No Referendum?

" Now it's Super Tuesday November and it is Election Day folks and we're looking at two. Hotly contested gubernatorial races that are fascinating to watch unfold in New Jersey. It is a three way race democratic incumbent Jon Corzine getting a strong challenge from Republican opponent former attorney general there Chris Christie. Lucy in the middle that Chris dad gets is throwing. Been an interesting -- things as well he's independent candidate there. And over in the swing states purple state they call -- a Virginia Republican Bob McDonnell running against Democrat creamy it's we heard from Republican Haley -- last hour. About the impact of these high profile races today let's turn to our democratic guest today to get the impact from -- congresswoman. Demo -- Watson's wasserman Schultz of Florida good to see it congresswoman lock on it beats him -- and thank you for having me so it'll tell our report says -- interesting to us he hits it that this is not a referendum on President Obama but it isn't referendum on some of his policies. Like the focus that is on health care right now and the -- picture in this country. He believes that the apple is elections is gonna tells a lot about happy people feel about those things what do you think."

" Well I think that. At the outcome of today's elections are you know almost a -- going to be a reflection of the times. But they're gonna be a reflection of the issues that are occurring in that state in that individual state whether it's New Jersey or Virginia. You I know Republicans would probably like to nationalize this election and attribute the results one way or the other. We would like to do that -- but Jeff Buckley couldn't say it was all President Obama is it either Corzine and deeds when. And it's real tough for Republicans to say that that it's the national. Policies of the administration that are impacting a state election."

" You know -- it didn't really look across the course of history when you do see some of these elections happening. In the out years it it does -- in point in certain directions about the sentiment that's out there. -- I look at New Jersey which is where I'm from and that that the reason that you saw Corzine's. Approval numbers dipping over the course the last summer as seem to be -- through most of what was out there in the polling that they did. Based on the fact that he would he didn't bring down property taxes -- one of the big things that he ran on. And also the budget shortfall seven billion dollar budget shortfall in New Jersey. And it's hard to not see those issues as sort of you know as something that a lot of people -- I'm talking about. High taxes and you know difficult overburdened government."

" The economy is definitely going to be an issue and in both of these states but I was -- in New Jersey on Friday and I I think he conceded the dramatic difference from where governor Corzine -- in the summer to now. Mostly because Chris Christie is so dramatically out of touch without -- with the need average New Jersey voter particularly with women. I mean the comments that he made during the course of the campaign. You know saying that it's perfectly okay to have that mandate -- policies when it comes to health insurance coverage. And calling prekindergarten programs I can to babysitting. That really -- is offensive to most women particularly moms with young."

" Isn't so what did I think that that Clinton and the rest of the time that a lot because Corzine had -- ahead pulled ahead and now it's very close once again. Well."

" I said it it's it. That number is going from Corzine being down by a tremendous amount back in August 2 -- and being and neck and neck or or even up. To the fact that governor Corzine has since found and voters in New Jersey. That he is right on the issues that mattered most of them is really committed to helping the it was the state gets turned around economically and Chris Christie. Is so far right and so it's payments so wrong on the issues that matter to moderate voters. And you've also got the anomaly of that third that that third candidate and -- who's gonna draw voters away from that -- rather than the courts are new here."

" You know is interesting -- to watch and it is Virginia so let's talk a little bit about Virginia. -- we have a chance you know living afraid -- I mean -- seem to be had no windows was gonna happen yet because. A polling is one -- and then watching who actually shows up it says the real polls and that's the only poll that really matters in the -- What kind of you know what what will -- mean eighteen years you know -- Democrat if you see that state loses if the Democrat loses there having had -- you know victorious win the presidential election. Just one year now. Well."

" I mean that the tradition in Virginia especially because they have this quirky one term governor of the situation. Is that the majority party. Has not won the governor's mansion -- Republican or Democrat. In in -- it's it's been probably you know 5060 years since either they're Republican or democratic majority party candidate has won so. It would be pretty typical for an election year like this one or the party in power as candidate to loose."

" I don't McCain -- I think President Obama admit I mean really -- a -- and Virginia spent a lot of time there as he did New Jersey has put a lot of personal stake in --"

" Yeah actually has not spent a lot of time in Virginia particularly on this -- he's been focused on trying to get."

" Into the economy turned around nationally he's spent some time in New Jersey three times and I think."

" Yeah he's we've spent the weekend in New Jersey on what was not in Virginia this weekend or even recently so they're definitely had difference between. The -- deeds has run his race in Virginia and New Jersey side governor Corzine and that shows that -- they're dealing with issues that are unique to their states. Having President Obama -- Obama is may be helpful to one not necessarily. Admitted. Necessary in another."

" And that's because the issues are state by state and that's -- the selection show tonight and I we will see what to take OAS congresswoman Deborah wasserman salt thank you very much good to have you here great --"