Kean v. Menendez

When first approached about how Republican nominee presumptive Tom Kean, Jr., might win a statewide election in New Jersey, my first reaction was "change parties".

Republicans suffer from a massive disadvantage in statewide elections. Democrats win in New Jersey with a potent combination of movement liberals – the MoveOn, NOW-NARAL, ACLU types – organized (mostly public sector) labor, and urban residents. Each group wants something from government, usually other people’s money. Democrats win elections by showering taxpayer money on selected constituencies. Hence the old Democratic motto: "tax and tax, spend and spend, elect and elect".

No Republican can outbid a Democrat. No matter the depths of irresponsibility a Republican is willing to plumb, Democrats happily exceed him For a Republican to prevail in a statewide election, his message must resonate among increasingly desperate suburbanites, who pay the taxes for the Democrats’ promises, but get little in return. A Republican candidate must appeal to the mass of folks who simply sat out the last election, seeing no real difference between the candidates.

But the natives are clearly restless. In Pennsylvania, the voters just evicted 15 entrenched incumbents who forgot about tax relief and ethics. Right here at home, tax relief – especially property tax relief – consistently tops the list of voter concerns. Even the Democrats pay lip service to the problem, even if they adamantly oppose any real solutions. And no issue attracts more attention of late than that of illegal immigration. The time seems ripe for a forceful candidate to speak out against precisely the sort of entrenched special interests that Robert Menendez exemplifies.

Assuming that Kean survives a spirited conservative primary challenge, he must deliver a message which clearly distinguishes him from Menendez on the important issues, including taxes, spending, immigration, ethics, and security. Happily, this presents little difficulty, as Menendez is consistently wrong.

First, Kean should point out that any New Jersey resident who supports a Democrat for federal office qualifies as an economic masochist. Menendez advocates a huge, expensive governmental edifice funded by taxes paid by "the rich". As New Jersey residents, we have met the rich, and they is us. Democrats exist to take money from New Jersey and spend it in Arkansas. Kean should emphasize that he intends to represent New Jersey, that he will vigorously fight for lower taxes (the abolition of the anti-New Jersey alternative minimum tax should resound among upper middle class families) and lower spending. Mississippi already has two US Senators; it doesn’t need Menendez looking out for its interests, and New Jersey can’t afford it.

Second, national security. The Democrats shrilly oppose the President’s efforts, while maintaining an excruciating silence respecting their own proposals. Kean should have fun with this, quoting the President – John Kennedy, that is – and asking his opponent whether we should, in fact, "... pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." No Democrat can quote JFK with a straight face anymore, and Kean should – forcefully – point that out. Menendez even voted against the Bill to adopt the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, chaired by Senator Kean’s father.

Third, illegal immigration. As if it weren’t bad enough that the suburbs pay crushing taxes to support failing urban schools, a significant percentage of the money we spend on Abbott schools educates illegal aliens, to the tune of $25000 per year per kid. Add in health care costs, welfare costs, and crime, and illegals cost New Jersey residents billions. And this says nothing whatsoever about the security risk of a porous border.

Kean should emphasize that he supports aggressive border security measures and favors imposing real penalties upon employers who hire illegals. This stands in stark contrast with the Menendez record; he consistently supports extending benefits to illegals, including outright amnesty, and opposes border controls.

Fourth, ethics. Democrats believe that government exists as a jobs program for them, their friends and relatives. Hudson County – Menendez’s base – enjoys a fully justified reputation as New Jersey’s most corrupt. He, himself, has been credibly accused of attempting to steer contracts to his campaign contributors and personal friends.

Indeed, even when it comes to respecting the political process and open debate, Menendez falls short. When Kean attempted to speak in Hudson County, Menendez’s Democratic cronies sent prisoners with weed whackers and lawn mowers to drown him out. (Republicans don’t think that way: we WANT the Democrats to speak and for the people to listen. Carefully. The more they talk, the better we do)

Menendez’s consistent support for higher taxes and increased spending runs directly contrary to the interests of New Jersey voters. His record on security – especially as related to border security – is pathetic. On illegal immigration generally, Menendez supports President Bush (clearly demonstrating, on this issue, that Bush is wrong) and Kean stands in opposition. On ethics, Menendez enters this campaign tainted by the unmistakable odor of sleaze.

Hence, for State Senator Kean to become United States Senator Kean, he need only demonstrate the clear contrast between the two candidates. Menendez is consistently wrong on taxes, spending, national security, illegal immigration, and ethics. His policies run contrary to the best interests of New Jersey and the country. Kean, contrariwise, supports lower taxes, lower spending, strengthening our borders, a vigorous national defense, and clean government.

Any rational electorate would send Kean to DC by a landslide. To win, all Kean needs is a rational electorate, which takes the time to think and to vote.