N.J. GOP SCRAPES BOTTOM OF THE BARREL TO FIND A CANDIDATE AFTER CHOICES 1, 2 and 3 DEMUR

Linda Stender gains as Republicans scramble

Today was all about big rats-- Trent Lott and Denny Hastert-- deserting the floundering SS GOP. But last week, the big story was how New Jersey fake moderate Mike Ferguson was giving up his House seat-- which is likely to be won by progressive Democrat Linda Stender. At the time, the New Jersey Republican Party had so many "likely" strong candidates they couldn't count them. Tom Kean's worthless son was the first choice and he quickly dove under his bed and refused to come out. That left Republican Assembly whip and key Kean ally, Jon Bramnick, a sure thing to get the nomination. He was next to call in sick. Ex-Congressman Bob Franks was next on the list-- and next to say no. This week the GOP is looking for a solid third tier sacrificial pig. They may have found one in Scotch Plains Mayor Martin Marks.

He may win in Scotch Plains but the reasons he gave the media for wanting to run may not inspire many people outside of the country clubs where hard core Republicans meet. "My feeling right now is ... that we need to focus in on retaining this 7th seat in Republican hands, and that's the way it's been for many, many years. The district has changed a little bit with redistricting, but it is still a Republican district." Other Republicans are pleading with outgoing Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance to save their party from someone as apparently unfit as Mayor Marks.

And today's Newark Star-Ledger is reporting that Kate Whitman, the daughter of NJ's ex-Governor, wants to run for the seat too. Also sniffing around are Somerset Assemblyman Peter Biondi, Somerset County Freeholder Jack Ciattarelli and William Mennen, a Hunterdon County freeholder-elect.