Last year saw the most exciting November Election Day my personal history with America putting the first African American man into office as President of the United States: Barack Obama.
One year later, in this "off year election" and in the middle of the second worst economy in our nation's history, we have a few key races in three states. Here's my personal view - not that of any other website or publication - on who you should vote for and why.
Bloomberg for Mayor of New York City
The most important one for me is Mayor of New York, where Mike Bloomberg has spent between $86 million, or as Lou Dobbs said yesterday on CNN $100 million in an attempt to be reelected Mayor of New York City.
But he didn't have to spend that much money to retake a job he's done so well. Mike Bloomberg has proven himself to be a capable elected official and a steady, focused hand in many ways better than former mayors Ed Koch and Rudy Guiliani, who had adversarial relationships with New York's black and Latino communities. Not so with Bloomberg, who's also done well in steering New York through the recession. Mike deserves to be reelected Mayor of New York City.
Corzine for NJ Governor
Jon Corzine finds himself locked in a battle for Governor of New Jersey against Christopher Christie. But the real way to look at New Jersey is its unemployment rate, which is at 9.8 percent - while high it's not as bad as a number of states and was aided by a stimulus package that no New Jersey republican reportedly wanted.
That means a Republican in office will be less likely to want stimulus money or make sure unemployment insurance needs are well-funded. While New Jersey's economy has had its problems, that's true around America. Chris Christie's not going to fix New Jersey.
Jon Corzine is not being looked at with the right lens. He's a person who understands how to direct New Jersey through economic crisis and should be given the right to finish the job he started as Governor of New Jersey and fix that state's economy.
Creigh Deeds for Virginia
Ok, he's not exciting but he gets the job done for rural Virginians. But having the anti-choice conservative Bob McDonnell as Governor is a step backward for a state that needs to and has moved progressively forward.
What ever you do, make sure you get out and use your God-given, hard-earned right to vote today. I'll provide more election views and updates through the day.
exercising rock-solid legislative control with Congressional majorities they're finding the rules aren't as fun when the other guys are in charge.
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
