Christie's race to lose in angry New Jersey?

0 Comments | Philadelphia Daily News, June, 2009 | by WILL BUNCH bunchw@phillynews.com 215-854-2957

IT'S ALWAYS the Republicans' year in New Jersey - at least until voters actually cast ballots in the fall election.

Over the course of the 2000s, Garden State Democrats have seen one governor crash and burn in a high-profile scandal, and a second who's faced his own ethical missteps while grappling with the worst fiscal crisis in a generation.

Yet, Democrats still have managed mostly to strengthen their grip on Garden State politics - aided greatly by the cross-currents of national politics that have driven moderates in the Northeastern United States away from the GOP in droves.

But last night, charismatic and fairly moderate Republican Chris Christie claimed a solid victory that gave the GOP the matchup it wanted, a strong candidate to challenge a weakened...