One would think that Christine Todd Whitman would be intimidated by all of this, especially in light of her limited political leadership. She was a former Freeholder of Somerset County and President of the Board of Public Utilities, a slim match for Bradley’s extensive knowledge in foreign affairs. However, Whitman was born swaddled in political bunting, her father Webster Todd, the Chairman of the State Republican party and her mother, Eleanor, a Republic National Committeewoman (Weissman, 1996). Regardless to say, Whitman was not easily intimidated. She chose to run against Bill Bradley, instead of the somewhat less difficult job of running for

the Congressional seat left open by the resignation of Jim Courter in the 12th district (Weissman, 1996). In light of the fact that women have a better chance of winning an open seat, than against an incumbent, this was a bold move.

Whitman favored some constitutional devices that have worked well for the State. For instance, in response to Senator Bradley’s inquiries of how Whitman proposed to balance the federal budget, she said the federal Constitution should include a balanced-budget amendment. The President, like the New Jersey Governor, should be able to veto portions of the bill without rejecting the whole thing (Weissman, 1996). Bradley dismissed the proposal, saying that it would prevent New Jersey from getting mass-transit grants. Whitman was quick to point out that under that, if the only way a state could get a piece of pork is to swap with other states, the budget will inevitably swell with noisome projects (The New York Times, 1990). Whitman did decline to spell out how she would find enough additional savings to achieve a balanced budget that year, or how she would meet the five-year, $500 billion deficit reduction goal that Congress and the Whitehouse set (The New York Times, 1990.)

Picking up on the national discontent with incumbents, Whitman proposed a 12 year limit on the terms of representatives and senators. Her opponent, Bill Bradley, would begin his 13th year on Capitol Hill. Naturally, he was against the idea. Let the people decide how long to keep a politician in office, he says (The New York Times, 1990).

Bill Bradley slid by, with a disappointing 51% of the vote. Bradley took the message as a protest against all Democrats, in retaliation of Governor Florio’s tax hike (The Record, 1990). He said that it made him realize that he needs to listen and address the concerns of the voters (The Record, 1990). Mrs. Whitman turned out to be a first rate candidate. Her campaign was independent and non-ideological. She made it easy for democrats and independents to vote for her, and she went after Mr. Bradley with zest and effectiveness. Her finish in this campaign put her in an excellent position to run for the Governor’s office.

Whitman seemed to be the candidate shaping the issues, with the media picking up every word in print. Part of Mr. Bradley’s allure, of course, i

Some topics in this essay:
Bill Bradley, York Times, Bill Bradley’s, Associated Press, Residents Passaic, Governor Florio’s, Jim Florio’s, Jersey Governor, Jim Courter, Security Council, record 1990, bill bradley, 1990 whitman, york times 1990, york times, times 1990, weissman 1996, associated press, tax hike, press 1990, silent issue, associated press 1990, bradley’s campaign ads, house-senate conference committee, urban enterprise zones,