Much of the commentary surrounding Sen. Arlen Specter's party switch has centered on the best course for a Republican recovery: does the GOP need to expand its views and be more of a "big tent" party, or is it better off as a purely and strictly conservative movement?

The Record's Charles Stile says that debate is playing out in real time here in New Jersey as moderate Republican Chris Christie battles staunch conservative Steve Lonegan for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

"Lonegan and Christie are baring the party's soul in bare-knuckled fashion," Stile writes.
 

Republican don't need a listening tour for their soul-searching, Stile concludes, just come to Jersey.

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Two interesting notes on the governor's race today.

The New York Times is reporting that Gov. Corzine's Democratic allies plan to ramp up attacks on Republican candidate Chris Christie -- during the GOP primary. The idea is to either help conservative Steve Lonegan, whose hard right positions, Democrats believe, might make him an easier opponent in the state's general election, or to simply bang up Christie a bit before he goes toe-to-toe with Corzine.

Corzine, facing only a nominal primary challenge, has tried to stay aloof of the political combat, but his poll numbers have continued to tumble and several surveys have him trailing Christie. A Democratic move to jump into the Republican primary would show just how seriously the party is taking Christie as a threat.

Meanwhile, Corzine may get a boost from Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi, who is planning a fund raising concert for the governor in June.

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Senate President Richard J. Codey (D., Essex) and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. (D., Camden) met with Gov. Corzine this afternoon to talk about the latest grim budget news: a new shortfall that could be as large as $2 billion.

"This began as a dreadful budget year and unfortunately it's only getting worse and worse," Roberts said after the meeting.

Roberts said the three did not discuss specific solutions, but he noted that municipal aid and school aid are two of the largest items in the budget and said property tax rebates, another large line of spending, is "an area that we're going to have to continue to talk about."

He said all potential solutions are on the table for discussion. We took a look at some of the possible budget fixes and fall out from the latest revenue shortfall on Saturday.

Roberts added that Corzine is hoping to lobby the Obama administration for additional federal aid and more flexibility in spending some of the money Washington has already awarded to New Jersey.

He said tax increases should be a last resort.

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