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Slide 1: Happy new Year from PolitickernJ.com Winners & Losers of the Year * Politician of the Year * Best & Worst Campaigns of 2008 * Top Ten News Stories of 2008 Best Operatives * Moron of the Year * People to Watch PolitickerNJ.com Page 1 InsIde
Slide 2: wInner OF THe YeAr lOser OF THe YeAr POlITICIAn OF THe YeAr Bob Menendez eight years ago, when House minority Whip David Bonior told al gore he should pick then-congressman Bob menendez as his running mate, there were some questions about whether the Hudson county politician could extricate himself from his interest in local politics and become a leader of national stature. the joke at the time was a mock press release that read: “Vice President Bob menendez, the Union city Democratic municipal chairman, today announced his endorsement of candidates for the Hoboken Board of education.” menendez has now completed is third year in the United States Senate and continues to enjoy political success on a national stage. He is the new chairman of the Democratic Senatorial campaign committee, a leadership post with national visibility and clout, and as one of the ranking latinos in american politics; he’s in demand as a campaigner in key states like Florida, texas and Nevada. He’s transitioned from the day-to-day activities of Hudson county politics, but he still maintains a strong interest, and considerable clout, in New Jersey state politics. menendez’s accumulation of national and state power, and his willingness to step up and use his influence, makes him the 2008 Winner of the Year. When rob andrews decided to take on Frank lautenberg in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, it was menendez more than anyone else who fought to protect the political interests of his 84-year-old colleague. Seemingly within minutes of andrews’ announcement, menendez jumped in to shut the South Jersey congressman down. He stopped Bergen county Democrats from giving their line to andrews; his use of U.S. rep. Steve rothman as a surrogate in the intra-party battle that led to Joe Ferriero’s sudden reversal was extraordinary. in Hudson county, menendez helped cut off andrews at the kneecaps. He made sure that potential donors stuck with the incumbent. He played a key part in holding Union and middlesex counties for lautenberg. and he campaigned hard for his New Jersey colleague – even willing to damage his relationship with South Jersey Democratic powerhouse george Norcross in the process. (they’ve since kissed and made up.) menendez nemesis christopher christie is now gone as the United States attorney, and there has been no sign of any federal investigation that linked the two during the final days of the 2006 U.S. Senate campaign. Now menendez will play a pivotal role in the selection of christie’s successor under the new Democratic president. there was one blip on menendez’s 2008 record: he backed the wrong horse in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination – which is likely the reason he wasn’t offered a speaking slot at the national convention last summer. But still, menendez delivered for Hillary clinton, who beat Barack obama in the February 5 New Jersey primary by ten points, and now his friend is about to become the U.S. Secretary of State. as the new DScc chairman, menendez is now Harry reid’s personal political confidante at a time when the Senate majority leader faces his own competitive re-election in Nevada. menendez is also poised to get a much coveted seat on the Senate Finance committee, and he enjoys a strong personal relationship with the new White House chief of Staff, who is his former House colleague. PolitickerNJ.com Joe Ferriero 2008 was supposed to be a hallmark year for Joe Ferriero – his 10th as the uber-successful and incredibly powerful Bergen county Democratic chairman. Since taking the reins in 1998, Ferriero had transformed the local Democrats from a perennial minority party to the holder of all but one county-wide office, and a successful bulwark against statewide republican victories. So coveted was Ferriero’s endorsement in the presidential primary that in order to get it, Hillary clinton had to come to Bergen county in January where, on stage with Ferriero at a rally and apparently oblivious to the irony, she said “let’s reform the government so it ends the no-bid contracts and the cronyism and the incompetence.” But Ferriero made a huge blunder that april, when he looked ready to back U.S. rep. rob andrews’ nascent senate primary bid against Bergen county’s own incumbent, Frank lautenberg immediately, U.S. rep. Steve rothman, working with U.S. Sen. Bob menendez, challenged Ferriero’s power by threatening Ferriero’s chairmanship if he backed andrews. Ferriero retreated. By the time the Democratic National convention rolled around, it was clear that Ferriero was the target of a federal investigation. But he made the rounds at the parties anyway, talking little to the press but attending many of the parties and sporting a sun tan. a week later, his law office was raided; he took a leave of absence from his firm and, at least officially, temporarily stepped down as chairman. in September, he was indicted on eight corruption counts by U.S. attorney chris christie, who has prosecuted more than 130 public corruption cases without a single acquittal. meanwhile, Barack obama’s Bergen county campaign workers opted against setting up shop in the BcDo headquarters so as to disassociate themselves from Ferriero. Ferriero has vowed to fight the charges and has remained more or less in control of the party from a background role. after a campaign waged mainly against Ferriero by local republicans, the Democrats still managed to hold on to all three freeholder seats, although by a lesser margin than usual and despite an obama tailwind. But all of the county-wide elected officials have come to the realization that keeping Ferriero as chairman is politically untenable. earlier this month, the party’s executive committee voted for a resolution requiring him to resign by January 15th if he’s not exonerated of all the charges against him. if Ferriero does not, the party will likely hold a meeting where members will vote on whether or not to replace him. although whether Ferriero’s opponents can marshal enough votes from the county committee’s rank and file to remove the sitting chairman is an open question (many of those members hold public jobs thank to Ferriero), even if Ferriero survives he’ll be leading a party wracked with internal strife while facing his own corruption trial. if he beats the rap, look for a triumphant return. Frank lautenberg at age 84, Frank lautenberg managed to become the first New Jerseyan to win five races for the United States Senate. and he did it on his own terms against credible primary and general election challengers. lautenberg was caught a bit off guard by U.S. rep. rob andrews’ unexpected announcement that he would challenge him in the Democratic primary, and even a bit frightened by reports that some key North Jersey Democratic organizations, most specifically his home county of Bergen, would give andrews their line. With help from his Senate colleague, Bob menendez (it’s important to note that lautenberg, who didn’t really get along with Bill Bradley and despised Bob torricelli, has worked hard to play well with the other Senators during his return engagement in the U.S. Senate), he was able to stop andrews from winning any formal party support outside of george Norcross’ South Jersey. although his poll numbers have always been historically lukewarm – his approvals were akin to those of an endangered incumbent, as they were when he won re-election in 1988 and 1994 – he ran with the confidence of a man with a safe seat. lautenberg skillfully parried jabs about his age and refused to take the bait on insinuations that he actually lived with his wife in manhattan. When andrews entered the race, lautenberg pledged to self-fund his race if necessary. most importantly, lautenberg held off debating andrews and Zimmer until the end of the campaign, and avoided face-offs on New York and Philadelphia network tV. this angered his opponents and the press – it probably cost him a newspaper endorsement or two – but it proved to be a smart political move. Debates on public television the Friday night before the primary and the Saturday night before the general limited his exposure. and he avoided making a major gaffe that rivals hoped the octogenarian might commit. the results weren’t even close. lautenberg crushed andrews by 24%, and went on to beat Zimmer by 13%. lautenberg was also astute enough to stay out of the presidential race during his own election year, avoiding that drama by refusing to back a Democratic primary candidate until obama’s win was a foregone conclusion. lautenberg committed just one political error as a candidate for re-election: his campaign used political connections to get a block of premium tickets to a Springsteen concert at the meadowlands, and then sought to sell them off at a huge profit to campaign donors. once the press tried to make this an issue, lautenberg cancelled the fundraiser and shut the story down. By the time he’s done finishing out his next term, lautenberg will be just shy of 91. While most insiders expect this to be lautenberg’s last term, it’s a testament to his political skill that the possibility of him running again in 2014 remains open. runners uP: nexT PAge Page 2
Slide 3: runners uP wInners OF THe YeAr lisa Jackson the former state environmental Protection commissioner became gov. Jon corzine’s chief of Staff on December 1 and on December 15 won a seat in Barack obama’s cabinet as the administrator of the U.S. environmental Protection agency. runners uP lOsers OF THe YeAr neil Cohen the assembly Deputy Speaker resigned last July after state officials find child pornography on his legislative office computer. He was indicted in December. FAVOrITe HeAdlInes OF THe YeAr Blind rabbi’s opponent in Bacon the former State Senate minority leader is elected to congress, winning the open seat of retiring U.S. rep. mike Ferguson. leonard lance Bob Mulcahy the longtime rutgers athletic Director is fired amidst criticism of secret deals surrounding the school’s football program. —referring to Dennis Shulman’s challenge in the Democratic congressional primary from personalized mug designer roger Bacon. the Senate Judiciary committee chairman becomes the first Democrat to represent his district in congress since 1882. John Adler the congressman from camden county challenges Frank lautenberg in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, loses, and then cancels his pledge not to seek re-election to the House. rob Andrews — after Julie Shreck defeated gary engelstad by 30 votes last may. Shreck is the new mayor of Bradley Beach Stender’s a Fact Bender george Arwady and Jim willse Bill layton the hard-nosed Starledger publisher and editor helped save the state’s largest newspaper by pushing for 200 buyouts and convincing two labor unions to follow his demands. the Burlington county goP chairman loses two Freeholder seats and a county clerk race after denying Diane allen the chance to run for Jim Saxton’s seat in congress. —a column by Star-ledger columnist Paul mulshine after linda Stender attacked leonard lance for supporting christie Whitman’s pension bond plan in 1997, which he did not. Politicians of the Year Donald Scarinci, 2000 John lynch, 2001 christopher christie, 2002 PolitickerNJ.com michael Beson, 2003 Joseph Ferriero, 2004 richard codey, 2005 Juan melli, 2006 Stephen adubato, 2007 Frank lautenberg, 2008 Page 3
Slide 4: TOP 10 POlITICAl sTOrIes OF 2008 1 Neil cohen, one of the most influential members of the New Jersey State assembly, resigned in July after state officials found child pornography on his legislative office computer. the assembly Deputy Speaker and chairman of the Banking and insurance committee, was later indicted. He was turned in by his running mates, State Sen. raymond lesniak and assemblyman Joseph cryan, the Democratic State chairman. Her replacement, andy Unanue, never left his colorado vacation home and was out within a few weeks. State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio’s 1991 “manifesto” made it hard for some goP county leaders to back him. others, like biotech millionaire John crowley, State Sen. kip Bateman, and U.S. marshal James Plousis, openly flirted with running. Finally, the nomination was won by Dick Zimmer, a former republican congressman who has been out of office since losing a 1996 Senate race. 4 rob andrews, a ten-term congressman from camden county, challenged four-term incumbent Frank lautenberg in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senator. andrews secured the backing of South Jersey Democrats and won some North Jersey endorsements, but could not get any organization lines outside of the South. lautenberg beat him 59%-35%, with 6% for morristown mayor Donald cresitello. polls show corzine in a close race against republican christopher christie, the former U.S. attorney; he’s leading 42%-36%. the governor’s plan to increase tolls failed, and he deals with a pending lawsuit over the release of e-mail to and from his former girlfriend, labor leader carla katz and substantial shortfalls in the state budget. katz is an unpaid PolitickerNJ.com columnist. 8 2 New Jersey’s newspapers have suffered massive budget cuts and layoffs. the Star-ledger, the largest daily newspaper, threatened to closes its doors unless 200 employees agreed to buyouts and two labor unions ratified new contracts. gannett slashed their statehouse bureau from six reporters to two, and cut several veteran editors. the New York times has effectively pulled out of New Jersey; they didn’t cover the state budget or the lautenberg/Zimmer Senate campaign. Politicker.com, which operates PolitickerNJ.com, also experienced budget cuts. New Jersey republicans had a heck of a time finding a candidate for U.S. Senate. anne evans estabrook unexpectedly withdrew after suffering a minor stroke. 3 conservative leader Steve lonegan, the former mayor of Bogota and a goP candidate for governor in 2009, was arrested during a protest outside one of gov. Jon corzine’s town hall meetings to discuss his plan to raise tolls. the charges were dropped, but not until the story became lonegan and not corzine. lonegan was an unpaid PolitickerNJ.com columnist until entering the race for governor in December. Joseph Ferriero, the Bergen county Democratic chairman and one of the most powerful political insiders in the state, was indicted on charges that he concealed his ownership in a grants consulting firm while using his influence to deliver public contracts to the company. Dennis oury, the BcDo counsel, was also indicted. 5 New Jersey Democrats had their eleventh consecutive winning year on November 4, 2008. Frank lautenberg was re-elected to the U.S. Senate and John adler won a seat in congress that republicans have held since 1884. Democrats won control of the monmouth county Board of Freeholders, won major victories in Burlington and cumberland countywide races, and held their 7-0 majority on the Bergen county Board of Freeholders despite the indictment of their county chairman. Barack obama easily carried New Jersey’s fifteen electoral votes. republicans held mike Ferguson’s seventh district House seat, unseated a veteran Democratic Sheriff in atlantic county, and beat a Democratic Freeholder in Salem county. 6 Sharpe James and Wayne Bryant, two of New Jersey’s most powerful public officials over the last two decades, were convicted of federal corruption charges. James was the five-term mayor of Newark (and a State Senator) and Bryant was the chairman of the power Senate appropriations committee. a Superior court Judge removed Dana rone from her seat on the Newark city council because she sought to influence a Newark police officer during a traffic stop of her nephew. rone was barred from ever holding public office again, and a special election was held to fill her central Ward council seat. 9 10 7 PolitickerNJ.com Jon corzine continues to struggle in his bid to gain the approval of New Jersey voters. a February Quinnipiac poll had his job approval at an upside-down 37%-52%; by November, he was at 43%-46% -- slightly better heading into his re-election year. two Quinnipiac Page 4
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Slide 6: BesT And wOrsT CAMPAIgns OF 2008 BesT CAMPAIgns OF THe YeAr 1. Frank lautenberg for u.s. senate the campaign to re-elect Frank lautenberg to the United States Senate was nearly flawless. they took heat from rivals and reporters on process issues like debates, but refused to waver on their plan. “He’s smart to avoid the campaign because the campaign trail is rife with the potential for missteps and mistakes,” said montclair State University political science professor Brigid Harrison. 2. leonard lance for Congress For much of the year, the conventional wisdom was that leonard lance couldn’t raise enough money to overcome linda Stender in a strong Democratic year. But while lance couldn’t keep pace with Stender, who had huge financial support from Washington Democrats, he brought in enough cash to mount an effective campaign. Starting with his primary victory, it was clear he was in the race to win. lance, perhaps for the first time in his political career, took off the gloves in his fight with linda Stender, but he never got dirty doing it. team lance knew their greatest strength was their candidate. 3. John Adler for Congress Some people forget that the Senate Judiciary chairman got in the race when he thought 12-term incumbent Jim Saxton would be his opponent. adler concentrated heavily on fundraising, and by the time Saxton announced his retirement, the Democrat already had a sizeable warchest. it seemed like adler never stopped raising money. chris myers was no pushover, and adler stayed on message with the economy from the beginning. He worked the fish and game political channels in ocean, vibed with the Pemberton and Willingboro obama organization in Burlington, and worked their base in cherry Hill. this was a big win for Steve ayscue, a close ally of george Norcross, who played a key role from day one of the adler for congress campaign. 4. Mark smith for Mayor of Bayonne the Bayonne mayoral candidate shut down his opponent with fundraising, alliance-building and old fashioned door to door campaigning. When a ghost from Smith’s police past intruded into the campaign, the candidate addressed the issue up front, took every question, and never tried to hide. 5. Chris Brown and Mary Anne reinhart for Burlington County Freeholder the Burlington county Democrats, led by rick Perr and chris Fifis, worked statewide fundraising channels, PolitickerNJ.com took advantage of a symbiotic relationship with the adler campaign, and went aggressively after the record of incumbents aubrey Fenton and Stacy Jordan. the campaign’s video assault on Burlington goP pay to play was one of the best hits of the season.’ 6. Anthony Ferrera and gloria McCauley for Hillsborough Township Committee the republican municipal candidates ran about 3,000 votes ahead of John mccain, a testament to the effectiveness of a modern-day suburban political machine that has merged oldfashioned constituent service with 21st century campaign tactics. 7. wilda diaz for Mayor of Perth Amboy the upset of the year was in Perth amboy, where first time candidate Wilda Diaz upset 18-year mayor Joe Vas despite being outspent by a substantial margin. Diaz become the agent of change and showed that a grass roots insurgency really can beat an entrenched political organization. 8. Barack Obama for President New Jersey’s fifteen electoral votes were never really in the red column, but the Democrats acted like they could have been. Under the leadership of Democratic State chairman Joe cryan, state campaign director tricia mueller, and coordinated campaign chief mike muller, Barack obama’s New Jersey campaign ran a tremendous grass roots operation, and their extraordinary voter registration drive is likely to have an evergreen effect up and down New Jersey. 9. Andre sayegh for Paterson City Councilman the 6th Ward Paterson city council candidate landed the endorsement of retiring city councilman thomas rooney, and built a multi-ethnic, multi-racial grassroots organization to shut down his chief opponent. 10. Carl Block for Ocean County Clerk the goP incumbent faced a tough opponent in Berkeley township mayor Jason Varano, who was the recipient of campaign funds from Democrats all over the state, including gov. Jon corzine. Democrats went on tV and radio before the goP did, and while ocean is solidly republican, this race was hardly a cakewalk. QuOTe OF THe YeAr “We called it the Friday Night Special ... So one night, we came in. I went down to the basement bathroom, and when I came up, to my shock, she was basically undressed and on the loveseat with Jim. So I sat on the couch and watched and eventually joined in. And that’s how it got going,” he said. “We came up with this nice little formula for making it work.” — Former gubernatorial aide Teddy Pederson, on his three-way relationship with James E. and Dina Matos McGreevey. (New York Post, 03/17/08) runner-uP “I don’t use e-mail now.” — Gov. Jon Corzine (Star-Ledger, 06/19/08) Page 6
Slide 7: More Wasteful Spending More Corruption PRACTICE AREAS More Debt and Higher Taxes Appellate Practice Aviation & Aircraft Law Business Law & Commercial Transactions Commercial Real Estate, Redevelopment & Environmental Law Complex Commercial Litigation Corporate Political Activity Law Education Law Employment Law & Litigation Health & Hospital Law Labor Law Public Contract Law & Bid Protest Litigation Solid Waste & Recycling Law White Collar Criminal Defense, Corporate Internal Investigations & Corporate Ethics AT T O R N E Y S AT L AW No Property Tax Relief Obtaining positive results in law requires experience, commitment, determination, and a team you can trust. You can’t succeed alone. Choosing the right lawyers for your team makes all the difference. The lawyers at Genova, Burns & Vernoia are team players who work with you as partners to plan, strategize, and, if need be, fight to protect and promote your business successes. HAD ENOUGH? 2009 – The year for real change. Paid for by Assembly Republican Victory ’09, Ron Gravino, Treasurer. PolitickerNJ.com www.gbvlaw.com 494 BROAD STREET telephone 973-533-0777 new york, ny camden, nj NEWARK, NJ 07102 facsimile 973-533-1112 red bank, nj philadelphia, pa Page 7
Slide 8: BesT And wOrsT CAMPAIgns OF 2008 wOrsT CAMPAIgns OF THe YeAr 1. linda stender for Congress after coming within 1% of ousting mike Ferguson in 2006, Stender was viewed as a likely winner for Democrats. But her campaign was an unmitigated disaster. Her local supporters never got along with the emily’s list imports who seemingly hijacked the entire operation. there was no coherent message. Stender offended a core Democratic constituency with an offensive tV ad – one of many examples of how the fourterm assemblywoman lost control of her own campaign. 2. Andy unanue for u.s. senate the goya Foods heir got in the race on easter Sunday and refused to cut short a ski vacation in Vail to meet party leaders, campaign for the nomination, and defend himself against bad news stories that capsized a ship that should never have been put in the water in the first place. He dropped out of the race without ever making a campaign appearance. 3. lillian Burley and John Curley for Monmouth County Freeholder the republicans seemed to have no organization, no coordination between the candidates, and no apparent opposition research. Despite Democratic wins in 2006 and 2007, the goP pretended that the Democratic threat was a mirage. they were only half right, and now the Democrats control the Freeholder Board, 3-2. 4. Murray sabrin for u.s. senate the ramapo college professor is a nice guy, but his third statewide campaign came off as just plain mean. His claim to be the front runner was just plain crazy. His press releases, while entertaining to political insiders, were divisive. He was unable to replicate at a local level the enthusiasm his friend ron Paul generated nationally, although his third place 14% of the vote was still better than anything Paul received. Sabrin joined PolitickerNJ. com as an unpaid columnist in December. 5. rob Andrews for u.s. senate For the 10-term congressman from camden county, a last-minute primary challenge against Frank lautenberg must have seemed like a good idea at the time. He thought he’d be able to raise enough money, and was led to believe that he’d score a few organization lines in North Jersey. the lines didn’t come through, causing the money to dry up. the attacks on lautenberg’s age didn’t work, and people PolitickerNJ.com didn’t seem to care about process issues like debates. in the end, andrews for Senate, which won just 35% of the vote, was nothing more than tilting at the windmills of political ambition. 6. Finn Caspersen Jr. for somerset County Freeholder the impatiently ambitious son of millionaire businessman/philanthropist Finn caspersen, who ran for Bedminster councilman after first trying to fun for congress, desperately wants to move up the political ladder. His challenge to two incumbent Freeholders at the Somerset goP convention fell short because he failed to articulate a compelling argument for chance, or to use the advantage of his personal wealth to build a grass roots operation. 7. Jim Mcgettigan for Atlantic County sheriff Paybacks can be a real bitch. the Democratic Sheriff tried to unseat goP county executive Dennis levinson in 2007, and his campaign tactics left the winners with some deep resentment. mcgettigan never sought to do any damage control, and was a bit overconfident in is chances to win a sixth term. Despite Democratic wins for Freeholder, mcgettigan was a loser. 8. Josh Zeitz for Congress For a while, it looked as though chris Smith’s fifteenth Democratic opponent had some promise as he positioned the race as New Jersey vs. Virginia. the college history professor never really got Smith’s 28-year connection with New Jersey voters as he peddled story after story that sought to make Smith look as though he lacked integrity. When the incumbent went to the republic of georgia to facilitate the return of two New Jersey children caught up in a war zone, Zeitz didn’t recognize that voters didn’t care where Smith lived as long as he produced. 9. Camille Andrews for Congress if one were to assume that the campaign of rob andrews’ wife for his open House seat was serious, even as a placeholder, then the effort receives a failing grade. camille andrews didn’t take her position as the Democratic standard bearer seriously. She refused offers to debate, rejected press calls, and declined to discuss her positions on issues. She did raise about $70,000, and used some of the money to reimburse herself nearly $7,000 in credit card bills, pay for mailings and computers, and pay for a staff. 10. Bob decheine for Obama n.J. Campaign director U.S. rep. Steve rothman’s chief of Staff launched a very public campaign to run Barack obama’s New Jersey campaign and lost. the last thing chicago wanted was the Decheine vs. mueller race being fought out in the open. MOrOn OF THe YeAr Jersey City Councilman steve lipski, who faces charges of public urination after standing on a balcony and evacuating his bladder on a crowd of people at a night club in Washington, D.c. From the New York Daily News (11/09/08): “a drunken Jersey city councilman was arrested for urinating on a crowd of concertgoers from the balcony of a Washington nightclub, police and club sources said Saturday. councilman Steven lipski was caught relieving himself onto several revelers at the 9:30 club during a concert by a grateful Dead tribute band Friday night.” runners uP: wanda Molina, the former Jersey city municipal court chief Judge, was indicted in a ticket fixing scandal. molina is accused of dismissing eight parking tickets for a friend. Virginia Pagan, the former court administrator, allegedly fixed 215 tickets received by herself and her daughter. Former Pleasantville Board of education member James McCormick, on the witness stand during his primary trial, said: “i stand corrected. i didn’t realize it was a bribe because it wasn’t a bribe to me. Until i was arrested, i didn’t know it was supposedly a bribe.” Pemberton republican official ed Kuck, who was forced to resign after posting a “obama loves america like o.J. loves Nicole” banner on the local goP website. Hardwick township committeeman Alfred Carrazzone had a problem with bathroom facilities at a public swimming beach in Warren county last summer: “Whew, what a mess that was with all the, you know, Puerto ricans and, my god, terrible.” new JerseY, FOr OnCe, duMPs Our TrAsH In new YOrK COMPleTes FIrsT Full YeAr AT wFAn. Page 8 CrAIg CArTOn
Slide 9: BesT OPerATIVe OF THe YeAr Brendan gill dwight Brown the veteran Democratic operative from montclair managed Frank lautenberg’s 2008 re-election campaign. lautenberg beat rob andrews by 24 points in the Democratic primary and Dick Zimmer by 13 points in the general election. Joe Colletti samantha Maltzman runners uP BesT OPerATIVes OF 2008 Tricia Mueller Michael Muller Jason O’donnell dwight Brown, campaign manager, charles Bell for Newark city council Joe Colletti, Field Staffer, John mccain for President nicole davidman, republican fundraiser Tim del Monico, Field Staff, N.J. obama campaign Amanda gasperino, campaign manager, Scott garrett for congress Christy gleason, executive Director, camden county Democrats lynne Hurwitz, campaign manager, Bergen county Democratic organization Frank luna, ocean county republican operative samantha Maltzman, Finance Director, Frank lautenberg for U.S. Senate Jennifer May, Finance Director, John adler for congress Tricia Mueller, N.J. State Director, Barack obama for President Michael Muller, Director, New Jersey Democratic coordinated campaign Jason O’donnell, campaign manager, mark Smith for mayor of Bayonne donna robinson, South Jersey Democratis fundraiser Julie roginsky, Spokesperson, Frank lautenberg for U.S. Senate Chris russell, campaign manager, chris myers for congress raiyan syed, South Jersey Democratic operative Adam steinberger, Field Director, monmouth county Democrats Mark warren, campaign manager, John adler for congress Amanda woloshen, campaign manager, leonard lance for congress Julie roginsky Mark warren Amanda woloshen Tim del Monico Amanda gasperino Christy gleason YOgI BerrA-IsM OF THe YeAr Chris Christie declares in April that illegal immigrants aren’t breaking the law while being here illegally. In MeMOrIuM the political community lost a good man on march 15 with the death of goP political consultant Tom Blakely. He collapsed during a 5k race at the age of 46. Democrats and republicans admired him for his tenacity, his integrity, and his intensity, and he is missed. assembly Speaker William Dickey; former assemblyman arthur albohn; Salem county Freeholder chuck Sullivan; former Stafford mayor Wesley Bell; former mt. Holly mayor Jim Smith; former atlantic city mayor Joseph lazarow; Democratic pollster Don Herche; former Jersey city council President Bobby Jackson; reporter russ Flannagan; former essex county goP powerhouse Joseph intile; gloria Bontempo, the widow other New Jersey political figures who passed away in 2008 include: former U.S. rep. matthew rinaldo; middlesex county Freeholder David crabiel; former State Senators Walter kavanaugh, anne clark martindell and Ned Parsekian; former of former New Jersey Democratic State chairman Salvatore Bontempo; and marian Pallone, the mother of U.S. rep. Frank Pallone. PolitickerNJ.com Page 9
Slide 10: Happy Holidays CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE Chairman, Health Subcommittee Energy and Commerce Committee www.pallonefornewjersey.com Paid for by Pallone for Congress PolitickerNJ.com Page 10
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Slide 12: BesT PrACTICAl JOKe OF THe YeAr gov. Jon Corzine never returned the phone calls of Michael Kravitz, a local goP candidate in West Deptford. “they would never put me through,” kravitz complained. So last october, kravitz called the governor’s office again, but this time he said he was george norcross. kravitz: “is Jon there?” lady answering the phone” “Who is calling?” kravitz: “george” lady: “george who?” kravitz: “george Norcross” “right away i was talking to Jon corzine,” kravitz says. i asked him, ‘How can you take a call and talk to george Norcross but not the average New Jersey citizen.” the State Police were apparently investigating the call, but no word yet.” FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT: Jamestown Associates. New Jersey’s winners include: Leonard Lance for Congress Ocean County GOP Middletown Town Council Salem County Freeholder In a very difficult year for Republican candidates throughout New Jersey, Jamestown provided the out-of-the-box thinking and persuasive voter contact that made the difference. Jamestown Associates 609.514.7300 www.jamestownassociates.com PolitickerNJ.com Page 12
Slide 13: PeOPle TO wATCH In 2009 John Ashcroft the former U.S. attorney general, who received a $50 million federal monitor contract from chris christie, is sure to be an issue in the 2009 campaign for governor. steven goldstein all eyes will be on the garden State equality leader as the New Jersey legislature considers a marriage equality law. ralph Marra, Jr. the acting U.S. attorney could hold the second most powerful position in New Jersey for most of 2009. Bill Caruso the former chief of Staff to U.S. rep. rob andrews succeeds Bill castner as the new executive Director of the assembly republicans. rick shaftan the veteran conservative strategist is leading Steve lonegan’s campaign for the republican nomination for governor. Patrick Murray the Director of the monmouth University poll has increasingly emerged as the new David rebovich. wilda diaz the new mayor of Perth amboy, who upset incumbent Joseph Vas, seems to be emerging as genuine reformer. Some Democrats say Jon corzine should pick her for lieutenant governor. Barry Albin the associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme court, who has annoyed liberals for writing the decision against same sex marriage and conservatives for his views on school funding, is up for reappointment in 2009. rick Perr the Burlington county Democratic chairman will have two Freeholders, a county clerk and a Surrogate in 2009 – and the opportunity to take control of county government. Bonnie watson Coleman the assembly majority leader is the front runner to be New Jersey’s first lieutenant governor. Christine “roz” samuels one of the first superdelegates to switch her support from Hillary clinton to Barack obama. She lost her bid for re-election as New Jersey’s Democratic National committeewoman in June, calling the vote “retaliation for February.” Frank Pallone the Democratic congressman helped Henry Waxman oust John Dingell as House energy & commerce chairman, making his Health Subcommittee chair even more powerful. richard Codey the Senate President and former governor is still New Jersey’ most popular Democrat, and that matters if the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination changes suddenly. Bill Palatucci the lawyer/lobbyist/goP strategist who ran campaigns for ronald reagan and tom kean is chris christie’s closest friend and top advisor. John Ashcroft Barry Albin steven goldstein Christine “roz” samuels Bonnie watson Coleman ralph Marra, Jr. richard Codey Bill Palatucci Frank Pallone THe lIne THAT deFIned THe PrOTesT And MAde nJ101.5 MegA MOneY “Pigs will fly over the Statehouse before there is a realistic level of new taxes or spending cuts that can fix this mess.” — Gov. Jon Corzine, on New Jersey’s fiscal woes. (Star-Ledger, 01/09/07) Charlie Stile explains it all: “The Flying Pig Flap captures the paradox of Jon Corzine. After spending more than $100 million of his own money to become an elected politician, he remains the anti-politician -struggling to master the salesmanship side of his new profession. He sees the problem and can articulate it through pie charts, bar graphs and phrases like ‘unfunded liabilities’ and other Wall Street wonk words that spell fiscal disaster.” (The Record, 02/12/08) PolitickerNJ.com Page 13
Slide 14: Happy Holidays Cape May County Regular Republican Organization David I. Von Savage, Chairman Ordered and Paid for by the Cape May County Regular Republican Organization PolitickerNJ.com Page 14
Slide 15: OVersTAYIng HIs welCOMe carmen orechio lost his bid for re-election to an eleventh four-year term as a Nutley commissioner in may 2008, ending a career in local government that began in 1968. a former Senate President, orechio was a State Senator from 1974 to 1992. Hudson county Freeholder Bill Braker, who served 41 months in a federal prison on corruption charges. (Jersey Journal, 04/25/08) nOw IT All MAKes sense When assembly Deputy Speaker alfred Steele was arrested in 2007 and charged with taking bribes, his republican opponent sounded surprised. “al Steele is a great guy,” said chauncey Brown, a Paterson Board of education member. Nearly ten months later, Brown was also charged in the same bribery scandal. MOsT lIKelY TO lOse THeIr JOBs In 2009 william Clark, the Director of the state Division of investments. the state pension fund he manages lost a reported $25 billion over the last six months. Tom wilson, the republican State chairman, whose term is up in June. Joseph Ferriero, the Bergen county Democratic chairman. BesT Free Press OF THe YeAr Steve lonegan got arrested during a peaceful demonstration outside gov. Jon corzine’s town hall meeting in atlantic county. the story of lonegan’s opposition to toll hikes became front page news. the record’s alfred Doblin explains it: “in the game of media oneupmanship, lonegan is winning. He took a handful of lemons and made himself a very nice whiskey sour.” (the record, 01/25/07) and the best quote about the arrest came from State Sen. gerald cardinale, talking about corzine: “Who does he think he is – Joe Stalin?” (PolitickerNJ.com, 01/22/08) COluMBO AwArd goP State chairman tom Wilson was able to trace a prankster who was impersonating him in e-mails to republican county chairmen to Patrick Donohue, a consultant to murray Sabrin’s U.S. Senate campaign. wOrsT JIngle OF THe YeAr “Hey, ho. Hey, ho. it’s Jersey Joe Pennacchio.” For some unexplained reason, Pennacchio passed on a more effective radio ad to use the jingle in pre-primary robo calls. BesT lIne On THe BIggesT Pre-BlAgOJeVICH sCAndAl OF THe YeAr “Now, what i want to know is: what kind of whore costs $5,500? i mean, that’s even more money than lawyers get, for essentially the same service.” – assemblyman michael Patrick carroll (r-morris), on New York gov. eliot Spitzer. (PolitickerNJ.com. 03/10/08) wOrsT TIP OF THe YeAr the one spoon fed to Pulitzer Prize winning Star-ledger reporter Josh margolin, who reported the morning after Barack obama’s election that gov. Jon corzine was being vetted for U.S. Secretary of the treasury. MOsT eFFeCTIVe endOrseMenT OF THe YeAr Six Democratic congressmen from New Jersey endorsing Frank lautenberg for U.S. Senate over their House colleague, rob andrews. I’M nOT rAY lesnIAK AwArd Democratic State chairman Joe cryan stuck with the sinking ship known as the S.S. linda Stender, becoming one of the few Democrats willing to beat up on leonard lance: “He’s not independent. He’s as partisan as they come. independent my ass!,” cryan told PolitickerNJ. com in october. wOrsT AdVAnCe wOrK OF THe YeAr Standing next to Bergen county Democratic chairman Joe Ferriero at her campaign rally in Hackensack, Hillary clinton said: “let’s reform the government so it ends the no-bid contracts and the cronyism and the incompetence.” leAsT eFFeCTIVe endOrseMenT OF THe YeAr Democratic State Sen. raymond lesniak announcing six weeks after the election that he was secretly backing republican leonard lance for congress. sTuPId Is As sTuPId dOes atlantic city councilman george tibbitt alleged that mayor David evans offered him city jobs in exchange for help with his re-election campaign: “this guy is either wired or incredibly stupid tibbitt, alleging told the Press of atlantic city a month before evans lost the Democratic primary to lorenzo langford. BesT FIgHT OF THe YeAr BeTween FrIends the exchange between U.S. rep. Steve rothman and Surrogate michael Dressler in a closed door meeting of Bergen county Democratic leaders following the indictment of Bergen county Democratic chairman Joseph Ferriero: rothman: “F-ck you, f-ck you, f-ck you.” Fressler: “F-ck you too.” sTrOngesT sTATeMenT OF 2008 U.S. rep. Bill Pascrell, stating with complete certainty, that karl rove was going to hell. “Dante’s inferno laid out very specifically the very levels receding into hell. and the hottest place is reserved for those who distort the truth, who manipulate our minds, or who attempt to do it, anyway. So i don’t think Bush and cheney will be at the hottest point in the inferno, but i sure as hell know that karl rove will be,” Pascrell told PolitickerNJ.com at the Democratic National convention last summer. and don’t forget Pascrell’s motto: “this is serious business, this democracy.” (the record, 01/31/07) POll OF THe YeAr the one that former Democratic State chairman tom Byrne put in the field to test his chances in a primary against U.S. Sen. Frank lautenberg. Byrne bailed on the race, but some of the numbers encouraged U.S. rep. rob andrews to get in. THIngs we wIsH were On YOuTuBe U.S. Sen. Bob menendez singing tora lora lora during a party for New Jersey delegates at the Democratic National convention in Denver. What if conservative assemblyman mike Doherty takes garden State equality chair Steven goldstein up on his offer to be in his wedding party? OnlY In new JerseY Former Passaic city councilman marcellus Jackson, who had already pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges and was awaiting sentencing, was the master of ceremonies at a campaign rally for Passaic mayoral candidate Vinny capuana, and was spotted at the door taking cash contributions. another former Passaic city councilman involved in the same scandal, Jonathan Soto, was hired by the county Board of elections as an official challenger last June.| Page 15 welCOMe HOMe Former Hudson county executive Bob Janiszewski was released from prison in april. “We fall down, but we get up. there are reasons there are erasers on pencils, and that’s because people make mistakes,” said former PolitickerNJ.com
Slide 16: wOrd OF THe YeAr: MAnIFesTO a 94-page manifesto written in 1991 that called for the creation of a new Nationalist Party was one of the main reasons the author, Joseph Pennacchio, was unable to win party support in his bid for the U.S. Senate despite considerable turmoil in the goP field. Now a State Senator, Pennachchio had proposed housing the homeless in military-run camps, and suggested a conspiracy theory in the assassination of President John F. kennedy. MOsT POlITICAllY InCOrreCT PredICTIOn OF THe YeAr rick merkt: “the odds are even money that (Frank) lautenberg won’t live out his term. (Daily record, 06/05/08) seCOnd BesT IllInOIs sCAndAl OF THe YeAr gov. Jon corzine returns from a June 2008 visit to his home state of illinois only to find that the Senate majority leader had proposed eliminating abraham lincoln’s birthday as a state holiday. Feud OF THe YeAr Dick codey and george Zoffinger. HArsHesT InTrA-PArTY COMMenT OF THe YeAr FrOM sOMeOne nOT nAMed lAuTenBerg Or Andrews “i don’t get a god damn thing for our city…. So far this administration has not done a whole hell of a lot for the citizens of Jersey city.” -- Jersey city mayor Jerramiah Healy, on state government. (PolitickerNJ.com, 01/04/08) Zoffinger: “(Dick) codey’s an idiot, and you can print that.” codey: “in my 34 years in politics, i never met a more dishonest person than george Zoffinger.” THe egYPTIAn HIerOglYPHICs AwArd the interpretive statement to Ballot Question #2, defeated by voters, sponsored by assemblyman John Wisniewski. THree wOrds THAT exPlAIn dICK ZIMMer’s CAMPAIgn “i do not.” -- James laurie, an 18-year-old Brookdale community college student, asked if he knew who Dick Zimmer was. (Star-ledger, 07/06/08) THAT’s wHAT HAPPens wHen BIll BArOnI MOVes TO THe senATe assemblywoman linda greenstein, overhead on the floor of the State assembly, saying “can somebody please get over here and tell me how to vote?” CAr OF THe YeAr attorney general anne milgram’s 1994 Honda accord. How did it even reach 69 mph? and milgram gets the “She’s no Zulima Farber award’ for taking the $176 speeding ticket and the four points that come with it, without seeking special consideration. She didn’t even give up a PBa card. THe VerY QuOTABle rOnAld rICe slAP dOwn OF THe YeAr Senate President richard codey wasn’t taking any crap from goP State Sen. Jennifer Beck. “i respect your right to speak. However, respect the chamber,” codey told Beck during a Senate session. runners-uP Hudson goP chairman Jose arango didn’t even realize he was being slapped when U.S. attorney christopher christie told a radio audience: “those who hold the power and corrupt the power are the ones that we’re after. You know in Hudson county, is it shocking to know that most of the people we’ve indicted and convicted were Democrats? a Hudson county republican would love to be indicted. it would show they were relevant.” (WgBo, 11/21/08) convicted ex-goP operative allan raymond, on thencongressional candidate, now U.S. District court Judge, Bill martini: “What a con artist the man was! His mistruths came in layers - they came in thirty-one flavors!” raymond, who served as martini’s chief of Staff in congress, made the comments in his book, confessions of a republican operative: How to rig an election AluMnI OF THe YeAr three people who aren’t from New Jersey but their ties to garden State politics are worthy of recognition: David Plouffe, who managed Bob torricelli’s 1996 U.S. Senate race against Dick Zimmer, ran Barack obama’s campaign for the presidency – arguably one of the best races in american political history; Jill Hazelbaker, who was tom kean, Jr’s communications director in the 2006 Senate race, became John mccain’s national communications director after the first staff cutback and handled the job extraordinarily well; and the multitalented matthew miller, who worked for Bob menendez before becoming communications director of the Democratic Senatorial campaign committee – and if Politico is right, could be headed for the Department of Justice as spokesman for the new attorney general. “Bonnie Watson coleman’s a good choice. So is Nia gill. So is Shirley turner. So are all the other legislative Black caucus Nubian queens.” -- State Sen. ronald rice, on who Jon corzine should pick for lieutenant governor in 2009.(PolitickerNJ.com, 01/31/08) “Steve’s a guy who wants his epitaph to be, ‘i controlled everything in my life,’ but he’s just a guy with a big ego, who wants everyone to kiss his behind like we’re out here picking a bunch of cotton bales, black, white and latino, all of us. to hell with Steve.” -- State Sen. ronald rice, on Newark Democratic leader Steve adubato. (PolitickerNJ.com, 05/31/08) wOrsT PredICTIOn OF THe YeAr tom Wilson: “New Jersey is going to love Sarah Palin. (PolitickerNJ.com, 08/29/08) MOsT COMICAl lIe deTeCTOr sCenArIO sInCe denIrO & sTIller In “MeeT THe PArenTs” Senate President Dick codey and assembly minority leader alex Decroce. During his testimony in the federal trial of former Senate appropriations committee chairman Wayne Bryant, Democratic budget staffer george leBlanc revealed the existence of a secret slush fund where individual legislators designated which entities would receive amounts of money from the state account. Page 16 sCAndAl TO wATCH In 2009 PolitickerNJ.com
Slide 17: A sPeCIAl seCTIOn On rOB Andrews “The thing is, he didn’t keep his word. He reneged on it, and people are going to remember that.” —Rep. Frank Pallone, on Rep. Rob Andrews’ commitment not to challenge Frank Lautenberg in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary. (Washington Post, 04/13/08) “The senator has said he’d be willing to have debates if they were sponsored by legitimate organizations, and we’ve received nine offers of debates from legitimate organizations.” —Rep. Rob Andrews, on debating Frank Lautenberg. “He just sat upstairs in the rocking chair and thought through what he wanted to do. He literally sat and you could see the wheels turning in his head.” —Democratic con- gressional candidate Camille Andrews, on her husband, Rep. Rob Andrews, deciding to run for the U.S. Senate. (Star-Ledger, 05/02/08) “You ought to tell the truth, you were the cheerleader for the war.”— Frank Lautenberg to Rob Andrews, in their NJ 101.5 radio debate. (Star-Ledger, 05/30/08) “As far as I’m concerned, he’s kind of sunk now. He’s sunk by his past record of support for the war, of working with Newt Gingrich on Contract with America. He’s sunk because he doesn’t represent the views of the people of New Jersey.”—U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg on the Senate candidacy of U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews. (PolitickerNJ.com, 04/27/08) “I wouldn’t enjoy it because I think his behavior has been contemptuous.” — U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, on debating with Rep. Rob Andrews, his opponent in the Democratic primary. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 05/06/08) “If they ever make a movie about Rep. Rob Andrews, there is only one actor to play the South Jersey congressman: Jim Carrey. In fact, the comedian already has done the needed research for a previous film: ‘Liar, Liar.’” —The Record’s Alfred Doblin. (The Record, 09/08/08) “I’m really humbled by the fact that so many people asked me to run again, and I’m flattered. But I have not changed my position. I have made up my mind.” —Rep. Rob Andrews, on seeking re-election to Congress in 2008. (Gloucester County Times, 07/07/08) “A bare-faced liar. Rob Andrews lied. Plain and simple.” —A Philadelphia Inquirer editorial on Andrews’ decision to seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 09/05/08) “Dishonest politicians aren’t hard to find. But Rep. Robert E. Andrews (D.,N.J.) has managed to distinguish himself in a crowded field.” —Philadelphia Inquirer, endorsing Rev. Dale Glading for Congress in the 1st district. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/20/08) PolitickerNJ.com Page 17
Slide 18: On THe sTATe OF THe MedIA “in previous elections, i’d have Jim goodman just bugging the hell out of me from the trenton times. i don’t believe i’ve been covered by the trenton times yet. maybe the time i campaigned in Hamilton in Septemberfest, but i’m not sure about that ... i think Bob Schwaneberg is a terrific reporter. But not only is he taking the buyout, but he’s been covering the Wayne Bryant trial and a lot of different things ... one of the editors of the New York times who interviewed me for their editorial thought i was still a member of congress.” -- goP U.S. Senate candidate Dick Zimmer, who says the media has essentially ignored his race against incumbent Frank lautenberg. (PolitickerNJ.com, 10/27/08) nOw KeeP rAlPH MArrA AwAY at the swearing in of Wilda Diaz as the new mayor of Perth amboy, master of ceremonies Judy goldberg said of then-U.S. attorney christopher christie’s presence: “We are honored to have him here… and we hope his visits remain purely social.” (PolitickerNJ.com, 07/01/08) neIl rOMAnO AwArd FOr BesT IllusIOn OF A CAMPAIgn Dennis Shulman, the blind rabbi from Bergen county, who convinced so many pundits that he might actually win. in the end, he did no better against U.S. rep. Scott garrett than Paul aronsohn or anne Wolfe did. sTATe AgenCY MOsT lIKelY TO Be CrITICIZed In 2009 the retirement of Dr. Frederick Herrmann as executive Director of the New Jersey election law enforcement commission after nearly 25 years will open the door to considerable criticism from those who kept their mouths shut out of respect for Herrmann’s integrity and abilities. THe FrAnK lAuTenBerg AwArd Frank Salvato, a 93-year-old republican, was re-elected to the Warren township committee last November. the first time he won was in 1938, when Frank lautenberg was 14-years-old. wHY dIdn’T sOMeOne gIVe HIM THe CuT sIgn? assembly Democratic spokesman Derek roseman reached his breaking point with goP assemblywoman alison littell mcHose: “allison is a special interest puppet who is not terribly bright and doesn’t stand for anything, so of course she’s against cleaning up elections in New Jersey.” (PolitickerNJ.com, 08/06/08) MOsT sIgnIFICAnT CAnCellATIOn in September, Diocese of trenton Bishop John m. Smith cancelled former gov. christie Whitman’s speech at the Stuart country Day School of the Sacred Heart because of the former governor’s support of abortion rights. THe JOe VITAle AwArd FOr A suCCessFul InTerIM sTInT As MAYOr assemblyman gary Schaer became acting mayor of Passaic after Sammy rivera’s criminal conviction and held the post until a new mayor was elected in November. He also became chairman of the powerful assembly Banking & insurance committee after Neil cohen’s resignation. THe sCAndAl THAT wenT AwAY gary rose, the chief of the governor’s office of economic growth, helped facilitate a privately funded bailout of the controversial Xanadu project when he owned stock in a company that stood to lose over a billion dollars in the meadowlands project. But with rose leaving as a top advisor to Jon corzine, republicans let the matter drop. Judge OF THe YeAr Superior court Judge michael giles was reprimanded in September for a few profanity-laced tirades against lawyers in his essex county courtroom. “i said get the (expletive) out of my courtroom. What the (expletive) don’t you understand? Shut the (expletive) up and get the (expletive) out of here. i have a meeting this afternoon,” giles screamed at one lawyer, according to a disciplinary complaint filed with the advisory committee on Judicial misconduct reVOlVIng dOOr ‘08 the Star-ledger’s Deborah Howlett went from covering gov. Jon corzine one week to spinning for him the next as his new Director of communications. kathy Barrett carter and Joe Donohue also moved from the Starledger to the corzine administration. the Star-ledger’s tom Hester is now with the assembly Democrats and gannett’s greg Volpe is with the assembly republicans. A telephone company error had callers expecting to reach the sussex County democratic Committee instead reaching a phone sex service where the phone was answered OOPs HellO, HOneY, lOOKIng FOr HOT TAlK? FrAnK lAuTenBerg On THe VICe PresIdenCY “I’ve been waiting for someone to come up and propose it. I already told my wife to get ready to move. It has a beautiful living facility. But I like what I do. Frankly, it’s a more important job. You’re asked to respond to things in a more basic way than defending bad policy. I don’t like defending bad policy.” -—U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, on running for Vice President in 2008. (The Hill, 05/12/08) —U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, on GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. (Press of Atlantic City, 10/08/08) PolitickerNJ.com Page 18 “She doesn’t have a lot of sense, but she has no soul either.”
Slide 19: THe dAnA rOne AwArd it’s a tie between trenton city councilwoman annette lartigue and Jersey city mayor Jerramiah Healy. latrigue’s daughter was stopped by a police officer for speaking on a cell phone while driving. She handed the phone to the officer, who heard from the councilwoman on the other end: “officer, stand down until your sergeant gets there.” (trenton times, 07/18/08) Healy was convicted of resisting arrest and obstructing justice during an incident outside a Bradley Beach tavern in 2006. Here’s what the police officer says Healy said: “You are going to be sorry for this whole incident. Do yourself a favor and get your chief down here before this goes any further because i can’t believe you don’t know who i am. i can’t believe you maced me. You had no reason to do that. i wasn’t resisting. i wasn’t fighting you. i didn’t do anything wrong. i am the mayor of Jersey city. i was a judge, i was a lawyer, i am a good personal friend with your chief (lenny guida). call the chief and let’s get this rectified without any charges. For the good of your town, for the good of your department, for the good of my city, we need to resolve this without charges. can you sweep this under the rug?” -- Jersey city mayor Jerramiah Healy, speaking to Bradley Beach police after his arrest in 2006, according to a police report. Healy denies these quotes. (Jersey Journal, 09/03/08) Yes, He Is “What a creep.” -- mike Beson, on John edwards. Beson was his 2008 state campaign director. (PolitickerNJ. com, 08/11/08) wAllY edge’s FAVOrITe MOMenTs gov. Jon corzine’s shout-out at the New Jersey legislative correspondents Dinner last may: “as Wally always says, ‘Hold me accountable.’” matt Friedman and max Pizarro calling andy Unanue’s parents home in alpine and getting a housekeeper to confirm to them that the U.S. Senate candidate didn’t live there, he lived in New York. sOMeTHIng gOIng On the best cross examination of the year came during the testimony of Francine Pruitt in the federal corruption trial of former Sharpe James, who addressed the relationship of the former mayor of Newark and his co-defendant, tamika riley: Pruitt: “they had something going on.” gerald krovatin, riley’s defense attorney: “Something going on of what nature.” Pruitt: “Sex.” sherron, we hardly knew ye Sherron rolax, who has a place in New Jersey political trivia as the teenager gov. Christine Todd whitman patted down while accompanying State troopers in a late night patrol in 1996, was killed in a knife fight in camden in may. the photo surfaced in 2000, after Whitman was nominated to serve as administrator of the U.S. environmental Protection agency. Best Wishes for a Happy New Year STATE SENAToR BILL BARoNI Paid for by Friends of Bill Baroni, P.O. Box 3205, Hamilton, NJ 08619—Not Paid for at Taxpayer Expense PolitickerNJ.com Page 19
Slide 20: On AndY unAnue: IF YOu CAn wOrK FOr sTeVe rOTHMAn, dO IT three of U.S. rep. Steve rothman’s former District Directors have enjoyed much success: adam Zellner, a top aide to gov. Jon corzine, served as Deputy to soon-to-be ePa Director lisa Jackson when she ran the DeP; Brendan gill managed Frank lautenberg’s awardwinning campaign for re-election; and michael Soliman is now State Director for U.S. Sen. Bob menendez, now the DScc chairman. Unanue, in testimony during a legal battle over control of his family business, Goya Foods. (Star-Ledger, 03/26/08) “Work hard, play hard. That was my motto.” —U.S. Senate candidate Andy “Let’s be candid: The introduction of Andy Unanue to the people of New Jersey did not go as well as I would have liked.” —Atlantic County GOP Chairman Keith Davis (Philadelphia Inquirer, 04/03/08) lOYAlTY AwArd When key South Jersey Democrats, like george Norcross, Dana redd and Donald Norcross, endorsed Barack obama on February 20 -- at criticial juncture in the Democratic presidential campaign, assembly Speaker Joe roberts held firm on his endorsement of Hillary clinton. roberts promised to stay with clinton until the end, and he kept his word. “I was spending more time in New York so I moved there ... most of my cars are in New Jersey.” —U.S. Senate candidate Andy Unanue (The Record, 03/28/08) “I declined to endorse Andy whatever-his-name-is. In my opinion he did not have the fire in the belly to want to be a candidate.” —Hunterdon County GOP Chairman Henry Kuhl, on Andy Unanue (PolitickerNJ.com, 04/10/08) JOn COrZIne’s re-eleCTIOn “it’s not that i don’t want to be reelected. i do,” -- gov. Jon corzine (the record, 02/29/08) “gov. Jon corzine is in trouble. Since most New Jersey voters say they don’t know a lot about christopher christie, gov. corzine’s record and inability to unscramble the state’s budget mess is pulling him down.” -- clay F. richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling institute. (PolitickerNJ.com, 08/12/08) “He has alluded to (Woodrow) Wilson and said, ‘if it takes being a one-term governor to get it fixed,’ he’s willing to do it. it’s a noble sentiment about re- election. But politicians do have to be aware of it. if you’re not concerned about re-election, you’re not going to be re-elected.” -- Seton Hall University Political Science Professor Joseph marbach (Star-ledger, 02/27/08 PolitickerNJ.com Page 20
Slide 21: gOldIlOCKs And THe THree rePuBlICAns “There are some in the Republican leadership who think Joe Pennacchio’s porridge is too hot. Then you have Murray Sabrin, who says Joe Pennacchio is definitely not conservative enough — that’s just too cold. Well, you know something? Maybe Joe Pennacchio is just right. Maybe Joe Pennacchio is about where the average person in New Jersey stands and thinks, sort of right in the middle, a little bit right of center, pragmatic.” – State Sen. Joe Pennacchio, a candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate (The Record, 03/20/08) “Depending on whom you ask, this is a story about Maverick Murray, Jersey Joe and the Liberal Loser Lobbyist. others regard it simply as the Republican primary to choose a candidate for the United States Senate in New Jersey. All would agree that it has not been the neatest, nor the most electrifying, of affairs.” — The New York Times’ David Chen, describing the GOP primary between Murray Sabrin, Joe Pennacchio and Dick Zimmer. (New York Times, 06/27/08) “In television, it’s called ‘jumping the shark.’ A plot device designed to bolster declining ratings, the phrase refers to an episode of the sitcom ‘Happy Days.’The sitcom’s popularity was waning, so the character Fonzie jumps over killer fish in his motorcycle. Republican Murray Sabrin is running for U.S. Senate. His self-determined moniker is ‘Maverick Murray.’ If that’s a stretch, calling Sabrin ‘The Fonz’ is practically Gumby-esque. But Sabrin, sans ‘hog’ and leather jacket, is jumping the shark.” —The Record’s Alfred Doblin (The Record, 05/09/08) rIsIng sTAr OF THe YeAr damian Bednarz While earning his master’s Degree in international relations from Seton Hall University’s Whitehead School of Diplomacy, Damian Bednarz of West Paterson co-founded the grassroots NJ for obama organization in an edison coffee shop. as a volunteer committed to the presidential campaign of Barack obama, he ran the operation here for five months growing support to 500 members. the obama campaign hired him in the lead-up to the primary season to work in its New Hampshire office. over the course of a long primary season, Bednarz organized for the campaign as a paid staffer in a multitude of states before moving to the head office in chicago where he served on the campaign staff for the 2008 general election and helped secure his candidate’s general election victory over Sen. John mccain. Now he’s in Washington, workingfor the obama inaugural committee. runners Up: Mike Burke, Salem county Democratic operative Jenny davis, Hudson county Democratic operative david glass, Field Director, leonard lance for c ongress Jay lassiter, Blogger, John adler for congress Matt Mowers, Building a New majority Pac Mitch seim and Alex Habib, ocean county Democratic operatives PolitickerNJ.com Page 21