Florio/Whitman Campaign 1993
My Amazon Wish List has had Governor’s Race on it for some time now. I am a fan of Michael Aron, NJN’s political correspondent. In 1993, he kept a diary of sorts, during the gubernatorial campaign between then-Governor Florio and challenger Christie Whitman.
Last week I was futzing around and found a “like new” version of this book on half.com. I decided to purchase it and it came just in time for our weekend away in D.C.
I am about halfway through, up to the primaries in June. I was a bit concerned that this book may be about ancient history where I would not recognize the issues or the players. I was not as connected to New Jersey politics while this was going on. Surprisingly, many of the players are still prevalent today. Most interesting is Aron’s description of South Jersey power boss George Norcross, who was then a 36-year old new player on the scene.
The issues are still the same: auto insurance, school funding, corruption.
The book very much helps frame the issues of today and is a testament that despite the 14 intervening years, nothing much positive has occurred. The the-$15 billion budget is now $33 billion. Auto insurance is still among the highest in the land. The urban 30 are still a huge burden on the state budget. Administrations still employ folks looking to pad their own pockets on the backs of the tax payers.
This is a must-read for all New Jerseyans.
Also blogged on this date . . .
- Let Them Eat CAKE! - 2008
- D.A.R.E. to Make an Educated Decision - 2006
- Corzine's Supreme Tangle - 2005
- Arboretum - YES - 2003
- Sympathy for the Devil - 2003
- One arm Bandit - Upside down - 2003
Tags: Aron, books, election, Florio, New Jersey, Politics, Whitman