Hmmm: Democrats, White House Officials Worry That Corzine Defeat Will Wound Obama

Eh, they shouldn't worry. Iran's elections are more legit than New Jersey's.

Signs of the end of the short-lived Permanent Democratic Majority?

National Democratic leaders have their eyes on the New Jersey governor's race - and they don't like what they're seeing.

With recent polls showing Gov. Jon Corzine falling behind Republican challenger Chris Christie, top operatives at the White House and at the Democratic National Committee are worried a loss could hurt the momentum of President Obama's young administration and are committing resources to help Corzine pull out a victory.

As Republicans target the New Jersey and Virginia governor's races - the only statewide elections this fall - as the beginning of a GOP resurgence, national Democrats have concluded they cannot remove Obama from the equation of a possible Corzine defeat, according to three Democratic sources who were briefed on the discussions in Washington. The sources asked not to be named when discussing internal White House and DNC deliberations.

...

Corzine and his campaign operatives have been emphatic in linking the governor to Obama, who they describe as "a partner in the White House." Biden spoke at Corzine's campaign kickoff - saying "Barack Obama and Joe Biden are committed to Jon Corzine's re-election, period" - and he and cabinet members have made several appearances with the governor to showcase New Jersey projects using federal money from Obama's stimulus package.

Democrats also worry that weakness in New Jersey would presage weakness in Virginia, a new entry in the Democratic column they strongly want to keep there.

Thanks to WiliamA.

posted by Ace at 08:30 PM

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