NJ GOP Gears Up For 2005 Elections

The New Jersey Times reports the NJ Republican party is gearing up for next year’s election for state assembly and governor. Here’s an except from the article:

New Jersey Republicans, who haven't won a statewide election in seven years, are hoping a new party chairman, combined with Democratic ethics scandals, can overcome what one GOP official calls a "culture of defeat" within the party. "We've developed a culture of defeat," said Bill Baroni, R-Hamilton, who was the lone Republican to oust a Democrat incumbent in last year's legislative elections. "We, as the Republican Party, need to reintroduce ourselves to the people of New Jersey and tell them what we're for and not just that we're against Democrats."

"There is such a huge difference between what the Democrats have done in their three years in power and how we see things, specifically as it relates to taxes and spending and that's why we're going to win the gubernatorial race," said Sen. Diane Allen, R-Edgewater Park..

“Democrats have a lot to answer for - fiscally, ethically and in other ways. We've had a Democrat U.S. senator drop out of a race in disgrace. We've had a Democrat governor resign in disgrace”, said Bill Palatucci, finance chairman for the Republican State Committee. “The playing field has changed. Being the party of reform is not simply saying that we're not them. We have a positive message that contrasts with the scandals of the Democrats."