In what amounts to something of a surprise move, the largest newspaper in New Jersey — the Star-Ledger — has endorsed independent Chris Daggett in the New Jersey gubernatorial race. The editorial endorsing Daggett explains:
The newspaper’s decision is less a rejection of Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican Chris Christie than a repudiation of the parties they represent, both of which have forfeited any claim to the trust and confidence of the people of New Jersey. They share responsibility for the state’s current plight.
Only by breaking the hold of the Democratic and Republican mandarins on the governor’s office and putting a rein on their power will the state have any hope for the kind of change needed to halt its downward economic, political and ethical spiral.
The paper’s editorial board writes that “Daggett’s election would send shock waves through New Jersey’s ossified political system and, we believe, provide a start in a new direction.” It calls the two major parties “little more than narrow special interests” responsible for leaving New Jersey “with a tarnished national reputation.”
Christie is called “the most disappointing of the three candidates,” though the paper’s editorial board also knocks Corzine, saying “his shortcomings as a leader are serious.”
“Corzine is the chaplain on a pirate ship, not really its captain,” the editorial says.
But the real question is, how much does the newspaper’s endorsement of Daggett and critique of Christie and Corzine really matter? The editorial acknowledges that Daggett’s a long shot at best, but that “the value of a vote is not limited to picking a winner. The real value lies in the signal it sends about what the voter believes is best for the city, county or state — not merely at the moment, but long-term.”
“We believe Daggett is best.”
Check out the full editorial here. It’s well worth a read.
(Full disclosure: My girlfriend writes for the Star-Ledger, though as a reporter she has nothing to do with this or any other political endorsement the editorial board makes.)
