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♪♪ >>> JUSTICE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON.

WAS THAT SO HARD?

WELCOME TO "CHAT BOX," EVERYBODY.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

THE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS FOR JUSTICE JACKSON, WHICH, YES, DOES SOUND LIKE A SUPER HERO, GAVE NEW JERSEY SENATOR CORY BOOKER SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE CONTEXT AND OF COURSE DRAMA.

>> YOU DID NOT GET THERE BECAUSE OF SOME LEFT-WING AGENDA.

YOU DIDN'T GET HERE BECAUSE OF YOU GOT HERE HOW EVERY BLACK WOMAN IN AMERICA WHO'S GOTTEN ANYWHERE HAS DONE.

BY BEING, LIKE GINGER ROGERS SAID, I DID EVERYTHING FRED ASTAIRE DID, BUT BACKWARDS, IN HEELS.

AND SO, I -- I'M JUST SITTING HERE, SAYING, NOBODY'S STEALING MY JOY.

NOBODY'S GOING TO MAKE ME ANGRY.

>> SENATOR, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THAT WAS ONE OF SEVERAL VIRAL MOMENTS BETWEEN YOU AND JUSTICE JACKSON.

YOU SAID YOU SAW YOUR MOM IN JUSTICE JACKSON.

>> WELL, I THINK I SAW THAT FOR A COUPLE REASONS.

ONE IS, I SAT AT A KITCHEN TABLE AND LISTENED TO A LOT OF MY MOM'S STORIES WHERE SHE WAS QUESTIONED EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS QUALIFIED OR OVERQUALIFIED, WHERE SHE WAS DISRESPECTED, AND I THINK A LOT OF WOMEN, PERIOD, AND BLACK WOMEN IN PARTICULAR, HAVE HAD THAT FEELING, AND I WATCHED THIS SUPREME COURT HEARING THAT, FOR ME, WAS A MOMENT OF JOY AND EXCITEMENT, BUT I ALSO WATCHED SOME OF THAT SAME DISRESPECT THAT'S FAMILIAR TO SO MANY PEOPLE.

BUT THE SECOND THING IS, LOOK, I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MOVING THIS IS TO ME TO SEE HER SIT THERE, THIS IMMENSELY QUALIFIED HUMAN BEING, BE ON THE PRECIPICE OF BREAKING A TRADITION THAT YOU KNOW, 115 SUPREME COURT JUDGES, 108 HAVE BEEN WHITE MEN.

AND WE'RE FINALLY SEEING OUR FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN.

SO, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF EMOTIONS THIS WEEK FOR ME, PERSONALLY, BUT I THINK FOR A LOT OF AMERICANS THAT THEY'RE WATCHING AND WITNESSING THIS HISTORIC MOMENT.

>> YEAH, YOU LISTEN TO SOME OF THE RHETORIC FROM THOSE OPPOSED TO THE NOMINATION, AND IT WAS ALMOST LIKE A PARODY OF CAREFULLY CHOSEN RHETORIC OF INTOLERANCE AND EVEN DISDAIN.

HAS THERE BEEN ANY PROGRESS?

>> YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES OF MINE THAT WERE WELL WITHIN THE ZONE OF TOUGH QUESTIONING BUT NOT DISRESPECTFUL.

BUT THERE WERE A NUMBER THAT LITERALLY, YOU KNOW, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" AND OTHERS DIDN'T HAVE TO REWRITE THEIR WORDS.

THEY JUST QUOTED THEM, SOME OF THE ABSURDITY OF WHAT SHE HAD TO ENDURE, AND SO THIS IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A LOT OF OUR -- THE FABRIC OF OUR COUNTRY BEING WORN AND UNNECESSARILY SO.

WE CAN STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH EACH OTHER, BUT STILL RECOGNIZE HUMAN DIGNITY, STILL RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED EACH OTHER AND YOU KNOW THIS, IF THERE'S ANY MISSION I FEEL AS STEEP AS THAT HILL IS TO CLIMB IS I WANT TO SEE OUR COUNTRY BEGIN TO HEAL AGAIN AND NOT HAVE SUCH CONTEMPT AND DISRESPECT FOR EACH OTHER.

I THINK WE REALLY NEED THAT.

AND WHAT A GREAT SIGN OF THAT IS THE FACT THAT THE INSTITUTION OF THE SUPREME COURT ITSELF IS LOSING LEGITIMACY IN THE EYES OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

MORE PEOPLE TODAY THAN I THINK EVER RECORDED ARE SEEING IT AS A PARTISAN BODY THAT IS NOT ABOUT WHAT IT SHOULD BE, WHICH IS AN INDEPENDENT BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT THAT'S FOCUSED ON THE LAW.

AND I THINK FROM THE MERRICK GARLAND CONTROVERSY ALL THE WAY TO THIS HEARING, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOSING FAITH THAT THIS IS AN INSTITUTION THAT'S ABOVE POLITICS AND FOCUSED ON THE LAW.

>> YEAH.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU, PERSON-TO-PERSON, IN REALLY A LONG TIME.

I REMEMBER IN 2019, IN IOWA, OF ALL PLACES, WHEN WE WERE CHASING YOU AROUND THE COUNTRY, WE TALKED ABOUT THE EMMETT TILL ANTI-LYNCHING BILL, THAT PASSED FINALLY, BUT IT'S SO LONG TO WAIT.

>> A LONG TIME.

IT WAS HARD.

IT TOOK YEARS OF WORK TO GET THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

A LOT OF TRIBUTE TO BOTH KAMALA HARRIS AND REPUBLICAN SENATOR TIM SCOTT WHO WERE WITH ME IN THE TRENCHES OF GETTING THIS DONE.

SO, LOOK, IT IS WORTHY OF MARKING THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY.

THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS LYNCHED.

NO ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL.

NOBODY HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE HORRIBLE TERRORISTIC MURDERS.

BUT NOW WE FINALLY HAVE A LAW THAT WE PASSED TO HONOR THAT DARK PAST AND THOSE LIVES LOST AND ALSO SPEAK TO WHO WE ARE IN THE PRESENT.

>> BUT NOW MORE WORK TO DO, I GUESS.

WE'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO SEE REVISITING OF POLICE REFORM, YOUR BIGGEST FAILURE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU STILL TALK TO THE AFOREMENTIONED SENATOR TIM SCOTT.

>> YOU KNOW, THE ARC OF THE MORAL UNIVERSE IS LONG, AS THEY SAY, AND IT DOES BEND TOWARDS JUSTICE.

MY EFFORTS WEREN'T IN VAIN TO GET THE NATION'S LARGEST POLICE UNION THAT REPRESENTS THE MAJORITY OF POLICE OFFICERS TO AGREE WITH ME IN PRINCIPLE ON A BILL, INCLUDING THE LARGEST ASSOCIATION OF BOSSES, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE TO AGREE WITH ME.

WE COULDN'T GET IT -- TIM SCOTT TO AGREE TO THAT COMPROMISE BILL, BUT I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP, AND I'M STILL IN ACTIVE CONVERSATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE WITH PEOPLE ABOUT, CAN WE GET SOMETHING DONE TO MAKE US ALL SAFER?

AND WE ARE SAFER WHEN WE HAVE GREAT HIGH LEVELS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT FROM POLICE AND POLICE UNIONS SEEM TO RECOGNIZE THAT.

I'M NOT GIVING UP ON THIS.

I'M STILL AT WORK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

HOPE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NOTICED THIS, BUT NEW JERSEY HAS FUMBLED LIKE CORY BOOKER AGAINST USC TO GET A LEGAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY STARTED HERE.

NOW THE SENATE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PASS A HOUSE LEGALIZATION BILL, BUT YOU'RE AGAINST IT?

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> SO, I FUMBLED AGAINST NOTRE DAME.

>> THAT'S WHO IT WAS.

>> IT WAS NOT USC.

I SCORED A TOUCHDOWN AGAINST USC, AND IT WAS FUMBLED OUT OF BOUNDS THAT THE OVER SIDE DIDN'T RECOVER.

I AM PROUD THAT A BILL THAT I BEGAN WORKING ON WHEN I CAME TO THE SENATE THAT HAS KEY RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROVISIONS LIKE, HEY, IF YOU'RE GOING TO LEGALIZE THIS, EXPUNGE PEOPLE'S RECORDS.

NOW WE HAVE MORE SENATORS THAN EVER, INCLUDING THE MAJORITY LEADER ON THE BILL THAT WE HAVE WRITTEN.

WHERE I'M -- WHERE I AM FRUSTRATED IS THE BIG MONEY INTERESTS IN THIS, IN LEGALIZATION.

REMEMBER, WHEN THEY LEGAL -- ENDED PROHIBITION AGAINST ALCOHOL, IT BECAME A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS FOR VERY WEALTHY FOLKS AND I HAVE NO SHAME IN THAT.

BUT THE BIG MONEY INTERESTS JUST WANT TO MAKE THE BANKING ELEMENTS OF THIS LEGAL.

WE ARE NOT GETTING THE KIND OF SUPPORT FOR THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ELEMENTS LIKE EXPUNGING PEOPLE'S RECORDS, AND SO I'M SAYING, YOU CANNOT HAVE THE EASY STUFF OR THE LARGER ECONOMIC INTERESTS INVOLVED.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DO THIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOOKING OUT FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE DISPROPORTIONATELY BEEN ARRESTED AND INCARCERATED FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION.

REMEMBER, IN 2019, THERE WERE MORE MARIJUANA POSSESSION ARRESTS IN AMERICA THAN ALL VIOLENT CRIME ARRESTS COMBINED, SO IN OTHER WORDS, THERE ARE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW WITH FELONY CONVICTIONS FOR DOING THINGS THAT TWO OF THE LAST FOUR PRESIDENTS ADMITTED TO DOING, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

THAT'S KIND OF HYPOCRISY DOES NOT FLY WITH ME.

WE KNOW BLACKS ARE FOUR TIMES FOR LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE IN USAGE.

WE NEED THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ELEMENTS.

I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THOSE.

>> CAN I POINT OUT A COUPLE THINGS THAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AND YOU CAN REFUTE THEM OR NOT, ALL RIGHT?

>> OKAY.

>> IMMIGRATION.

TERRIBLE.

WRONG?

>> AGAIN, HOW DO YOU PLACE THAT ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WHEN WE HAVE -- >> IT WAS THE FIRST THING HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO DO WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE.

>> YEAH, AND THE SITUATION WITH THE DREAMERS, UNACCEPTABLE.

SITUATION WITH PEOPLE WHO HOLD TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS, UNACCEPTABLE.

BUT HE CAN'T DO IT BY EXECUTIVE ORDER.

HE NEEDS TO GET CONGRESS TO ACT.

AMERICA WANTS TO ACT ON THESE THINGS.

THE MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS BELIEVE WE SHOULD ACT ON THESE THINGS.

BUT WE CANNOT GET A BILL RIGHT NOW PAST THE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE.

>> ALL RIGHT, STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS.

WE GOT PPP FOR CORPORATE AMERICA BUT NOTHING FOR COLLEGE LOAN FORGIVENESS.

>> I SHARE THE IMPLICATIONS BEHIND THAT.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, I BELIEVE, SHOULD WORK TO JUST GET RID OF -- CANCEL STUDENT DEBT.

IT WOULD BE A POWERFUL THING TO DO FOR SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE SADDLED WITH CRIPPLING DEBT RIGHT NOW.

I'M IN FAVOR OF DOING THAT.

HE HAS A LOT OF EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY, AND I'M HOPING THAT HE WILL DO THAT IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

>> AND FAILURE TO GET THE BIGGEST OF THE RECOVERY BILLS THROUGH CONGRESS?

ANY HOPE FOR THAT?

>> WELL, I MEAN, THIS IS LIKE SAYING THE MAN HITS TWO GRAND SLAMS AND HIS THIRD TIME UP AT BAT, I MEAN, GRAND SLAM NUMBER ONE, THE AMERICAN RECOVERY ACT, REALLY BROUGHT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES, HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS.

GRAND SLAM NUMBER TWO, THE BIGGEST INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT BILL IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA THAT'S GOING TO CREATE MILLIONS OF JOBS AROUND THIS COUNTRY, AGAIN, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, SO HE'S KIND OF BEEN UP TO BAT TWICE.

>> BUT THIS THIRD AT BAT HAS ENDED IN A WHAT?

RIGHT NOW, A WALK, A SINGLE?

>> THERE'S A CHANCE HE'S GOING TO BE MR. OCTOBER.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THOSE DAYS OF REGGIE JACKSON HITTING HOME RUNS EVERY AT BAT IN THE '76 WORLD SERIES.

SO, I THINK THAT HE HAS A CHANCE AT BEING MR. OCTOBER.

ASK ME THIS QUESTION AGAIN IN OCTOBER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, YOU JUST MADE MY DAY, SUGGESTING THAT I MIGHT NOT BE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER REGGIE JACKSON.

I SADLY REMEMBER REGGIE JACKSON AS A MEMBER OF THE OAKLAND As.

>> YOU AND I ATE A LOT OF REGGIE BARS WHEN WE WERE KIDS.

MAYBE TOO MANY.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO, MIDTERMS COMING UP IN NOVEMBER.

WHY ARE YOU SO OPTIMISTIC?

>> I'M A PRISONER OF HOPE.

AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT SOME OF THE BEST -- THINK ABOUT OUR CONGRESS PEOPLE.

FROM MIKIE SHERRILL TO JOSH GOTTHEIMER, FROM MOLINOWSKI TO KIM, THESE ARE FOLKS THAT HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES ON A NATIONAL STAGE.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT NEW JERSEY SEES THAT WE HAVE GOT A GREAT TEAM DOWN HERE IN WASHINGTON AND IS GOING RETURN THEM.

FOR THE SENATE, LOOK, PENNSYLVANIA, OUR NEIGHBORING STATE, WISCONSIN, WARNOCK IN GEORGIA, AND KELLY, A NEW JERSEY GUY, WHO GRADUATED FROM WEST ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL, THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS TO BE HOPEFUL THAT THESE FOLKS WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES SO WELL CAN STAY IN OFFICE AND THAT WE CAN PICK UP A COUPLE SEATS IN THE SENATE AND THEN GET SOME REALLY GOOD THINGS DONE.

>> I HEARD YOU SAY NEW JERSEY'S GOING TO DO ALL RIGHT IN MIDTERMS.

AND THAT'S ALWAYS KIND OF A GIVEN.

FOR DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS IN NEW JERSEY.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BROADER PICTURE?

DO YOU FEEL THAT EITHER THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE ARE IN DOUBT?

>> YEAH, I WOULD BE WRONG IF I DIDN'T SAY THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS IN DOUBT.

THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH RE-ELECTION.

AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF GERRYMANDERING AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT'S GOING TO MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR DEMOCRATS, BUT I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP, AND AGAIN, I WANT TO WATCH MY OWN STATE.

WE HAVE TOUGH ELECTIONS FOR PEOPLE LIKE TOM AND OTHERS.

THESE ARE FOLKS WHO REALLY HAVE, ESPECIALLY TOM IN THE MIDST OF THIS UKRAINE CRISIS, HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN SIGNIFICANT WAYS SO I'M -- I JUST WANT JERSEY, LET'S FOCUS ON BIG, BIG ENTHUSIASTIC TURNOUTS AS WELL, BUT THE SENATE COULD GO EITHER WAY.

IT REALLY COULD, AND I THINK A LOT OF THAT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON WHAT HAPPENS IN KEY STATES FROM GEORGIA TO ARIZONA TO PENNSYLVANIA TO WISCONSIN.

AND I'M GOING TO BE RUNNING AROUND CAMPAIGNING BECAUSE ELECTIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE COMING OUT AND VOTING AGAINST MY CANDIDATES.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE NOT COMING OUT WHO ULTIMATELY BELIEVE THAT HEALTHCARE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE HEALTHCARE IS ON THE BALLOT.

WHO ULTIMATELY BELIEVE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SHOULD BE MORE AFFORDABLE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT.

BECAUSE PEOPLE ULTIMATELY BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL AND UNIVERSAL -- AND PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE POPULAR ACROSS THE BOARD IN NEW JERSEY, REGARDLESS OF YOUR PARTY, BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE PARTY THAT'S REALLY PUTTING FORWARD PLANS AND PROPOSALS THAT ARE BEING BLOCKED BY SENATE REPUBLICANS.

SO, I'M HOPING THAT FOLKS WILL COME OUT AND VOTE FOR THEIR HEALTHCARE, VOTE TO RAISE THEIR INCOMES, VOTE FOR TAX CREDITS.

WE'VE SEEN THE REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

IT WOULD RAISE TAXES ON MOST NEW JERSEYANS.

SO, I'M HOPING THAT FOLKS WILL COME OUT WITH ENTHUSIASM IN THIS ELECTION, KNOWING WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT.

>> IF THE MIDTERMS ARE GOING TO BE A REFERENDUM ON THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, IS THAT ENOUGH?

DID HE MAKE A CASE WITH WHAT HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO SO FAR IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION?

>> AGAIN, IT'S HARD TO NOT REMEMBER WHERE WE WERE WHEN BIDEN TOOK OFFICE.

WE HAD PRECIPITOUS UNEMPLOYMENT, LITERALLY DROPPING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, FALLING OUT OF JOBS.

NEW JERSEY HAD THOUSANDS OF BUSINESSES ON THE BRINK OF CLOSING.

WE DIDN'T HAVE, REALLY, VIRTUALLY NO VACCINATIONS, AND HE COMES INTO OFFICE, SAVES THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES, HELPS FAMILIES GET OUT OF FOOD LINES AND GET BACK INTO GROCERY LINES AND HAVING THE RESOURCES TO BUY FOOD.

NEW JERSEY, WE KNOW WE'VE GOT TO REPAIR OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES AND OUR TUNNEL OVER TO NEW YORK.

THOSE THINGS ARE BEING DONE NOW.

SO, HE HAS AN EXTRAORDINARY RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO TALKING FACTS WITH PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO THE FALL.

>> ALL RIGHT, READY TO MAKE THE CASE.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER, GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAN.

BE WELL.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU, MAN.

GREAT TO SEE YOU TOO.

AND GUY WITH THE GOOD HAIRCUT, MAN.

>> ALL RIGHT, SENATOR.

THANKS.

LET'S BRING IT BACK TO JERSEY NOW WITH OUR DYNAMIC DUO OF RUSSELL AND JONES.

CHRIS RUSSELL, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND LEROY JONES, STATE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN.

GENTS, ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

CHAIRMAN, LET ME START WITH YOU.

POLLS OUT THIS WEEK FROM MONMOUTH ARE PRETTY GOOD FOR THE GOVERNOR.

HE'S OVER 50%, BUT PRESIDENT BIDEN, 50% DISAPPROVAL IN BLUE NEW JERSEY.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE MIDTERMS MORE IN A MINUTE, BUT DO THE PRESIDENT'S POLL NUMBERS CONCERN THE PARTY AS ELECTION SEASON BEGINS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE CONCERNS.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO UNTIL THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, A LOT CAN HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

YOU KNOW, IT IS CONCERNING AND WE ARE GOING TO BE CLOSELY MONITORING THAT KIND OF POLLING ACTIVITY AS WELL AS TAKING A CLOSER LOOK INTO SOME FOCUS GROUP ACTIVITY AS WELL.

SO, YES, BUT WE HAVE A LONG -- WE GOT A LONG RUNWAY BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL.

>> CHRIS, YOU GUYS ARE WALKING AROUND WITH SOME STRUT NOWADAYS, BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FALL FOR THE NUMBERS IN A MONMOUTH POLL, ARE YOU?

>> TOUCHE.

NO, LISTEN, THE OTHER NUMBER THAT YOU DIDN'T MENTION THERE, DAVID, IS THAT WITH INDEPENDENTS, THE PRESIDENT IS UPSIDE DOWN BY 17 POINTS IN THAT NEW MONMOUTH POLL SO NOT TO TAKE A SHOT AT MY FRIEND, PAT MURRAY, BUT JUDGING BY LAST YEAR, IT MIGHT BE WORSE THAN THAT.

WE FEEL PRETTY GOOD.

WE UNDERSTAND IT'S A LONG TIME, LIKE THE CHAIRMAN SAID.

THE ELECTION IS NOT TOMORROW.

IN SOME WAYS, I WISH IT WERE BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHETHER THIS IS A BOIL OR A SIMMER.

BUT WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE TRAJECTORY.

WE THINK THE COUNTRY IS GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR A CHECK AND BALANCE ON BIDEN AND THE DEMOCRATS AND FOR THE NUMBERS TO BE THAT BAD HERE IN NEW JERSEY, THAT TELLS YOU NATIONALLY THIS IS GOING TO BE A REAL ROUGH YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> YEAH, THERE WERE TWO MONMOUTH POLLS OUT THIS WEEK, THOUGH THE ONE ON MURPHY HAS HIM OVER 50% NOW.

YOU HAD HIM ON THE ROPES BUT YOU LET HIM GET AWAY, NO?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAMPAIGN ENDS, SO WE -- JACK NOT OUT THERE, MAKING THE CASE EVERY DAY, CERTAINLY THERE'S BEEN A BOUNCEBACK FOR THE GOVERNOR.

BUT LISTEN, HE'S OFF THE BALLOT NOW.

HIS NUMBERS DON'T MATTER THAT MUCH.

CERTAINLY THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HELP THESE CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES DOWN BALLOT.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HELP THESE COUNTY OFFICIALS DOWN BALLOT.

THIS IS A FEDERAL ELECTION YEAR.

THERE'S A NATIONAL WAVE BUILDING AGAINST DEMOCRATS AND I THINK WE SAW THAT COMING TO NEW JERSEY LAST YEAR, AND THIS YEAR, WE HAVE SOME CONGRESSIONAL SEATS THAT WE THINK WE CAN WIN BACK.

>> CHAIRMAN, IS THE GOVERNOR A LIABILITY GOING AROUND THE STATE WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES, OR IS HE A PLUS?

>> I DIDN'T HEAR CHRIS SAY THAT.

AND LOOK, CHRIS AND HIS PARTY HAS A LITTLE BIT OF SWAG NOW, COMING OFF THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.

WE'LL GIVE THAT TO THEM.

YOU EARNED THAT.

BUT NO, I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS THOSE COAT TAILS THAT ARE GOING TO BE IMPORTANT TO NEW JERSEYANS, PARTICULARLY IN A CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION.

LOOK, THIS IS NEW JERSEY.

THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE BEDDED IN NEW JERSEY IN TERMS OF THEIR REPRESENTATION, THE PEOPLE THAT THEY REPRESENT, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO TALK TO, THE MESSAGING THAT THEY WRAP THEMSELVES AROUND, AND THE GOVERNOR'S GOING TO BE OUT FRONT ON THAT.

YEAH, THIS IS HIS LAST TERM AS GOVERNOR, BUT LOOK, HE'S NOT GOING AWAY.

HE'S GOING TO BE A MAJOR PART OF WHAT NEW JERSEY LOOKS LIKE GOING FORWARD AND I THINK AS WE LOOK THROUGH THESE NEXT CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS, HE'S GOING TO LOOM LARGE IN THIS AS WELL AS MANY OTHER SURROGATES UP AND DOWN THE STATE.

>> LET ME STAY WITH YOU HERE, CHAIRMAN.

YOU WANT AN EARLY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY FOR NEW JERSEY AND EVEN SOME REPUBLICANS, I THINK, AGREED WITH YOU.

WHAT'S THE PROSPECT OF THE LEGISLATURE MOVING A BILL TO CHANGE THE DATE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY?

>> I MEAN, I THINK THE LEGISLATURE COULD MOVE WITH ALL ALACRITY TO DO THAT.

FROM A PARTY STANDPOINT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S SANCTIONED BY THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE A SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE TWO ENTITIES JUST WALKING TWO DIFFERENT PATHS, SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THAT CASE TO THE DNC AND I THINK THE LEGISLATURE WILL ROLL IN LOCK STEP IF THAT DECISION IS ONE THAT EMBRACES WHAT MY REQUEST HAS BEEN IN TERMS OF EARLIER PRIMARY FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> CHRIS, MOST REPUBLICANS I TALK TO ABOUT MOVING THE PRIMARY SAY, MEH.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> WELL, LISTEN, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE PARTY THE WAY LEROY CAN, OBVIOUSLY, FOR HIS PARTY A BIT, BUT FOR MY PERSONAL OPINION, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE AN EARLIER PRIMARY.

I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR NEW JERSEY TO GET MORE ACTION AND MORE ENGAGEMENT BY VOTERS IN THAT PROCESS AND TO HAVE MORE OF A SAY, REALLY, IN WHAT HAPPENS IN THE PRIMARY.

RIGHT NOW, AS LEROY KNOWS, WE'RE AT THE TAIL END OF THIS THING.

IT'S ALMOST A DONE DEAL BY THE TIME IT GETS HERE.

VERY RARELY DOES IT MAKE IT TO US.

SO FROM A PERSONAL OPINION STANDPOINT, BRING IT ON.

I LOVE IT.

>> THE ARGUMENT, OF COURSE, IS THAT ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, NEW JERSEY'S MUCH MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COUNTRY, DIVERSITY, AND ALL OF THAT IN BOTH ECONOMICS AND ETHNICITY AND RACE.

IS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF NEW JERSEY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ACROSS THE COUNTRY NOW?

>> WELL, LISTEN, YOU LOOK BACK AND I WOULD ARGUE THAT NEW JERSEY IS NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COUNTRY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN WON NEW JERSEY BY 16 POINTS IN 2020.

HE DIDN'T WIN THE COUNTRY BY 16 POINTS.

NEW JERSEY'S FAR TO THE LEFT OR FAR BLUER THAN THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.

AND I THINK THE REPUBLICANS IN NEW JERSEY WOULD BE EXCELLENT TO HAVE THIS WEIGH IN OF WHAT KIND OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE WE THINK CAN WIN NATIONALLY AND CAN PUSH AN AGENDA THAT IS A COMMON SENSE CONSERVATIVE AGENDA, SIMILAR TO WHAT JACK DID HERE LAST YEAR.

WE CAN ONLY GROW THE PARTY IF WE CAN HAVE MORE OF A SAY IN WHO THE NOMINEE WOULD BE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> DAVID, CHRIS MAKES A GOOD POINT, AND LOOK.

CHRIS AND SOME OF THE MORE FORWARD-THINKING PEOPLE IN HIS PARTY MOVE AWAY FROM SOME OF THE NATIONAL RANCOR THAT WE SEE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, AND THEY'RE MORE TO A CENTRIST KIND OF POSITION THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

CONSERVATISM DOESN'T REALLY -- IT'S NOT THE ORDER OF THE DAY.

SO, AGAIN, AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I'M GLAD TO KNOW THAT STILL IN NEW JERSEY, BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE A MINDSET THAT IS EMBRACIVE OF WHAT IS ALL GOOD ABOUT THIS COUNTRY.

>> ALL RIGHT, SPEAKING OF PRIMARIES, THE CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARIES ARE SET.

CHAIRMAN, WHO'S THE WEAKEST LINK ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, THE CANDIDATE THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE ON THE BALLOT?

>> THERE'S CANDIDATES UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT.

WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE PREMIER CANDIDATES IN EVERY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

I'M NOT GOING TO NECESSARILY SIZE UP WHO THE WEAKEST IS ON THE OPPOSING SIDE.

OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET OUR MESSAGING OUT.

AND CERTAINLY A MESSAGE THAT'S GOING TO BE RECALIBRATED FROM THE NOVEMBER ELECTION BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE IN EVERY ONE OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO -- WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO TAKE ANY PRISONERS.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE WITH ALL ALACRITY TO RUN ROBUST CAMPAIGNS IN EVERY ONE OF THOSE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE OUTCOMES THAT WILL INURE BENEFIT TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY.

>> LET'S SEE IF WE CAN'T GET CHRIS TO NAME SOME NAMES.

CHRIS, THIS IS YOUR PARTY'S MOMENT.

>> I'M HAPPY TO NAME NAMES.

>> I KNOW WHAT THE NAMES ARE GOING TO BE.

THAT DOESN'T MATTER.

>> LET ME SET IT UP FOR YOU, CHRIS.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> BESIDES CONGRESSMAN MALINOWSKI, WHO I KNOW YOU ALL THINK WILL LOSE TO TOM.

WHO ELSE ARE REPUBLICANS LIKELY TO PICK OFF FROM THE INCUMBENTS ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE?

>> LISTEN, I BELIEVE -- I TRULY BELIEVE THIS, THAT I THINK ANDY KIM, MIKIE SHERRILL AND JOSH GOTTHEIMER ARE ALL VULNERABLE.

IN A HUGE WAVE, EVEN SOMEONE LIKE FRANK IS IN THE MIX.

I UNDERSTAND THESE ARE DIFFICULT DISTRICTS.

THE DEMOCRATS DID A WONDERFUL GERRYMANDER OF THESE DISTRICTS BUT NOT IN A YEAR LIKE THIS BECAUSE THE KEY IS, ANDY KIM KNOWS THIS, GOTTHEIMER, SHERRILL.

JOE BIDEN IS ON THE BALLOT.

THEY ARE GOING TO CARRY HIM AROUND THEIR NECK LIKE A MILL AROUND THEIR NECK.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ARE GOING TO RUN CAMPAIGNS IN EVERY ONE OF THOSE DISTRICTS SAYING WE'RE GOING TO BE A CHECK AND BALANCE ON THE POLICIES AND FROM INFLATION TO KIND OF THE SOME OF THE MORE RADICAL SOCIAL POLICY, WE'RE GOING TO BE CHECK AND BALANCING AND REACH TO THE MAINSTREAM, THE MIDDLE, OUR BASE IS ALREADY FIRED UP ENOUGH.

WE'RE GOING TO REACH BACK TO THE MIDDLE AND GET INDEPENDENTS AND DEMOCRATS TO COME OUR WAY TOO AND WE'RE GOING TO WIN BACK SOME OF THESE SEATS.

>> CHAIRMAN, HE SAYS SHERRILL, KIM, AND POLLONE, ALL VULNERABLE.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> AND GOTTHEIMER.

>> AND GOTTHEIMER.

NO.

I DON'T -- LOOK.

CHRIS DESERVES THE SWAG.

HE DESERVES THE ABILITY TO TRY TO PROGNOSTICATE WHAT THESE ELECTIONS ARE GOING TO BE, AS I DO AS WELL.

LOOK, IT'S GOING TO BE A FIGHT IN EVERY LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.

WE DON'T LOOK FOR FREE RIDES.

WE DON'T LOOK FOR NONCOMPETITIVE RACES.

WE DON'T LOOK AT CANDIDATES AND MEASURE THEM BASED ON VULNERABILITIES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE IN EVERY LEGISLATIVE -- IN EVERY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

AND CHRIS MENTIONED MALINOWSKI MOST VULNERABLE.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE SURPRISED IN THAT DISTRICT.

TOM IS GOING TO RUN HARD.

I'M TALKING ABOUT TOM MALINOWSKI AND I THINK THAT AS WE GET CLOSER TO NOVEMBER, THERE'S GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT FLAVOR IN THE AIR, AND I THINK THAT SEVENTH DISTRICT IS GOING TO SURPRISE A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> I GOT A STEAK DINNER ON THAT ONE WITH YOU, LEROY.

>> YOU PICK THE RESTAURANT, CHRIS.

I GOT A GOOD APPETITE, MAN.

>> LISTEN, AND GENTLEMEN, I'LL BE THERE JUST TO MODERATE AND YOU KNOW, IF I GET A STEAK OUT OF IT TOO, WE'RE ALL BETTER OFF FOR IT.

CHRIS RUSSELL.

>> CHRIS WILL TAKE CARE OF US ALL.

>> CHRIS RUSSELL, LEROY JONES, GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

THANKS FOR COMING ON, MAN.

>> GREAT SEEING YOU, CHRIS.

>> YOU TOO, LEROY.

>> THAT'S "CHAT BOX" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS ALSO TO CORY BOOKER.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER, @DAVIDCRUZNJ, AND BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL WHERE ALL SORTS OF STUFF IS HAPPENING, INCLUDING "BUSINESS BEAT," NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AND MORE TO COME.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

WE'RE OFF NEXT WEEK.

FROM ALL OF US OVER HERE, HAVE A SAFE, PEACEFUL HOLIDAY.

SEE YOU IN A COUPLE WEEKS.

>> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING FOR "CHAT BOX" WITH DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY INSIDER NJ, A POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK DEDICATED TO NEW JERSEY POLITICAL NEWS.

INSIDER NJ IS COMMITTED TO GIVING SERIOUS POLITICAL PLAYERS AN INTERACTIVE FORUM FOR IDEAS, DISCUSSION AND INSIGHT.

ONLINE AT INSIDERNJ.COM.

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