With the gubernatorial election coming up there’s a ton of important content to be shared, there’s Camden news, and plenty more — I wanted to take a chance to share some of the conversations I’m having about politics: 

 — How are Democrats going to talk about immigration? Especially with a wave of nativistic new ads trying to link immigrants with crime. Here’s an excerpt from my thoughts over at Blue Jersey:

I found these parallels striking. These tactics are what it takes to engage the Republican base, and we can expect to see them in other gubernatorial races and congressional races. The focus on immigration is also shaping Democratic resistance. Some are staking the kind of turf common in the early 90s, where Democrats can move to the center on undocumented immigration policies by being lenient to those here but increasing security. But other Democrats, and certainly local activists, are pivoting left to make a clearer contrast with Trump — arguing for Sanctuary States, but making a broader argument that President Obama’s deportations and wider strategy of enforcing borders as a means to compromise on a path to citizenship is flawed strategy. These Democrats actively support the undocumented on principle even though it may be unpopular nationally. As always, Democrats will be balancing strategy, principle and policy in navigating those waters. But they’re sure to come up again in 2018.

Phil Murphy — the Democratic gubernatorial candidate — talked about these strategic issues with Pod Save America:

 

 — I’ve been talking behind the scenes with a lot of progressives behind the scenes trying to figure out the best way to engage with the Democratic Party. I wrote a little bit about that as well: 

1. Party members (and there are plenty of progressives who are party members) often make the case that the time of Trump requires virtually unlimited loyalty. They argue that Democrats are already progressive enough — and the true work is in managing image and convincing progressives to join the party.
2. Other progressives have trouble embracing that attitude — in part because it led to the South Jersey Democratic Party partnering extensively with Gov. Christie to enact conservative reforms on everything from pensions to police to education. They argue that the prudent, progressive path is to do both — to stand in opposition to Trump, and to be consistent and push the Democratic Party to be better on issues like immigration, minimum wage, education, pension reform and environmental issues such as pipelines. And that this consistency is where grassroots energy comes from, is a beacon about our values that resonates with independents, and is a better strategy for both the party and Trump opposition.

 — When I first came to the city, Colandus (Kelly) Francis told me the most effective way to fight political battles was through the court system — it was the least politically compromised local body of government. He and others are putting that strategy into action with a restraining order filed against the demolition of Camden High. 

 — Here’s a strategy that gets under my skin. The photo-op. And there’s been plenty of them. Remember this one? 

Yup, that’s all our favorite faces at Camden Community Charter — now best known for building a brand new school downtown, only to be shut down by the state for low performance (other potential reasons to shut down this school included: having a leader with scandals in Pennsylvania and being an illegal for-profit charter). 

Well, we may have another ignominious picture to add to our list. April Saul shines a spotlight on the MLK house in Camden, where the photo-ops have been taken, but the house is in danger of collapse: 

Tents shielded 100 guests from a gray drizzle. Longtime King associate Lewis called the house a “piece of historic real estate that must be saved for generations yet unborn.” Norcross said, “ I’m proud that I was able to bring our community together to help restore and save this important piece of American history.”

Thirteen months later, Duff wonders whether the intention was to save the ramshackle house or create a great photo op for politicians. It was King who once said we need leaders “not in love with publicity but in love with humanity.”

 — Want to get wonky? Some of my favorite strategists in the state are with Working Families New Jersey. Executive Director Analilia Mejia is a rockstar, and here she’s sitting down and wonking out with Speaker Vincent Prieto: 

At 24:30 they talk strategy around taxes — a tricky issue for Jersey progressives. 

 — Why school closures may not be a good strategy: 

 

Always more strategy to talk. Let me know what you’re thinking about this Friday!