Asbury Park, New Jersey — In a shocking OMG announcement, Bruce Springsteen has formed an exploratory committee to run for governor of New Jersey in 2013. The press conference is scheduled to take place Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at The Stone Pony, an iconic club in Asbury Park that Springsteen frequented during the late 60s and early 70s as a rock 'n' roll artist.
Springsteen was born in Long Branch, NJ, and attended Freehold Borough High School. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer known as "The Boss" said in a news release
After a great deal of thought and consideration, I have decided to run for governor of our fine State of New Jersey as a Democrat in 2013. I can think of no better time to take this step than now, as I believe we need to revive New Jersey and bring back jobs that are sent overseas. I believe I have developed the trust of New Jersey citizens, having lived in the public spotlight here. My life is and has been an open book, and I am ready to serve New Jersey in 2013.
Springsteen 2013 Campaign
GOP pollster-strategist Stan Greenman remarked, “Though Gov. Chris Christie has not yet announced he is running in 2013, this spells real trouble. There are many Republicans who may ‘lose their religion’ if Springsteen runs. Bruce Springsteen is as to New Jersey as Frank Sinatra is as to New York City. Whatever Schwarzenegger was as to California, just raise that exponentially. Springsteen’s approval rating is ridiculous.”
Buzz for Springsteen’s candidacy started during the summer of 2011 after Public Policy Polling found the most favorable potential 2013 candidate against Christie was Bruce Springsteen, who tied the sitting governor at 42-42 percent even though “The Boss” had not shown the remotest interest in running at the time.
In a first interview with a handful fo selected New Jersey reporters, Springsteen said, “When Ann Coulter of the radical right attacked victims of 9/11, something snapped inside me. How could anyone, including the U.S. Congress, fail to support compensation for those survivors and first responders, the police and firefighters? Congress actually blocked their civil compensation. Crazy."
Sprigsteen also stressed, "I plan to put New Jersey’s economy and jobs first and will not tolerate petty political divisions. I will not accept any salary, or will donate my entire salary to charities and will not accept any pension either. Its not about money for me, it’s about New Jersey.”
According to Springsteen spokesman Ben Wilson, “The Boss is pro-Jersey jobs and will prioritize the state economy. He'll stop rewarding the outsourcing of jobs, provide tax incentives for new businesses in the state and be pro-choice while also getting government out of the bedroom. Springsteen is for universal health care, for energy resources produced in the United States — less foreign oil — and for environmental protections that nsure we all can enjoy clean air and pre water. He'll always support 9/11 victims and promises equal access to justice and the courts, not new roadblocks like medical malpractice caps."
Springsteen has argued that some of Christie's spending cuts are "eating away at the lower edges of the middle class." The governor responded: "I mean, you know, Bruce is liberal. Doesn't mean I like him any less."
Christie may now need to change one of his campaign rally tunes: "Born to Run" was his inauguration pep song, and he has stated that he has attended 120 of Springsteen’s concerts. Given Springsteen’s decision to unseat Christie, the New Jersey Republican Party must be crestfallen. Christie is one of the leading moderate GOP governors. Whether he will choose to run for re-election against one of his music idols remains to be seen.
Bon Jovi & Springsteen
Springsteen's exploratory committee advisor has tapped another of the Garden State's favorite sons, rocker Jon Bon Jovi, originally of Perth Amboy, an honorary campaign fundraising manager. There are strong intimations that Bon Jovi and Springsteen will appear together in a series of concerts to promote the candidacy, but no dates have been announced, probably due to Springsteen’s world tour in suport of 2012's Wrecking Ball album.
Springsteen will do limited active campaigning until the tour ends. A spokesperson for the Republican National Committee and for the Republican Governor's Association did not returns calls seeking comment on the effect of Springsteen’s democratic candidacy against Christie.
Note: This article is sheer fantasy and is a complete fiction, including the quotes and names of spokespersons. Well, some real facts appear. And if you believe in his, start the buzz now and make it a reality. Tweet. Share. Discuss.
About the Editor: Rick Shapiro is an attorney/blogger/writer from Va. Beach, VA with Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton law firm. He has written hundreds of articles as a blogger.
Rick Shapiro has practiced personal injury law for over 30 years in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States. He is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA Accredited) and has litigated injury cases throughout the eastern United States, including wrongful death, trucking, faulty products, railroad, and medical negligence claims. During his three-decade career, Shapiro has won client appeals before the VA Supreme Court, VA Court of Appeals, NC Supreme Court, SC Supreme Court, WV Supreme Court, TN Supreme Court, and three times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, underscoring Shapiro’s trial achievements. In addition, he and his law firm have won settlements/verdicts in excess of $100 million. His success in and out of the courtroom is a big reason why he was named 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in railroad law in U.S. News & World Report's Best Lawyers publication (Norfolk, VA area), and he has been named a “Best Lawyer” and “Super Lawyer” by those peer-reviewed organizations for multiple years. Rick was also named a “Leader in the Law, Class of 2022” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (total of 33 statewide honorees consisting of lawyers and judges across Virginia). And in September 2023, Rick was selected as a recipient of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) 2023 President’s Award. Although many nominations were submitted from across the country, Rick was just one of eight attorneys chosen by the prestigious National Board which certifies civil trial attorneys across the U.S. Rick was also recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers Medical Malpractice. The attorneys awarded this honor are nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a panel from the publication.
5 Comments
Michael
Hoax
rockcat
To bad it's only fantasy. I'd vote for him. He'd certainly be more concerned with the welfare of New Jersey's middle-class than Christie.
bcr
too bad it's "greetings" from asbury park. had me going til then.
David Gonzales
While it would be great if Springsteen ran for governor, it's dangerous writing fantasty stories like this--this is how rumors start and it can cause problems. One day, though, I hope Springsteen does run for governor.
Cburg
This has me rolling on the floor laughing. Too funny!
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