Bell looking to anti-Obama sentiment to defeat Booker in NJ

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Bell and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie made a breakfast stop in Morris County Monday morning.

Bell and Christie greeted patrons and GOP faithful in the Morristown Diner.

The 71-year-old Bell is considered an underdog compared with incumbent Democrat Cory Booker, with polls showing him trailing by more than 10 percentage points.

Bell is urging voters upset with President Obama to turn out against Booker.

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“This race is winnable because I think a significant number of voters are thinking about voting against the Obama administration, against the status quo, and the trend as it exists,” Bell said. “That is going to help me, because Sen. Booker is in lockstep with the president.

Christie again challenged Booker to debate Bell more than once.

“He’s our United States senator at the moment; he needs to make the case, and I think standing on the stage with Jeff Bell would make the issues much clearer, and a much greater focus, for the people of the state as they prepare to make their decision,” Christie said.

Bell’s last bid for the senate was in 1978.  Though he managed defeat incumbent Clifford Case in the Republican primary, Democrat Bill Bradley beat him 55 to 43 percent in the general election.  The GOP has not won a U.S. Senate seat from New Jersey ever since.

 

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