The Almanac of American Politics (2008) Essay Example for Free

The Almanac of American Politics (2008) EssayPresidential election results (2000, 2004)The following pages are quoted verbatim from the Almanac of American Politics, 2006 editionAmerican politics has devolved into a grim battle between two approximately equal-size armies in a take-no-prisoners culture war. In 2000, those armies fought to a near-drawout of more than 100 one thousand thousand ballots cast, the presidency of the United acress hinged on a breathtakingly slim 537-vote margin in Florida. Four years later, despite the occurrence of a recession, two wars, and a devastating terrorist attack on American soil, the two adversaries remain fairly equally divided. In the wake of an acrimonious election where both political parties together spent roughly $4 billion on the federal elections the crisis spilled over into otherwise areas of American politics health and welfare spending, handling of the economy, and the continued occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan (Barone and Coh en, 2006)State ProfileNEW JERSEYState ProfileThe following selective information and information about this produce is taken from the 2006 Almanac of American Politics. new(a) Jersey boomed in the 1980s, suffered sharply in the early nineties recession, came back strongly, and is nowadays weathering the high-tech storms with multiform success.At A GlanceSize 8,721 square milesPopulation in 2000 8,414,350 94.3% urban 5.7% ruralPopulation in 1990 7,730,188Population channel Up 8.6% 1990-2000 Up 5.0% 1980-1990Population Rank 9th of 50 3.0% of total U.S. populationMost Populous Cities sassyark (277,911) Jersey urban center (239,097) Paterson (150,782) Elizabeth (123,215) Trenton (85,314)Registered Voters 1,163,224 D (23.2%) 884,801 R (17.7%) 2,957,934 unaffiliated and minor parties (59.1%)State Senate 22 D 18 RState General Assembly 49 D 31 RState legislative Term Limits NoKey Elected OfficialsGov. Jon Corzine (D)Sen. blustering Lautenberg (D)Sen. Robert Menendez (D)Representati ves (6 D, 6 R, 1 V)Robert Andrews(D-01)Loida Nicolas Lewis(D-02)Jim Saxton(R-03)Chris Smith(R-04)Scott Garrett(R-05)Frank Pallone(D-06)Michael Ferguson(R-07)Bill Pascrell(D-08)St purge Rothman(D-09)Donald Payne(D-10)Rodney Frelinghuysen(R-11)Rush Holt(D-12)Vacantformerly Robert Menendez(D-13)About natural JerseyThe Northeast has long been the nations least conservative region and turned out the heavy(p)gest bonanza for the Democrats in their surge to an even great House majority in 2008 15 of the 25 seats the ships company took from the GOP were in the area. Democrats say this reverse alignment counterbalancing the Southern shift to the GOP rolls on (The electoral Map, 2007).A valley of humility between two mountains of conceit That is what Benjamin Franklin called New Jersey, which even in colonial days was overshadowed by the metropolises of New York and Philadelphia. New Jersey was phoned by King James II, then Duke of York, for the Channel Island on which he was sheltered during the English civil War. only if New Jersey has such(prenominal) to say for itself. It is a sort of laboratory in which the best blood is prepared for other communities to thrive on, Woodrow Wilson said when he was governor, just a tone defensively.Today, New Jersey is the nations tenth some populous state It boomed in the 1980s, suffered sharply in the early 1990s recession, came back strongly, and is now weathering the high-tech storms with mixed success. New Jersey was the home of Thomas Edison and of the old Bell Labs its successors Lucent and ATT were among its biggest employers in the 1990s. Other big employers include several of the nations biggest pharmaceutical firmsMerck, Johnson Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Schering-Plough.These industries give the state a high-income, high-education work force, and in 2000 New Jersey passed Connecticut to boast the nations highest median household income. This is prosperous middle-income field, with more two-car than one-car families tho fewerer limousines than Manhattan, with an estimated 13,500 $1 million houses but not the multi-million dollar co-ops of Manhattan or mansions of Greenwich, Connecticut.Within New Jerseys close boundaries is great diversity, geographically from beaches to mountains, demographically from old Quaker stock to new Hispanics, economically from intragroup city slums to hunt country mansions. Though New York writers are inclined to look on New Jersey as a land of forties diners and 1970s shopping malls, this state much more closely resembles the rest of America than does Manhattan, even if its accents can sometimes be incomprehensible to outsiders. The Jersey City row houses seen on emerging from the Holland Tunnel, many renovated by Wall Street commuters and Latin immigrants, give way within a few miles to the skyscrapers of Newark and its new acting Arts Center.Farther out are comfortably packed middle-income suburbs and the horse country around Far Hills, the university town of Princeton, old industrial cities wish Paterson and Trenton, and wads of suburban towns and small factory cities where people work and raise families over generations. Among them are commuter towns like Middletown, whose commuter trails lead to Lower Manhattan, and which lost stacks of neighbors on September 11. A year later, only 37% of New Jersey citizens said their lives had returned to normal and 29% said they would never be the same(p) 43% said they thought about the attacks every day.New Jersey has long been a magnet for immigrants, and it is again today. In 2000, 29% of its residents were born in another country or had a parent who was only California and New York have larger percentages of foreign-born residents. Hudson County, the land along the ridge enemy Manhattan, was the home to hundreds of thousands of Irish, Italian, Polish and Jewish immigrants in the early 20th century in 2003 it was 41% Hispanic, with Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans and Mexicans. Immigrants are plentiful in the little middle-American towns of Bergen County, Filipinos in Bergenfield, Guatemalans in Fairview, Koreans in Leonia, Indians in Lodi, Chinese in Palisades Park. The old central cities of Elizabeth and Paterson were half-Hispanic in 2000 and Camden, opposite Philadelphia, was 39% Hispanic. There is distillery a black majority in Newark, but it includes many of the Brazilians in the Ironbound district. New Jersey has all the ethnic variety that America offers.In the stick out two decades, a new New Jersey has sprouted. The oil tank farms and swamplands of the Jersey Meadows have become sports palaces and office complexes the Singer factory in Elizabeth, the Western Electric factory in Kearny, the crossbreeding plant in Mahwah, the Shulton plant in Clifton are all gone, replaced by shopping centers or hotels or other development, and the GM plant in Linden, the last New Jersey auto plant, closed in April 2005 the intersection of I-78 and I- 287 has become a major shopping and office edge city U.S. 1 northwestward from Princeton to North Brunswick has become one of the nations high-tech centers.Even some of New Jerseys long-ailing central cities are perking up. New Jersey increasingly has an identity of its own. It is the home of big league football, basketball and hockey franchisesthough after nearly three decades, two of them have threatened to moveand of the worlds longest expanse of boardwalks on the Jersey Shore from chimneypiece May to Sandy Hook. And New Jersey is one of Americas great swordplay centers Atlantic City, an hour from Philadelphia and two hours from Manhattan, had gambling revenues in 2006 ($8.2 billion) that nearly matched the Las Vegas strip ($8.8 billion).State politics played an important role in building New Jersey identity and pride. In the 1970s, Governor Brendan Byrne started the Meadowlands sports complex and got casino gambling legalized in Atlantic City. Governor Tom Kean in the 1980s started education reforms and promoted the state shamelessly. The revolt against Governor Jim Florios tax increase in 1990 was led by the outgrowth all-New Jersey talk radio station and took on national significance with the 1993 election of Christine Todd Whitman, who later became EPA Administrator. In the next decade crime and welfare rolls dropped, but auto insurance and property taxes remain the highest in the nation.New Jersey, contained within two of the nations biggest metropolitan areas, was overly a harbinger of the national trend in the big metro areas toward Bill Clintons Democrats. Not so long ago, suburban New Jersey was one of the most Republican of big states It voted 56%-42% for the premier(prenominal) George Bush in 1988. But in 1996 New Jersey voters, turned off by the congressional Republicans Southern leaders and by the national partys resistivity to abortion and gun control, voted 54%-36% for Clinton and 53%-43% for Democrat Bob Torricelli for the Senate.In 1997 Whitman, despite cutting taxes, was reelected by only 47%-46% over little-known Democrat Jim McGreevey. In 2000 Al Gore carried the state 56%-40%. In 2001 McGreevey defeated Republican Bret Schundler for governor by 56%-42% and in 2002, after an unorthodox campaign, Democrat Frank Lautenberg defeated Republican Douglas Forrester for senator by 54%-44%very similar margins. Democrats cinched control of both houses of the legislature in 2003.New Jerseys politicians compete in a grocery store that is the second most expensive in the nation, because they have to buy New York and Philadelphia television. And they have a special handicap, because those stations dont give state politics and presidency the in-depth coverage that voters in most states can expect. This gives an advantage to well-known candidates, like former Senator Bill Bradley, and to incumbents with a distinctive style and notable achievements, like Governors Byrne, Kean and Whitman, and to self-funders like Senator and gubernatorial candidate Jon Corzine.But it also means that high-income, super educated New Jersey politics is often the military control of county and city political machines, of alter degrees of competence, cronyism and corruption. It is, astonishingly, a great advantage in both parties to have the designation of the local county party on the primary ballot.A 1993 campaign finance virtue allowed county parties to take contributions 18 times as large as candidates could, so money is increasingly raised by chairmen of parties that have control of local government and can dole out contractsthe Jersey term is pay to playand then wheeled, or doled out, to favored candidates all over the state. McGreevey, elected in 2001 after his near-defeat of Whitman in 1997, was a product of the Middlesex County Democratic machine and served as both mayor of Woodbridge and state senatorin New Jersey, as in France, politicians can be town mayors and legislators at the same time.Second District , New Jersey2008 Congressional Election Results (Second District, New Jersey)NJ-02District Profile Politically, Atlantic City often votes Democratic but has an superannuated Republican machine that goes back generations.2008 Results First-timer Loida Nicolas-Lewis (D) roundly defeated Frank LoBiondo (R) by 64-31%Loida Nicolas-Lewis (R)Nicolas-Lewis was nominated with 72% in a two-way primary. connexion 212-756-8900Campaign net siteOfficial Web siteAlmanac biographyFrank LoBiondo (D)Elected in 1994 Seeking eighth term LoBiondo barely emerged from the primary with 50.5% pf the vote.Contact 856-794-2004Campaign Web siteOfficial Web siteAlmanac biographyProfile of the District (Source Almanac of American Politics)When the builders of the Camden Atlantic Railroad in 1852 extended the line to the little inlet town of Absecon, little did they know what would become Americas biggest beach resort, Atlantic City. Like all resorts, it was a product of developments elsewhere of industrializa tion and spreading affluence, of railroad technology and the conquest of diseases which used to make summer a time of terror for parents and doctors.In the years after the Civil War, first Atlantic City and then the whole Jersey Shore from Brigantine to Cape May became Americas first seaside resort, and Atlantic City essential its characteristic features the Boardwalk in 1870, the amusement pier in 1882, the rolling chair in 1884, salt water taffy in the 1890s, Miss America in 1921. By 1940, 16 million Americans visited every summer, Atlantic City was a common mans resort of old traditions but the place became less popular after human race War II as people could afford nicer vacations. By the early 1970s, Atlantic City was grim.Then in 1977, New Jersey voters legalized casino gambling in Atlantic City and gleaming new hotels sprang up, big name entertainers came in and Atlantic City became more glamorous than it had been in 90 years. But not for all of its residents Casino and hot el jobs tend to be low-wage, and the slums begin just feet from the massive parking lots of the casinos. In the 1990s Atlantic Citys gambling business was thrivingcasinos came out ahead $4.3 billion in 2000and huge new casinos were built on both Boardwalk and bayside.Over Donald Trumps objections, Steve Wynn won approval of a new tunnel, which would accept him to build a new casino in the marina district. Now listed among the top 10 House districts nationwide for tourist economies, Atlantic City is growing into what Las Vegas has become, not just a collection of gaudy casinos but a gaggle of theme parks, with entertainment for the family as well as adults.The Jersey Shore sulfur of Atlantic City is a string of different resorts. Behind the Shore are swamp and flatland, the Pine Barrens and vegetable fields that gave New Jersey the name Garden State. Growth has been slow in these small towns and gas station intersections, communities in whose eerie calmness in the summer you can he ar mosquitoes whining. In the flatness, you can also find towns clustered around low-wage apparel factories or petrochemical plants on the Delaware estuary the Northeast high-tech service economy has not reached this far mho in Jersey yet.This part of South Jersey makes up the 2d Congressional District. Politically, it has strong Democratic presences in the chemical industry towns along the Delaware River and in Vineland and a strong Republican presence in Cape May Atlantic City often votes Democratic. The party carried the area in all 1990s statewide elections and won easily in the 1996 and 2000 presidential races. This is prime marginal territory, off the beaten track of Northeast politics.The IncumbentNew Jersey 2d voters finally gave seven-termer Frank LoBiondo the boot long after he had promised not to run for more than six terms. Even loyal Republicans angrily crossed party lines owing to a series of indiscretions and scandals. Chief of these was involvement in the Abscam sca ndal and the revelation that Harrahs had been the single biggest contributor to his campaigns all along. Sentiment against the Iraq war also focused on his voting record of going along with every bill sponsored by the White House that related to funding and deployment in that country and Afghanistan.Other aspects of his legislative record that came to light in a bad way were having voted with DeLay seven in eight times, agreeing to weaken ethics rules and rise to power to bringing indictment hearings behind closed doors. The last straw turned out to be outtakes from the local Harrahs security cameras proving it was LoBiondo after all who had been, and still was, carrying on an affair with Vicki Iseman the telecoms lobbyist whom the New York Times had wrongly linked with John McCain.Mere minutes after LoBiondo conceded the election in November, his wife held her own contend conference to announce she was divorcing LoBiondo. The following day, a downcast ex-congressmen was seen off at the airport departing for parts unknown, muttering something about getting in a few rounds of golf with the Bushes.The 2008 Election WinnerLoida Nicolas LewisBornJuly 20, 1957FamilyHusband, Reginald (deceased) two daughtersReligionRoman CatholicEducationSt. Theresas College (Philippines), A.B. 1972 (summa cum laude)University of the Philippines, Ll.B. 1976 (summa cum laude)Harvard, J.D. 1985CareerChairman/CEO, Beatrice external Holdings, Inc.President, Confederation of Asian-American AssociationsImmigration lawyerElectedOfficeNone2008 New Member ProfilesNew Jerseys Second District Loida Nicolas-Lewis (D) The Almanac of American Politics theme Journal Group Inc.From out of nowhere and riding a wave of anti-administration sentiment among minorities in the district, the inexperienced but highly intelligent and articulate Loida Lewis captured the whim of voters and soundly trounced the incumbent by an unprecedented 21 margin. No one was more surprised than Representative LoBiondo h imself.Loida first came to national attention and even gained a measure of fame after her husband, the famed African-American deal-maker Reginald Lewis engineered a leveraged buyout of Beatrice Foods International. On completing the LBO deal with the help of Michael Milliken at Drexel Burnham Lambert, the press hailed Reginald and the flagship TLC Beatrice as the most successful African-American enterprise ever. When Reginald foundered in his choice of domestic acquisitions that would allow Beatrice to balance industry cycles in Europe and especially after Reginalds death, Loida realize the respect of minority stakeholders for her business acumen as CEO.Three months before the primaries, Loida landed in the short list of Gov. Corzine owing to her decade-long work with minority associations on both coasts. An informal dinner with campaign managers of Sen. Obama and President-Elect Clinton made the choice official.In the ensuing campaign, Loida Lewis proved herself a soft-spoken but very articulate and highly moral rival to the flagging and corruption-prone image of the incumbent. With unfailingly good press, unanimous support from every minority association and church group, and extremely good resonance with businessmen, Loida Lewis was happy enough to leave the mudslinging to the press. To no ones surprise, she won handily and immediately won kudos from the House leadership.THIS SECTION adenosine deaminasePTED FROM farmers calendar OF AMERICAN POLITICS 2008 (Almanac, 2007)CommitteesForeign Relations (10th of 11 D)European Affairs African Affairs East Asian Pacific Affairs International maturation Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs International Environmental Protection.Health, Education, Labor Pensions (11th of 11 D)Employment Workplace Safety Children Families.Homeland Security Governmental Affairs (8th of 9 D)Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services International Security Investigations State, Local Private Sector Preparedness Integration.Veterans Affairs (2nd of 8 D).Group RatingsADAACLUAFSLCVITICNTUCOCACUCFG FRC2008958310010075165587020091001009563980National Journal Ratings2008 LIB 2008 CONS2009 LIB 2009 CONSECONOMIC87%12%87%0%SOCIAL77%18%77%21% contrasted76%15%85%12%Key Votes Of The 109th Congress 1Bar ANWR DrillingY2FY06 Spending CurbN3Estate Tax RepealN4Raise Minimum WageY5Recognize Filipino WW2 veteransY6 bridle-path to CitizenshipY7Bar Same Sex MarriageY8Stem Cell Research $N9Limit interstate AbortionY10CAFTAY11Urge Iraq WithdrawalY12Provide Detainee RightsYReferencesAlmanac (2007) Almanac of American politics 2008. National Journal.Barone, M. and Cohen, R. E. (2006) The almanac of American politics, 2006. Retrieved February 29, 2008 from http//www.press.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/hfs.cgi/00/161479.ctl.The Electoral Map (2007) Do Democrats still have room for growth in the northeast? Retrieved February 29, 2008 from http//theelectoralmap.com/2007/11.