Jon Runyan Watch

Jon Runyan and House Republicans cutting COPS program

2011-07-14T20:51:00.000-07:00

It's pretty shocking that the House Republicans are voting to eliminate the Department of Justice’s successful Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program. You'll remember this program helps communities hire police officers. Senator Lautenberg is right:

“With crime rising in New Jersey communities, police officers shouldn’t be on unemployment lines, they should be working to keep our streets safe,” said Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee which funds the COPS program. “The COPS grant program has a long history of helping local communities throughout New Jersey and across the country keep police on the beat. Republican efforts to zero out funding for the COPS program are endangering the ability of our police departments to stop violence and prevent crime. I am committed to fighting in the Senate to support COPS funding and tooppose these reckless House cuts. ”

So far Jon Runyan has voted with conservative Republicans almost all the time so he'll likely be voting to eliminate COPS. I guess police are just another thing we can't afford in America anymore.

Newt Gingrich: Jon Runyan is voting for "right-wing social engineering"

2011-05-15T14:44:00.000-07:00

Imagine walking into Congress and saying "Sure, I'll vote to abolish Medicare -- What could happen?" Now even Newt Gingrich, the original Republican bomb-thrower and revolutionary, is saying Jon Runyan threw his lot in with extremists:

Gingrich also distanced himself from the plan proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to turn Medicare into a voucher system: "I think that that is too big a jump." He called the plan "right-wing social engineering," which he considers not "any more desirable than left-wing social engineering."

Of course, the headline could apply to any of our House Republicans, but Frank LoBiondo is more afraid of the Tea Party in a primary than anyone else, and Leonard Lance is going to lose his seat in the great game of musical chairs.

also available in Blue

Jon Runyan votes to restrict women's private health insurance

2011-05-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

The DCCC put out the following statement after today's vote by Jon Runyan:

In Representative Jon Runyan’s (NJ-3) zeal to restrict women’s health care, today he voted to place new restrictions on how women with private insurance can spend private dollars in purchasing their own health insurance. This is yet another example that Runyan’s agenda is about advancing right-wing social issues rather than creating jobs.

Federal policy has long prohibited federal funds from being used for abortions, except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered. Today, the Republicans are trying to intrude on a woman’s ability to purchase private health insurance if the insurance plan includes access to abortions and trying to put the IRS in charge of auditing the claims.

“Rather than focus on creating jobs and reducing the deficit, Representative Jon Runyun backed an extreme plan to restrict women’s access to health care options and their reproductive rights,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “This plan Jon Runyan backed goes well beyond existing law and could block most private health care plans for women. It’s clear that Representative Runyan is putting his radical ideology above New Jersey women.”

Jon Runyan statement on John Adler

2011-04-04T17:22:00.001-07:00

From the official site: Congressman Jon Runyan Expresses Condolences In The Passing of Honorable John Adler:

“I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of former Congressman John Adler, especially his wife Shelley and their four boys. May John rest in peace, and may those he left behind be comforted in the knowledge that his lifetime of public service to our community has left a lasting legacy for which they can be most proud.

“I valued and respected his leadership and his commitment to the people of New Jersey’s Third District and indeed the entire state.”

Jon Runyan on Libya

2011-04-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

Just in case it disappears, here is Runyan's statement on Libya at his official House site:

“I fully support our nation’s servicemembers who are engaged in military operations in Libya and our prayers are with them and their families. It is imperative however that we know how long, to what extent, and at what the cost to both American taxpayers and servicemembers will U.S. military resources be utilized in this engagement. The President has an obligation to explain his military goals to the Congress and the American people.

“Even with the Administration’s announcement regarding the increased responsibilities of NATO in enforcing the no-fly zone, the role and strategic mission of the United States military remains unclear and inadequately defined.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I look forward to hearing from the Administration next week during an Armed Services Committee hearing on what the President hopes to accomplish, and am eager to gain clarity regarding how this mission is in our national interest.”

The statement is from March 25, 2011, so it's a little dated.

Jon Runyan's novel approach to the Constitution

2011-04-01T18:10:00.000-07:00

You and I learned that a bill becomes a law only after it passes the House of Representatives and the Senate. Frank LoBiondo, Jon Runyan, Scott Garrett, Chris Smith, and Leonard Lance have invented a new theory of government:

If the House has not received a message from the Senate before April 6, 2011, stating that it has passed a measure providing for the appropriations for the departments and agencies of the Government for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, the provisions of H.R. 1, as passed by the House on February 19, 2011, are hereby enacted into law.

Yes, if the Senate fails to vote for a bill that means it becomes law! Congratulations Tea Party "Constitutionalists," you have hit the jackpot with your Representatives.

I'd like to think Rodney Frelinghuysen failed to vote because he being visited by his outraged ghost ancestors but there's probably another reason.

Cross Posted from Blue Jersey

How will Veterans feel when Runyan shuts down the government?

2011-03-29T18:36:00.000-07:00

Representative Jon Runyan held an event to win over veterans with government spending. It's rather odd than none of them asked Runyan about his plans to shut down the government... the lovely new 1,100 space parking garage and the backlog of benefit applications are not going to progress without money. Well, I guess we'll see how it works out for the new politician.

Jon Runyan breaks with Chris Christie, oppose Oyster Creek Nuclear Deal

2010-12-09T15:16:00.001-08:00

Today Exelon and the Christie Administration announced a deal to close the Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant in 2019. That way, Exelon (the plant's owners) don't have to upgrade the equipment (add cooling towers) on the oldest nuclear power plant in the country to meet modern standards. You would think when a conservative like Chris Christie makes a deal to protect New Jersey it would be credible. Jon Runyan, however, attacked the deal today:

Toms River, December 9, 2010 – Congressman-elect Jon Runyan (NJ-3) released the following statement in response to news that Exelon plans to close the Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant in 2019, ten years earlier than planned.

“While I appreciate both the environmental and financial factors that led to the compromise announced today, I am deeply concerned about the hundreds of local residents who will lose their jobs and the potential for a massive property tax increase on Lacey Township homeowners when the $14 million in revenue the plant provides to the township disappears,” said Runyan, who indicated he would meet with local elected officials shortly to seek their input on formulating a plan moving forward for the impacted communities.

“As the next Congressman, I pledge to stand with the people and small businesses who call this region home to ensure their communities remain affordable, their environmental issues are addressed, and their local economy is prepared to adapt and prosper after Oyster Creek is gone.”

Let's hope he is effective in getting the help rather than just posturing. It will be a real test of the new Representative. After all, adding a few donkeys can lower his personal tax bill but wouldn't help the citizens of Lacey Township run the schools or repair the roads.

Congratulations Representative-elect Jon Runyan

2010-11-03T20:01:00.000-07:00

I am not a supporter but Jon Runyan was the choice of the voters yesterday. Congratulations to him.

I hope he will spend his time in Congress working on solving the very serious problems we can all agree our nation is facing.

His campaign hasn't posted his victory speech as far as I can tell. I'll embed it if they do.

Jon Runyan, Gun Control and Terrorists

2010-10-29T19:20:00.001-07:00

So, the latest is that Jon Runyan is being attacked on gun control. As the article says:

Democrat John Adler came out swinging during a news conference Thursday, accusing Republican opponent Jon Runyan of taking a lax position on denying firearms to terrorists.

Speaking during a conference call with area media, Adler said his assertion was based on Runyan’s A-rating by the National Rifle Association, which endorsed the former football pro and contributed to his campaign.

Adler claimed that candidates seeking the endorsement had to answer an NRA questionnaire that asked several questions, including whether they would oppose government restrictions on gun access for people on the nation’s terrorist watch list. He said candidates needed to answer all the questions in the affirmative to win endorsement with an A-rating.

I'm surprised Runyan is trying to deny this. Frank Lautenberg has a bill to block gun sales to terrorists and the NRA and Republicans in general oppose it. (Actually, ordinary NRA members support it, I'm talking about the organization and politicians.) That's just a fact and Runyan gives every indication of being a party-line Republican voter. And:

Runyan had said during a debate with Adler that he does not support permitting terrorists to obtain firearms, but he did not say he would support legislation banning people on the watch list.

Of course, Adler votes very pro-gun as it is, so as usual, there's not much difference between the two candidates, but the Supreme Court has ended the debate for good by interpreting the Constitution to protect gun ownership. The government can't restrict guns for ordinary people, but Jon Runyan won't even restrict them for people on terrorist watch lists. Someday we'll see a Mumbai-style attack here and Runyan will posture that he'd stop the terrorists with his bare hands or something.

DCCC's Jon Runyan TV Ad

2010-10-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

Here's the DCCC ad about Jon Runyan:

NY Times on millionaires like Jon Runyan

2010-10-23T16:50:00.001-07:00

The New York Times has a new article on millionaires running for Congress:

Jon Runyan, who is running for Congress in New Jersey, found his 20-acre property —the long driveway and ornate black gate, the swimming pool, the plush red parlor — featured in a political ad of his Democratic opponent, John Adler. The ad pointed out that Mr. Runyan had purchased a donkey in an attempt to get a break on property taxes.

“Except Runyan doesn’t call it a house, he tried to call it a farm,” the ad’s narrator says.

Of course he'd like to eliminate estate taxes and capital gains taxes to help himself out more. Maybe then he'll sell the donkey.

Now even NBC Sports says Jon Runyan doesn't know much

2010-10-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

The NBC Sports blog looks at Jon Runyan's run for Congress:

Now retired from football, Mr. Runyan is running for Congress; the Republican nominee for New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district. In his campaign literature Runyan promises “an end to politics as usual in Washington”, and if by that he means not knowing much about current events in politics, it’s mission accomplished.

Now that's sad.

Reporter: Jon Runyan comes up short on issues

2010-10-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

Earlier today I remarked that the Philadelphia Inquirer thought Jon Runyan wasn't able to explain his ideas. Now I see that another reporter saw the same thing in the debate:

...audience members from across the district tested the former Philadelphia Eagle's knowledge on a range of legislation and issues. At times he appeared to come up short.

Philadelphia Inquirer on Jon Runyan's campaign

2010-10-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

This article was published a while ago but it is probably the best quick summary of Jon Runyan's run for Congress:

Republican congressional nominee Jon Runyan called for cuts in taxes and spending Tuesday, saying: "We have to put money back in the people's hands."

At an afternoon news conference, however, he could offer no details of the costs or consequences of his ideas.

The Jon Runyan-John Adler Debate

2010-10-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

This week was the big debate between Republican Jon Runyan and conservative Democrat John Adler. The best account is here:

Following the candidates’ opening remarks, the event was conducted in three parts. First, a panel presented questions to each of the candidates. Then each candidate presented questions to his opponent (these questions were prepared in advance), and finally there was an opportunity for the audience to question the candidates directly...

With the exception of the abortion issue, Runyan toes the Tea Party line completely. He is in favor of the failed Bush economic policies and “nuance” and “compromise” don’t seem to be in his vocabulary. Adler is the “centrist” he claims to be – what we used to call a “moderate Republican”.

There's a detailed account of the issues discussed there.

Jon Runyan wins the Republican nomination

2010-06-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

Jon Runyan only got 55% of the vote even with the backing of the political bosses, but that's enough to defeat Republican Justin Murphy's spirited but cash-poor campaign.

John Adler's campaign welcomed Runyan to the general election with this statement:

Geoff Mackler, campaign manager for the Adler for Congress, issued the following statement after Jon Runyan secured the Republican nomination in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional district this evening:

“I hope Jon Runyan shows more respect for his fellow citizens starting tomorrow than we have seen from him in the last fifteen years. Most Americans play by the rules, pay their taxes on time, and vote in elections. Mr. Runyan hid from voters, insulted veteran groups, and refused to answer how he stood on the major issues of the day. The last thing we need in Washington is another wealthy extremist trying to buy an election and continuing to ignore the struggles middle class families and seniors face in these challenging times. We need problem solvers to fix what's wrong with Washington, not folks like Jon Runyan looking to protect the privileges of the special interests.”

BACKGROUND:
Runyan is skipping out on paying his fair share of property taxes thanks to the four donkeys he’s raising on his estate and the seven cords of firewood he harvested. Last year Runyan paid $57,000 on the five acres of land that contains his home, but only paid $468 in taxes on the remaining 20 acres of his property. [Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/22/10]

Runyan has repeatedly been late on property tax payments. On 33 different occasions Runyan was late paying his taxes. [Newark Star Ledger, 5/12/10]

Murphy's reponse to Runyan's attacks

2010-06-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

Below is is candidate Justin Murphy's response to candidate Jon Runyan's attacks on him by mail. Of course, I have no knowledge of anything involved but I think it's pretty convincing. As I've said before I certainly can't act outraged by negative campaigning [this is New Jersey], but it is pretty pathetic to be independently wealthy, famous, and supported by the political bosses and yet choose to skip all debates and drag your opponent's name through the mud. I do think it shows Runyan's poor character.

“The career political operatives are attacking me because they know I can win this Primary.”

Justin

Murphy for Congress 2010 issued a detailed rebuttal to the negative attacks by Runyan for Congress, and the career machine politicians running his campaign.

Murphy began by stating, “Before I release this statement responding to the negative attacks by the Runyan Camp, I would like to remind the career political operatives running Jon’s campaign that they should refrain from attacking me until they are ready to share a debate stage with me.”

Murphy also added, “I am confident that voters will reject this garbage and vote for a true Republican Conservative on June 8th.”

You have lived at nine addresses since expressing an interest in running for public office.

Truth – I have had only two addresses since April 2000 (for those unaware, that is a decade):

-1617 Rte 206 Tabernacle, NJ, April 2000 – December 2009

-100 Shawnee Pass, Medford, NJ Dec. 31, 2009 – present

I guess if you go back to 1988 when I started studying Political Science in college, you could come up with numerous addresses as I moved to and from the Jersey Shore and Glassboro, NJ.

You started collecting Unemployment insurance after laying yourself off after your business failed in 2003.

Truth – My business never failed. I am fortunate, being a small businessman for 20 years

I have never had a business fail. I have had some difficult times, but that is the business world. In May of 2002, Medford Gym & Aerobic Center was PURCHASED by a larger competitor, Eastern Athletic Club (Now Medford Sports Club). You can contact Paul Braungart, then owner of Eastern, to verify the execution of the sale/acquisition of Medford Gym to Eastern. 856-983-4800

After the corporation was legally dissolved, I collected unemployment benefits while I was studying for the NJ bar exam and laying the ground work for American Energy & utility Consultants, Inc., my second and current business venture. My opponent has failed to mention that I more than paid into the system, and is the first and only time I collected unemployment benefits in my working life, with the exception of two months in 1988.

It is factually incorrect to state that a principal of a company can ‘lay themselves off’ and collect unemployment. After the sale of Medford Gym in May 2002, the business was dissolved legally. After that, I collected unemployment from the Medford Gym employment. I have never laid myself off from American Energy and collected unemployment benefits. NJ law does not permit that.

Your law license is suspended.

My law License is not suspended. In addition, I have never had a single ethics complaint filed against me. I have never had a single disciplinary charge brought against me. Attached is a Certificate of Good Standing, issued from the Supreme Court of New Jersey, on March 20th 2010, clearly showing I am currently in Good Standing with the NJ Bar.

Also – I refer you to the link below:

http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/cpf/ineliglist05172010.pdf

This is the NJ Lawyers Client Protection Fund. This list is as of May 17, 2010. It shows attorney’s INeligible to practice in NJ for whatever reason. My name is NOT on the list.

To stay active to practice law in NJ, you are required to pay an annual fee (tax) into the NJ Lawyers Client Protection Fund. You have the option to claim Retired, if you are actively practicing law. I paid this for the 2006-2007 year, which runs from summer to summer. I was on the ‘Inactive List’ for 2008 until 2009, when I submitted all fees (taxes) to practice again. My status, as reflected in the NJLCPF for 2008 was Inactive because I was not practicing law. I was running in the Primary for the first half of 2008, then, from June to December, I was working as an Independent Contractor for the State of Delaware, in Delaware. When I started to work part-time in a Cherry Hill Law office in the summer of 2009, I paid all required fees to leave the Inactive list, and become eligible again to work as an attorney.

My opponents can say 2007 to 2009 he was suspended. I was on the inactive list for 2008 until summer of 2009. There was a 3 month gap from Oct to Dec 2007 that I was ineligible because I had not paid the annual $200 fee (tax). I am responsible for that lapse. I was not practicing law after the summer of 2007 due to my commitment to American Energy as a business developer.

You were evicted from your apartment for failure to pay rent on or about December 2009.

Over the course of my tenancy of ten years at 1617 Rte 206, I withheld rent for numerous reasons:

-No heat, leaking toilet, mice, mold

-Other tenants in the complex on my electric meter for at least 5 years

-My landlord never deposited my security deposit into a banking institution as is required by NJ Law.

-My landlord never tested the well water, as required by NJ Law. I am entitled to a copy of these results; I never received them because tests were never conducted

Obviously, I had a dispute with my landlord as to the amount of rent I owed when I was moving out. There was consent between us for me to move out, as the court papers will reflect. There never was an eviction order from any court. I have never been evicted from any apartment or home in my entire life. My landlord and I have everything worked out and settled; there is no litigation between us, and there never was an eviction order.

Tabernacle Budgets

Please see attached document. [Edit: Not posted by Hopeful]

Campaign money for personal use

It was reported that I used campaign funds to purchase Wawa gas cards for ‘personal use’. This is completely false. As reported to the Federal Election Commission, our campaign purchased Wawa cards as a campaign expense. I use them to purchase gasoline for my campaign travels, which take me all over Burlington County and from Cherry Hill out to Ocean County. These are campaign miles – speaking engagements, neighborhoods to walk, Town Hall forums, campaign meetings, etc. The car I use for campaigning does happen to be my private vehicle, therefore, the fuel purchased for my campaigning does end up in my personal vehicle’s gas tank.

It was reported, erroneously, that funds from The Committee to Elect Justin Murphy 2010, were used to pay a car loan payment for my personal vehicle. This is simply not true. As I am entitled to do, I have taken a small salary during the campaign totaling approximately $700 dollars out of the $17,000 that was raised ($302 in early May and another $400 later in May). This has all been reported to the Federal Election Commission. I deposited the ‘paycheck into my checking account, as most Americans do, and I applied it toward different bills I needed to keep up on throughout the primary. My company will not make money this year until the solar farms I am developing begin commercial operations sometime later this year. As I discussed above, I do not have the luxury of collecting unemployment; as the Owner of American Energy, I am not entitled to collect unemployment benefits. However, I sure as hell have to pay into the system!

I hope this addresses any concern the Runyan camp has regarding these issues.

Jon Runyan launches negative campaign on Justin Murphy

2010-06-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

Mailers have been going out from "Jon Runyan for Congress" attacking Justin Murphy for having difficulty when founding his own business -- evidently Murphy would be better qualified if he had a union that negotiated a salary of millions of dollars to play a game. It's pretty sad that Runyon won't attend a debate yet pays for a negative campaign smearing a fellow Republican.

Update: You can see see Runyan's attack mail here.

Weak fundraising by Runyan

2010-05-27T19:33:00.000-07:00

PolitickerNJ has the scoop:

Third Congressional District candidate Jon Runyan reports $135,000 cash on hand, according to campaign consultant Chris Russell.

It's $2,000 less than what he finished the quarter with exactly a month and a half ago. Between then and now he reported raising just over $75,000.

It's probably much more than Murphy but it's not very impressive. For comparison, Frank LoBiondo gave away $130,000 to the NRCC. (Presumably Runyan hopes the money is spent on him, but he promised to raise his own.)

Incredible: Philadelphia Inquirer rejects Jon Runyan, endorses Justin Murphy

2010-05-24T18:19:00.000-07:00

I haven't made it secret that I think Jon Runyan as a novice candidate should debate his primary opponent, and that I think there's no substance behind his candidacy. I was still surprised to see that The Philadelphia Inquirer was not impressed with Runyan:

The Third District's Republican primary is getting a lot of attention because it includes former Philadelphia Eagles player Jon Runyan, who faces Tabernacle lawyer Justin Murphy.

The two match up pretty evenly in their positions, but because he seems to have a better grasp of the issues before Congress, the endorsement goes to JUSTIN MURPHY. Navy veteran Murphy came in a close third in his 2008 bid for this same nomination. The district includes parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean Counties.

Runyan needs to show more respect for voters and his own candidacy. I don't agree with Murphy's politics but at least I know he has thought a lot about them. The national paper The Hill has picked up the story showing this is not a normal occurrence for the party's choice.

Murphy still criticizing Runyan

2010-05-19T20:32:00.000-07:00

The following is a press release sent out by Justin Murphy's campaign. I cannot consider Runyan a Democrat but I believe it is true he did support some Democrats and missed a lot of elections.

Murphy Calls Runyan’s Politics “Convenience Store Mentality”

19 May 2010 Medford NJ

Justin Murphy, the independent grassroots-backed candidate for the Republican nomination in the 3rd Congressional District, referred to his opponent’s politics as “convenience store” politics.

Asked what he meant by the remark, Murphy said “Runyan supported Democrats in local elections long before he became a Republican, and he doesn’t believe in voting. Just look at his record. It is just a convenient stop for my opponent to become a Republican, use his money to buy the election and go to DC. That is not good for the people of this District.”

Murphy was referring to the support the Runyan offered to the Democrat party in Evesham and to Runyan’s failure to vote in general elections five times between 2000 and 2009. He was also referring to Runyan registering as a Republican in November 2009. “My opponent claims he was always a Republican, but that is not what his record shows. I am deeply disappointed in this contest due to its lack of honesty and integrity.”

“What is needed in Washington is an honest broker of the people’s concerns and their needs. We don’t have that today and, if Runyan is selected to run in November, he will lose and we won’t be served any better,” said Murphy.

Given the grassroots efforts of the Murphy team, he feels that “We will win, even though the professional odds makers have it going uphill for us. Our team of volunteers are out on the street everyday, we are pounding the phones and, frankly, we feel very positive that our chances of winning this primary are very good.”

Runyan's disclosure: Tax problems, Lawsuits

2010-05-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

In a bizarre news conference, Jon Runyan attacked himself:

During the meeting, Runyan released the following information about his past:

* He was late with 26 property tax payments on his Mount Laurel home between 2000 and 2009, and late in paying taxes on his property in Houston on five occasions during those same years.

* The state of California issued a $1,604 tax lien on the San Diego Riptide - an Arena Football League team Runyan owned - in 2007 because of back taxes the team owed. The lien was paid in February 2008.

* Runyan and another owner of the Riptide were sued in May 2006 by a Texas businessman over an alleged breach in the team's lease-purchase agreement for use of turf field, goal posts and other equipment. The dispute was settled in October 2006 without any money changing hands.

* Author Frank Moriarty sued Runyan in Camden County Superior Court in November 2008 alleging breach of contract involving a book the pair were working on concerning the Eagles' 2007 season. The lawsuit was settled last month. Moriarty and Runyan signed confidentiality agreements concerning the settlement.

In addition to those issues, Runyan has been subject to news reports about a tax break he receives on his Mount Laurel property, which is considered farmland because it contains forest and he raises miniature donkeys there.

Some outlets also have reported on Runyan's being arrested for driving under the influence while at college at the University of Michigan.

Obviously Runyan has forgotten he said he would run a negative campaign because now he says the campaign shouldn't be negative and should only be about the issues. This from the guy who put out a press release denouncing John Adler for depositing his paychecks.

Where are you, Jon Runyan?

2010-05-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Democrats have noticed that Jon Runyan is dodging his primary opponent and is unwilling to debate in public. He also has not been making many public appearances, apparently thinking his deal with Gilmore and other political bosses ensures election. Here's a video asking Where are you, Jon Runyan?

Will Jon Runyan debate his Republican opponent

2010-04-29T19:41:00.001-07:00

Republican Justin Murphy sent this letter to Jon Runyan asking for a debate:

Mr. Jon Runyan & Campaign Management:

I am proposing to you that we schedule a series of joint appearances to illuminate our views on important issues for Republican voters in the June 8th Primary Election.

I hope you will agree that the 3rd District campaign is one of the most important in the nation in 2010. It is in the vital public interest that every Republican voter be fully informed on the issues of the campaign.

These issues can only be fully illuminated by a series of debates featuring the two of us.

This is why I was extremely disappointed and consider it a disservice to the voters that you withdrew from the recent opportunity offered to us by Radio Station WOBM.

The issues to be discussed would obviously include the following:

• Our qualifications to represent the Republican Party as candidates for the 3rd District Republican nomination.

• Our views on traditional Republican value issues such as tax policy, right-to-life, immigration law, transparency and accountability of government on all levels.

• Our views on the viability, integrity and recent developments regarding the political machines in Ocean and Camden counties.

• Our views on policy issues contrasted with the positions taken by the liberal Democratic opponent, Congressman John Adler.

The series of debates I propose would add a measure of accountability and transparency to a political process that has, in recent years, suffered from political boss influence, and too much control by the political machines.

The process of setting these debate forums should commence immediately; I trust a constructive response from you will be forthcoming, given only six weeks remain until the June 8th Primary.

Very truly yours,

Justin Michael Murphy

Frankly I doubt Mr. Runyan will agree to debate: He is too inexperienced, he may make mistakes, and he has already made deals with the political bosses for the nomination.

Disappointing

2010-04-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

It seems that while Runyan's money scared off most primary opponents, he's not really that eager to give it away:

Adler's challenger, former NFL lineman Jon Runyan, put up $110,000 of the $150,000 he reported raising in the first quarter. But Harrison said that was seen in political circles as a surprisingly small amount and hurt impressions of Runyan.

Runyan tries to drink the tea with his pocket constitution

2010-04-19T18:56:00.001-07:00

Jon Runyan traveled over the river to Philadelphia this past weekend to make nice with the Tea Party as he seeks the nomination of his party to challenge John Adler in November:

"Just like all of you standing out here, I'm fed up with what these career politicians are doing in this country," Runyan said. He said taxes were out of control, the stimulus bill didn't work, and people were confused by the health-care overhaul. "We really need to get people like Nancy Pelosi out of office today."

We interrupt this sound bite to remind you that that all career politicians aren't equal in the eyes of Jon Runyan as he only dislikes the ones he doesn't admire, like Chris Christie. But back to his rhetoric:

Runyan said he was used to having a playbook after his years in sports. Now, he said, he has a new playbook, waving a pocket-size Constitution.

"When you deviate from the playbook, you get your butt kicked by everybody around you," he said. "We need to return to this to turn this country around and give the power back to the people."

I love when candidates use props. He's probably saving the flag tie for later in the campaign. But waving the pocket constitution wasn't enough to get him the support of the local tea partiers as they chose to support Runyan's primary opponent Justin Murphy. It seems like everything will be a football analogy with him and this could be a long campaign.

Cherry Hill Republican group opposes Runyan

2010-04-10T19:31:00.000-07:00

Interesting story out of Cherry Hill on Jon Runyan and Justin Murphy:

"We're not happy with the leadership of the existing Cherry Hill Republican organization and the Camden County Republican organization. We haven't been satisfied for a while," said Phil Guerrieri Sr., who ran unsuccessfully for council last year. "We as a group tried to work within the system because we are Republicans, and we could not get the leadership's attention. It became obvious to us that no matter what we did in a truly organizational way we were not going to get our concerns addressed. We felt the only possible way to do this is to run a primary."

The group says they were unable to properly question the official Republican 3rd Congressional District candidate, Jon Runyan, because the Q&A session was the same night as a school meeting. They are disappointed that an official endorsement was still given to Runyan despite the lack of quorum at the Q&A.

It goes on to describe how the Cherry Hill/Camden Couty Republicans "endorsed" even though there was no vote. Imagine if the U.S. Congress could pass a law with less than half the members present? Runyan already bought the nomination but he'd be better off rejected it and insisting on a legitimate vote.

In any case, these Republicans have decided to back Murphy instead. Well, why not, imagine your party endorses a millionaire who just a few years ago was

Two Interviews with Jon Runyan

2010-04-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

There have been two recent interviews with Jon Runyan. Inside the Iggles, an Eagles blog, mainly talked about football and learned nothing worthwhile about his political plans or beliefs about government.

The Politico, one of the nation's best-known political websites, mainly talked about football and learned nothing worthwhile about his political plans or beliefs about government.

The Politico interview is where Runyan was asked if he'd run a dirty campaign:

I don't know. We'll see how it goes. I'm not saying no to it.

However, since all campaigns in New Jersey, both Democratic and Republican, are dirty there's nothing to criticize or be surprised about.

Republicans don't think Runyan knows anything

2010-03-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

Two recent stories show that both the establishment and the riled up Tea Party grassroots think Jon Runyan is just an empty suit with very little knowledge.

Frank LoBiondo said about Runyan:

"By anybody's standard, he's a substantive candidate," LoBiondo says. "You look at two things: name recognition and positive name ID. He's got both. Jon's a good guy. I've met him, but I don't know him well."

When all LoBiondo says is that people have heard of him and like him, it tells you there's nothing of actual substance to praise.

Meanwhile, the Tea Party activists interviewed Runyan, and told the Courier-Post:

Runyan "knows what the issues are and he has a sense of how those issues affect our country," said [William] Haney. "But he's only on the first page, where other people are on page 258.

Apparently they "endorsed" Justin Murphy instead:

"I believe that my conservative message, and the fact that I am not a product of the boss-controlled political machine, resonated well with the Tea Party members," Murphy, a former Tabernacle committeeman, said in a statement. "My campaign is absolutely thrilled to have this valuable endorsement."

"The tainted product of a smoke-filled room"

2010-03-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

This New York Times article is a classic poor main-stream media piece but it still made me laugh about Jon Runyan:

Representative Brad Ellsworth will avoid a primary fight to become the Democratic candidate for the Senate in Indiana, which should be good news for him. But Republicans are preparing to cast him as the tainted product of shadowy dealings in smoke-filled rooms.

The strategy grows out of a string of developments suggesting that efforts by both parties to anoint Congressional candidates or manipulate the playing field can backfire, as they have in recent months in places like Delaware, Massachusetts and New York.

It's a lousy piece because there was a Democratic primary in MA, while NY and DE are the exact opposite of each other: One has an appointed Senator who will run, and one has an appointed Senator who won't. No, the real example is the Republican/Conservative NY-23 race but somehow this reporter can't remember it.

We don't know anything about what Mr. Runyan believes so neither the moderates nor the conservatives can be unhappy yet. We only know the political bosses are happy with him after some quiet meetings in private rooms, so much so they forced an admiral and others out of the race. Let's see if Mr. George Gilmore's "product of shadowy dealings in smoke-filled rooms" turns out to be "tainted" as national "Republicans" predict.

On the Runyan-Boss Gilmore deal

2010-03-10T16:16:00.000-08:00

The Asbury Park Press printed a letter on the the Runyan-Gilmore deal by a Toms River resident who seems to be pretty knowledgeable. Click through to read it all:

The Ocean County Republican leadership nominated Jon Runyan as its candidate for the Third District Congressional seat, the product of a deal made by county GOP boss George Gilmore.

What the "Regular" Republican Organization did, at its so-called "convention," was to rubber-stamp Gilmore's anointing of Runyan, who has been a Republican for only a few months and apparently opposes traditional Republican core values like right to life and fair taxation...

Gilmore's method of candidate selection is the one used in Russia, China, Iran and Cuba.

Jon Runyan doesn't like career politicians, unless he likes them

2010-03-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

Cross Posted at Blue Jersey

The campaign of Jon Runyan is off to a sputtering start, though he now has the backing of all county parties in the 3rd District. First it was revealed that he's a donkey farmer masquerading as an elephant. Then he had his uninspiring debut in Camden County. This line stands out to me and has been repeated a few times already:

Runyan says he believes the country is being taken in the wrong direction by career politicians.

It seems like this will be a standard attack from Runyan. Here's the problem. Jon Runyan does like some career politicians. After all, Dawn Addiego who helped Runyan to run, was a councilwoman for many years, then a freeholder and now is an Assemblywoman. And then when asked who he admires:

Asked what political figure he admires, he in fact names Christie.

That would be the same Chris Christie, who was a freeholder, fundraiser, appointed US Attorney and then elected Governor. I guess it's ok be a career politician if he likes you, but not if he's running against you?

Political Boss Gilmore Makes Deal with Runyan

2010-03-06T15:47:00.000-08:00

The Press of Atlantic City reports that four other Republican candidates suddenly dropped out of the NJ3 Congressional race, leading the Ocean County Republican Party to endorse Jon Runyan. Political Boss George Gilmore was quoted

"It's imperative we have a united stance going into the election," Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore

so we can presume he forced the other candidates out in exchange for future favors. It's the kind of deal that's made so often in our Soprano State and is at the root of our corruption and high taxes.

Burlington County Times on Jon Runyan

2010-03-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

Phil Gianficaro of the Burlington County Times has this to say about Jon Runyan:

Jon Runyan being recruited to run for Congress is akin to someone never having driven his car out of the garage being asked to race in the Daytona 500...

Runyan has never served as a city councilman, borough committeeman or township dog catcher. He has never held positions as an assemblyman or freeholder. I don’t know if he ever served on the student council or was even a fourth-grade milk monitor.

I had forgotten this story though:

Burlington County Republicans went for sizzle instead of steak in 2007, when they persuaded former Philadelphia Flyer Brian Propp to run for the Assembly in the 7th District. The five-time NHL all-star lost.

Jon Runyan launches campaign by condemning Reagan-Bush economics

2010-02-26T19:09:00.000-08:00

I have the feeling the Republicans may regret forcing Jon Runyan's opponents out of the primary. The GOP has posted the video of his first appearance and here are the highlights:

He "thinks" he is qualified because "he cares."

He tells us how bad the economy was in the late 1980s. Hmmm... first Ronald Reagan and then George H. W. Bush were President then.

He does have a good, moving story about growing up in Flint, Michigan, and how the family had just $100 for Christmas. His father couldn't find a job for three years when the factories closed.

He's not naming any issues, and admits he doesn't know about any issues, except perhaps wanting "change," opposing "big government," and wanting to let "the people" fix the recession with tax cuts.

But what will happen when he has to answer questions? President Barack Obama and Representative John Adler's stimulus package cut taxes for the working middle class. It extended unemployment benefits for those who, like his father, couldn't get a new job. How can Runyan be against this after his story? When he's asked about Chris Christie's plan to take $50 a week from the unemployed, will he answer with a story about how much $100 meant to his unemployed father? How is he going to run on Reagan's greatness when his hometown's economy and his family's prosperity was destroyed under Reagan? I just don't see where this campaign is going.

First campaign event

2010-02-25T19:00:00.001-08:00

The Philadelphia Inquirer says two dozen Republicans met with candidate John Runyan today:

Speaking at the Camden County GOP's annual Lincoln Day fund-raiser at the Mansion in Voorhees, Runyan bristled at being referred to as what he called a "celebrity athlete millionaire."

That's what he is, and I'm surprised he's already showing some temper. Reporter Cynthia Burton observed "Runyan, though, probably will hear worse things said about him" and I wonder if she was surprised too. What does he think he is getting into?

The Inquirer also delicately hinted that Runyan is now the candidate of notorious political boss George Gilmore. The Inquirer:

He emerged earlier this week as the top organization candidate when his chief rival dropped out of the race

The "organization" drove out what sounds like a much better man:

Runyan, 36, of Mount Laurel, got his wish of fending off a messy primary when his chief rival, Toms River Councilman Maurice "Moe" Hill, a dentist and retired Navy rear admiral, dropped out of the race yesterday. Hill said in an interview that he just couldn't match the former professional athlete's ability to self-fund and raise money.

Rear admiral and dentist, or football player and donkey farmer? I'd have thought America would be better off with the former, but as is usual with both parties in New Jersey, the political bosses won't let party members choose their own candidate.

Jon Runyan for Congress

2010-02-25T18:36:00.000-08:00

It seems that Jon Runyan will run for Congress in 2010 and that means we should watch what he says and does. We know that his Republican primary opponent has dropped out because he can't compete with Runyan's money and fame. But the public knows nothing about him other than that he was an NFL football player. Let's learn together with this blog.