Who would have ever thought that New Jersey Republicans would support somebody who spells their name "JON".

BTW, if Runyan moves to San Diego, he could run for Congress out there instead. Bob Filner (CA-51, Democrat, likes to assault female airline employees, etc.) is vulnerable too.

Maybe he wants to retire as a San Diego Charger so Giants and Jets fans in Ocean County will be less likely to vote against him.

christiegonewild.blogspot.com

We need strong people like you who are leaders and not necessarily part of a machine.

Too bad that twit Murphy cant get out of his own ego to realize he is nobody with an over inflated ego.

I am glad Layton and Gilmore are both on board.

Gilmore is not on board pablos and likely will field his own candidate in the primary especially after the win for Christie in the OC. Talk still surrounds Chris Connors, who I personally would support if he entered, and Mo Hill a former Rear Admiral and dentist who has an interest in the race if Connors takes a pass. As for Justin, I will agree not only did he do surprisingly well last time thanks to some anti-Gilmore sentiment, but his ego has taken a hold of his sensibility. He has no shot at this and should have used his surprising result last time and worked his way into the party system. He could have parlayed this into a look at Freeholder or one of the three State seats - when Phil retires.

"It remains to be seen whether the formidable Ocean County Republican Organization, led by Chairman George Gilmore, will back Runyan or field their own candidate." Gilmore's will will be done. Make no mistake, he is a very powerful right now and if he likes this guy there will be no challange.

As usual you have no idea what you are talking about. It does not matter if Gilmore "likes" Runyon. The overwhelming sentiment in the OC is that Ocean County deserves to have its own Congressman or woman. And after the smackdown they laid on Corzine (70k plurality for Christie) they think it is the perfect time. A primary at this point is inevitable.

After the major screw up with the last race, it would be in everyone's best interest to work together. Ocean County doesn't need it's own representative just as Burlington doesn't need it's own -- Cherry Hill is absolutely negligible. It's a congressional district not a county district.

Gilmore is justifiably powerful. But let's not let ego's screw up another race. Hopefully, everyone learned a lesson from the last time.

I would agree that no one "deserves" to have a congresman or woman. However, Gilmore is not the only one with a huge ego - Gelnn Paulsen is as bad if not worse. I would love to see them get behind one candidate, however, each will want that to be "their guy".

I guess you dont understand that we just said the same thing. Gilmore is the most power GOP operative. If Gilmore gives Runyan a blessing he can keep anyone out of the primary. You (and I would agree) think that Gilmore wont give him a pass. You are so quick to be on the defensive.

I can't see Gilmore getting very enthusiastic about this guy. It's bad enough he takes time off to play football instead of studying the issues and meeting with local political leaders and voters, especially in Ocean County where he has little name recognition, but he has no experience and evidently little if any knowledge about politics or issues.

Unless Gilmore comes up with his own candidate my guess is he will not endorse anyone in the primary. Assuming Runyan is the nominee Gilmore will say he supports him but do little else. Then when Runyan loses Gilmore can shrug his shoulders and say "see, I told ya."

christiegonewild.blogspot.com

No we don't agree. You think Gilmore could give Runyon a pass. I know for a fact he will not.

Florio - Gilmore will have a candidate. He will not allow Paulsen to skate by.

Which member of Old McGilmore's farm will get the Jack Kelly treatment this year, then?

And Ken: you certainly purport to know plenty about Runyan, how much do you know about Adler? Do you know that he is pissing himself right now? The fact that all of his supporters are freaking out about a guy who hasn't been a candidate for more than 24 hours speaks VOLUMES.

Com on OC!

Chris Russell put out his last statement. Runyan is already drinking the koolaid. Look for another OC/BC war in the primary.

"Which member of Old McGilmore's farm will get the Jack Kelly treatment this year, then?"

I'm sure Gilmore wants Connors who would be much more formidable than Runyan. It's puzzling why Connors should be so reluctant since this is the best chance he'll ever have in his career to move up. Maybe it's family, maybe it's personal, maybe he has ethical challenges that he is afraid will come up if he takes on Adler.

"you certainly purport to know plenty about Runyan, how much do you know about Adler? Do you know that he is pissing himself right now? The fact that all of his supporters are freaking out about a guy who hasn't been a candidate for more than 24 hours speaks VOLUMES."

To the contrary. Adler has to be relieved if his opponent is Runyan. Diane Allen would have been his toughest opponent but she's out. Connors would have racked up huge Christie-like margins in Ocean County to offset Adler's base in Burlington/Cherry Hill. Runyan is a novice with little knowledge and no experience, and whatever name recognition he has among Eagle fans in Burlco/Cherry Hill (and don't assume that every voter who lives there is an Eagles fan) will be more than offset in Ocean County where there are more Giants/Jets fans who will vote against him than there are Eagle fans for him.

Of course Adler still has his work cut out since he is a freshman congressman in a republican district which means anything can happen. That's the reason I expect Adler will come out swinging against Runyan because he can't afford to take anything for granted. However, I'm sure Adler would much rather go up against an inexperienced novice like Runyan than seasoned professionals like Diane Allen or Chris Connors.

christiegonewild.blogspot.com

His war chest neutralized by a millionaire opponent and actually having to run on his own merits, Adler is most certainly frightened. Reality check: towns like Willingboro won't provide the pluralities Adler needs to win, as turnout will be down across the board. Corzine tried to get them out in 09 to no avail and their number will be even lower for a midterm election.

The fact that you continue to harp on football fandom shows just how ignorant you are. The only thing that matters is name ID. Those commercials you keep bringing up? Guess what asshole, you saw them, and you remember them.

A side note: considering how frightened and timid Adler was at his town halls and during recent interviews, the very thought of Jon Runyan in 2010 must have him soiling himself.

I said if Gilmore likes this guy there will not be a primary...its Gilmore's call.

"The only thing that matters is name ID. Those commercials you keep bringing up? Guess what asshole, you saw them, and you remember them."

So what? I also remember the Hertz commercial with OJ Simpson running through the airport and the little old lady yelling "You go OJ!" That doesn't mean I'd vote for him. Tom Glavine did those silly commercials for Citifield when he was with the Mets but if he was running for Congress Mets fans would turn out in droves to vote against him.

Besides, I'd bet there are more voters in the third congressional district who know Terrell Owens than Jon Runyan. That doesn't necessarily translate into votes.

This will be a low turnout election with seniors in retirement villages the deciding factor. Most of them moved here from North Jersey/New York so Runyan's name ID will be pretty much irrelevant.

"considering how frightened and timid Adler was at his town halls and during recent interviews, the very thought of Jon Runyan in 2010 must have him soiling himself."

Adler will only soil himself if Diane Allen somehow makes a miraculous recovery or Chris Connors changes his mind.

christiegonewild.blogspot.com

will be the best thing that's happened to Adler since George Kelly.

gilmore-the republican norcross of south jersey?

my understanding from a pretty reliable source is that Gilmore is pretty much on board because he knows that he needs Burlco to back him and his candidates are not that well known in Ocean.

I know Gilmore does not want a primary because after the last one with Kelly that pretty much wiped him out.

Oh and to the poster who said that Gilmore is the most powerful GOP in South Jersey - stop speaking from your butt. That was the laugh for the evening!

Happy Thanksgiving

If George Gilmore was so concerned about the Republican Party, he would have moved mountains to get Chris Myers elected in 08. Instead, Gilmore, and the Ocean County Republican Organization, did nothing, zero, zilch, nada. If Gilmore lifted a finger, Chris Myers would be running for re-election. That fact is not lost on the Burlington County Republican Organization.

Are the Chargers this bad they need to pick up this loser in mid season?

Runyan evidently wants a Super Bowl ring more than he wants to serve in high elective office. Essentially, he is placing a children's game ahead of the safety of our nation and its soldiers. I'd be far more comfortable with Jon if he took the next few months to study troop deployment and the ongoing war on terror rather than the Chargers' playbook.

Great, Gilmore. Just roll over while Burlington shoves another one of its candidates down our throats.

"Runyan evidently wants a Super Bowl ring more than he wants to serve in high elective office. Essentially, he is placing a children's game ahead of the safety of our nation and its soldiers. I'd be far more comfortable with Jon if he took the next few months to study troop deployment and the ongoing war on terror rather than the Chargers' playbook."

Adler will be saying pretty much the same thing the next few months. While Runyan is playing football the nation will be debating health care reform and the war in Afghanistan.

christiegonewild.blogspot.com

Wow. I think this is some mutation of Godwin's law, because I am pretty sure that Runyan didn't kill anyone, dumbass. Nice strawman tactic there, but I am pretty sure that Jon Runyan is not Terrell Owens and he is not OJ Simpson. You should really get your shit together, Ken.

Independent OC: time to start packing and updating your resume. You're going to have to get a real job in 2011.

Maybe I'll just join you in your mother's basement, Farthouse.

"I am pretty sure that Jon Runyan is not Terrell Owens and he is not OJ Simpson. You should really get your shit together, Ken. "

You were the one who brought up "name id" and I'm making the point that it can be favorable or unfavorable. Just because I remember him doing some stupid commercials doesn't mean I'd be inclined to vote for him.

The whole "name id" factor is irrelevant anyway in Runyan's case. The fact is most voters, especially in Ocean County, do not know who he is and when they do find out he is a football player with little knowledge or experience relevant to serving effectively in office they'd be more inclined to vote against him than for him.

christiegonewild.blogspot.com

Wonder if "big 'ole Jon Runyan" would agree to a steroid test as part of his campaign...

I also wonder why he felt it more important to "serve our country" as an entertainer/athelete instead of signing up for a tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

To TROOC,

Maybe you need a refresher on recent history.  On election Day 2008 Ocean County was the ONLY county Myers won.  The ineffective Burlington County GOP lost big that night thanks to the vote coming out of western Burlington County.  In the recent election the margin of Republican victory in Burlington County was small compared to the over-whelming, over the top victory, produced in Ocean County with the help of George Gilmore and the Ocean County GOP Organization.  The only hope for Republicans in the 3rd district is the Ocean County GOP. 

If Chairmen Gilmore supports Runyan, then I will know we have a candidate that truly understands ALL of the 3rd District and it's needs in representation.  However, if Runyan does not get the Ocean County GOP's support then he will not win in November.  I will wait to see how well Jon Runyan does in showing Ocean County voters that he deserves our vote.  Burlington County is a weak GOP organization and in the end Ocean County should make the final decision on any Republican candidate.

I am sure he has name recognition, but does he bring any core values to the table? To run there must be more than a name or you wind up with a Tom Kean, Jr., a Leonard Lance, or a Chris Christie.

I think District 3 should enforce some standards before they allow Runyon to wear the Republican Uniform. I am sure San Diego scrutinized his resume before they allowed him to wear the Chargers' uniform.  Republicans need to build a winning team and be able to think past elections and concentrate on governing with principles.

The cop-out is you got to win to affect change, but winning so that you can give out the jobs, spend the money, and strut the barnyard like a rooster is not enough. That is why New Jersey is blue.

"The difference between a Democracy and a Peoples Democracy is the same as the difference between a jacket and a straight jacket." - Ronald Reagan

"Chris Myers ran a very negative, personal attack against Jack Kelly. I think Mr. Myers has to recognize the consequences of taking such action." (George Gilmore)

If Myers had any, other than token, support from the Ocean County Republican Organization he wins the 3rd District by well over 30,000 votes…easily!

you can spin this all you want.  The only strong republication organization in the 3rd district is the Ocean County GOP.  The only county Myers won on election day was Ocean County.  If I read your moniker correctly, you are part of the anti-Gilmore insurgents that supported Murphy in the primary and on election day.  Perhaps if you supported Jack Kelly we would be talking about congressman Kelly running for re-election.  The wacko insurgency is dead.  Gilmore won, get over it. 

"I am sure he has name recognition, but does he bring any core values to the table?"

Who cares about "core values" anyway? Steve Lonegan had more core values than any candidate in the history of NJGOP primaries, which has the most conservative voters in the state, and he got slaughtered.

"To run there must be more than a name or you wind up with a Tom Kean, Jr., a Leonard Lance, or a Chris Christie."

All of them winners.

Runyan's problem isn't values. It's lack of experience and knowledge about the issues, and playing football instead of engaging with voters about their concerns and contributing to the crucial debates about health care and Afghanistan.

If values mattered Justin Murphy would be representing the 3rd district.

christiegonewild.blogspot.com

"If Chairmen Gilmore supports Runyan, then I will know we have a candidate that truly understands ALL of the 3rd District and it's needs in representation."

And he won't gain that understanding by playing football instead of actively engaging with voters to listen to their concerns.

I'm sure Gilmore isn't happy about Runyan's decision to play football. Unless Gilmore comes up with a credible candidate my guess is he'll take a pass and support an open primary. It's a win-win situation for Gilmore. If Runyan beats Adler Gilmore can take credit like he did for Christie. If Runyan loses to Adler, Gilmore can shrug his shoulders, blame the BurlcoGOP, and say he did the best he could for a flawed candidate who wasn't his pick.

christiegonewild.blogspot.com

I never said Runyan was not part of the Paulsen "machine". Please show me where I said that. On the contrary, I believe he is their chosen candidate. Please don't put words into my mouth. I never said that.

And as I stated - which we are obviously not in agreement - Gilmore WILL put someone up. Hello?? Is this thing on??

pablos - I hope you had a good Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, my sources from some elected officials and people in the inner circle are telling me that there will be a primary and that they are not sold on Runyan. Gilmore and the folks in the other OC want an OC Congressperson. Connors is not offically out and Mo Hill has been making the rounds - he is a reitred Rear Admiiral, dentist and local official in Toms River. So, we are hearing different things.

jerseyshoreguy - those may be the two stupidiest things I have ever read on this board. And I used to do battle with Alice in Wonderland - aka Martian One. First, did Heath Shuler a former pro football player test for steroids? His career sucked so I am sure he used a little pick me up to stick around in the NFL if we use your warped logic. Second, why didn't Adler join instead of leeching off of the taxpayer as a career politician? And what about YOU? Dumba$$

"And as I stated - which we are obviously not in agreement - Gilmore WILL put someone up."

Maybe it's not too late to convince Al Leiter. Now that will make an interesting primary. Ocean County baseball fans against Burlington County football fans.

The national media will be all over this one.

christiegonewild.blogspot.com

I would be all for it. However, I think Al has ruled himself out. he would also need to move back to NJ as he is a Florida resident but I am sure that would not be difficult as he still has ties to the other OC.