Thomas H. Kean's "telephone" town hall Wednesday night included no one asking questions on the phone.

Instead, an aide read submitted questions and the CD-7 congressman answered them. There was no give and take, and, of course, no surprises.

Kean, who has been in office since January, 2023, has been criticized for not holding "live" town halls, or for that matter, engaging with the public and press.

Some of the questions posed tonight were challenging - more challenging than ones I heard at a similar event a year or so ago. However, the question and answer session lasted a mere 30 minutes or so.

One of the more pressing topics of concern these days is the future of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

These are perennial concerns, but more so now.  After all, Elon Musk has called Social Security a "ponzi scheme."

Kean pledged his support for all three programs.

He was asked if he backs allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, which is now happening for some drugs. This was a key part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed in 2022 when Democrats controlled the House.

Kean sidestepped the question, but he did say that he opposes the power of middlemen - Pharmacy Benefit Managers - to help set prices.

On some questions, Kean's answers deviated from the Trump agenda.

He said he was pro-choice and that he would oppose a national abortion ban. He also said that climate change is "real," but that he opposes off-shore wind in New Jersey waters. He also said he supports the SNAP program or food stamps for qualified individuals.

Kean began the session talking about Donald Trump "restoring common sense" and a sharp drop in illegal border crossings.

On foreign policy, he reasserted his support for Israel and the safe return of hostages.

The congressman said nothing in his opening statement about Ukraine, but was asked about it.

Using his strongest language of the evening, Kean called the Russian invasion illegal and said Vladimir Putin is a "war criminal." Those are not things the president is likely to say.

Kean said he's confident the administration is working hard to bring about peace.

As for Musk and his work. Kean supported the elimination of waste and a need for efficiency. No shock there.

But, like an astute politician - regardless of party - he said he doesn't want federal cuts threatening initiatives he wants to see in the district, like new sidewalks in Summit and helping police in Byram.