Tonight is the only debate in New Jersey’s Senatorial race between Senator Bob Menendez and Bob Hugin. I wanted to use this as a way to open up an important discussion — I’ve heard a lot of folks trying to work through the challenges of the importance of this race nationally (very high) and the importance of this race in terms of what it means for New Jersey. Jared is not in the exact same place I am — but that’s why it’s an important convo. Excited to hear your thoughts! — Stephen
I’m probably going to get a lot of heat for this, but I don’t think that I can bring myself to vote for Bob Menendez. Trust me – in no way whatsoever am I endorsing the Republican (Bob Hugin) for Senate either, but there is a thorn in my side with party politics in New Jersey that has been stuck there for too long.
If this Senatorial election has taught us anything, it would be the resounding image of an archaic political party that seems to find convenient excuses for pseudo-unification only after a divisive primary in which voters burst at the seam for something different. The Democratic Party has become rather bite-your-tongue whether it’s a primary or a general election. In primary season it’s about unity of throwing off new progressive voices – one collective Democratic voice capable of putting up its strongest contender against the Republicans in the fall. After we’ve all licked our wounds through the summer, having our voices for something new left by the wayside, the same Party leaders galvanize the no-time-for-division rhetoric that forces us to swallow the hard pill for the greater good.
But honestly, what good are we reaching for if we find ourselves in the same entrenched spiral? At a certain point I’m left wondering how to navigate the fellowship of political camaraderie while feeling like my voice is drowned out if it doesn’t align.
Aside from the fact that Menendez wasn’t the strongest candidate coming out of the primaries – the disgusting scorched-earth politics of his campaign against Hugin has plastered that across the nation – he was also a big turn off for my generation because of the ethical elephant in the room.
I’m just slightly tired of the lesser-of-two evils early Novembers that somber my political hopes for progressive change by Thanksgiving.
Starting strategies:
Not to make this a solemn prose, I do want to highlight that this is a great opportunity for those interested in running for office next year should be working to garner support among progressives now. Take every opportunity to learn about the requirements ahead of the primary and start making positive changes in your communities! There are a lot of younger hopefuls I see coming to the forefront very soon, especially in Camden, and I am sure this sentiment will resound as those hopefuls gain seats and make larger changes than their predecessors.
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Hi Anne, thanks for that comment and I should clarify my slightly vague mention of an ethical elephant. I agree that the disgusting allegations of Sen. Menendez’s interaction with underage prostitutes is not one that I hold in any regard to affect my vote. However, there is no way that I can in good conscious also discount the collective condemnation of Menendez by his peers in the Senate regarding his affairs with Dr. Melgen. My generation has become increasingly intolerant of such actions of its elected leaders and we should and can do better, and I know for certain we will be the driving force for this in the future. In the mean time I do believe the major goal should be insulating our local and state politics from Trump as much as possible. Thanks again – love to keep these discussions going!
Sorry, Jared but there is no ethical elephant in the room. Menendez and the doctor he supposedly did a favor for have been close friends for decades. If he introduced a bill that would benefit his old friend, is that something for which he should burn in political hell? A lapse in judgment perhaps, but not a crime. The jury in his trial were not convinced he committed a crime. And, in spite of obscene insinuations by his enemies, it was never proved he hired under-age prostitutes when visiting his doctor pal in the Dominican Republic. Menendez has voted the way I want most of the time. He gets my unequivocal support.