Another APP Endorsement That Leaves You Scratching Your Head; Take All The Incumbents In The 12th

After coming out in September, stating how ineffective the incumbent politicians that dominate Trenton are, the Asbury Park Press Editorial Board came out with its endorsements on Friday for the newly drawn 12th Legislative District candidates and has endorsed the incumbent politicians that are already serving in Trenton.

...None of the candidates seeking legislative seats in the newly redrawn 12th District served in the district previously. But the experienced Republican slate includes two incumbent lawmakers, one from the 13th District and another from the 30th, and a Monmouth County freeholder.

Two of the three Democrats have run for the Legislature, and lost, before. The other is a newcomer.

Our preference is for the three proven Republican candidates, Samuel Thompson for Senate and Ronald Dancer and Robert Clifton for the Assembly seats. All have served their constituents well in their respective political offices and deserve voters’ support....

Is that it, is this their reason for endorsing the incumbent? They have the proven experience?

It seems that this year the APP editorial board is just looking for excuses NOT to endorse Democrats as opposed to looking for reasons as to why they should endorse incumbent Republicans.

The editorial would lead us to believe that Democratic Senate Candidate Bob Brown,who went on disability 30 years ago after being shot in the line of duty as a police officer in Old Bridge, would have gotten the APP endorsement if only he would have agreed with the Governor's overhaul of the health and pension benefits for public employees that was passed earlier this year.

To add some support to this argument, you only have to look at the endorsement of Democrat Vin Gopal in the 11th District Assembly race for confirmation. There the endorsement seemed to place greater weight behind the perception that Gopal's willingness "to compromise in order to get much-needed work done.". This endorsement also went on to say that "... an injection of fresh blood..", was needed.

Why hasn't the same reasoning been applied for the 12th district? Is compromising one's principles now more important than standing by what one feels is the right thing to do? It would seem so for Democrats William Spedding of Jackson and Catherine Tinney Rome of Old Bridge in their race for the Assembly.

Reader comments left by posters to the online article would seem to agree:

watchdoggg

6:51 AM on October 29, 2011

Dancer, Clifton, and Thompson. Another name for them would be Three Blind Mice.

I've rubbed elbows with Thompson at socials, and ALL he ever talks about is what a great job he's done. In 14 years in office I ask, WHAT JOB, what have you done ??

Clifton, a leftover of the Club Monmouth wrecking crew, still endorsing the "Clubs" mantra by taking care of it's members.

Dancer, just another incumbent for the party sake.

All three endorse Christie, so I'll be voting for their opponents.
Signed,....Monmouth County Republican.

BigBlue86
10:35 AM on October 29, 2011

Hey, APP - Why not save some space and time and just put one editorial stating "Just Vote Republican"? You really don't endorse anyone else anyway. Why bother with the dog and pony show of days of editorials? I'll vote against anyone you endorse anyway.

HerbWhiteside
12:47 PM on October 29, 2011

TALK ABOUT HYPOCRISY. You couldn't endorse Brown because he WOULD HAVE voted against Christies Pension reform YET you endorse a proud double dipper(GOP Party boss)Sam Thompson, (not including his Social Security which makes him a triple dipper). Obviously this endorsement is about access to the GOP statehouse and elitist cocktail parties and has nothing to do with whats best for NJ.

VinnieRomano
1:00 PM on October 29, 2011

The APP endorses Christies 3 Stooges. They would have a shred more of credibility if they endorsed "none of the above" Lets be real here the Democrats in this case at least have some fresh ideas and clean backgrounds.

If it wasn't for a Republican administration Dancer would be under serious investigation. Sam Thompson is just liberal republican party hack with a dubious double pension dipping scandal lurking in the background and Clifton is not qualified to hold any public office. At least if we got rid of the incumbents gave the other guys a shot and voted them out if they let us down. But No you endorse the status quo. I hope the overtaxed, under represented voters in the 12th district put aside party and at least take a shot at some new blood in Trenton.