NJ-5’s Gottheimer attacks McCann by name. What’s his polling showing? | Rooney

Gottheimer (Left)
By Matt Rooney
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When your opponent is drowning? Throw them an anchor.

But if they’re alone, by themselves, in the middle of the ocean?

This is the somewhat enviable dilemma facing every well-heeled electoral campaign that’s ever led an under-funded, relatively unknown opponent. Do you attack the weaker candidate? By name? Or talk about yourself and let the challenger drown? 

Welcome to NJ-05, a frustrating North Jersey district because it’s sooo damn winnable (voted for Trump in ’16, and voter registration D vs. R is roughly even) but it’s about to reelect a Clinton Democrat (Josh Gottheimer) who’s raked in cash at an impressive pace and, when he’s not making it rain, done his best impression of a moderate throughout his freshman term in D.C.

Republican challenger John McCann has no real money to speak of; Gottheimer is sitting on millions. With that in mind, Gottheimer has decided to run a TV ad beginning this week attacking (and naming) McCann, utilizing an admittedly funny trope of Seinfeld fame:

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What I think it says?

Gottheimer has money to burn, and while he’s likely out in the lead by a healthy margin (that McCann internal polling memo notwithstanding) in his own campaign’s polling, it’s not such a blowout that he wouldn’t want to invest in being careful, sort of like how Chris Christie used his ample resources to define Democrat Barbara Buono well in advance of the 2013 gubernatorial general election.

There might even be some ignoramuses out there who think McCann is “McCain” because, ya know, people are people.

Republicans should try putting a little effort into this one next time. It’s the shame of the collective GOP state party establishment his cycle. This district isn’t a lost cause.

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Matt Rooney
About Matt Rooney 8403 Articles
MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.