Andy Kim should tell Phil Murphy he’s not interested in an appointment to the U.S. Senate.
While the CD-3 congressman turned U.S. Senate candidate is not going to ask me for advice, that’s the best play.
It’s worth recalling how Kim, who was then one of 12 House members from New Jersey, arrived on the statewide scene last fall.
He announced his candidacy immediately after Bob Menendez was indicted in September, only to see First Lady Tammy Murphy do the same in mid-November.
All know what happened next.
Murphy’s candidacy never attracted widespread support while Kim’s did. But for our purposes here, it’s important to understand why.
Kim was an outsider. He was not intimidated by the party establishment support for Murphy.
That of course endeared him to those in the party who were philosophically liberal – those more interested in issues and values than the so-called party pros who just wanted to please the governor by supporting his wife.
Those were the folks who organized and who backed Kim at county conventions all over the state. As was reported at the time, Murphy more or less won only the conventions when party leaders had their thumb on the scale. So when Murphy dropped out in late March, it was a win for Kim and liberal activism.
What made Kim’s fight a movement all its own was his parallel and successful challenge against the “county line” and politics as usual in New Jersey. He won that one too thanks to a federal court ruling.
Now Menendez has been convicted and plans – finally – to resign in about a month. Gov. Murphy will name a replacement to serve the remainder of Menendez’ term, which goes to early January.
Kim has reportedly said he would accept an interim appointment and many Democratic leaders in the state support that idea.
Of course they do.
However, it’s important for Kim to remember how he got to the cusp of the Senate in the first place.
Or in other words, you can’t be a liberal idealist only when you want to be one.
By any objective standard, the governor should not give the open Senate seat to a candidate – any candidate. That makes the candidate an incumbent and gives him an unfair electoral advantage.
Kim would come across as quite the political opportunist if he accepted an interim appointment.
That would hurt his image as a reformer and as a man opposed to the status quo.
It’s also unnecessary. Kim should concentrate on winning the seat for the next six years, not the next five months.
One hears how an interim appointment would help Kim’s seniority, but let’s not go overboard with that. He would still be a freshman senator and as such, low on the seniority totem pole.
Republicans, naturally, want Murphy to appoint a “caretaker” – someone who would occupy the seat until early January and then move on.
A few weeks ago, former Governors Christie and Kean Sr. issued a statement that had history in mind.
It mentioned that when Senate vacancies occurred during their years in office, so-called caretakers got the interim appointment. That would have been Nicholas Brady in 1982 and Jeffrey Chiesa in 2013.
Christie and Kean referred to this practice as a “New Jersey tradition.”
There are a lot of New Jersey political traditions, but this one is a good one.
How rare.
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Kim, a public figure in New Jersey, recently found herself in a challenging situation when an insider from Insider NJ reached out for a response to a controversial issue. As a public figure, it is important for Kim to handle this situation with care and professionalism. Here are some best practices for Kim’s response to Insider NJ:
1. Be Transparent: It is important for Kim to be transparent in her response to Insider NJ. She should provide all relevant information and be honest about her perspective on the issue at hand. Transparency builds trust with the public and shows that Kim has nothing to hide.
2. Stay Calm and Collected: It can be easy to get emotional when responding to a controversial issue, but it is important for Kim to stay calm and collected. Emotions can cloud judgment and lead to a less effective response. By remaining composed, Kim can present her thoughts clearly and effectively.
3. Stick to the Facts: When responding to Insider NJ, Kim should stick to the facts of the situation. It is important to avoid speculation or hearsay, as this can damage her credibility. By presenting the facts in a clear and concise manner, Kim can effectively address the issue at hand.
4. Consider the Audience: When crafting her response to Insider NJ, Kim should consider the audience that will be reading her statement. It is important to tailor the response to resonate with the intended audience and address any concerns they may have. By understanding the audience, Kim can ensure that her response is effective and well-received.
5. Seek Advice if Needed: If Kim is unsure about how to respond to Insider NJ, she should seek advice from trusted advisors or professionals. Getting a second opinion can help Kim craft a more effective response and ensure that she is addressing the issue in the best possible way.
By following these best practices, Kim can effectively respond to Insider NJ and navigate this challenging situation with professionalism and grace. Handling the situation with care and thoughtfulness will help Kim maintain her reputation and credibility as a public figure in New Jersey.
