D'Amico Taking Shots At Guadagno

Freeholder Deputy Director John D'Amico is playing gubernatorial politics by taking shots at Sheriff Kim Guadagno over budget negotiations that took place almost five months ago.

D'Amico complained to the Asbury Park Press that his feelings are still hurt because Guadagno negotiated too hard in fighting against layoffs in her department during an executive budget session on May 14.

Guadagno argued that law enforcement layoffs would end up costing the county more money due to overtime. D'Amico, using only 3 months of data, asserts that Guadagno was wrong and that she is misrepresenting herself as a tough negotiator while campaigning for Lieutenant Governor.

I guess it is time to dust off that file on Dem LG candidate Loretta Weinberg and Freeholder candidate Sean Byrnes campaigning together in the Hall of Records during business hours.

Frustrations

How can Chris Christie's lead in the gubernatorial race be only 4% when voters disapprove of Jon Corzine's performance at a rate of 58-36 percent? This has had me frustrated and angry most of the day. The Christie campaign's "Liar Liar Pants on Fire" emails and videos didn't make me feel any better. Corzine's numbers are already in the tank. What is needed is a message that increases Christie's numbers and neutralizes Daggett's numbers.

I felt a bit better after listening to Chris on 101.5 Chris is great in these longer conversations. His message is difficult to translate in a 30 or 60 second video. That's why the debate tomorrow is so important.

I received an email from a reader with recommendations for Chris regarding the debate. I am happy to post it here and will post other suggestions from readers if you send them. My email address is im my profile which can be found on the sidebar.

From David E:

Art:

I have been reading your web page lately. I am a little frustrated that Chris isn’t cleaning Corzine’s clock. Here are some thoughts about what Chris Christie needs to do at the debate:

(1) Take a stand against pre-K. It is babysitting. And don’t be shy about it.

(2) Don't emphasize the mammograms. Put Corzine on the defensive. Say "I don't want NJ families to pay an extra $90 for their health insurance because insurance companies are required to cover invitro fertilization and alcohol/drug rehab in health insurance policies." If you want to continue paying that $90 per month so everyone has to pay for invitro fertilization and alchol/drug rehab, you can vote for Jon.

(3) Talk about the urban education plan. Talk about the points made in the Cartel Movie about the ridiculous administrative expenses in urban districts. Can Jon Corzine or anyone else justify the 25K per student that is currently being spent in Newark? And, if Corzine brings up the graduation rate, here is what to say: “Jon Corzine is used to touting phony results. He and his company were big boosters of Enron stock for years. Now, instead of touting Enron stock, he touts the graduation rate of NJ schools. The superior graduation rates Jon touts is a result of an alternative to passing the test that some NJ districts allow call SRA. SRA does what Enron’s accounting methods did. It shows results that aren’t real.

(4) Emphasize the unfairness of Corzine taking away homestead rebates if you are $1 over $75,000 of NJ AGI, regardless of marital status.

(5) Trash Corzine wherever possible as the man who ordered his driver to exceed the speed limit by 25 miles per hour and caused a crash on the Garden State Parkway.

(6) Emphasize that the Corzine administration ended the purchase of natural gas buses for NJ Transit.

(7) Oppose the Camden to Glassboro Railroad and the rail tunnel to New York as boondoggles. How much will those programs cost in later subsidies to operate those lines? Why will these rail lines work out any better than the ridiculously heavily subsidized River Line and Philadelphia to Atlantic City Rail Line? Challenge the estimated increase of 60% of riders to NYC by 2030.

Christie on 101.5 with Dennis and Michele at this morning

Listen to:

Segment 1

Segment 2

Segment 3

Christie's Lead Down To 4%

A Quinnipiac poll released this morning indicates that Jon Corzine has closed the gap in the NJ gubernatorial race to 4%. Chris Christie's lead has fallen from 10% in a September 1 poll.
Today's poll gives Christie a 43%-39% lead over Corzine, with 12% for Daggett. The September 1 poll was 47%-37% Christie, with 9% for Daggett.

With name recognition of only 16%, Daggett is more popular than Jesus among people who know who he is.

The biggest shift in the electorate has been among women. In the September 1 poll, Christie led Corzine 43%-39%, with 10% for Daggett. 29 days later, women break for Corzine 43%-37% with 13% for Daggett.

Among Independent Likely voters, Daggett has maintained support of 16% of the respondents, while Corzine's support grew from 30% to 32% in September. Christie's support dropped from 46% to 45% with Independents.

Going into tomorrow's televised debate, the race is Christie's to win or lose. 55% of the voters reject Corzine, yet Christie's run out the clock strategy may not be enough to win the election. Christie must win back women voters while somehow convincing Daggett supporters that a vote for Daggett is a vote for Corzine.

Daggett introduced a plan to reduce property taxes by 25% yesterday. The plan increases sales and income taxes, while capping municipal spending and punishing the residents of towns who don't control municipal spending enough. Daggett's plan is not a reform. It is a shuffle. However Christie has refused to explicitly address property taxes, despite numerous polls indicating that these taxes are the voters number 1 concern.

With 34 days to go, Christie needs to reveal the flaws in Daggett's plan while convincing voters that he gets it about property taxes and will reform New Jersey's governments, if not revealing a specific plan of his own.

Or, he can keep fighting with Corzine for the women's vote.

Tune into tomorrow's debate for a preview of the rest of the race.

When the candidates take the stage on Thursday night for the first debate of the campaign, you can expect Jon Corzine to do everything he can to distract us from his real record. Considering all we've seen from his campaign are negative ads and scare tactics thus far, we figured we'd preview the top three lies we'll hear from Jon Corzine Thursday night.

There's pretty much nothing Jon Corzine won't do or say to try and scare up votes.

Corzine Lie #1: Chris Christie's Health Plan Will Deny Women Mammograms

The Truth:

New York Times: "Mr. Christie speaks not of cutting health coverage, or mammograms, as the ad suggests, but of giving people the option of choosing no-frills, mandate-free and, presumably, much cheaper insurance if they want it. Singling out mammograms -- one such mandate -- is an attempt to poison Mr. Christie with women." (David Halbfinger, "In Bid For Re-Election, New Jersey's Governor Plays To Party Faithful," New York Times, 06/08/09)


Corzine Lie #2: Chris Christie Has No Plan To Improve The Economy


The Truth:

"Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie yesterday outlined an economic growth plan that promises to cut taxes and fees while playing a hands-on role in attracting new businesses." (Chris Megerian, "Christie presents plan for growth," The Star Ledger, 02/27/09)

"Christie said that as governor, he would, among other things, cut an array of business taxes, meet with company executives hoping to locate in New Jersey, walk businesses through the state's regulations, and allow employers to buy into out-of-state health care plans." (Cynthia Burton, "GOP candidate Christie launches attack on Corzine, Philadelphia Inquirer, 02/27/09.)



Corzine Lie #3: Chris Christie Will Raise Property Taxes By 2 Billion By Rejecting Federal Stimulus Funding for Education

The Truth:

Chris Christie has said he would accept some of the funds dedicated to New Jersey but "reject any of the stimulus money which had strings attached to it, which required me to manage the state in a particular way by the federal government." (Claire Heininger, "Ignoring rules could have cost N.J. $5B," Herald News, 7/8/09)

Maria Comella, Christie-Guadagno Spokesperson, August 1st: "Chris has said he would accept some of the funds dedicated to New Jersey with regard to stimulus money. To say he wouldn't accept any of the stimulus money is untrue. With regards to programs that he would deem a top priority, like education, he would take that money." (Pete McCarthy, "Sweeney talks unemployment in attack on Christie", Gloucester County Times, 08/01/09)

Dems Plan To Legalize Gay Marriage During Lame Duck Session

Early on during the gubernatorial campaign, Jon Corzine promised Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender groups that gay marriage would be on the ballot this fall. Given that there is no gay marriage referendum, Corzine's implication is that voting for him is a vote for gay marriage.





Yet, all we have heard from him lately are weighty issues about Chris Christie's driving record, appointment to U.S Attorney by George Bush, and mammogram mandates.

Last week at Rider University, Corzine said gay marriage is not likely to be on the ballot as long as he is governor. Paul Mulshine quotes the governor responding to a student's question about putting the question up for referendum as follows:

"Well, I, uh, you know, it probably will not as long as I am governor because I actually believe, uh, that these are the kinds of decisions based on, uh, the, ummm, acceptance of the Supreme Court’s judgment that, uh, marriage equity, umm, is consistent with our principles and our Constitution and I believe we should, uh, follow the Constitution."

A group of Republican legislators held a press conference yesterday to allege that Corzine has already cut a deal to legalize gay marriage during the lame duck session after the election. Mulshine quotes Senator Gerald Cardinale,

"I was in the room when a key chairman promised the governor’s office that he would put it up, but that he wouldn’t do it until the lame-duck session after the election and the governor’s office said, ‘That’s fine.’"

I think all people should have the same rights and government should stay out of the marriage business. Leave marriage to religions. However, if government is to take action, they shouldn't do it under the radar during a lame duck session.

Despite the fact that Cardinale would not name the key chairman involved in the alleged deal, and despite NJ Democratic Chairman Joe Crayan's denials of a gay marriage deal, Corzine's history of pushing difficult issues through the legislature during a lame duck session makes the charge entirely believable.

Hopefully this will come up during the gubernatorial debate on Thrusday evening so that Corzine can clear it up.

Another Fishy Email

Difference between Conservatives and Liberals..........

If a conservative doesn't like guns, they don't buy one.
If a liberal doesn't like guns, then no one should have one.

If a conservative is a vegetarian, they don't eat meat.
If a liberal is, they want to ban all meat products for everyone.

If a conservative sees a foreign threat, he thinks about how to defeat his enemy.
A liberal wonders how to surrender gracefully and still look good.

If a conservative is homosexual, they live their life.
If a liberal is homosexual, they loudly demand legislated respect.

If a black man or Hispanic is conservative, they see themselves as independently successful.
Their liberal counterparts see themselves as victims in need of government protection.

If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down.

If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A liberal wants any mention of God or religion silenced.

It's Still The Economy

From the dueling ads and press releases fired off by the Christie and Corzine cmapaigns, it was beginning to look as though the remainder of the NJ gubernatorial campaign was going to be about mammograms. The Corzine camp raised the subject and suddenly the Christie camp seemed to be playing defense and getting off message.

Wisely, the Christie team has focused the campaign back on the economy with this press release:

Hard Working New Jersey Women Struggling Thanks to Jon Corzine's Failed Economy

Poverty Among Women in New Jersey...

In 2007, 28% of New Jersey single mothers with children under 18 years old lived in poverty. (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007)
35% of New Jersey single mothers with children under 5 years old lived in poverty. (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007)

Unemployment Among Women in New Jersey...

In July 2008, 55,100 women were unemployed in New Jersey. In July 2009, 86,800 women were unemployed - a 57.7% increase.
(New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, "Economic Indicators," August 2009)


Health Insurance Coverage Among Women in New Jersey...

16% of all New Jersey women were uninsured in 2007. (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007)


Home Ownership Among Women in New Jersey...

18.9% of New Jersey's single women owned their own home, compared to 23.4% nationally and 33.5% of single New Jersey men. (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007)

#####

Both sides seem to be playing exclusively to the women's vote. Perhaps they have polling data to suggest that is where the race will be won or lost.

Standing Up to Corzine's Scare Tactics: Breast Cancer Survivors Set the Record Straight on Chris Christie and Women's Healthcare

With Four Days until the First Debate, It's Time to Focus on the Facts


PARSIPPANY, NJ - Jon Corzine's desperate scare tactics have hit a new low with his recent attack ads blatantly distorting Chris' position on women's health insurance. New Jersey breast cancer survivors are fighting back against these deceptive accusations and voicing their support for Chris' vision for New Jersey's future. With four days until the first debate, these strong women are standing with Chris to set the record straight.

Christie-Guadagno Campaign Spokesperson Maria Comella stated: "It's touching and honest to have these strong women share stories of their brave fights against breast cancer. Jon Corzine's attempt to lie about Chris' position on women's healthcare is despicable and just listening to these women tell their stories makes clear that this is not an issue that should be used to score political points. Chris is the son of a breast cancer survivor and knows firsthand the importance of early detection which is why he would never take that care away from a woman."


Get the Facts: Jon Corzine Will Say Anything, But the Truth
Latest Corzine ad once again distorts Chris' positions, attempts to "poison" his reputation with women...

View the Ad Facts



CORZINE CLAIM:
Governor Corzine fought to make health care more accessible and affordable for New Jerseyans.

FACT:
Health Insurance Premiums For New Jersey Working Families Skyrocketed, Increasing 71 Percent from 2000-2007. (Families USA, "Premiums versus Paychecks: A Growing Burden for New Jersey's Workers," October 2008)


CORZINE CLAIM:
If Chris Christie were governor, insurance companies could drop mammogram coverage.

Christie would lower standards and let insurance companies "offer mandate-free policies" that would eliminate Mammograms, therapy for children with autism, Alcoholism treatment, Biologically based mental illness, Bone marrow transplants, Childhood immunization, Colorectal screening, Congenital bleeding disorders, Dental anesthesia, Diabetes,
Domestic Violence Injuries, Childhood hearing loss, Home health care, Infertility treatment, Childhood lead poisoning, Mammograms, Minimum mastectomy stay, Nursing home care, Off-label drug use, Orthotic and prosthetic appliance, Out-of-network service, Pap smears, Prescription female contraceptive, Prostate cancer screening, Reconstructive breast surgery, Second medical/surgical opinions, Wellness examinations. And new mothers would be forced out of hospitals within a day of giving birth.

FACT:
Chris Christie Supports Providing Coverage for Mammograms and Other Mandated Procedures.

New York Times: "Mr. Christie Speaks Not Of Cutting Health Coverage, Or Mammograms, As The Ad Suggests, But Of Giving People The Option Of Choosing No-Frills, Mandate-Free And, Presumably, Much Cheaper Insurance If They Want It. Singling Out Mammograms -- One Such Mandate -- Is An Attempt To Poison Mr. Christie With Women." (David Halbfinger, "In Bid For Re-Election, New Jersey's Governor Plays To Party Faithful," New York Times, 06/08/09)

Fighting New Jersey's Tax Crush

Asbury Park Press-Gannett NJ graphic

The Asbury Park Press and the other Gannett New Jersey papers are running an eight day series, Fighting New Jersey's Tax Crush

Gannett bills the series as "hard look at why property taxes are so high — and what can be done to fix them."

Steve Massell Plans to Put Taxpayers First in Run for Middletown

By Chris Fotache

As a father of four born and raised in Middletown, Steve Massell was
compelled to run for Township Committee this year out of a growing
concern over the disastrous impact that policies dictated by Jon Corzine
are having on Middletown. Rather than complaining while watching tax
bills increase, Massell decided to get involved.

“Trenton takes millions more from Middletown taxpayers each year while
sending less money back and requiring Middletown, by decree, to provide
low income housing and other unfunded mandates,” said Massell. “This is
simply unacceptable — Middletown cannot maintain the quality of life we
all enjoy while certain local elected officials embrace these policies.”

When pressed for details, Massell explained that his opponent, Democrat
Pat Short has regularly voted in line with Jon Corzine. Earlier this
year, Short did vote against Resolutions condemning Corzine’s State
budget and the expansion of COAH — the Council On Affordable Housing —
which, Massell added: “requires Middletown to provide obscene amounts of
low income housing at immense taxpayer expense.”

“I am not suggesting that Pat Short is a bad person, in fact, while I
didn’t vote for him, I had high hopes that he would do what he promised
three years ago and help us lower property taxes,” explained Massell.
“Instead, Pat Short has towed the Democrat party line with Jon Corzine
and Middletown taxpayers simply cannot afford another term for either
one of them.”

In addition to his fight for lower taxes and against State-mandated low
incoming housing, Massell suggested that there are many other local
issues that are of significant concern that need to be addressed.

“Middletown is one of the largest and most diverse communities in the
State and each section of town faces different challenges that need to
be addressed by the Township Committee,” Massell says. “For years,
Lincroft residents have had to contend with unsafe and overcrowded
roadways in a predominately residential area of town, and residents in
the Bayshore have endured years of flooding that was supposed to be
addressed by the federal government, but has not been despite decades of
false assurances from Congressman Pallone.”

In both of these instances, Massell believes that local governments in
suburban communities like Middletown are being forced to take a more
active approach while politicians in Washington and Trenton redistribute
billions to inner cities that have been devastated by decades of high
taxes and corruption that drove out the businesses and residents that
once contributed to their tax base.

Having worked in the private sector his entire life, Steve Massell
believes that it is time for him to give something back to the community
he grew up in. Steve already serves on the Middletown Planning Board and
wishes to expand this public service to promote smart growth policies,
such as preserving Middletown’s remaining open spaces and continuing
implementation of the Green Initiative to help reduce taxes and traffic
when on the Township Committee.

You can find out more about Steve Massell’s campaign for Middletown
Township Committee at www.middletown2009.com

The Most Exciting Tea Party Yet!

The Black Tea Party

Trenton, NJ – Daryl Mikell Brooks and Charles Green Independent Libertarian Candidates for Assembly in New Jerseys’ 15th District announced today The Black Tea Party Rally at the State House, Friday, October 16th 2009, between the hours of 11am-3pm. Thomas Jefferson once said, “Wherever there are free men they will make themselves heard.” Today that statement has evolved and it is time for the people of Trenton to be heard.

“New Jersey is broken. Record deficits are crippling our future. Sweetheart deals are costing our families millions of wasted tax dollars and corruption is rampart. Our government is held hostage by special interests, and continued promises for making a better place to live and passing it on to our children and grandchildren have not been kept by Governor Corzine, Assembly woman Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Assemblyman Reed Gusciora” added Brooks.

“We will not take money from special interests PACs or registered New Jersey lobbyists - not for this campaign, and not after we get elected. The best way to stay true to what we promise you, and to what we believe, is to stay outside the system that has corrupted so many before us, and that's why we will never take money from PACs or registered New Jersey lobbyists” added Green.

Brooks concluded, “Coleman and Gusciora have offered no leadership on immigration, education, taxes, jobs, health care or corruption. Democrats have been in control of Trenton politics long enough and are fully complicit in this culture of corruption, as our inner city crumbles and our children suffer. The time for change in now. Yes we believe.”

_______________

On October 16, 2009 from 11am -3pm, The Black Tea Party will rally at the State House in Trenton NJ in protest of the change that is needed in the Criminal Justice System. Come and join if you are passionate about:

• The current state of affairs as it relates to the rate of incarcerations involving youth in this state
• The severe lack of reform observed in those who have been contained by the Department of “Corrections”
• The limited resources available for those ex offenders who have made a sincere commitment to reform their own lifestyles
• The potential for ex offenders to resort back to a life of crime upon reentry into society

There is a long standing history in this state of over representation regarding youth (particularly African American male youth) in the Criminal Justice System.
The Poor People’s Campaign is ready to meet with the lawmakers and political officials and discuss these issues, as well as the contributing factors and finally present the solutions to overcome this rising epidemic. You are invited to join in the rally and all you are asked to bring is your self and your positive Spirit.

NJEA Member and Teacher Responds to Attacks on Chris Christie's Education Plan

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Today, Monmouth County NJEA Member and Teacher Kristen Hennessy released the following letter rebutting attacks on Chris Christie's education plan:

"I've been a teacher and loyal NJEA member for 13 years. But I can't sit idly by when the ugliness of political campaigns interferes with the important work teachers perform all over the state.

"It's hard to ignore the campaign for governor that's already well underway. And while I've always supported the efforts of the NJEA to educate its members about political campaigns, I've never been as disappointed as I am now with the NJEA's blatant attempts to smear Chris Christie's positions on education. The NJEA has actually sent teachers across the state a document lying about Chris' positions on issues important to teachers. The NJEA is saying that Chris wants to eliminate teachers' pensions, cut teachers' health benefits, end collective bargaining and cut school spending. All of these statements are untrue and a complete distortion of Chris' actual positions.

"The facts are the facts. Chris will not eliminate pensions and has never said that he will. He has proposed a pension fund plan for new state employees, but not for teachers or law-enforcement. Chris has promised to protect the integrity of the pension fund and make sure all payments are made, so the fund can cover its obligations to retiring teachers. And while Jon Corzine says he's on our side, he's the one who has failed to make pension fund payments and even changed state investment guidelines to allow teachers' pension funds to be invested in risky hedge funds.

"Chris has not made proposals to change current health benefits for teachers and public school district employees, nor will he. This is just an outright lie. Nor has Chris ever said he would end collective bargaining. Chris' mother worked in his local school district in Essex County for 24 years, so he knows firsthand and values the important work teachers perform year in, and year out.

"The NJEA recently said that Chris plans to cut school spending. Again, this is absolutely untrue. Chris has been incredibly supportive of public education throughout his campaign and has repeatedly made clear that education needs to be our state's first priority. We need to do better for our students in every part of the state and Chris has committed to supporting teachers and school boards to make sure all students receive a quality education.

"Conversely, Jon Corzine funded more than $1 billion of our education budget with one-time stimulus funds that will disappear next year. Every school budget and academic, athletic, and extra-curricular program for our kids is at risk because of the Governor's reckless, short-sighted policy. What will happen next year when we do not have those funds? Chris knows we cannot risk our kids' education by funding vital education programs with funds that will disappear after one year.

"And while our kids' education is first-class in nearly all parts of the state, another equally important truth is that in too many districts, entire generations of children aren't learning the basic skills in math, reading, writing and science. Especially where our schools are failing - particularly in our urban school districts - Chris supports new, innovative approaches because we owe it to our kids to protect them, not the status quo.

"I understand that the NJEA is supporting Jon Corzine, and they have every right to. What we cannot allow the NJEA to do is to lie and deceive about the positions of other candidates in the race. It's not what we teachers are all about, and we deserve better."

Kristen Hennessy, NJEA Member, Monmouth County

Knee Jerks

New Jersey Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg joined Congressmen Frank Pallone and Steven Rothman in exerting "extreme" and "unusual" pressure upon the Food and Drug Administration to approve a knee patch that the agency's scientists repeatedly and unanimously determined was unsafe, according to a report in the New York Times.

Each legislator received substantial contributions from the devices manufacturer, ReGen Biologics Inc., of Hackensack. Menendez received $9,100, Rothman $11,300, Pallone $3,300 and Lautenberg $2,300.

Staffers for each lawmaker denied that the money had anything to do with their advocacy of the unsafe device.

Hat tip to Blue Jersey.

Obama Team Trying To Save Corzine

From the New York Times:

Every TV ad that Mr. Corzine puts on the air is being screened by the president’s team. The governor’s aides are giving daily briefings to the White House. Mr. Obama’s pollsters have taken over for Mr. Corzine’s polling team, and White House operatives are on the ground for everything from internal strategy sessions to obscure pep rallies with Latino supporters.

“This election is not about me,” Mr. Corzine told a Latino audience recently. “It’s important for your president. It’s important for your children and your grandchildren.”

Another Fishy Email

A Tale Of Two Corzines: Corzine's Casino Associations, Then and Now:

Governor Corzine's campaign has said that it is "ludicrous to suggest the Governor had any connection whatsoever to the casino industry." (Heininger, ""Corzine Makes a Craps Investment," The Hotline, 9/21/09)

Take minute to view the similarities between his Icahn investment and TPG-Axon investment.

Click Here To View The Document

Levin: Paul Mulshine Is A Jackass Hack Who Burps Into His Soup

Paul Mulshine has finally gotten some national recognition, courtesy of Mark Levin:



Hat tip to our friends at SaveJersey.

Christie-Guadagno Campaign Releases Latest Television Ad Entitled, "Setting the Record Straight"

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Today, the Christie-Guadagno Campaign fights back against Jon Corzine's negative and misleading attack ad with a new television ad entitled, "Setting the Record Straight." In the ad, Chris Christie talks about his mother's own fight with breast cancer and expresses disappointment that Jon Corzine is willing to go so low in order to scare female voters.

In the ad Chris talks candidly with his wife, Mary Pat, by his side, "So the idea that somebody who was able to keep their mother for an extra twenty years would ever deny another woman in this state the opportunity to get a mammogram is just so deceitful. It is awful for the Governor to desperately hold onto power by scaring people."



"Setting the Record Straight" Script: (TV-:30)

Chris Christie: My mom was a breast cancer survivor. Her life was saved because she got a mammogram.

Female Announcer: The New York Times calls Jon Corzine's latest attack "an attempt to poison Christie with women."Corzine's attacks "skew the truth."

Chris Christie: So the idea that somebody who was able to keep their mother for an extra twenty years would ever deny another woman in this state the opportunity to get a mammogram is just so deceitful. It is awful for the Governor to desperately hold onto power by scaring people.

On Screen: The Christie Plan: More Women Covered for Mammograms. More children with Health Insurance.


"Setting the Record Straight" Ad Facts: (TV-:30)

New York Times: "Mr. Christie speaks not of cutting health coverage, or mammograms, as the ad suggests, but of giving people the option of choosing no-frills, mandate-free and, presumably, much cheaper insurance if they want it. Singling out mammograms -- one such mandate -- is an attempt to poison Mr. Christie with women." (David Halbfinger, "In Bid For Re-Election, New Jersey's Governor Plays To Party Faithful," New York Times, 06/08/09)

Daily Record Editorial: "...the governor's assault on Christie's health insurance plan skews the truth so much that it does a disservice." (Editorial, "A battle over coverage for mammograms," Daily Record, 08/13/09)



The Christie-Guadagno Plan Will Lower Health Care Costs By Increasing Competition Among Health Insurance Companies While Providing More Coverage Policy Options:
(www.christiefornj.com)

Increase Options To Affordable Care Through Out-of-State Insurance Policies. The Christie Administration will allow New Jersey small businesses to purchase health insurance policies from out-of-state insurance companies that offer better rates, or better coverage. More competition and more consumer choice will lower costs.


Encourage More People To Purchase Health Insurance By Increasing Affordable Options. Insurance companies will be permitted to offer "mandate-free" policies. These policies might better fit the needs of certain consumers, such as young, single consumers, who are currently uninsured.


The Christie-Guadagno Plan Will Abolish the Premium Tax On Individual And Small Group Premiums. The Christie- Guadagno Administration will abolish the assessment (i.e., tax,) on individual and small group premiums.

Rasmussen: Christie Leads By 7%

From Rasmussen Reports:

Republican challenger Chris Christie still holds a seven-point lead - 48% to 41% - over incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine in the race for New Jersey governor.

The latest Rasmussen Reports survey of voters in the Garden State finds independent candidate Chris Daggett attracting six percent (6%) of the vote, and five percent (5%) undecided.

Earlier this month, Christie led by eight points, 46% to 38%. In late August, the Republican ex-prosecutor was out front 50% to 42%.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.


Corzine continues to be plagued with low job approval ratings and high negatives. Just 38% approve of the way he is performing his role as governor while 61% disapprove. That latter figure includes 45% who Strongly Disapprove.

On a personal basis, 39% have a favorable opinion of Corzine while 60% say the opposite.

For Christie, the numbers are 48% favorable and 46% unfavorable. But only 22% have a Very Unfavorable opinion of Christie compared to 39% who offer such a negative assessment of Corzine.

Daggett, a former Environmental Protection Agency official who also headed the state's Department of Environmental Protection under GOP Governor Tom Kean, is little known. Just eight percent (8%) of voters have a strong opinion of the independent candidate, and 45% don’t know enough about him to have even a soft opinion.

The data suggests that a segment of the initially undecided voters may have already rejected Corzine and are now trying to decide whether to vote for Christie or Daggett. While it may no longer be possible for Corzine to attract 50% of the statewide vote, Democrats may hope to reduce Christie’s total by persuading some anti-Corzine votes to pull the lever for Daggett rather than Christie. That remains a plausible path to victory.

Eight percent (8%) of Democrats now plan to vote for Daggett, along with five percent (5%) of unaffiliated voters and two percent (2%) of Republicans

Traditionally in New Jersey, Democrats gain ground over the final months of the campaign. No Republican has won a statewide race in New Jersey since 1997, but the incumbent governor is unpopular enough to give the GOP a chance this year. However, Corzine is expected to heavily outspend Christie which could be a game-changing factor.

Six percent (6%) of New Jersey voters say this year’s gubernatorial campaign has been less negative than most while 24% say it's been more negative. The overwhelming majority (68%) say it’s about the same as usual.

Voters say the candidates for lieutenant governor are having little impact on the overall race.

Corzine Allies Direct $565 Million in State Pension Money into Corzine's TPG Family of Funds

Cozy Relationships Clearly Cloud Judgment of Pension Fund Investments Considering Fund Down Nearly $16 Billion Since 2007

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Just days after learning that Jon Corzine is invested and a partner in TPG Axon, a firm founded and owned by two New Jersey casino license holders, it turns out he's been playing with more than just his own personal wealth, but New Jersey taxpayer dollars as well. The State Division of Investment (DOI), overseen by Corzine's State Treasurer, has committed and invested $565 million in taxpayer dollars in TPG funds over the past 3 years

When Jon Corzine became governor, he took many of his former Goldman Sachs employees and fellow failed Wall Street executives to manage, sit on the Boards of and hold senior positions to handle state pension investments. Now these same friends are directing taxpayer dollars into funds overseen by Corzine's casino license holding partners. Case in point, Dinakar Singh, who ran Goldman Sachs Group Inc.'s $10 billion in-house trading desk established a hedge fund with private-equity firm Texas Pacific Group as his partner, known as TPG Axon Capital.


Jon Corzine made it easier for his friends from Wall Street to manage New Jersey's pension fund in 2006. His plan shifted a quarter of the state's $72 billion dollar public state pension fund from the control of state employees to private money managers. Not surprisingly, the state treasurer at the time, Bradley Abelow, who was a former partner at Goldman Sachs, supported the new investment strategy.

Now, the same Wall Street executives who brought our economy to its knees are making investment decisions using New Jersey taxpayer dollars. In this instance, Jon Corzine's friends decided to invest New Jersey family's hard earned money in the same fund in which Jon Corzine is personally invested.

New Jersey's Division of Investment committed and invested $565 million to various funds in the TPG family:

$130 million to TPG-TAC 2007, L.P.
$360 million to TPG Partners VI, L.P.
$75 million to TPG Financial Partners, L.P.

Considering at its height, during Jon Corzine's tenure, the pension fund hit $82.1 billion (Dunstan McNichol, "Turbulent Wall St. erodes state pension funds," The Star-Ledger, 2/22/08) and now it is nearly $16 billion less at $66.7 billion, raises serious questions about whether Corzine's cozy relationship with former Wall Street executives is clouding the judgment of the Pension Investment Council's decisions. (New Jersey Department of Treasury Website, Updated 08/31/09)


"It's one thing for Jon Corzine to gamble with his own personal wealth, but it's another to put at risk New Jersey taxpayer dollars by turning them over to his casino license holding partners at TPG," said Chris Christie. "Corzine's conflicts concerning TPG continue to become deeper and more obvious. He should divest his interest immediately and start telling the truth about the nature and extent of his holdings."

Pallone Hosting Dinner For Corzine and Gore

ObamaCare architect and ACORN supporter, Congressman Frank Pallone will be heading south on the Garden State Expressway to host a dinner for Jon Corzine and Al Gore at the 2009 Democratic State Conference in Atlantic City on Friday, according to Wally Edge.

I wonder if Sean Byrnes will be there for the photo op.

Take The Expressway To North Dakota

Jon Corzine Confirms What We Already Knew: He Will Raise Taxes on New Jerseyans

Jon Corzine Tells The Philadelphia Inquirer He "Would Not Rule Out Increasing [Taxes]"


PARSIPPANY, NJ - Four years ago, Governor Jon Corzine promised to use his supposed Wall Street know-how to cut our taxes. Instead, he has raised taxes, raised fees, raised tolls and chased businesses out of our state. Amazingly, over the weekend, Governor Jon Corzine told The Philadelphia Inquirer that he would not rule out raising taxes again to cover his gaping budget shortfalls, despite nearly 10 percent unemployment. If Governor Corzine has already broken his campaign promise to New Jerseyans to not raise taxes, what kind of tax increases can we expect if he is actually admitting he will raise taxes?

In the last four years, Governor Corzine's tax hikes and uncontrolled spending have given New Jerseyans the highest tax burden in the nation, so it should be no surprise that he has no problem raising taxes on our state again. In his last budget alone, he raised taxes by $1.2 billion, while New Jerseyans pay the highest property taxes in the country. Even his most recent tax increases are not enough to cover his egregious spending. Next year, New Jersey will need to overcome Jon Corzine's $8 billion budget deficit and the Governor has told us how he will do so: not cut wasteful spending, but instead raise taxes.

Christie-Guadagno Campaign Manager Bill Stepien: "Record numbers of jobs are leaving our state and, Jon Corzine is encouraging New Jerseyans to follow them. Governor Corzine's promise to raise taxes is the first time in this campaign he has told the truth about his record and his approach to governing. While the Governor may believe that more taxes are the answer, the fact is the people of New Jersey are hurting. Governor Corzine's commitment to even higher taxes and wasteful spending that got our state into this mess show just how out of touch he is. It is time to say no to Governor Corzine's irresponsible policies and change the way New Jersey does business."

Corzine By the Numbers

· An upcoming $8 billion deficit for FY2011

· $1.2 billion in new taxes and fees for New Jerseyans

· 1.2 million more taxpayers won't receive property tax rebates in FY 2010

Tax Burden: In FY2010, Governor Corzine's budget will make the tax burden even heavier by making the taxpayers pay these new taxes and fines:

o $970 million for the elimination of property tax rebates
o $903 million for income tax rate increases
o $400 million for tax increase on employers for unemployment program
o $270 million for corporate business tax increase
o $100 million for the elimination of property tax deduction
o $37 million for health insurance tax increases
o $30 million for cigarette tax increases
o $21.6 million for wine and liquor tax increases
o $20 million for DMV fees
o $8 million for taxing lottery winnings increase

To view the full story from The Philadelphia Inquirer, please click here.

Corzine's Claims Don't Hold Water: Major Publications Confirm Corzine Partners With Casino License Holders

Campaign Calls on Jon Corzine to Release Documents that Shed Light on Extent of Relationships Between Casino License Holders and TPG Axon

PARSIPPANY, NJ - While Jon Corzine and his campaign attempt to deflect from the seriousness of the governor's partnership with casino license holders, major publications confirm the connection between Texas Pacitfic Group (TPG) and TPG-Axon. Hoover's, Dun and Bradstreet, The Wall Street Journal and others all confirm that TPG-Axon Capital Management is "a subsidiary of" TPG Capital Partners.


"Texas Pacific Group founder David Bonderman said at a recent industry conference that his company's move to start a hedge fund was a way for the firm to find new uses for the 'intellectual capital' gleaned from researching buyouts, such as buying and selling stock in other companies in the same industry as a company TPG was trying to acquire, without sharing any inside information." (Jason Singer, "Carlyle Will Join Financiers' Moves Into Hedge Funds," The Wall Street Journal, 8/1/06)

In fact, TPG's own website includes a Financial Times article from July 3, 2006 stating, "In 2004 TPG formed a hedge fund, a move that has since been replicated by several rivals. The new venture, called TPG-Axon, is based in New York and managed by Dinakar Singh, a former high-flyer at Goldman Sachs." (Peter Smith and James Politi, "Against the flow: how 'private equity's Google' is profiting from contrarianism," Financial Times, 07/03/06)

TPG founders David Bonderman and James Coulter are identified in documents prepared by the Attorney General's Division of Gaming Enforcement, and released by the Corzine campaign yesterday, as the individuals who hold the ultimate authority to make decisions on behalf of the various companies that hold the casino licenses issued in 2008 to Harrah's, Caesar's, Bally's and the Showboat casinos in Atlantic City.

"No matter how you slice it, Jon Corzine is partnered with people who hold a casino license. Corzine needs to release any and all documents that shed light on the casino licensee holders relationships with TPG-Axon," stated Campaign Manager Bill Stepien.

In order to fully understand the extent and nature of the relationship between TPG-Axon and the casino license holders, Jon Corzine should release all documents from the DGE that reveal Bonderman and Coulter's role in TPG-Axon.

"The DGE's letter to the Casino Control Commission references a number of other reports including a financial analysis of the license applicants and also reports detailing the 'credentials of the initial individual qualifiers' involved with license. We need to know if the Attorney General's office ever investigated the role that TPG, and those who exercise control over it, play in TPG-Axon," added Stepien.

Hedges vs Bushes

The gubernatorial campaign will be a battle of hedges vs bushes, at least for the next few days or weeks.

The floundering Corzine campaign will continue to try to portray Chris Christie as Bush. It hasn't worked so far, but they remember how strongly the people pushed back last March when they tried to pass pro-bush regulations. Since nothing else is working, they will try it again.

The Christie campaign revealed their hedge against Corzine's attacks over the weekend. It seems Corzine is invested in a hedgefund that is closely related to, and has a similar name as, a hedge fund that owns four New Jersey Casinos. Governors having financial interests in Casinos is a serious legal and ethical violation.

Just as Christie's loan to Michelle Brown, his conversations with Karl
Rove, and his driving record didn't amount to anything, Corzine's investment in this hedgefund won't amount to anything either, legally.

Politically, the timing of the hedgefund revelations means everything.

Reporters, pundits and bloggers were all over Christie for the Brown, Rove and driving matters in August. The issues and chatter about them got Christie off stride briefly and Corzine had hope. But New Jersey voters were busy vacationing, getting ready for school, and paying their third quarter property tax bills. All the ink had no impact on the polls.

Now that the kids are back to their school routine and summer is over, voters are starting to pay attention. Perfect time to make Corzine answer reporters questions about his hedgefunds and possibly improper investments. The economic news continues to be terrible. Corizne will be explaining how TFP-Axon really isn't TFP, how he didn't do anything wrong, and lost almost $3 million anyway. After a week of this Corzine will wish for returns of his "Go to North Dakota for a job" tape. The Christie campaign will comply.

Timing is everything in politics and you hope for some breaks. The Christie campaign's timing is impeccable and the gaffing Corzine campaign is giving them the breaks.

Corzine: Go to North Dakota, By Rob C

New Christie Radio Ad

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Today, the Christie-Guadagno campaign released its latest radio ad entitled, "Leaving." Jon Corzine's New Jersey has record-breaking 9.7 percent unemployment, the highest in the region. Families are hurting. Record numbers of jobs are leaving the state. While more and more New Jerseyans struggle to find a way to make ends meet, Jon Corzine has an easy answer that, for once, doesn't involve raising taxes - move to North Dakota.

Considering Jon Corzine's track record, this might be both his best solution to date, since North Dakota's 4.3 percent unemployment rate is less than half of ours. So the Wizard of Wall Street's economic recovery plan after years of high taxes and irresponsible spending is simple and foolproof - leave New Jersey for a state with lower taxes, quality-paying jobs and opportunity.

Christie-Guadagno Campaign Manager Bill Stepien: "Because of Jon Corzine, New Jerseyans are stretched to the breaking point. He has raised taxes; he has driven away jobs. Now, in the face of the highest unemployment in 33 years, Governor Corzine is copping out. His flippant remarks show just how out of touch he is with the experiences of people across our state. New Jersey needs change and, in 44 days, we'll start by changing governors."

Transcript of Radio Ad, "Leaving":

Announcer: Recently, Governor Jon Corzine had some advice for those looking for a job in New Jersey.

Jon Corzine: Want to go to a real unemployment rate, go to North Dakota.

Announcer: That's right, "go to North Dakota."

Leave New Jersey, the Giants or the Eagles, the Shore or the Cities, and go to North Dakota.

Is Jon Corzine that out of touch?

But the sad fact is that today under Jon Corzine, unemployment in New Jersey is nearly 10 percent.

The highest it's been in 30 years, the highest in the region.

Unemployment combined with the highest taxes in the nation and no wonder many people are leaving for Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and some might even listen to the Governor's advice:

Jon Corzine: Go to North Dakota.

You want to change Trenton, start by changing governors.

Chris Christie. Governor.

Chris Christie: Paid for by Chris Christie for Governor. Ronald Gravino, Treasurer.

Still Looking For Photos Of Sean Byrnes With Corzine

The vast team of MoreMonmouthMusings volunteers is still frustrated in the hunt for photos of Freeholer candidate Sean Byrnes with Governor Corzine.

We thought we had a hot lead when the Corzine campaign copied the Christie campaign and launched its own interactive website. Last week Christie launched ItsMyNJ.com. Corzine followed with StandwithJon.com One would think that the man who is trying to retain control of the Monmouth County Freeholder Board for the Democrats would be featured standing with Jon. No such luck. No pictures of Byrnes and Corzine on that site. Not even in the Monmouth County section. The only picture of Corzine standing in the Monmouth County on that site is a video of is a appearance at the LGBT Pride celebration in Asbury Park.

We did find photos of Byrnes standing with Loretta Weinberg and Amy Mallet. They weren't taken at the Hall of Records:





He doesn't look too happy.

We also found a picture of Byrnes with Frank Pallone and Belmar Councilman Matt Moran:



I wonder if they talked about how hateful the people at Pallone's Health care Town Hall Meetings were.

So the hunt continues. If anyone has, finds or takes a photo of Byrnes with Corzine, please send it in. We'll make you famous and give you a free subscription to MoreMonmouthMusings and a bonus subscription to the coming ByrnesforFreeholer site.

CASAGRANDE: WASSER DEAL REINFORCES NEED FOR LEGISLATION TO CONTROL SCHOOL SPENDING

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande said today that the recent decision of the Freehold Regional High School District to create a new position in the district for Superintendent H. James Wasser after he resigns in June highlights the need for the Assembly to pass several pieces of legislation she has sponsored in order to cap unnecessary school spending.

“At a time when property taxes continue to force more and more people from their homes and from the state, and with the school portion the largest part of the property tax bill, it is imperative that we ensure school boards are spending taxpayer money as frugally as possible”, said Casagrande. “ We can no longer afford to give public employees five and six figure going away presents at retirement or have $200,000 make-work jobs.”

Casagrande is the prime sponsor of A-3185, which would have the Department of Education create a template contract for superintendents, and require the approval of Education Commissioner to make an y changes to the contract. She is also the sponsor of A-2583, which would limit payments for accumulated sick leave to $10,000 and broaden the scope of state and local employees covered by the bill.

Casagrande called the board’s decision to move Wasser to his new position the lesser of two evils and said “ If we’re required to pay him until 2011, I’d certainly rather have him working for the district rather than sitting home collecting a check. My point is, that in the future if a board feels there is a genuine reason to fire someone- and I would argue that despite the opinion of some former and current board members, benefiting from a degree from an unaccredited institution is a genuine reason- they should be able to do so without having to make a devil’s bargain that puts the taxpayers on the hook once again. ”

We are "Forgetting a Whole Other Group of People."

Dear Friends,

New Jersey is suffering. We’re seeing record rates of unemployment, foreclosures and debt. With each passing day more and more people find themselves closer to bankruptcy and financial ruin.

The fact is that unemployment rates are more than just numbers on paper. Behind those numbers are real people. Perhaps there is no greater sign of the severity of our state’s problems than Transition Park – a self-governing community of over 50 people living in tents right in downtown Camden.

Wednesday, I visited Camden to meet with the residents of Transition Park and was reminded of why I first entered politics. I know that the ultimate goal of politics is not about Republicans, Democrats or Independents; it’s about creating a place where we can all have the best possible opportunity to achieve the American dream.

People from all walks of life come to Transition Park because they are down on their luck and need a place to re-establish themselves. Their tents are draped by tarps to keep the rain out, and there’s even a tent dedicated as a chapel.

But this story – while heartbreaking – is a story of hope. Working with local community organizations and a set of community rules, residents place emphasis on goal setting, finding a job and finding a new place to live. Most importantly, they help one another so they can all get back on their feet.

As Councilwoman Crystal Evans from Gloucester Township stated, we are currently “forgetting a whole other group of people." If our state is to not only recover from this economic crisis, but to come back better and stronger than ever before, then we must vow to never settle for the status quo.

If you would like to learn how you can help the residents of Transition Park, please click here.

"The Cartel" Showing in Howell Monday Evening

The Cartel, the hard hitting documentary by Bill Bowdon will be shown Monday evening, September 21, 8 PM at the Howell First Aid and Rescue Squad building, 16 Kent Rd, Howell, NJ 07731

The movie exposes waste, fraud and corruption in our education establishment.

Jon Corzine's Job Creation Plan: "Go to North Dakota"

"If you want to go to a real low unemployment rate, go to North Dakota." - Governor Jon Corzine to Unemployed New Jerseyans, 9/15/09



PARSIPPANY, NJ - Jon Corzine's New Jersey has record-breaking 9.7 percent unemployment, the highest in the region behind 8 other states. Families are struggling. Record numbers of jobs are leaving the state. More and more New Jerseyans are losing their homes. And what is Jon Corzine's answer to reversing the highest unemployment rate we've seen in 32 years? Leave the state and move to North Dakota.

The fact that Jon Corzine's only solution to our state's near double-digit unemployment rate is for New Jerseyans to leave in order to find a job, makes clear he is unfit to lead our state out of the economic crisis he helped cause. The notion that New Jerseyans who are unemployed should move to North Dakota to find a quality-paying job is insensitive, insulting and out of touch.

Jon Corzine has wrecked our state's economy and driven more and more jobs away due to his burdensome taxes and irresponsible spending. One thing is clear, come November, Jon Corzine will be the one moving to North Dakota in search of a new job.

ACORN SQUASH

First Lady hears the news, runs off to the farmers market to get some.

Gets lei'd while she's there

Hat tip to Melissa Gaffney

Corzine: "You want a really low unemployment rate, go to North Dakota"

He really said that.

And, notice how enthusiastic his supporters are in the background.



Since it is looking increasingly likely that Jon Corzine will be out of work come January, I went looking for jobs on craiglist-North Dakota for him.

We know he likes government work. There is one job listed:


Since he has a background in finance:

part time opening for Accounts Payable/Payroll Coordinator with future Full Time potential. Ideal candidate will possess excellent organizational, computer, communication and interpersonal skills. Prefer experience in a health care setting. We offer competitive wage & benefit package

Or there is this banking job. He could do that.

Commerial Lender Career Position (Grand Forks Area.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2009-08-19, 2:25PM CDT
Reply to: job-zdzct-1331640333@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Our purpose is to place, paramount banking industry professionals, for the success of all.

If you are a 'seasoned' commercial lending officer and are looking for that next career move, please contact me ASAP.

The 'cliche', Timing is everything - has its place in this equation.

Thank you.



Location: Grand Forks Area.
Compensation: potential $55-65k
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

We know Corzine loves taxes. He would probably love this job:

seasonal tax preparer (Bismarck and Mandan of North Dakota)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2009-09-04, 11:25AM CDT
Reply to: libertytax1@midconetwork.com [Errors when replying to ads?]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Looking for exprienced tax preparer for tax season 2010. Please e-mail info to us.


Location: Bismarck and Mandan of North Dakota
Compensation: depending on the exprience
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

He missed out on this gig, but maybe there will be another awards benefit soon:

NUDE dancers needed (CAN AD INN)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2009-09-01, 2:08PM CDT
Reply to: gigs-hgrdr-1353560844@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Need two dancers for AWARDS BANQUET

LOOKS not as important as attitude and camaraderie! You must be able to DANCE NUDE [participants are mostley over 50] You'll have a great time!

Base pay of $75.00/HR for 3 Hour Min. You are more than welcome to stay as long as you wish. Security will be on SITE.

Event is scheduled for Sept.12 2009 in GF

Please sent Nude Pics for consideration of employment.

Location: CAN AD INN
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Compensation: Base pay of $75.00/HR NAGOTIONABLE...................

Or, he could be a community organizer:/

Community Relationship Manager, Bismarck (Bismarck, ND)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2009-09-17, 5:24AM CDT
Reply to: see below

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Save lives. Fulfill yours.

Would you like a position where you're not sitting behind a desk all day, every day? Would you like to work in a fast-paced and positive environment? If so, we have an open Community Volunteer and Fundraising Relationship Manager position.

COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
This community-based assignment will build constituent & volunteer capacity for income activities & campaigns & recruit, train and manage volunteers. You'll be visiting various corporations and local businesses to gain sponsorships, visiting your relay sites, meeting with your volunteers, etc.

Qualification requirements include the ability to recruit & train volunteers & implement fundraising activities to meet goals. Other requirements listed below.

Bachelor's degree &/or equivalent experience preferred.
2-3 yrs experience in volunteer management, sales, marketing, fundraising and/or community organization is required.
Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal & computer skills required.
Ability to lift 25 lbs.
Must be willing and able to work some evenings & weekends.
A strong ability to motivate others is a huge plus in this position!
Extensive local travel is also required, so reliable transportation is needed, as well as the ability and willingness to do a lot of driving around your community.

This position is located in Bismarck.
No relocation assistance is provided for this position. If you are not a local applicant, please indicate WHY you are interested in moving and WHEN you would be available to start if chosen for this position.

Starting salary is a firm $32,100/yr with excellent benefits.

The American Cancer Society is committed to equal employment opportunity and to recruiting staff representative of the diverse communities we serve. Thank you for your interest in the American Cancer Society.

If interested, please apply online at http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=643331-1248-6236

Who knew there was so much opportunity in North Dakota. I'm not so worried about what poor Jon will be doing next year.

House Votes To Strip Acorn Of Federal Funding

NJ Congressmen Holt, Pallone, Pascrell, Payne and Sires are among the 75 who voted to keep ACORN funded.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 345-75 to stop all federal funding of ACORN, the community organizing group that has come under fire this week as a result of an undercover investigation by amateur journalists James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles that produced video of ACORN employees advising the pair posing as a pimp and prostitute how to set up a brothel, apply for a mortgage, evade taxes and smuggle underage girls into the country to work as sex slaves.

The Senate voted 83-7 to defund ACORN earlier this week. The bill awaits President Obama's signature.

New Jersey was prominent in its support of ACORN, with five members of its delegation voting against the measure to defund. Congressmen Rush Holt D-12, Frank Pallone D-6, William Pascrell D-8, Donald Payne D-10 and Albio Sires D-13 each voted to have U.S. taxpayers continue to fund the organization.

Of these four, only Holt has an announced challenger for the 2010 election, Fair Haven Mayor Michael Halfacre.

Halfacre issued a harshly critical statement of Holt. “One again, Rush Holt has shown how out of touch he is with the people of the 12th Congressional District and that his attempts to portray himself as a moderate are just that- a portrayal”, said Halfacre. “He was to the left of even his own party on cap and trade; he is to the left of his own party on health care reform and now, when 70% of his own party voted against giving any more funding to this controversial group, once again, Rush Holt stood with the far left of his party to continue funding them with taxpayer money. We seem to have a representative who thinks he represents San Francisco and not central New Jersey.”

Halfacre closed by saying “Simply put, Rush Holt’s positions on a variety of issues of importance to the American people are outside the political mainstream and do not reflect the values of the 12th Legislative District. I intend to spend the next 15 months making sure that the people of the District know exactly who Rush Holt is and what he stands for, and proving that my positions on those very same issues are much more reflective of the people we both want to represent.”

Chris Christie Receives Endorsement from Eight Democratic Members of the Elizabeth Board of Education

Eleven Elizabeth Democratic Officials and Party Leaders Endorse Chris Christie for Governor

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Today, Chris Christie received the endorsement of eight Democratic members of the Elizabeth Board of Education, as well as several local Democratic Party leaders. The Elizabeth Board of Education members are frustrated with Governor Corzine's failure to protect education funds or provide transparency and accountability in education policy, as well as an overall inability to guarantee priority funding for critical education programs as the reasons they are supporting Chris Christie.

Governor Jon Corzine heavily favored stop-gap measures to fill the gaping holes in his FY 2010 budget, including funding roughly 10 percent of the education budget with one-time federal stimulus funds. This reckless accounting puts New Jersey children's education at risk by funding the education budget with $1 billion that will not be there next year.

"Many of the Board members endorsing Chris today are Democrats, but we all know that when it comes to providing a quality education and a hopeful future for our children, party and politics aren't a factor," said Francisco Gonzalez, President of the Elizabeth Board of Education. "Governor Corzine has failed our kids in the last four years when it comes to education policy in our state and it is time for a change in leadership if we're going to ensure our children receive the quality education they deserve."

The members of the Board endorsing Chris Christie for governor are: Francisco Gonzalez (President), Carlos Trujillo (Vice President), Pastor Raul Burgos, Armando DaSilva, Rafael Fajardo, Marie Munn, Fernando Nazco and Elcy Castillo-Ospina. In addition, three local Democratic Party leaders joined the Board members in their endorsement: Tony Monteiro, former Elizabeth City Councilman and former Elizabeth Board of Education member, Bob Jaspan, former Elizabeth City Councilman, and Donald Goncalves, former Union County freeholder.

"We are proud to be standing by Chris and giving him our strongest endorsement," said Carlos Trujillo, Vice President of the Elizabeth Board of Education. "New Jersey's government is broken and Governor Corzine has failed to provide any solutions for the host of problems facing our state and our schools. We know Chris shares our belief that our number one priority must be giving our children every possible tool they need to be successful in the future. Chris is a proven and determined leader who has shown he has the guts needed to fix our education system and demand accountability at all levels."

Senator Joe Kyrillos Calls on Governor Jon Corzine to Pull Down Erroneous Economic Recovery Ad

New Job Numbers Contradict Ad's Claim

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Today, Christie-Guadagno Campaign Chair, Senator Joe Kyrillos, called on Governor Jon Corzine to pull down his latest campaign television advertisement that falsely claims an economic recovery in the face of another month of rising unmployment:

"As unemployment climbs higher and higher in New Jersey and revised July job creation numbers are smaller than previously indicated, Jon Corzine's latest ad not only falsely maintains he has put us on the path to economic recovery, but touts incorrect and blatantly erroneous numbers. As hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans continue to search for work, it is not only misleading, but also in unbelievably bad form, for Jon Corzine to immediately seize on such nominal job growth as an achievement when so many families are hurting and we have the highest unemployment rate in 33 years. Our economic situation is bleak, and no amount of Corzine's false, rosy rhetoric will provide relief for the day-to-day struggles faced by New Jersey families. Governor Corzine's campaign should recognize the suffering of these New Jerseyans and immediately pull the ad from broadcast."

Jon Corzine's Ad, "Through," Transcript:

Only one candidate can lead us through these tough times. Jon Corzine created the nation's first economic recovery plan. It's beginning to work. Thousands of new private sector jobs, bucking the national trend. He cut four billion in spending and delivered more property tax relief than any governor, but Chris Christie's so partisan he'd reject President Obama's stimulus funds. Driving up property taxes $2 billion dollars. Chris Christie. The same Bush policies that got us into this mess.

In Jon Corzine's Parallel Universe... His Leadership Created Thousands of New Private Sector Jobs in New Jersey.

In The Real World... New Jerseyans Struggle More Than Any State in the Region to Find Work.

New Jersey's Unemployment Rate Has Gone From 4.8% at the Beginning of Corzine's Term to 9.7% Today. (Bureau of Labor Statistics Website, Accessed: 09/16/09)


177,000 More New Jerseyans Were Unemployed in July, 2009 Compared to July, 2008. (Bureau of Labor Statistics Website, Accessed: 09/08/09)

In August, New Jersey's Unemployment Rate Continues to be the Highest in the Region at 9.7%, Increasing From 9.3% in July. (All figures according to United States Department of Labor Website, accessed: 09/16/09)

In Jon Corzine's Parallel Universe... New Jersey Created 13,000 New Private Sector Jobs Just Last Month.

In The Real World... The Revised Number of Jobs Created Was Revised to 5,600, Less Than Half of the Originally Reported Number. (Department of Labor and Workforce Development Website, accessed: 09/16/09)
In Jon Corzine's Parallel Universe... He Created the Nation's First Economic Recovery Plan.

In The Real World... It Was New York's Governor David Paterson, Not New Jersey's Governor Corzine, Who Established the National Model, Leading the Country in Designing Laws to Address the Growing Foreclosure Crisis First. "August 5, 2008: Governor David A. Paterson today signed into law a critical subprime lending reform bill which directly addresses the mortgage crisis in New York State...The new law will immediately help protect people from losing their homes and mandates reforms to help avoid a similar crisis in the future. ...This bill - a Governor's Program Bill (S.8143-A/A.10817-A) passed by the state Legislature in June - works in two ways: immediately helping to prevent New Yorkers from losing their homes by assisting those who are currently facing foreclosure, and by attacking flaws in New York's banking regulations to prevent such a crisis from happening again. It also served as a model for recent federal action as well." (New York Department of Banking Press Release 08/05/2008)


In Jon Corzine's Parallel Universe... He Cut $4 Billion in Spending and That is an Accomplishment.

In The Real World... Jon Corzine Has Raised Taxes and Ballooned Future Deficits.

Governor Corzine's 2010 Budget Raises Taxes by Another $1.2 Billion. (FY 2010 Budget)

Jon Corzine Has Left FY2011 with a Projected $8 Billion Deficit. (Josh Margolin, "N.J. short $8 billion, report say," The Star-Ledger, 07/22/09)

In Jon Corzine's Parallel Universe... He Delivered More Property Tax Relief Than Any Other Governor.

In The Real World... Our Property Taxes Have Gone Up 17% Since Governor Corzine Came Into Office, Costing the Average New Jerseyan an Additional $1,023. (New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Website, Accessed 07/10/09)


For FY2010 Budget, According to Rutgers Economist James Hughes, Almost All New Jerseyans are Guaranteed to See an Additional Increase of 3 to 4 Percent in Their Property Taxes. (David Matthau, "New State Budget Will Whack the Typical Jersey Family, Millennium Radio, 06/25/09)


Jon Corzine Cut $970 Million in Property Tax Rebates For Millions of Middle Class New Jerseyans. (FY2010 Budget)


New Jersey Have the HIGHEST Property Tax Revenue Per Capita of Any State. (The Tax Foundation, "State and Local Property Taxes Per capita and per household," accessed: 09/08/09)


New Jersey Property Taxes Have Risen Almost 55% in 7 Years - Twice the Rate of Inflation. (Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services Website, Accessed 6/4/09)

Marlboro GOP Fundraiser A Success

Rhoda Chodosh reports on her facebook page that 87 people came out in the rain to support the Marlboro GOP candidates last night at the Colts Neck Inn.

Corzine Too Busy For A Third Debate

Jon Corzine has declined to participate in a debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters, which would be televised in prime time on NY and Phillie ABC affiliates because he is too busy.

Yet, he has time to unveil a 30 foot Samadhi Buddha statue at the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara in Princeton on September 26, as reported by Bob Ingle.

Corzine should do the debate and the statue ceremony.

UPDATE


Wally Edge is reporting that Corzine has accepted a debate invitation from Jazz88 WBGO-Newark, the world's premier jazz station, while turning down ABC affilates' offer to preempt Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and NJ 101.5.

What a guy.

ACORN Suspends Operations

Read all about it at The Washington Times.

Bella Vista Country Club Announcement Re GOP Fundraiser

Country Club provides outstanding service to its members regardless of political affiliations.

Marlboro, New Jersey, September 14, 2009
FROM: BELLA VISTA COUNTRY CLUB
RE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2009 REPUBLICAN COUNCIL CANDIDATES' EVENT

Bella Vista is a private Country Club that often hosts events sponsored by its members. We are proud to have member families affiliated with both local political parties who enjoy the amenities and privileges of Membership. The Management of Bella Vista does not favor one political party over the other; rather, the Club seeks to provide its members with the highest level of service and respect that is expected from Country Club membership.

It is the policy of the Club to allow Member sponsored events for fundraising purposes. In order for this type of event to occur, it must be "sponsored" by a Member in good standing. This year, one of our members, Al Rosenthal, was scheduled to sponsor a fund raiser for the Marlboro Township Republican Council Candidates on September 16, 2009. While none of the candidates are members of the club, we were looking forward to hosting this event on behalf of Mr. Rosenthal and his group, just as we have done for members from both sides of the aisle for the many years since we have owned the Country Club.

Last week, we were contacted by Mr. Rosenthal who advised that he no longer wished to sponsor the event. Unfortunately, Mr. Rosenthal's non-member guests caused their email invitations for this event to contain negative propaganda against certain members of the Country Club, that Mr. Rosenthal found out of line with the status and décor of the Club's Membership. The withdrawal of the sponsorship resulting in the cancellation of the event was Mr. Rosenthal's decision, and his alone. While we did receive inquiries from several members concerning this invitation, Bella Vista Country Club did not cancel the event, nor was such cancellation at the behest of the Marlboro Mayor, or any other political figure.

Wasser Waste

The school superintendent formerly known as Doctor, H. James Wasser, "resigned" his position at the Freehold Regional High School District effective at the end of the current school year. He will stay on at the same $200K+ salary as an administrator for special projects through the 2010-2011 school year when his contract would have expired.

What a waste. The taxpayers of the FRHSD will now have to pay two superintendent salaries for the 2010-2011 year.

Wasser scammed the school board again. When he proposed this "resignation" last month, as the Asbury Park Press reports, the board should have turned him down. Either fulfill the contract or call in sick for the rest of the year. Wasser negotiated himself a $200,000 part time job for a year, and still gets paid for another year by cashing in his unused sick time.

Institutions Matter: Can New Jersey Reverse Course?

Eileen Norcross and Frederic Sautet of George Mason University's Mercatus Center have published an important study of New Jersey's decades long economic decline and policy recommendations for restoring our prosperity and status as an economic powerhouse, Institutions Matter: Can New Jersey Reverse Course?

Preview:

New Jersey entered the current recession in a weakened fiscal and economic condition. With the state's economy and revenues closely linked to Wall Street, the collapse of the financial sector and its aftershocks-rising unemployment and falling income-leave New Jersey facing "a historic revenue collapse, and the most significant downturn in its modern history," according to the state's treasurer. The current recession is severe, but this fiscal dilemma is not new. The state has experienced structural deficits regularly over the past 20 years.

Though the magnitude and depth of the current recession is unprecedented, New Jersey's perennial budget shortfalls and the growth in taxation on all levels are the result of years of poor fiscal choices which have gradually weakened the state's once strong economy. New Jersey is ranked 46th in economic freedom, with the highest state and local tax burden in the nation, at close to 12 percent of average income. New Jersey's income tax is highly progressive, with a top bracket of 10.75 percent on income over $1,000,000. The corporate tax is a flat rate of 9 percent-the sixth highest in the nation. The sales tax is exemption-laden, leading the state to raise rates, most recently in 2006, from 6 to 7 percent. In addition, New Jersey levies many smaller taxes on services and activities. Between 2002 and 2007, the state created 102 small taxes and fees, all of which combine to create a narrow base, high-rate system of tax. Property taxes have increased steadily over the past 30 years, averaging $6,787 per capita in 2008. Since 2000, New Jersey has lost technology and information sector jobs and gained low-wage service sector jobs and public sector jobs. New Jersey's population growth has slowed and out-migration has increased.

Increased taxation is meant to support public spending. Growth in New Jersey's budget is driven, in theory, by citizen preference for a certain level of government services and the taxation necessary to support it. However, the government of New Jersey has resorted to fiscal evasion-avoiding the rules meant to constrain spending-and has sustained spending growth through fiscal illusion, obscuring the full costs of policies by relying on intergovernmental aid and debt to achieve the current level of spending. The state has long emphasized current spending at the expense of higher taxes for future taxpayers. The costs of this approach are now coming due.

This paper presents a series of reforms based on the successful experience of other governments. It begins with a background discussion of the challenges New Jersey will face in implementing these reforms by reviewing the state of the state and the loss of the "Old-Time Fiscal Religion," the foundation of public finance until the Keynesian revolution of the 1940s. The paper explains the limits of public policy and government intervention and explores the importance of inter-jurisdictional competition and direct democracy, concluding with recommendations for institutional and policy reforms.

I encourage all of my readers, especially legislators, policy makers and candidates to read this paper and refer to to often.

Christie-Guadagno Campaign Launches Interactive Website ItsMyNJ.com

Nine New Jerseyans Micro-Blog on Life in New Jersey

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Today, the Christie-Guadagno campaign launched a new interactive website, www.ItsMyNJ.com, where people from all over the state will have the opportunity to become part of an online community where they can share their New Jersey story. New Jerseyans are invited to discuss their personal experiences, challenges they face and hopes for the future. Using cutting-edge integration of social networking services, Twitter and YouTube, this website will allow visitors to provide a personal snapshot of life in the Garden State by uploading videos, pictures and text. ItsMyNJ.com is a part of Chris and Kim's ongoing efforts to directly engage with and respond to New Jerseyans on the issues that are most important to them.

ItsMyNJ.com uses social media to directly connect real New Jerseyans to Chris and Kim and allows people throughout the state, regardless of party or affiliation, to express their concerns about and hopes for our state. Visitors to the site can submit comments, video or photos to a live feed, which provides a portal for visitors to share their experiences and thoughts for how to fix New Jersey's problems.

ItsMyNJ.com also features nine New Jerseyans as micro-bloggers. These "Voices" share a love for New Jersey and bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to the ItsMyNJ.com community. The site will follow their social networking feeds as these "Voices" share everything from their day-to-day routines to their frustrations with the direction of our state to their perspectives on the race for governor. These "Voices" will have special access to campaign events, as well as to Chris and Kim, and will offer unique insight into the lives and cares of New Jerseyans, while encouraging other New Jerseyans to join the dialogue.

As a part of the ItsMyNJ.com kickoff, the Christie-Guadagno campaign challenges New Jerseyans across the state to submit their ideas for a better New Jersey for the chance to be selected as the tenth NJ Voice. This person will be selected to represent his or her community with a passion for our state and a commitment to improving life in New Jersey.

Spokesperson Maria Comella said: "From announcing our Lieutenant Governor via social networking sites to releasing our 'Energy as Industry' policy through YouTube, the Christie-Guadagno campaign has made a priority of reaching out and speaking directly with New Jerseyans. The people of New Jersey are frustrated with the direction our state is headed under Jon Corzine's leadership and It'sMyNJ.com provides the opportunity for their voices to be heard. ItsMyNJ.com offers another avenue for voters to reach out and get involved with this campaign."

ItsMyNJ.com NJ Voices:
Chris Christie, Morris County, Age 47, Running for Governor
Kim Guadagno, Monmouth County, Age 50, Running for Lieutenant Governor
Ricky Diaz, Union County, Age 20, e-Campaign Director, Chris Christie for Governor
Jeff Booker, Camden County, Age 36, Small Business Owner, Insurance Consultant
Steve Cohen, Somerset County, Age 55, Realtor
Dave de la Fuente, Morris County, Age 21, Student
Julio Flores, Hudson County, Age 21, Student and Small Business Owner
Jack LaSpada, Salem County, Age 47, Student
John Meehan, Ocean County, Age 39, Union Steamfitter
William Pitt, Union County, Age 70, Small Business Owner, Mechanic
Tali Rasis, Essex County, Age 20, Student
Carol Spencer, Morris County, Age 56, President, Government Web Professionals of New Jersey

To meet the NJ Voices, please click here to go to the blogger page.

Visit Christie-Guadagno Sites:
· Christie-Guadagno Website: www.christiefornj.com
· Christie Twitter: www.twitter.com/christiefornj
· Christie-Guadagno Facebook: www.facebook.com/christieguadagno09
· Christie-Guadagno Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/34993591@N05/sets/