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Kean Sr. Joins Son's Senate Bid, Brings Scathing Attacks on Menendez

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the 2006 Senate race in New Jersey heats up, Thomas H. Kean Sr. has joined his 38-year-old son, Thomas H. Kean Jr., in targeting Democratic opponent Robert Menendez for alleged corruption. The elder Kean, a former governor and 9/11 Commission chairman, has brought his iconic status to the campaign trail, linking Menendez with a "culture of corruption" in Hudson County.

Critics say the Kean campaign's use of the father's popularity is a last-ditch effort to sway undecided voters, but Kean Sr. remains unapologetic, labeling Menendez's actions as "hypocrisy." Meanwhile, Democrats are countering the attack by pointing to the elder Kean's own past dealings with Hudson County leaders in the 1970s, when he sought their backing as state Assembly speaker.

Key Takeaways:

  • Thomas H. Kean Sr. has joined his son's Senate campaign, bringing his iconic status and credibility as a corruption fighter.
  • The elder Kean has linked Menendez with a "culture of corruption" in Hudson County, a claim that has been used by the younger Kean's campaign for months.
  • Democrats have responded by pointing to Kean Sr.'s own past dealings with Hudson County leaders in the 1970s, when he sought their backing as state Assembly speaker.
  • Polls show that Menendez has gained momentum in recent weeks, with some Democrats saying the Kean campaign's use of the father's popularity is a desperate attempt to catch up.
  • U.S. Rep. Robert E. Andrews (D., N.J.) said voters understand that the election is not about the former governor, but about a choice between the Bush course and changing the course.

Statistics:

  • 71: The age of Thomas Kean Sr. when he made a campaign appearance last week in North Jersey.
  • 38: The age of Thomas H. Kean Jr.
  • 40 years: The amount of time Kean Sr. has been in politics, during which he has been a target of criticism.
  • 9/11 Commission: The highly regarded commission chaired by Kean Sr. that investigated the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
  • 1970s: The decade when Kean Sr. sought the backing of Hudson County leaders as state Assembly speaker.
  • May 2003: The month when a lease deal between the North Hudson Community Action Corp. and Menendez expired.
  • October 2006: The month when Kean Jr.'s Senate campaign is expected to conclude.

Sources:

  • "U.S. Senate hopefuls trade corruption jabs" by Leonard N. Fleming, The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 25, 2006
  • "Kean Sr. joins son's Senate bid, brings scathing attacks on Menendez" by Leonard N. Fleming, The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 25, 2006

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