Murphy’s Biggest Liability
So, what does Phil Murphy think is his biggest liability as he seeks re-election later this year. And how about his greatest strength?
These are obvious questions – even during a pandemic.
But just as obvious is the fact no governor is going to candidly talk about re-election pluses and minuses during a COVID briefing.
So when Murphy was asked precisely that at his Friday briefing, he, not surprisingly, punted.
“I’m not really thinking a whole lot about politics,” Murphy said. “We’re trying to call balls and strikes.”
By that he meant he’s trying to make the best decision he can in regard to the virus, although he did say that he, or rather his wife, Tammy, has been raising campaign money.
The governor’s approval ratings boomed last spring when the start of the pandemic made him a constant presence on TV. They remain on average above 60 percent, suggesting that despite fierce opposition from the right, a majority of residents like what he’s doing.
Clearly, he will continue to be judged on how he handles the pandemic. So far, his approach has been more or less steady – unlike neighboring states, for instance, New Jersey has not stopped indoor dining since it reopened in early September. He also continues to show empathy for those who have passed.
Today, Murphy said he’d like “to bat a thousand,” but that’s impossible.
A most recent problem was a glitch in the online scheduling of vaccine appointments in Gloucester County that resulted in people being “double-booked,” which meant they weren’t booked at all.
“That’s something that drives you crazy,” the governor said, adding that his administration has had “spirited” dialogue with the vendor.
Speaking of vaccines, the overall picture is positive, although the state needs more doses. The governor visited a vaccine site in Bergen County Friday morning that has the ability to administer 2,400 shots a day. But they only had 800 on hand.
Still, the governor said the average number of people getting vaccinated daily now exceeds the number of people getting the virus each day.
That’s some good news.
But not all the numbers are good; the number of New Jersey residents who have succumbed to COVID is above 19,000. If it reaches 20,000, that will be a very grim milestone.
This article says absolutely.. For those of us with longer memories than Mr. Snowflack, the thousands of people he got killed in nursing homes quickly comes to mind
I would like to see a comprehensive plan as fo where these Covid
patients could have been placed. Some of whom were homeless,
some had no families or families who are not interested or not
capable of taking care of them. These patients need specialized
care by trained staff for feeding tubes, oxygen, etc.
They, also, need to be bathed, fed, diapered, positions changed
regularly to avoid bed sores.
Hospitals were filled to capacity. Little or no national guidance.
No advance notice to train or prep staff.
National guard, used on a limited basis. They have crisis training,
but not covid crisis training.
Seriously, where could these patients be placed?
Were you going to volunteer to go into a facility, fully garbed,
double gloved to care for these patients?
……………I THINK NOT!
PS…. “thousands of people he got killed” is cruel, unnecessary, and extremely mean spirited,
PPS… if you had a plan, you should have submitted it to Governor Murphy.
Even now, I think he would be interested.
You would sooner find a herd of unicorns in an enchanted forest guarding every winning lottery ticket in the kingdom than a single comment online that questions the COVID decisions and actions of both Donald John Trump
and a Democratic elected official. It’s baffling really.
It doesn’t matter. Ciatterelli won’t have the $ or GOP organization to win. Personally I think most of us are tired of Tammy the Murph Smurf getting all the press. Constantly pushing and positioning Phil and herself for a White House address. Very transparent.