New Jersey

"Earlier this year, Governor Christie signed a bill legalizing Internet gambling in New Jersey. The idea was to help resuscitate the Atlantic City economy and raise a projected $150 million in tax revenue.

Last week I was stunned when I heard Rachel Maddow's first report on how Chris Christie took revenge on a mayor for partisan differences by essentially shutting down the traffic on the country's busiest bridge for a few days. Turns out, it's the world's busiest bridge-- and Friday, Maddow did a little update (above). The words "dangerous sociopath" come immediately to mind. I wonder how many voters will see this as the ultimate example of why a self-entitled bully like Christie must be kept as far away from lethal power as possible.

Coursing through the trackless wastes between Toronto and Winnipeg, our intrepid reporter Rap (short for “rapporteur,” just to add a touch of class), taking a leaf from Stephen Colbert (Col-bear) and his Report (pronouced Re-poor), checked in recently. In fact the paper trail of his expense account items continued, meandering across Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, notably hovering in Camden, N.J. with an item for $139.50 datelined Moe’s Jazz Society. But no matter. He’s now in Atlantic city and has updated us with a full report.

At the time New Jersey established a ban on fracking, it seemed symbolic, much like the moratorium in Vermont, which has no economically recoverable natural gas; the Marcellus Shale, primarily in New York and Pennsylvania, doesn’t extend into New Jersey. New York has a moratorium on fracking until a health impact statement is completed. Pennsylvania. rushing to compete with groundhogs in digging up the state, has no such moratorium. Nor does the state have any plans to conduct extensive research into the health effects of fracking—Gov.

Run off by some goofballs in tri-corner hats?New Jersey's third congressional district, a swath of the south-central part of the state starting between Toms River and Asbury Park and crossing clear to the Philadelphia suburbs through the Pine Barrens, really is a Democratic congressional district-- despite having a Republican congressman, Jon Runyan.

The race most people were most interested in today was the lesser-of-two evils gubernatorial election in Virginia. As expected, the lesser of two evils, Clinton bagman Terry McAuliffe, won.

Today everyone thinks it's wonderful that the Clinton's corrupt bagman, Terry McAuliffe, is going to win the Virginia governorship. Even I can admit that he's probably better than the Republican alternative, Ken Cuccinelli, an extreme right-wing ideologue and crazy-eyed fanatic. But what a heartbreak that election is! It's the ultimate "lesser-of-two-evils" choice. In New Jersey, the election is anything but that-- a Republican that hides his Cuccinelli side and poses as a "moderate" and one of the best candidates the Democrats have put up for any election, anywhere.

Blacked-out lower Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, looking northeast, with the tower of the Empire State Building poking up in the backgroundby KenIt's an anniversary that has been looming ominously for, well, going on a year.As it happened, yesterday I was in New Jersey's "Mile-Square City" of Hoboken, on the mostly flatland lip of land below the southern end of the bluffs that rise above the state's Hudson River shoreline, on a wonderful 5½-hour

Former Congressman William Hughes with son, Bill, Jr.Why bother focussing on LoBiondo? There are many districts in red-leaning and even solidly red congressional districts in the hands of Democrats. There are almost no Republicans in blue districts. In California Gary Miller and David Valadao both won because of failed DCCC recruiting and both will probably lose their seats in 2014.

Let me say that Blue America has enthusiastically endorsed state Senator Barbara Buono for governor of New Jersey. We've seen what a terrible governor Chris Christie has been and what a consistent and independent voice for progressive policies Barbara has been and it was really a no brainer. And we're glad Barbara has put his polling lead in half.