October Mon, 2004
FIRST DEBATE GIVES KERRY EDGE
Women voters and national security – these are the keys to New Jersey’s evolving electorate. Once considered by most observers to be a safe bet for Democratic challenger John Kerry, New Jersey’s presidential race has caught the attention of partisans from both camps. President George W. Bush lost this state to Al Gore by 16 points in 2000, but recent polls indicate a tight race. So what has changed? It seems to be the issues rather than the electorate. And the latest Star-Ledger/Eagleton-Rutgers Poll indicates that the Garden State’s 15 electoral votes may hinge on whether female voters feel safer with Bush or Kerry as their president.
September Mon, 2004
McGREEVEY, WE HARDLY KNEW YE
It’s been four weeks since James McGreevey shocked New Jersey with the announcement that he is gay and will resign his office on November 15. And in that time, little has changed in public attitudes toward the Governor and his decision.
September Fri, 2004
9/11 PAIN STILL LINGERS
While the scars of September 11, 2001 are not as deep as they were on the first anniversary of those events, many New Jerseyans still can’t shake the specter of that tragedy. Nearly half still think about the attacks at least a few times a week. And while they feel more secure now than they did a couple of years ago, a sizable percentage feel that another terror attack on United States soil is likely in the near future.
September Thu, 2004
THE PRESIDENT BOUNCES BACK
Many of the speakers at the recent Republican convention questioned John Kerry’s ability to keep the country safe. This seems to have wiped out the large lead the Democratic challenger built among New Jersey voters following his own party’s nominating convention. Driven by voter concerns on who can do a better job with the war on terrorism, Kerry now holds a slim four percentage point lead over incumbent George W. Bush.