Biden backs Phil Murphy, says N.J. governor's race 'most important' in nation

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico



By RYAN HUTCHINS 05/28/2017 05:12 PM EDT

LYNDHURST, N.J. — Former Vice President Joe Biden blessed the campaign of New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy on Sunday, describing the upcoming election to succeed outgoing Gov. Chris Christie as the “single most important” of the next three years — even eclipsing the 2018 midterms.

In what was largely a repudiation of President Donald Trump, Biden said Democrats haven’t done enough to acknowledge the problems faced by many in middle-class America and said he viewed Murphy — a former Goldman Sachs executive who served as U.S. ambassador to Germany during the Obama administration — as the man to do so.

“There are a lot of people out there who are freighted. Trump played on their fears,” Biden told a crowd of some 1,200 Murphy supporters packed into a community center gymnasium. “What we haven’t done, in my view — and this is a criticism of all us — we haven’t spoken enough to the fears and aspirations of the people we come from.”

He said his father used to tell him, “I don’t expect the government to solve my problem, but I damn well expect them to understand my problem.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/05/28/biden-backing-phil-murphy-says-nj-governors-race-single-most-important-112380

[Else You Are Mad]

1. For those of you from new jersey...

Phil Murphy reminds me of Jon Corzine. He is not good for new jersey. We do not need another Goldman Sachs banker as Governor.

[stillsoleft]

2. Are you voiting for Wisniewski?

[Else You Are Mad]

3. I plan on voting for Jim Johnson. Nt.

[hrmjustin]

9. I like Johnson.

I doubt he defeats the machine but he is a good guy.

[Madam Mossfern]

14. I'm planning to vote for him

he has a better chance of beating Murphy.

I fear that there are too many in the field to beat Murphy who has
been endorsed by the machine.

Murphy started campaigning two years ago. I remember getting so many
annoying robocalls from this 'guy, Phil Murphy. It just goes to show you that
money can certainly buy you a seat at the table.

[stillsoleft]

20. I was on the web on my iphone and a murphy scrolling ad rolled across the screen

the other candidates can barely afford TV air time. So not comfortable the way Murphy's money has crushed his competition. Will definite vote for him in the general with less than enthusiasm.

[crazycatlady]

15. I voted for Jim Johnson

I like Wisniewski too.

[zentrum]

4. Agree. There are...

...other fine Democrats in the race as well.

Plus, I don't get why the NJ election is more important than the 2018 midterms, considering how much we need to take back the House and the Senate.

I really don't get Biden's passion about this.

[Else You Are Mad]

5. Sadly, it comes down to $$$

What I don't get is, who ever the Democratic nominee is will win against Kim Guadagno (the presumptive Republican candidate.) To be conspiratorial, Phil Murphy is backed by major Wall Street banks so maybe some major donors told Biden to back Murphey. To be non-conspiratorial, Murphy was an ambassador under Obama, so maybe they are friends?

[zentrum]

7. ++++

[customerserviceguy]

10. Every once in awhile

Biden talks out of his ass. I still love the guy, but I can't agree with everything he says.

Hopefully, voters in NJ will find a way to nominate a better Democratic candidate. But, I'll be gone, I'm retired, not working in NJ anymore, and moving to SC to get away from the lousy winter weather this year.

[mdbl]

12. you're moving from one idiot repuglican state government to another

but I have no room to talk in GA. lol

[customerserviceguy]

18. We'll be neighbors!

Yes, you are right, but at least most of the gas tax money does go to get the roads fixed. We were down there a few weeks ago, and the roads were so smooth, much better than the parade of potholes in the NY/NJ area.

[mdbl]

19. I agree, but not because we are better at fixing them

The weather here is more conducive to nicer roads. The north has salt and extreme temperature changes potting the roads all winter. We don't. (Same goes for less rust on the car)

[ATL Ebony]

13. I don't get it either. Wish Joe had explained that one to make it a little sensible

[NNadir]

6. There's a huge difference between Murphy and Corzine.

Murphy came up from the lower middle class; worked at 13 as a dishwasher (illegally) to put food on the family table. His parents really struggled. (His first boss ripped him off, and didn't pay him what he was owed.)

I come from the same kind of background, and know whence he speaks.

Murphy can be a little glib sometimes, but I basically know that he's not really running for power and prestige. Corzine was about Corzine; was bored by the Senate and so put out a very decent governor - the only decent governor since Jim Florio - in Richard Codey.

Corzine did a huge disservice to New Jersey by not leaving the State in Codey's hands, in throwing his money around to deal with his personal boredom with the Senate. He treated the State government like a toy. Corzine didn't start rich, but on the other hand, he never faced the same kinds of personal struggles. And how do you lose to, um, Chris Christie?

When I look at my problems with New Jersey, I feel like Murphy understands them. This is particularly true where issues in educating our young people are concerned.

I'm Murphy all the way.

[Else You Are Mad]

8. So, how many other...

Poor people have to spend millions to bribe the county parties to endorse them?

Murphy does not understand our problems, he used $10 million of his own money to make people think he does.

Jim Johnson is real with his beliefs and doesn't have to and didn't buy fake grassroots support.

[NNadir]

17. Well I don't feel "bribed," and I'm not sure you understand my problems at all, even if you're...

...a self declared "noble" because you blithely assume that wealthy people "buy" everyone else and moreover that everyone else is for sale.

I don't hold such a contemptuous view of people, but to each his own.

You may think I'm stupid and venal, and that only you understand New Jersey's problems, but no one was paid to come to the Murphy rally to which I went some months ago. I certainly wasn't paid. I just came to find out who Murphy was, and I liked what I heard.

I was skeptical at first; but one would have be a pretty slick liar to speak as Murphy spoke, and no, I don't think he's a slick liar.

With his money he could have been a retired golf-playing asshole but that's not who he is.

Whatever. Primaries are held because people are free to exercise their opinions. Vote as you wish. I'm proudly voting for Murphy and am doing so with a clear understanding of who he is.

[zentrum]

11. Risky way to frame this...

.....on several levels. The "most important election" in the country? What if the Republican wins? Then it's a double whammy loss in meaning.

All the upcoming elections are hugely important.

[sandensea]

16. I trust someone's keeping an eye on Crisco.

The fat bastard is liable to eat those Democratic ballots if he needs to (or even if he didn't, with a little mustard).