.

♪ >> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" IS PROVIDED BY -- NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

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AND BY POLITICO'S NEW JERSEY PLAYBOOK, A TOPICAL NEWSLETTER ON GARDEN STATE POLITICS, ONLINE AT POLITICO.COM.

♪ >>> AGE AIN'T NOTHING BUT A NUMBER, UNLESS EVIDENTLY YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER IN NEW JERSEY.

HI, EVERYBODY.

IT'S "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE."

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

OUR ENTIRELY YOUNG AT HEART PANEL TODAY INCLUDES STACY SHERMAN, SENIOR EDITOR FOR BLOOMBERG.

CHARLES STILE, POLITICAL COLUMNIST FOR THE RECORD "USA TODAY" NETWORK.

AND KENNETH BURNS, SOUTH JERSEY REPORTER FOR WHYY.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THE PANEL IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

BUT WE BEGIN TODAY WITH A CASE OF A REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR WHO HAS BEEN SERVING IN THE LEGISLATURE SINCE 1998 AND HAS BEEN A STALWART ON THE BUDGET, EDUCATION, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEES.

SAM THOMPSON IS FACING A PRIMARY CHALLENGE THIS YEAR, AND HE SAYS THE MAIN REASON IS THAT AT 87, HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS SAY HE'S TOO OLD.

SENATOR SAM THOMPSON JOINS US NOW.

SENATOR, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANKS FOR COMING ON WITH US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

>> SO YOU'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE SINCE 1998.

THAT WAS -- YOU STARTED IN THE ASSEMBLY, WENT TO THE SENATE IN '12.

I ALWAYS WONDER HOW DOES SOMEONE LEARN THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE PRIMARIED.

DOES SOMEONE CALL YOU AND SAY, THOMPSON, YOU'RE OUT?

>> YOU JUST HEAR IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE IN YOUR PUBLICATIONS AND SO ON.

>> WHAT KIND OF CONVERSATIONS HAVE YOU HAD WITH PARTY LEADERS ABOUT YOUR STATUS?

>> WELL, I'VE TOLD THEM, HEY, I'M HERE.

I'M GOING AGAIN.

I'LL WIN AGAIN.

THAT'S IT.

>> SO I WANT TO PLAY -- >> I EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT IN SOME OF THESE LEADERS OUT HERE THAT I THOUGHT WERE MY FRIENDS.

THEY DID NOT SPEAK TO ME OR ANYTHING ELSE.

LET'S SEE.

I THINK THE ONLY THING I'VE HEARD, IF SOME PEOPLE ARE SUGGESTING I AM TOO OLD.

THEY HAVE NOT SAID ONE WORD SUGGESTING THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PERFORM MY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES BECAUSE I AM OUT THERE.

I AM A FULL-TIME LEGISLATOR.

IN MY OFFICE MONDAY TO FRIDAYS, 52 WEEKS OUT OF THE YEAR AND AVAILABLE AT NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS.

IF I'M INVITED TO A FUNCTION, I GO.

MY YOUNGER ASSEMBLY RUNNING MATES, YOU DON'T SEE THEM OUT THERE AS YOU SEE ME OUT THERE.

AGE IS NOT WHAT DETERMINES A PERSON'S ABILITY.

IF YOU WANT TO ASSESS THE INDIVIDUAL, ASSESS THE INDIVIDUAL.

>> LET ME PLAY THIS PIECE OF TAPE FOR YOU.

IT'S FROM YOUR PRESENTATION TO THE SENATE THE OTHER DAY.

LET'S PLAY THAT, AND WE'LL COME BACK.

>> AND I RESENT SO MUCH.

NONE OF MY FRIENDS OR COLLEAGUES OR ANYONE ELSE HAS ASSERTED MY AGE HAS NOT CALLED FOR ME TO FALL BACK AND NOT FULFILL MY RESPONSIBILITIES.

I DO FEEL DESERTED.

MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES HAVE NOT RESPONDED.

I WOULD APPRECIATE ANYONE THAT WANTS TO SPEAK UP ON THIS AT ANY TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU WERE RESENTFUL.

YOU SAID THAT YOU FELT LIKE YOU HAD BEEN DESERTED, AND YOU ASKED ANYBODY TO SPEAK UP FOR YOU WHO WANTED TO SPEAK UP FOR YOU THEN, AND THEY DID NOT.

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, THERE WAS A MESSAGE PUT OUT BY THE SENATE REPUBLICANS THE OTHER DAY.

IT WAS SOMEWHAT SUPPORTIVE.

AND I HAVE HAD A CALL FROM A FEW OF MY FRIENDS AND SO ON.

>> MM-HMM.

>> BUT, AGAIN, AS I SAY, ANYBODY WANTS TO CHALLENGE MY -- HEY, I'M WILLING TO TAKE ANY MENTAL ACUITY TEST ANYBODY WANTS TO PUT.

>> HERE'S WHAT I HEAR WHEN TALKING TO SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES, WHO SPOKE TO ME OFF THE RECORD IN EXCHANGE FOR BEING CANDID, THEY SAID.

THEY SAY YOU CAN BE UNPLEASANT, THAT YOU DON'T REALLY RAISE MONEY FOR OTHER PARTY MEMBERS, AND THAT YOU DID NOT INGRATIATE YOURSELF WITH THE CHAIRS OF YOUR COMMITTEES.

YOU'RE ON BUDGET.

YOU'RE ON EDUCATION.

YOU'RE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS.

DO ANY OF THOSE STATEMENTS HOLD TRUE FOR YOU?

>> FIRST OFF, THE QUESTION, I DON'T RAISE MONEY FOR OTHER MEMBERS, I DON'T KNOW HARDLY ANYBODY THAT RAISES MONEY FOR OTHER MEMBERS.

NO OTHER MEMBER HAS ASKED ME TO HELP THEM RAISE MONEY.

SO AS FAR AS THAT ASSERTION GOES.

WHAT WERE THE OTHER ASSERTIONS?

>> INGRATIATING YOURSELF WITH THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE COMMITTEES ON WHICH YOU SERVE.

YOU'RE NOT A TEAM PLAYER IS THE VIBE THAT PEOPLE ARE PUTTING OUT THERE.

>> THE CHAIRS OF ALL MY COMMITTEES ARE DEMOCRATS.

INGRATIATING MYSELF TO THEM?

WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN BY INGRATIATING MYSELF.

WHEN LEGISLATION COMES UP IN THE COMMITTEE, I DON'T JUDGE IT ON A PARTISAN BASIS OR WHATEVER.

I SUPPORT WHAT I THINK ARE GOOD MEASURES.

I OPPOSE WHAT I THINK ARE BAD MEASURES.

NOW, WHEN YOU SAY INGRATIATE MYSELF TO COMMITTEE CHAIRS, IN FACT MAYBE SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES DO THAT.

I'M NOT AWARE OF IT.

>> HMM.

SO ARE YOU WHIPPING VOTES NOW WITH THE COUNTY CHAIRS?

THEY GET TO DECIDE WHO'S ON THE PARTY LINE.

ARE YOU MAKING CALLS AT ALL?

>> WELL, I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE COUNTY CHAIRS, AND OF COURSE THERE WILL BE COUNTY CONVENTIONS.

I'LL BE THERE, AND WE WILL SEE WHAT THE RESULTS ARE.

>> ARE YOU MAKING ANY CALLS NOW TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS?

>> WHAT'S THAT?

>> ARE YOU MAKING ANY CALLS NOW?

>> I HAVEN'T CALLED INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

BETWEEN THE NUMEROUS COUNTIES THAT I HAVE -- >> YEP.

>> -- THAT WOULD BE A LOT OF CALLS.

>> YEAH.

>> I THINK THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH ME.

I'VE BEEN THERE.

THEY KNOW WHAT I'VE DONE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY TO CALL INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

I WILL BE APPEARING AT THE SCREENING COMMITTEE.

I'LL BE APPEARING AT THE CONVENTION.

I WILL SPEAK TO THESE FOLKS.

I'VE PLACED A GREAT DEAL OF EMPHASIS IN MY TIME IN OFFICE IN CONSTITUENT SERVICE.

MANY PEOPLE CALL ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT OR NUMEROUS ISSUES.

I HAVE OVER 35,000 PEOPLE IN MY CONSTITUENT DATABASE THAT WE HAVE PERSONALLY SERVED.

IT TAKES 25,000 TO 30,000 VOTES TO WIN RE-ELECTION.

THOSE 30,000 PEOPLE THAT I HAVE SERVED, THEY HAVE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.

WHEN YOU ASSIST AN INDIVIDUAL WITH THEIR PROBLEMS, THEY REMEMBER YOU.

>> SO YOU'VE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS SINCE 1998.

HOW HAVE THINGS CHANGED IN YOUR PARTY, DO YOU THINK?

>> REALLY UNTIL THIS GARBAGE HAS COME UP ABOUT I'M TOO OLD, THAT'S THE ONLY ACCUSATION THAT PUTTING OUT ABOUT ME.

I'VE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITHIN MY PARTY.

OF COURSE, YOU MAY KNOW THAT PRIOR TO RUNNING IN 1998, I WAS THE MIDDLESEX REPUBLICAN COUNTY CHAIRMAN.

>> YEP.

>> BUILT MANY RELATIONSHIPS THERE.

IN FACT, WHEN I TOOK OFFICE, WE HAD NOT ELECTED ANYBODY IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY ABOVE THE LOCAL LEVEL SINCE THE 1930s.

I ELECTED A MAJORITY MEMBERS OF THE FREE HOLDER BOARD IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

THEY GOT EVERY DEMOCRAT LEGISLATOR KNOCKED OFF IN THE EARLY '80s AND 90s EXCEPT JOHN LYNCH.

I'VE BEEN THERE FOR MY PARTY.

I'VE BEEN THERE FOR MY FRIENDS.

EVEN THOUGH A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN SILENT, I HAVE MANY FRIENDS IN THE PARTY.

>> THERE IS THIS SUGGESTION THAT THERE IS CONFLICT IN YOUR PARTY OVER THOSE WHO ARE ON THE RIGHT WING AND THOSE WHO ARE MORE MODERATE.

WHERE DO YOU FALL IN THAT CATEGORY?

>> I HAVEN'T NOTICED ANY BIG CONFLICT BETWEEN THEM, BUT I -- I DON'T PARTICULARLY PUT A LABEL ON MYSELF.

I DO TEND TO BE MORE CONSERVATIVE.

>> YEP.

>> THAN MANY PEOPLE MAY BE.

BUT BETWEEN MODERATE AND CONSERVATIVE.

>> WERE YOU A TRUMP GUY, AND WILL YOU BE A TRUMP GUY AGAIN?

>> YES, I WAS A TRUMP GUY.

MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE DISTURBED ABOUT HIM WERE DISTURBED BY HOW HE SAID SOME THINGS.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WAS DISTURBED BY WHAT HE ACCOMPLISHED.

THE MAN DID HAVE A GREAT RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN OFFICE, AND THAT IS WHAT I JUDGE HIM ON IS WHAT THE MAN ACCOMPLISHED AND WHAT HE CAN DO FOR OUR NATION AS OPPOSED TO HOW HE DELIVERS A SPEECH.

>> SO YOU'RE STILL WITH -- YOU'LL BE WITH TRUMP IN 2024, WILL YOU?

>> THAT IS MY ANTICIPATION AT THE PRESENT TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SENATOR SAM THOMPSON, GREAT TALKING TO YOU, MAN.

KEEP IT UP.

>> YOU TOO, DAVID.

I'VE BEEN SEEING YOU FOR A LONG TIME.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A LITTLE CHAT WITH YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

PANEL, STACY, CHARLIE, KENLNY, GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.

THE GUY REMAINS PRETTY SPRY.

A FEW GUYS IN THE SENATE RIGHT NOW WHO ARE UP THERE.

IS THIS ALL ABOUT HIS AGE?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK THIS IS -- YOU KNOW, HE'S RUFFLED FEATHERS OBVIOUSLY IN THE POLITICAL CLASS.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE PUSHING UP FROM ABOVE THAT ARE ANXIOUS FOR HIM TO MOVE ON.

NO DOUBT PEOPLE IN THE PARTY WANT THAT DOMINO EFFECT TO -- ONCE HE IS REPLACED, THEN A WHOLE CHAIN OF PATRONAGE AND POLITICAL SPOTS OPEN UP.

>> YEAH.

>> SO I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

AND I MEAN, HE'S AS FEISTY AS EVER.

HE CALLED ME UP ABOUT A COLUMN ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND WE HAD A VERY SHARP EXCHANGE, AND HE WAS ON HIS GAME.

I DON'T THINK MENTAL ACUITY OR HIS AGE HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

AND FRANKLY IF IT IS AND IF HE'S RIGHT, HE SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND HIS LONG RECORD.

AND HE'S PUT HIS FINGER ON A REAL CONTINUING NAGGING PROBLEM, WHICH IS THE LINE.

HE'S GOT TO GO AND BEG TO GET THE LINE SO THAT HE CAN DEFEND HIS RECORD, HIS LONG RECORD, TO THE VOTERS.

IF HE DOESN'T GET THE LINE IN THOSE COUNTIES, THEN HE'S BASICALLY -- HE'S TOAST.

>> YEAH.

>> AND THAT'S REALLY A SHAME.

IT'S AN ANACHRONISM.

IT SHOULD BE ENDED.

>> KEN, WE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GO UNTIL WE CAN'T GO ANYMORE, RIGHT?

>> I THINK SO.

AND ONE OF THE PEOPLE I SPOKE WITH EARLIER THIS WEEK FOR ANOTHER STORY SAID THE SAME THING.

I'M ALSO CURIOUS BECAUSE WE HAD THE STATE OF THE UNION, AND ARKANSAS GOVERNOR SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS BASICALLY SAYS IT'S TIME FOR A NEW GENERATION, RIDICULING PRESIDENT BIDEN BECAUSE HE'S OLD.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE REPUBLICAN STANDARD BEARER OF THE PARTY WILL BE, ASSUMING HE RUNS AND WINS AGAIN, HE'LL BE 80.

I AGREE WITH CHARLIE.

THERE'S SOMETHING MORE AT PLAY AT THIS POINT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I HAVE TO SERIOUSLY QUESTION IF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS STARTING TO LOOK AROUND AND REALIZE OR SAY, HEY, WE'RE GETTING A LITTLE TOO OLD HERE.

WE NEED TO FIX THIS.

>> STACY, SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING THE SAME THING ABOUT THE PRESIDENT.

WHAT WOULD YOUR RESPONSE BE TO A BOSS THAT TOLD YOU YOU'RE TOO OLD TO KEEP GOING?

>> OH, MAN.

WELL, IT'S ALL RELATIVE, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> I THINK YOU SAID THAT SENATOR THOMPSON HAS BEEN IN POLITICS SINCE '98.

>> YEAH.

>> I'VE BEEN COVERING NEW JERSEY POLITICS SINCE '93.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MAKES ME.

BUT I THINK IT'S JUST -- IT DEPENDS.

HE SEEMS LIKE HE'S WITH IT.

THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD INTERVIEW, DAVID CRUZ, AND IT WAS -- I THINK, YEAH, HE SEEMS WITH IT.

HE'S FOLLOWING THE RIGHT ISSUES.

I MEAN SENIOR CITIZEN ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT IN NEW JERSEY, YOU KNOW, SO I THINK HE HAS A -- YOU KNOW, HE SOUNDS GOOD.

>> SENIORS VOTE, MAN.

SO SINCE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT OF OCTOGENARIANS IN OFFICE, LET'S TALK ABOUT JOE BIDEN AND HIS BIG NIGHT THIS WEEK.

I WANT TO GET A TAKEAWAY FROM ALL OF YOU, BUT LET'S GIVE A LISTEN TO ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPEECH, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK.

>> SO TONIGHT LET'S ALL AGREE -- AND WE APPARENTLY ARE.

LET'S STAND UP FOR SENIORS.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] STAND UP AND SHOW THEM WE'LL NOT CUT SOCIAL SECURITY.

WE WILL NOT CUT MEDICARE.

THOSE BENEFITS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THEY EARNED IT.

AND IF ANYONE TRIES TO CUT SOCIAL SECURITY, WHICH APPARENTLY NO ONE'S GOING TO DO, AND IF ANYONE TRIES TO CUT MEDICARE, I'LL STOP THEM.

I'LL VETO IT.

>> SOMEBODY PUT SOMETHING IN THE PRESIDENT'S PREGAME COFFEE, NO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> HE SOUNDED -- THAT WAS THE MOST WITH IT I'VE HEARD HIM SOUND.

HE'S VERY ENERGETIC.

I ONLY HEARD A COUPLE OF STUMBLES.

SO, YEAH, HE SEEMED -- THAT WAS A BETTER SPEECH THAN I'VE HEARD IN A LONG TIME.

>> CHARLIE, YOU KNOW WHEN THAT SPEECH STARTED, I WAS LIKE, OH, MAN, THIS IS GOING TO GO ON FOR TWO HOURS.

BUT THEN I GUESS IT ALL KIND OF SWITCHED WHEN THEY STARTED TALKING ABOUT THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE GOVERNMENT.

>> RIGHT.

I WAS READY FOR A MARATHON AND, YOU KNOW, COUNTING THE MINUTES HOW LONG I COULD STAY UP.

BUT I THOUGHT THAT CLIP YOU JUST SHOWED WAS A BRILLIANT STROKE OF CHOREOGRAPHY AND PLANNING BY THE BIDEN PEOPLE.

THEY GOADED THE REPUBLICANS.

THEY KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO GET THAT REACTION, AND THEY PLAYED POSSUM, AND HE WAS READY FOR THEM.

HE WAS READY.

I DON'T THINK THAT CONVERSION LINE THAT HE USED OR -- AND SOME OF THE, QUOTE, UNQUOTE AD LIBS WERE REALLY AD LIBS.

I THINK THEY WERE PREPARED FOR IT, AND REALLY IT SHOWED HIM LEADING ON THAT ISSUE AND DRAWING THE REPUBLICANS INTO A DE FACTO AGREEMENT NOT TO CUT ENTITLEMENTS, WHICH FRANKLY THERE WAS A LOT OF EVIDENCE BUILDING UP TO THAT SPEECH THAT SUGGESTED THAT THAT THEY WERE SALIVATING FOR THE PROSPECT TO CUT THOSE BENEFITS.

THEY'VE BEEN SALIVATING FOR IT FOR 50 YEARS.

>> SO, KENNY, NOT MUCH REAL POLICY ANNOUNCED IN THE SPEECH.

SO ASIDE FROM BEING PEPPERY, WERE THERE ANY OTHER TAKEAWAYS FOR YOU?

>> WELL, LET'S GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY.

THERE WAS MORE POLICY IN PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SPEECH THAN THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE.

BUT AS FAR AS THE OVERALL TAKEAWAY, THAT WAS JUST THE MAIN HIGHLIGHT.

WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THE SPEECH, IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE PRESIDENT BASICALLY PLAYED THE ROOM AND PLAYED THE REPUBLICANS LIKE A STRADIVARIUS, NOT A FIDDLE.

HE GOADED THEM.

HE ACTUALLY SAID, IN THE VERNACULAR, I HAVE RECEIPTS.

YOU GUYS WANT TO SOCIAL SECURITY.

AND AS CHARLIE ALLUDED TO, THERE'S A LONG LIST OF EVIDENCE OF INDIVIDUAL REPUBLICANS HAVE PROPOSED THE SAME.

SO IT WAS OVERALL A GOOD SPEECH, AND IT REALLY -- AGAIN, MORE POLICY PERSPECTIVE THAN THE GOP RESPONSE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WAS SOMETHING THERE TO TRY TO PASS FORWARD.

>> SO, CHARLIE, WE SEE THOMPSON FACING A PRIMARY.

MAYBE SENATOR DICK CODEY AND NIA GILL IN ESSEX COUNTY FACING OFF.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ALSO CALLING IT QUITS AS WE HEAD INTO THE LEGISLATIVE RACES OF 2023.

I'M THINKING OF SENATOR OROHO AND OTHERS.

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THE SHIFTING SANDS OUT THERE?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK THE JOB OF BEING A LEGISLATOR IS THAT ATTRACTIVE ANYMORE.

>> YEAH.

>> I THINK THERE'S TOO MUCH CENTRALIZED CONTROL FROM THE LEADERSHIP.

INDIVIDUAL LEGISLATORS HAVE TO SCHLEP ON DOWN TO TRENTON AND BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, SIT AROUND AND WAIT TO HAVE -- WAIT TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO, IN ESSENCE, IN A LOT OF RESPECTS.

THEIR FUND-RAISING IN MANY RESPECTS IS TAKEN CARE OF FOR THEM.

AND WEITH THAT, THEIR CAMPAIGNS ARE SORT OF CENTRALIZED.

SO A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY IS SPENT COMING DOWN AND ADVANCING A LOT OF INCREMENTAL BILLS, A LOT OF BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN DICTATED TO YOU BY THE PARTY LEADERSHIP.

SO I THINK AFTER A TIME, I DON'T THINK, YOU KNOW, YOU SAY TO YOURSELF, LOOK, I'VE PUT IN MY TIME.

WHETHER I CAN NOW CLAIM I WORKED FOR THE LEGISLATURE ON MY BUSINESS CARD.

I HAVE CONTACTS DOWN THERE.

LET ME PARLAY THAT.

AND I THINK A LOT OF THIS GOES BACK TO THE CREATION OF THE LEADERSHIP PACs IN THE EARLY '90s WHERE THEY CENTRALIZED ALL THIS CONTROL.

IT TURNED LEGISLATORS INTO SORT OF RUBBER STAMPS.

>> KENNY, WHAT'S THIS I HEAR?

I CAN'T GET DIVORCED BECAUSE OF A JUDGE SHORTAGE.

>> WE HAVE 69 VACANCIES ON THE SUPERIOR COURT BENCH, AND KEEP IN MIND THAT'S DOWN FROM 75 BACK IN MAY WHEN CHIEF JUSTICE RABNER SPOKE TO THE STATE BAR ASSOCIATION.

>> YEAH.

>> AND BECAUSE OF THOSE VACANCIES, TWO MULTI-COUNTY -- ONE IN CENTRAL JERSEY AND WARREN COUNTIES ARE AFFECTED, AND THEN CUMBERLAND, GLOUCESTER, AND SALEM COUNTIES, THEY'RE PUTTING ON HOLD THE DAY AFTER PRESIDENTS' DAY, CIVIL TRIALS AND FAMILY TRIALS.

THESE ARE YOUR ACCIDENT CLAIMS, YOUR CUSTODY HEARINGS, AND DIVORCES.

AND JUSTICE RABNER SAID, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH JUDGES TO GO AROUND.

HE SAID THAT IN THE STATEMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAID, WE APPOINTED 45 JUDGES LAST YEAR, AND THEN LAWRENCE WITH THE STATE BAR ASSOCIATION SAID YOU NEED TO APPOINT AT LEAST 100 JUDGES BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, 69, AND THEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER ABOUT TWO DOZEN OR SO OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

IF YOU THINK IT'S BAD NEW WITH 69, IMAGINE THE VACANCY RATES IN THE '80s, WHICH LEADS TO THE QUESTION -- ACTUALLY, SHE HAS A STRONG QUESTION.

GET THE NICEST ROOM IN THE GOLDEN DOME.

THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD MEET IN THAT ROOM AND THEY SHOULD FILL UP ALL THOSE VACANCIES.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, FOR THEIR PART, IS SAYING WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFIED AND REFLECTIVE OF THE DIVERSITY OF THE STATE.

>> PROPS TO JUSTICE RABNER FOR PUTTING THAT IN THE LEGISLATURE'S FACE.

QUICK PEEK AT THE 2025 GOVERNOR'S RACE PREVIEW.

AN FDU POLL OUT MEASURING NAME RECOGNITION.

FIRST LADY, TAMMY MURPHY, AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

>> STACY, DID YOU KNOW SHE WAS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR?

>> I DID NOT KNOW, BUT I MEAN SHE IS OUT THERE.

THERE'S NO REASON WHY SHE CAN'T RUN.

SHE'S GOT THE BACKGROUND.

SHE'S VERY INVOLVED.

WHEREVER HER HUSBAND IS, SHE'S THERE.

SHE KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON.

SHE'S A GOOD FUND-RAISER.

WHY NOT?

>> PRESIDENT MURPHY AND GOVERNOR MURPHY SERVING AT THE SAME TIME.

CHARLIE, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE A TOUGH SELL.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK STACY HIT ON ALL THOSE POINTS.

SHE IS A FORMIDABLE FUND-RAISER.

>> YEAH.

>> SHE'S BEEN OUT FRONT ON A LOT OF SOCIAL ISSUES.

SO IT CAN'T BE DISCOUNTED.

BUT I THINK SHE'S GOING TO FACE FIERCE -- IF SHE IS INTERESTED.

>> I THINK WE'D SEE MIKIE SHERRILL BEFORE -- >> AND STEVE FULLER, YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TIME FOR OUR ONLY IN JERSEY MOMENT.

HEADLINES AND NOTES THAT ARE QUINTESSENTIALLY JERSEY.

ASTERISK HERE.

EACH OF YOUR PRESENTATIONS MUST COME WITH A ONE-WORD SUPER BOWL PICK.

KEN, YOU WANT TO START US OFF?

>> SURE.

SO I'M MAKING IT CLEAR MY ALLEGIANCE IS TO D.C.

BUT THIS WEEK IT'S TO PHILADELPHIA FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

IT'S ALSO INTERESTING TO SEE THE LINE OF EAGLES FAN TO GIANTS FAN AS I GO HOME ON MY OFFICE DAYS.

YOU DRIVE THROUGH CAMDEN COUNTY AND BURLINGTON COUNTY.

YOU SEE THE GREEN EVERYWHERE AS WELL AS THE PHILLY -- IT'S A PHILLY THING T-SHIRTS.

AROUND MERCER COUNTY, THAT LINE STARTS TO DISSIPATE, AND THE CLOSER YOU GET TO THE NEW YORK AREA AND NORTH JERSEY, YOU'RE IN GIANTS TERRITORY.

I WILL ALSO NOTE THAT IN MY HOUSE, IT'S A STRONG BLUE LINE BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE AWESOME MRS. BURNS.

ALL THAT TO SAY I'VE BEEN SLEEPING ON THE COUCH THIS WEEK BECAUSE I WANT PHILLY TO WIN, NOT BECAUSE I WANT HAPPY CO-WORKERS, BUT WHLY HAS A LITTLE BET WITH OUR FELLOW STATION, AND BASICALLY I WANT SOME BARBECUE.

WE WILL NOT BE SENDING CHEESESTEAKS TO KANSAS CITY THIS WEEK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

CHARLES?

YOU GOT A NEW JERSEY MOMENT FOR US.

>> I THINK THE EAGLES WILL WIN.

BUT MY OWN NEW JERSEY MOMENT IS LAST MONTH, THE MAYOR OF WAYNE, THE LONGTIME REPUBLICAN MAYOR OF WAYNE ADVANCED A PROPOSAL TO SWITCH HIS JOB FROM PART-TIME TO FULL-TIME THROUGH THE ROUTINE ORDINANCE PROCESS WITH LITTLE PUBLIC -- IN FACT, NO PUBLIC BUY-IN BEFORE HE INTRODUCED IT.

IT WOULD HAVE BUMPED HIS PAY TO 650%, AN $18,000 JOB TO $140,000.

HIS PENSION WOULD GO UP FROM $6,000 TO $50,000, AND HE TRIED TO RAM IT THROUGH AN 8-1 REPUBLICAN ADVANTAGE COUNCIL.

PROPS TO FRANCINE RITTER, THE LONE DEMOCRAT, FOR PUMPING THE BRAKES ON THIS AND RAISING QUESTIONS.

BUT IT REALLY POINTED TO THE DANGER OF ONE-PARTY RULE AND EXTENDED ONE-PARTY RULE, WHICH IS A PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> THAT'S ONE OF OUR SPECIALTIES.

SHERMAN.

YOU'VE DONE THE RESEARCH.

YOU'VE CONSIDERED WEATHER CONDITIONS, TIME OF GAME, TEAM HISTORIES.

YOUR ONE-WORD SUPER BOWL PICK.

>> YOU SAY THAT BECAUSE YOU KNOW I AM NOT A FOOTBALL FAN.

BUT I AM.

I AM NORTH OF TRENTON, SO I SAY ANYONE BUT THE EAGLES.

I JUST HAVE TO SAY IT.

>> I'M WITH YOU ON THAT.

ANYBODY BUT THE EAGLES.

>> YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO START WITH ME?

>> YES.

MINE COMES FROM THE HALLOWED HALLS OF BASKETBALL POWERHOUSE NJCU, MY ALMA MATER IN JERSEY CITY.

FULL DISCLOSURE, NJCU IS ACTUALLY NOT A BASKETBALL POWERHOUSE.

BUT SOMETIMES DAVID DUFF SLAYED GOLIATH.

AGAINST NATIONALLY RANKED ROWAN UNIVERSITY, THIS HAPPENED.

>> SWUNG AROUND.

JUMP SHOT.

IT'S GOOD!

RYAN SAVOY CUTS IT TO ONE.

FLOATER.

IT'S GOOD!

IT'S GOOD!

AT THE BUZZER.

NJCU WINS.

THEY STUN NUMBER 23 HERE AT THE BUZZER.

>> OH, MY GOODNESS.

>> LISTEN, THE CALL SAYS IT ALL.

THAT CALL SAYS IT ALL.

THAT'S PLAY BY PLAY MAN TIM MOORE LETTING IT ALL HANG OUT THERE.

>> AWESOME.

>> GO GOTHIC KNIGHTS.

THAT'S IT FOR ROUNDTABLE FOR THIS WEEK.

STACY, CHARLIE, KENNY, GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.

THANKS ALSO TO SAM THOMPSON FOR JOINING US.

YOU CAN FOLLOW THE SHOW ON TWITTER @ROUNDTABLENJ AND SEE FRESH CONTENT EVERY DAY WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

FROM ALL THE CREW, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" WITH DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY -- NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY "NEW JERSEY BUSINESS MAGAZINE," THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, REPORTING TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN ALL 21 COUNTIES OF THE GARDEN STATE SINCE 1954.

AND BY POLITICO'S "NEW JERSEY PLAYBOOK, A TOPICAL NEWSLETTER ON GARDEN STATE POLITICS, ONLINE AT POLITICO.COM.

♪