Blue Jersey for Garden State Politics

One of the best things about the Koufax Awards is the way it introduces us to web sites that we had not previously noticed. I feel especially bad about my ignorance of this site because, in addition to being right in my own back yard – I’m in New York – this effort is just so damn good.

Blue Jersey is a site devoted exclusively to New Jersey politics and, boy, do they ever cover it like the proverbial blanket. With everything from coverage of local, county and statewide issues, Blue Jersey features great writing, good research and also produces some excellent podcasts starring the likes of Senator Robert Menendez and Representatives Rush Holt and Frank Pallone.

For searing commentary, take a look at Juan Melli's wonderful piece from Thursday, in which he takes to task Morris County politicos for their near-unanimous vote to condemn some local high school students for holding a mock war-crimes trial of President Bush. Melli nails them for their “…borderline traitorous comments” in trying to deny the very rights supposedly being defended by the very troops that people like them claim to support so much. It’s beautiful.

All of this from a blog that was just created in September of 2005.

If you live in New Jersey, are interested in the state’s politics or simply understand what an important state this is for the national progressive movement, I strongly recommend that you check it out.