once again, New Jersey deserves the politicians it gets. Corzine has promised much, and I think he did so with the same sincerity with which he took his wedding vows, don't expect much improvement over the next four years. Hillary should be somewhat concerned, however. It's easier to run for president from the Governor's Mansion than from the Senate Floor and I think Corzine just threw his hat into that race. He's definitely a "national politics" kind of guy, rather than a states' issues wonk. Regarding the referendum issue, the first year of Bush's second term has been nothing short of an abomination, with the singular exception of the nomination of John Roberts. Against the momentum of most areas of the US, NJ is evolving into a reliably blue state, as its unions and special interest groups gain more and more influence, which makes it less of a belwether of national political trends.

In any election I've ever voted in, it's always come down to voting for the lesser of 2 evils, which means I invariably vote Democratic. I'm far from being a Democratic partisan (to me, a better name for the Party would be Republican-lite), but the Republicans have become such a party of shrill reactionary extremists that there's really no other choice for me. Having said that, I've found this entire campaign a bit more repellent than usual, with its charges and counter-charges of marital infidelity, etc. Both candidates are smug, supercilious (and, of course, obscenely wealthy) businessmen. Ugly placards have been plastered across the landscape. My phone has been ringing incessantly. I've received 2 recorded phone calls from the Corzine people in Spanish, a language in which I'm completely non-conversant. The rest of the recorded calls have been from the Forrester people. Laura Bush called me Saturday night (and I'm still waiting for George to call; I've got a lot to tell him...). Rudy Giuliani called me Sunday morning. I'm not at all religious, but don't these people have any respect at all for some of the conventions of the Christianity that they claim to be such stalwart defenders of...namely that Sunday is the Sabbath and supposed to be a day of rest and respite from the relentless and nauseating political proselytizing? Don't these political prostitutes have any shame or sense of decency at all? Forrester himself, or his tape-recorded alter-ego, called me last night, just in case I had missed all the other intrusive, annoying solicitations to vote, and vote Republican. (Corzine's probably were soliciting me to vote Democratic, but, since I don't know Spanish, I still don't know for sure.)These people who couldn't really give a damn about me or people like me are suddenly innundating me with phone calls. Is it any wonder that people in this country have a steadily intensifying contempt for the political process? I've always voted, and will probably continue to do so, but each time it seems to be with a greater sense of futility and fatalism...

Corzine will win this one fairly easily. Although some polls are beginning to suggest that Forrester is gaining some momentum, NJ has been solidly trending towards the Democrats, who found a strong candidate for Governor in Corzine. Forrester himself has run a passable campaign, but he has done little to distinguish himself from Corzine. Forrester was the strongest candidate to emerge from a crowded primary field, but that isn't saying much. Had another Democrat run, it probably would have been a much closer race, given that the state Democratic party is mired in corruption allegations. Despite some setbacks, Corzine has managed to hold on to a fairly strong lead. UPDATE: This election is coming down to the wire. In the last two weeks of the campaign, apparently the Republican candidate, Douglas Forrester, has gained some forward momentum. His campaign focusing in on the state's high tax rates and Democratic corruption has allowed him to compete with Jon Corzine, who has spent over $50 million to win the race. This is coming after Corzine spending nearly $60 million to win a Senate seat. I guess he had buyers remorse. Despite this, Forrester, who has some money himself, is still in the race. I think that there is some definite upset potential here. Corzine is still slightly favored because of demographic reasons, but people are tired of politics as usual here and may seek something new. Forrester himself has run a competent campaign that has made the most of Corzine's and the NJ Democratic party's political problems. Expect an interesting outcome here.