NJ GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION MAY HAVE NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS
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Trenton - (WBGO News 11/2/2009)

New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states with gubernatorial elections this year.

The outcome of those races could have national significance.

Montclair State University political science professor Brigid Harrison says many people outside New Jersey are viewing the election for Governor as a mandate on the Presidency of Barack Obama.

 “President Obama’s presence in the state three times in the past six weeks certainly puts his reputation on the line to a certain extent because he clearly is vested in Jon Corzine’s campaign.”

Monmouth University Polling Institute director Patrick Murray says the New Jersey election may have an impact on the President’s ability to get his proposals enacted.

 “If Jon Corzine loses in addition to a loss in Virginia then Barack Obama will look as wounded and so Republicans and other opponents may try to take advantage of that and push a little harder against him.”

Murray says the outcome of the gubernatorial election will not necessarily be an indicator of what might happen in next year’s Congressional elections.

© 11/2/2009 WBGO News