Kimdom Come
OLD TAPPAN – Andy Kim just put up a TV ad stressing his support for clean, uncorrupt government. Yep, this is the one where he mimics Tony Soprano (sans cigar) by driving a car out of the Lincoln Tunnel to his house.
But wait a minute, one woman asked him Saturday morning at a town hall in this Bergen County town.
Aren’t there many idealistic young candidates who go to Washington saying all the right things? And then, 10 years later, they’re part of the same system they once condemned.
Her point was obvious, especially since Kim wants to replace Bob Menendez in the Senate.
Why Andy Kim, are you going to be different?
Kim said he knows the history and what’s more, he does not expect people to believe him when he says, “trust me.”
The problem, he said, revolves around money and the loads of it a congressional candidate needs just to compete.
“It’s crazy, it’s absurd, it’s ridiculous,” he said.
Kim pointed out that beginning with his first race for Congress in 2018 – against Tom MacArthur – he was always up against self-funded candidates.
So, raising cash was imperative for him. But he still resisted – and continues to resist – accepting corporate PAC donations.
And as the ad points out, Kim has proposed legislation prohibiting members of Congress from trading stocks while in office. He said that idea has not made him all that popular in the House cafeteria.
But he said it is vital that he “guards” himself from the temptations of his office.
Kim also reminded his listeners of his dedication and commitment to this Senate election.
When he first decided to run – soon after Menendez was indicted – he said some told him he was “crazy,” After all, he would be giving up his House seat to do it.
But he did it anyway, saying, “I put it all on the line.”
The CD-3 congressman and U.S. Senate candidate against Republican Curtis Bashaw spoke to a bit more than 100 people at the local high school, which for trivia buffs, was the one that Cory Booker, the state’s other senator, attended.
Notwithstanding the question from the audience, most of the questions were submitted, which is never a good thing.
As is the norm when that happens, Kim was asked relatively easy questions that allowed him to state the standard Democratic position.
For example, he backs expanding Medicare to include dental, vision and hearing coverage, the child care tax credit and stronger gun laws in the form of more background checks and a ban on semi-automatic weapons.
The crowd included Anthony Cureton, the county sheriff, John Hogan, the county clerk, and Paul Juliano, the Bergen County Democratic Chair.
Things change in politics – quickly some time.
Just a few months ago, the county Democratic organization endorsed Tammy Murphy for Senate, which was a big deal at the time.
We know now what happened. Murphy never truly built momentum and backed out of the race in late March, giving Kim a clear field to the nomination.
Kim seems to have put it all behind him. Asked about the convention, he said:
“It was nothing personal.”
Remembering our high school days, no one wants to sit alone in the cafeteria. Even as an adult, confidence, poise, and inner strength would be required.
The residents of New Jersey can always count on Andy Kim to do what he thinks is right and honorable.
Kim complains about the money it takes to run for Congress, the U.S. Senate, the Presidential races, even for Governor and State Senator or Assemblyman. Yet, it’s his party that’s pouring BILLIONS of dollars into every campaign out there that is close. Then you have left-wing billionaires like former Nazi George Soros, Mark Cuban, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and the rest of their ilk like George Clooney and his Palestinian wife pouring tens and hundreds of millions of dollars into elections, in what can only be termed as election interference. Given that the Democrats have started this and continue this nonsense, of course the Republicans and their donors have to compete. They have no choice if they want to win. That’s why term limits work best. 2-6 year terms for U.S. Senate and 6-2 year terms for House. Same for state reps. 3-4 yr. terms for state senate and 6-2 year terms for Assembly. Then everyone is done. Also, legislators cannot be allowed to then go to work for lobbyists. That would create unconstitutional conflicts-of-interest and would create the excessive money donation cycles again.
I support Curtis Bashaw for US Senate- Not Andy Kim! We need balance in our government ! NJ is saturated for decades with Democratic rule. The state is out of control with spending and crime. We need common sense. We need safety. Overdevelopment lines the pockets of developers and enriches the campaign coffers of all these stale politicians including Andy Kim. Don’t be fooled – the crookery is rampant. Gold bars in closets and who knows what else the politicians grab from us, the lowly taxpayers getting hosed. NJ has been controlled by a one party Democratic state for way too long. It shows. The scandals and outright theft by Menendez and others in this state have to stop. C’mon NJ – we can do it! Let’s elect Curtis Bashaw, an accomplished and honest person who has worked his way up the ladder in business for himself and employed New Jersey residents while doing this – finally, a candidate who is not living off the government cheese and a non politician who wants to serve the state. Vote for yourself. Vote for family. Vote for your kids and grandkids. Vote for New Jersey. Vote for Curtis Bashaw!
Wellington Smith.—-Impressive Comment.-Professional Sounding!!
Bashaw: Republican, Gay, and Pro- Choice
Fred Snowflack. September 20, 2024
Research: Curtis Bashaw
“he (Bashaw) said he fears the negative impact of Democratic policies on his finances more than he fears the prospect of Republicans entering his bedroom.”
Outstanding progress, that a gay male can run to represent New Jersey residents in the US Senate!!!
THIS PROGRESS TOOK TREMENDOUS EFFORT!
It required tears, activists, support groups, walks, agony, fear, courage, blood, and yes, dying.
Limited researching, I could not find Curtis Bashew’s age or graduating dates. Assume 65 years.
Did Bashaw do his part in the progress that has been made?
Does Curtis Bashaw have the moral courage, the strength of character, the experience to sit alone in the cafeteria?
I DO NOT KNOW.
In response to Kathleen: Curtis Bashaw has not contributed in anyway to the fight for equality, marriage or even against homophobia/transphobia in his own town. He is gay in name only; not a member of the community that has fought for our rights. And yes, I have done research