Thomas H. Kean Jr. and Robert Menendez met this Sunday...
Broadcast by the local NY WNBC affiliate orginally,
C-Span 2 replayed the 'debate' Monday evening.
Anytime one becomes critical of a production of a National Debate, they need only be reminded of the amateur nature of a Local or Statewide version. Almost always, they seem to be lacking.
In this one, Tom Kean, Jr. looks like a very young man.Mr. Kean focused on Menendez's corruption, lack of ethics,
and embrace of the tired Democrat Political Machine...
"42 - 14 percent that Kean is honest and trustworthy,
compared to 38 - 21 percent for Menendez"The Republican State Senator is not the most charismatic,
but was actually more impressive then this poster expected.
Kean, Jr. lacks the visual emblem of 'experience', and should try to possess a stronger demeanor. He tends to stumble on vocal efforts at times, especially when he is offering practiced retorts. He should attempt to limit the rehearsed expression, and answer questions simply. Mr. Kean is far more potent when he creates his own script.
His best feature, might be his pleasant, innocent disposition. Tom Kean, Jr. fits the stereotypical 'Nice Young Man', surprisingly in a geniune manner. He could change some misguided perceptions regarding Republicans with Democrat Partisans in NJ.
Mr. Menendez on the other hand lacks everything but the Office, and is brimming with ethical problems. If the competitition was purely based on 'appearance' alone, Bob Menendez would already have been
'replaced' by the NJ Supreme Court.
Simply not much to say about this corrupted
NJ Machine Politician.
Menendez preformed as expected. He has embraced a sort of Kerry-Rodham uncertainty about the GWOT. At one moment desperate to sound tough, and the other mimicking the denial of Ms. Sheehan.
(One statement from Kean, Jr., such as, "I am very saddened to see Bob Menendez, an appointed US Senator, NOT caring about the Free People of Iraq?", would instantly confuse Menendez).
Did I mention Tom Kean, Jr. appears to be extremely youthful?Mr. Kean is not backing away from the fine President GW Bush. Even in this 'Blue State', Kean, Jr. is reiterating his open invitation for this President of the USA to campaign with him. I believe the amazing First Lady, has visited NJ already on Thomas Kean's behalf.
On the downside, Mr. Kean stated John McCain is one of his favorite Senators. This may give any serious Conservative some concern. But, Kean standing next Menendez, diminishes the 'RHINO' enigma considerably. And maybe McCain polls well in NJ?
Regardless, the potential removal of a standard Liberal Democrat
from the US Senate, should be appreciated by all...
Kean, Jr. surprised this poster with his clear focus on Tax Reduction. An attractive element to run on,
in the disastrous 'Garden State'. Mr. Kean did slip on the minimum wage, and should be able to convey, why raising it will limit job opportunity and hurt the economy.
Kean, Jr. may truly resemble the lackluster 'Christine Todd Whitman', but this remains to be seen. And yet, even if Mr. Kean did end up to be on par with the former Gov. Whitman, this remains a vast improvement in comparsan to any NJ Democrat.
Perhaps, the most interesting, is Mr. Kean's policy on Immigration.Mr. Kean appears to be endorsing a strong immigration control policy, seeming to oppose the Senate Bill. Ironically, everyone else in the broadcast, including the 3 Reporters, the Moderator, Bob Menendez, referred to illegal immigrants as merely the 'undocumented'.
Seems this fan of Sen. McCain, maintains some of his own ideas. Tom Kean, Jr. firmly advocated strong border control, and holding businesses into account for hiring illegals.
Is this some form of Bilbray influence?Menendez is a weak Candidate and NJ might be ripe for anything.
It is going to be a very interesting Fall...