It’s only early July, but the gloves are fully off in this November’s election for Governor of New Jersey. Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine’s campaign just launched this new attack ad against Republican former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, who is currently ahead in the polls:
“A million lawyers in America. So who did Chris Christie give contracts to?” the announcer asks. “The Bush Attorney General who was Christie’s boss. He got a $52 million no-bid contract.”
Beyond the accusation of ethical impropriety, there’s an even more damaging attack here: The Corzine campaign is reminding people that Christie worked in the Bush Administration.
New Jersey is a very Democratic state, but to a certain extent this is in a negative sense — a good portion of swing voters are casting their ballots against the Republicans, rather than for the Democrats. If Corzine is to win this race, he’ll need to remind those voters just how much they hate the GOP.
Late Update: Christie campaign manager Bill Stepien has released the following statement: “While Chris Christie is out on the trail talking about real solutions to turn around Corzine’s failing economy, Governor Corzine responds with what he does best – throwing his millions behind negative, misleading attacks. New Jerseyans are frustrated with Mr. Corzine’s tired and out of touch tactics, and who can blame them when they’re facing skyrocketing unemployment and suffocating new taxes.”
