In New Jersey’s 5th
Congressional Distract, surprise challenger Roy Cho is poised to make a run at,
and maybe even usurp previously seemingly unbeatable Scott Garrett. That he
even has this chance is a testament to his hard work campaigning, and to the
ideas and ideals he has run on to this point; however, the fact that he is a
Democrat who has been buoyed by the endorsements of his fellow Democrats in
office cannot be over looked. The endorsements of those like Senator Cory
Booker, and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinburg have been incredible boons
for Cho, as they have granted the unheralded rookie much needed credence in a
race where he is opposed by a man who was elected into office at roughly the
same time Cho was attending his first year of law school. Cho also recently
took part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and pouring ice on him was none
other than New Jersey’s other Senator, who just so happens to also be a
Democrat, Bob Mendez. This is excellent company to keep for Cho; after all, there
are not many endorsements more ringing than getting a Senator to dump ice on
your head. However, it does seem logical to inquire about the Senator’s
involvement with the 35-year-old lawyer from Teaneck. Is this a case of two
friends enjoying an afternoon in a backyard, or is it about a Democrat in the
Senate just trying to load those of his own affiliation in Congress? The same
can be asked of Cory Booker’s endorsement; is he truly endorsing a man who
graduated law school 5 years ago, or is he also just trying to bump up the
number of Democrats in the House?
The currently projected swing of
the House to a state of even more Republicans than there are right now presents
issues for those Democrats already in the House. Presently, there is a ratio of
234 Republicans to 199 Democrats, with 2 seats vacant, but estimates have
Republicans taking as many as 9 seats away from the Democrats, taking with that
an even more commanding lead in the House and furthering the current gridlock.
Because of this, any logical Democratic Senator with a race in their state that
could sway Democrat and lessen the blow would be wise to endorse the candidate
in their own political vein. Yes, these candidates may have already received
these endorsements from their Senators anyways, but it is difficult to neglect
the circumstances, and therefore the endorsements should remain questioned as
well. The endorsements seem to be more about political positioning than
concrete ideas, a benefit of the party system for the candidate, and a negative
for the voter; yes, Democrats tend to vote with a Democratic view, and
Republicans tend to do the same, but, the issue arises when voters vote merely
on the party, and for that matter when those already in power endorse by the
same logic, leaving a candidate with endorsements and votes, but are left with
a candidate whose views differ, and are thus disappointed with the elect, and
wondering why they got stuck with him.
That Cho has run a solid campaign
to this point is undeniable, he is within striking distance of a man he,
logically, shouldn’t even be in the same ring as, but, it remains to be seen if
he would be in the position he is in now without the endorsements he has
received, and, with an equal air of ambiguity, it remains to be seen if he would
have even received those endorsements had he not been tied to the Democratic
Party.
(1)“2014 election predictions.” Politico.com. Updated
10/23/14. Accessed 10/23/14
(2)Roy Cho “Roy Cho’s ALS Ice
Bucket Challenge”. YouTube. 50 seconds. Posted by Roy Cho. August 23rd
2014. Accessed 10/23/14
(3) “Cory Booker and Patrick Murphy endorse Roy Cho for
Congress” roycho.com Posted 3/25/14 Accessed 10/23/14
No comments:
Post a Comment