The most optimistic supporters of Barbara Buono’s
gubernatorial campaign are quick to point out that the gap between the
challenger and the governor in the poll numbers is closing. Let’s assume that
this gap continues to get smaller and that Buono loses the election by a small
margin, say two percent.
Some Buono supporters will be mildly disappointed, but
nevertheless ecstatic. Disappointed because their candidate lost, but ecstatic
that she almost toppled the most popular politician in America. Buono’s
campaign staff will move on and put this statistical “upset” on their résumés
as they seek jobs for the 2014 campaigns.
There’s a saying that goes, “coming close only gets you
points in horseshoes and thermonuclear war.”
Don’t ever assume that a close and underwhelming victory by
Chris Christie will humble him. Remember when his mentor, George W Bush lost
the 2000 election? Despite the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court decided to
disenfranchise Florida voters and the fact that Al Gore won the popular vote,
upon taking office Bush acted as if he had a mandate to promote the
conservative agenda. Christie will do the same if our election is close. He’ll
use state resources in court to fight the anticipated override of his veto of marriage
equality. He’ll continue to throw lucrative state contracts to his cronies. And
he’ll move further to the right on disenfranchising the poor and middle class
in order to enhance his presidential ambitions.
A close loss for Buono is still a loss. Not only for her, but
also for the people of New Jersey. That’s why it is critically important to
pull off the electoral upset of the decade. Her own party is not helping her,
so it’s up to the people to pull out all the stops to send Chris Christie back
to his Mendham mansion permanently.
Despite the numerous missteps of Buono’s campaign staff,
it’s time for anyone who gives a damn about this state to volunteer for the
campaign. You hate making phone calls? Well, do you hate making phone calls
more than you hate what Christie is doing to your state? You can’t afford to
contribute to the campaign? Well, if you’re poor or in the middle class, the
dollars that you don’t contribute will come back to bite you as higher fees and
fewer services if Christie is re-elected.
Bush “won” in a close election, and the nation is still
trying to recover from the mis-steps and damage he precipitated. A second
Christie term will result in similar damage to the state – social, economic,
and political – and it will take years to recover. A close election is not good
enough. Let’s not make the same mistake twice.
