WE'VE MOVED!

MoreMonmouthMusings has moved to MoreMonmouthMusings.net

We hit a snag accessing the archives so this site will remain up until the we fit that.

Garden State Of Mind

I hope you a great Labor Day Weekend.

Unless something extraordinary happens, this will be the last MoreMonmouthMusings post on blogspot.

See you tomorrow at MoreMonmouthMusings.net. Don't change your bookmarks just yet. This url will forward to the new one.

Open House

MMM is moving to MoreMonmouthMusings.net tomorrow.

If you happen to be on your computer instead of out enjoying the fabulous weather today, feel free to stop by the new place. The movers are still bringing the furniture and the exterminator will be busy getting rid of the bugs for a few days or weeks. As time goes by we might even add a new window or two, but our new home is just about ready.

If you stumble across any bugs, or anything that bugs you, leave a comment, here or there.

Happy Labor Day and Happy Birthday to Governor Chris Chrisite!

Art

Anna Little On Bob Grant Show At 12:35 PM

NJ-6 Congressional Candidate Anna Little will appear live on the Bob Grant Radio Show this afternoon at 12:35 PM.

The show can be heard at 770 AM radio (WABC) or by clicking here.

James Hogan Is The Ideal County Committee Person

County Committee people of both parties throughout New Jersey take note: James Hogan of Long Branch is putting you to shame.

Hogan was a Tea Party guy before there were Tea Parties. A regular guy,an Average No One as he named his blog, who, distressed over the direction of his country, got off the couch (metaphorically, Jim is no couch potato) and started taking action to make a difference.

Two years ago Hogan jumped into politics by running in the primary for the GOP nomination in CD-6. The GOP establishment treated him poorly, not even allowing him to speak at the nominating convention. Yet when the primary was over he offered his help to the nominee, Judge Bob McCloud.

Now Jim is a Republican county committee member from Long Branch. When he found out that there was no one running for the seat from his voting district in the June primary he knocked on his neighbors' doors and asked them to write him in. They did.

With no organizational support, no fund raising, no one to asking him to, Jim is working his district, for GOP candidates and spending his own money doing so.

Note to party establishment leaders who feel threatened by the emergence of so many newly engaged citizens like Jim Hogan and Anna's Army: There is nothing to fear from patriotic, committed, passionate citizen volunteers who want to make a difference and want nothing in return. Not if your heart and head are in the right place.

Note to Wayne Pominowski: Make James Hogan the Republican Of The Week.

Sex, Drugs and the Sacred Heart

By Art Gallagher

"Any pilgrimage to the sacred heart of the Jersey Shore music scene has to include a stop at the former home of the Upstage Club on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park. It was, after all, the venue where Bruce Springsteen, the beginnings of what was to become the E Street Band, Southside Johnny and other local luminaries jammed and honed their skills between 1968 and 1971."

That is the first line of an otherwise inane editorial in the Asbury Park Press today. Emphasis added by your favorite blogger.

What is APP Editorial page editor Randy Bergmann thinking? What is he smoking?

Invoking profound religious imagery about an abandoned Asbury Park building that might get rehabbed, because The Boss and Southside Johnny jammed there 30 years ago, as if the rockers are divine, is highly inappropriate and insensitive to devout Catholics. Perhaps not surprising from the same editorial board that said allowing a mosque at ground zero is the right thing to do, but insensitive and offensive just the same.

For those who are unaware, The Sacred Heart is a symbol of Jesus to devout Catholics. A pilgrimage is a long journey of great moral significance to a sacred place.

If Bergmann had used Islamic imagery rather than Christian imagery in his inane-itorial he'd be hiding out with Salman Rushdie now.

Don't we just love to complain

Hurricane Earl has come and gone with hardly an impact, leaving New Jersey with a delightful Labor Day weekend.

Here are the hill in Highlands the view is clear and beautiful. I can see well east of Long Beach Long Island. There's still cars entering Sandy Hook but the park will probably close soon. Lot D looks to be full. It should be a great day on the shore.

It's not a great boating day as there is a strong Northeast wind on the Sandy Hook Bay. Maybe the boats will be out tomorrow.

I can't help but be amused by the complaints I've heard and read about the lack of destruction left by Earl.

"I secured the patio furniture for this?!," one friend said on facebook. "There wasn't even enough rain to water the grass!," was another complaint I've heard.

Where oh where can the jobs be Frank?

By Susan Christopher

New Jersey’s unemployment rate climbed to 9.7 percent last month, up 0.1 percent from July according to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. We are headed for the same recessionary high of 10.0 percent we saw back in December, 2009. So I have one question for our congressman of CD6, Frank Pallone, where are all the jobs the Democrats promised to create? After all wasn’t it Vice President Joe Biden who promised this summer we would see an end to joblessness in our nation? Seems the democrats make promises they just don’t keep. Let’s look at Pallone’s track record. Frank said on his Facebook page today that the $3 million he secured (well, well, can this be an earmark) will work to retain Fort Monmouth jobs, the funds given to New Jersey Tech. First, how can money given to NJ Tech save jobs? Second, why didn’t good old Frank fight to save Fort Monmouth to begin with? This would certainly have saved jobs. These are questions every constituent in the sixth congressional district should be asking!

In an article titled, Is Frank Pallone misinterpreting the Constitution for Insane earmark spending, by Sergeant Chris Shalaby, the statistics indicate that Pallone spent over $62,000,000 on earmarks from the years 2008 thru 2010. This year isn’t over yet and he has already spent well over $20,000,000! Where and to whom is this money going? It certainly has not created any jobs. Shalaby provides that much of the money has gone to places such as Energy and Water, Labor-HHS-Education, Commerce, Justice & Science, et al.

Voters of Congressional District 6 must really look at Pallone’s record and you will see what an arrogant, elitist this politician truly is. I will site you an example from something I read recently. It seems Pallone held a Town Hall Extravaganza in August of 2009 in Piscataway at the Municipal Building. He obviously knew that Americans were on their way to protest Pallonecare. He was caught bringing in a Coach bus loaded with performers toting Pro-Healthcare signs which were professionally made, to offset the anti-healthcare group. This is typical of a person who lacks integrity, and who shows signs of desperation!

We in CD6 have a better choice. Her name is Anna Little. On the issue of jobs Anna believes that government does not produce free market jobs. She points out that reduction in taxes results in investment in those businesses that produce jobs. She maintains that we must support and promote a free market economy, not hinder or denigrate economic growth.

On November 2nd vote for Anna Little for Congress. She understands Americans. Anna has what it takes to restore our economic growth and to bring prosperity back to America!

The Phoney Palloney Special Interest Tour

By Joe Schilp, Cross posted from More Middlesex Musings

Coming to your neighborhood soon, the 2010 Frank Pallone Special Interest Tour!

Realilzing that his career in Washington may be coming to end in 2 short months, Frank Pallone has embarked on a tour to drum-up special interest vote.

Today he met with black ministers in Piscataway to promise cash for gang-busting.

Yesterday afternoon he met with Orthodox Jews in Highland Park to promise cash for security.

Yesterday morning he toured Women Aware facility in New Brunswick to promise cash for at-risk women.

On Tuesday, he told low-income students he'd get them cash for student development.

Notice a theme here? It's cash-for-vote time. If your group will vote for Frank , he can help you with cash!

Never mind the fact that Pallone has had 22 years to fight gang violence, secure our nation, help women and educate the poor but failed to any of these things.

In fact, it is liberal Frank Pallone who wants gun control, so only gang members can own firearms.

It is liberal Frank Pallone who opposes cracking down on border security to keep terrorists (and gangs) out.

It is liberal Frank Pallone who opposes school choice measures that could provide a decent education to the urban poor, who have been languishing in New Jersey's urban schools for generations. And education is the tool needed to keep kids out of gangs.

It's time to retire Frank Pallone.

Rich, Bob, and Kenny Avon host

GOVERNOR
CHRIS CHRISTIE
&
The Honorable
ANNA LITTLE
~ Conservative Republican for Congress (NJ-6) ~

BUILDING A STRONGER NJ

Wednesday, September 8, 2010
6:00 – 8:00 PM

At the Home of Kenny Avon
3101A River Road Pt. Pleasant, NJ

Tickets:

ROUNDTABLE: $2,400 per person
~ includes committee roundtable discussion followed by cocktail reception with special guest Governor Christie

COCKTAIL RECEPTION: $1,000 per person
~ includes cocktail reception with special guest Governor Christie

Call (732) 216-4771 with any questions

Make checks payable to: Anna Little for Congress
PO Box 382
Highlands, NJ 07732

Or Contribute Via PayPal Here

Paid for by Anna Little for Congress

Contributions to Anna Little for Congress are not deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes. Contributions from corporations
and foreign nationals are prohibited. Federal law requires political committees to use their best efforts to obtain and report the name, address,
occupation and employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in an election cycle.

Anna Little Money Bomb!

DONATE NOW

Frank Pallone, Outside the Mainstream

By Joe Schilp, Cross posted at More Middlesex Musings

In an interview on PolitickerNJ, Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-6) claims that attendees of last weekend's rally hosted by Glenn Beck in Washington are outside the mainstream. The event was attended by hundreds of thousands of people including thousands from New Jersey.

For Pallone to continually put down his opposition on the basis of religious belief and political philosophy shows that Pallone is a man intolerant of voices that disagree with his own. At the rally, Beck praised Martin Luther King, who hosted a massive rally in Washington nearly 4 decades ago that was, at the time, said to be attended by people "outside the mainstream."

Last summer, Pallone was asked at a townhall meeting if he supports House Majority leader and uber-liberal Nancy Pelosi. I was there when Pallone answered the question and will never forget his response: "Not only do I support Nancy Pelosi, I consider her one of my favorite people in Washington."

Frank Pallone, there is not person in the Sixth Congressional Disctrict more outside the mainstream than yourself. But Frank would not know that because he has moved full-time to Washington D.C., where his kids go to school and his wife has a full-time job. That's right, Pallone no longer lives in New Jersey and rarely visits. This year he refused to hold townhall meetings as well, so he has no idea what his constituents think or feel.

It is time to retire Frank Pallone, an extremist and a major part of the problem.

Happy Birthday Henry

Today is my friend Henry Vaccarro Sr's birthday.

Henry is such a class act. For his birthday he gave us a gift when he posted this video on his facebook page.

Another Oil Rig Explosion In The Gulf

There was an oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico at about 9am this morning, according to WSDU-New Orleans.

The rig owned by Mariner Energy is 80 miles south of Vermilion Bay. 13 people were aboard he rig. All but one are accounted for.

Rush Holt Stifles Free Speech...Again

By Abram N. Spangel

Love him or hate him, no one can accuse Rush Holt of being an advocate of free speech.

Just yesterday Rush Holt performed a Tony Soprano impersonation by announcing that he was going to "request" that television stations pull an ad critical of Holt's policies with respect to Israel.

Let's look at Holt's record on free speech.

In September of 2006, Holt tried to pressure Connecticut television stations to pull commercials produced by U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson who was running against Democrat challenger Chris Murphy to represent Connecticut's 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Holt voted against repealing the so-called fairness doctrine which is aimed at stifling conservative voices on talk radio shows.

When the FCC pushed to regulate broadband Internet access in May of 2010 under the decades old rules governing telecommunications, Holt was silent. One problem with this more rigorous regulation is that using land-line phone rules to govern Internet traffic will reduce capital expenditures on Internet infrastructure by billions of dollars, ultimately leading to less Internet content.

On July 2, 2010, the Transportation Security Administration informed all of its employees that all of the TSA's computers would block out websites that provided controversial opinion. Again, Rush Holt had no issues with this level of censorship.

In a town hall meeting on Obamacare in Marlboro, NJ, in late January 2010, Holt ripped the microphone out a female constituent's hands when he didn't like the direction of her question. Holt isn't participating in any real live town hall meetings anymore. Further, in his telephone town hall meetings, Holt's process of screening out of potential unfriendly participants is tighter than a mosquito's ass stretched over a basketball hoop.

Holt is doing everything he can to avoid, or at least delay, debating the Republican challenger for his seat in Congress.

Holt expressed no concern when President Obama claimed that there was a role for the government to play in censoring speech when he said, "information is becoming a distraction, a diversion which is putting pressure on our country and on our democracy" in his commencement address at Hampton University in Virginia on May 9, 2010.

Despite all of Holt's efforts to impede free speech, there is one situation whereby Holt supports free speech. Many residents of New Jersey's 12th District have witnessed it first-hand. Holt suddenly becomes a free speech advocate when he has the opportunity to abuse his franking privileges to carpet bomb the district with his campaign material at taxpayer expense.

Holt To Ask Cable TV Companies To Pull AD

By Art Gallagher

Congressman Rush Holt, JR is asking NJ Cable TV companies to stop running this ad, "What Does Rush Holt Have Against Israel", because of a “blatant lack of any semblance to the truth,” according to an article in the Star Ledger.

"Blatant lack of any semblance to the truth." That's an interesting choice of words. Original too, if this google search is any indication. While Holt's spokesman may have coined a new phrase, there is one thing the statement is not---it is not a statement in support of Israel.

The ad was paid for by the Emergency Committee for Israel, which has produced four similar ads in other states since its founding in July. It is run by Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol, evangelical Christian activist Gary Bauer and conservative writer Rachel Abrams, according to the Ledger.

So far the Holt campaign has not contacted MMM to pull the YouTube video of the ad posted yesterday. Just because we're Fair and Biased, we'll post this video of Holt instead in this story.

Rush Holt is a gratuitously vulgar hypocrite.

By Abram N. Spangel

On his website, Holt points to a letter that he wrote to his then two Republican competitors for his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In this June 7, 2010 letter, Holt calls for the Republican nominee to pledge to join him in “running a campaign that the voters will not only be proud of but excited to take part in.”

Just over two weeks later on June 23, 2010, as soon as schedules permitted, Rush Holt or his staffers arranged to post an interview that Holt conducted with Stephanie Miller on the blog "Fuck Conservatives".

Given that some 95% of the resident’s of New Jersey’s 12th congressional district hold positions to the right of Holt’s radical agenda, I suppose that Holt is sending almost all of us an indication of how much he respects his constituents’ opinions as well as a window on his character. All decent constituents will criticize Holt for his lack of judgment which was gratuitously offensive and proved Holt’s hypocrisy.

Surely a sitting United States Congressman could have found a more respectable forum to convey his ideas. While Holt has the right to disagree with the more than 250,000 independent, undecided, and Republican voters in the district, he should do so in a manner more fitting for a representative of our district.


Postscript: It seems that the trough feeders that support Holt are too busy gorging on government spoils to show their “excitement for taking part-in” Holt’s re-election bid: Holt is resorting to paying his door-knockers $10 an hour to perform campaigning typically done by candidates and the constituents who believe in them.

A Wave That Started On The Jersey Shore

Over 100 volunteers in Anna's Army descended upon Ocean Grove on short notice yesterday for a rally, door to door literature drop and show of force for Anna Little's interview with CNN.

Photo credits: Bayshore Tea Party Group

I don't remember the national media ever paying attention to a New Jersey congressional race. Something is happening.

CNN's Soledad O'Brien interviewed Little and Congressman Frank Pallone yesterday. Little told MoreMonmouthMusings that she was very happy with how the interview went. Little understands that the segment will be the first part of a series on the mid-term election campaign. It is expected to air during the second week of September. No matter how CNN spins it, advantage Little. Something is happening.

Something has been happening for months. Its gaining traction. Those who subscribe to the conventional wisdom are starting to notice. They can see the wave coming.


Those who were resigned to Frank Pallone staying in congress are waking up. They are starting to invest in Anna Little's campaign. Little, who had only $16K on hand in June has raised over $200K and has over $100K on hand. That's still paltry compared to Pallone's $4 million +, but the cash is coming with the wave and Little won't need a million to beat Pallone.

As my friends as InTheLobbly said yesterday, "make no mistake -- if Pallone is defeated, that Republican wave began right off the Jersey Shore."

It's not a Republican wave. It's an American wave that rejects the Obama/Pelosi/Pallone/Holt extremism.

Schundler Admits $400 Million Goof

Denies Lying About It

Bret Schundler admits that he is responsible for the clerical error that cost New Jersey $400 million in federal "Race To The Top" education funding.

He doesn't remember making the error, but he accepts that he did because he has learned that the consultants the state paid $179K to assist with the application found the missing page with Schundler's handwriting on it. He knows he did it, but he doesn't remember doing it. That is plausible, but why does it matter what he remembers?

Schundler also doesn't remember misleading Governor Christie about attempting to correct the error with the U.S Department of Education.

Schundler said he didn't lie. He probably didn't outright lie. Yet, he was in a meeting with Christie reporting on the rejected application and discussing how the Governor would handle the situation with the press. When the Governor said he was going on the offensive and blaming Obama and the Education Department bureaucrats for not allowing the error to be corrected, Schundler should have warned against doing so in a way that was unforgettable. That's what a good team member would do.

Schundler said he told Christie in the prior to the press conference meeting that he did not give the USDOE the missing information. Deputy Chief of Staff Maria Comella said she was in the meeting at Schundler did not say that.

Someone has a memory problem.

POWER OUTAGE UPDATE

The Power Is Back On In Belford, Not In Highlands

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden just reported from the Emergency Management Center in Freehold that JCPL is restoring the power to Monmouth County in stages, from Belmar north.

Golden said that power throughout the county is expected to be restored within 1.5
hours, or by 9PM.

In an earlier report to the Asbury Park Press, the Sheriff's Department said a Tinton Falls power substation near the Earle Navy base experienced a malfunction and is believed to be the source of the power outage that has hit most of Monmouth County and parts of Ocean County.

There are less significant outages in Middlesex, Hunterton, Somerset and Morris counties, according to First Energy's map.

First Energy's website has no restoration information.

UPDATE: 7:55PM First Energy now says that the majority of customers will have their power restored by 9PM, with the rest by midnight.

James Hogan reported at 5:20:

Update 5:20pm
Still no word from APP but a source (wink wink) indicates that Frank Pallone found out that Anna's Army was with CNN today working the streets of Neptune and he is now falling behind in polls. After learning that he'd be heading to an early retirement, he utilized his position on the House Energy and Commerce to turn off the power to NJ until November 3rd.

8:10 The power is on in Highlands.

UPDATE 12:13 AM, August 31

A reader from Shrewsbury says:

"Non-story my tuchus. Going on 9 hours and for no good reason other than JCPL pinching pennies on equipment. Never had outages like this when I was in PSGE territory. Listening to my neighbor's industrial generator all night and sweating my ass off because I can't open the windows or it will be even louder.

Its like we live in a third world country."

CNN IN NJ-6 TODAY

CNN's Soledad O'Brien will interview GOP congressional candidate Anna Little this morning in Ocean Grove as she goes door to door with a contingent of volunteers.

O'Brien will interview Congressman Frank Pallone this afternoon, according to Politickernj.

190 $1 million + Homes For Sale In Rumson Area

So says this article in today's NY Post.

If Obama, Pelosi, Pallone and Co let the "Bush tax cuts" on the rich expire, how many "rich" will be left to pay the increase?

We Are A Nanny State

By Art Gallagher

Forget trying to save America from socialism. We've already lost that war. We can and should fight to reverse how we've lost our freedom and personal responsibility, but not before we realize that we've lost it.

Bret Schundler is proof that we've become a nanny state.

The situation with Schunlder's termination as Education Commissioner and New Jersey's rejected application for $400 million in federal "Race to the Top" funding is a serious mess for the Christie administration and for the State of New Jersey.

Trenton Democrats and the mainstream media can be counted on to exploit the situation throughout the fall, slowing Governor Christie's reform agenda and "tool kit" legislation. Previously demoralised Democrats now have an issue to play throughout the election campaign. The tit for tat between Christie and Schunlder over whether or not Schundler "mislead" the Governor can weaken both men's' credibility and standing. All of the above is a matter of great concern. If anyone can turn it around in a hurry and prevent the damage, Chris Christie can. I hope he does.

But what concerns me more than the immediate fallout of the RTT/Schundler mess is how far we've crept towards a nanny state, as demonstrated by Schundler's grab for the government tit in the form of unemployment benefits.

When the first instinct of a guy with the talent, skill, intellect, and conservative philosophy of Bret Schunlder upon a career set back is to secure unemployment benefits, regardless of if he is entitled to them, you know we're in trouble. Actually, maybe you don't know, given how deeply the entitlement mentality has taken over our culture. "Well I've paid into the system, why shouldn't I take advantage of it?," is the thought that many rely on to justify applying for benefits that they don't need but think they are entitled to.

Because you don't need it and that kind of thinking has lead us to the brink of financial ruin is the right answer to that justification.

Just yesterday a young woman entering her senior year in college asked me how I got into my business. She was looking towards the future and inquiring of me and others about how we ended up where we did.

My answer was that I fought for a job I was vastly overqualified for rather than accept unemployment benefits.

That job as a car leasing salesman was a huge departure from my experience as a young banker working on billion dollar gas pipeline deals and nuclear power plant sale/lease backs and the job I had as Vice President of Sales for a Princeton area power supply manufacturer. But I couldn't stand accepting the handout and answering to the unemployment office about what I did to find a job every week. When the first check showed up in the mail with the questionnaire to be sent in, I sent the form back saying on I got a job. Then I went and got a job.

Now a days, people wait for their unemployment benefits to run out before they accept a job that is beneath their experience or start a business.

Bret Schundler doesn't need unemployment benefits. Many people, maybe even most, who apply for them don't need them.

Schundler can come to work for one of my businesses. Doing so would be beneath his experience, but would be a huge opportunity for me. He could earn more than the max that unemployment offers, but he would have to earn it. I wouldn't mind if he left in a month or so to become a university president or another big job. I'm sure there are many other small business owners in New Jersey who have long admired Bret who feel the same way.

The same goes for all the other talent sitting on the sidelines in New Jersey waiting for their benefits to run out before they do what they have to do to pay the mortgage and put food on the table.

We need to shift our safety net to a system based on need rather than the system based on entitlement that it has become. Until we do so and until individuals stand for their own freedom and responsibility before demanding that which they are entitled to, we have no hope of turning back the socialist creep.

Ingle: Law Enforcement Demoralized By Fishman

By Art Gallagher

Bob Ingle, the Gannet columnist and blogger, the 3rd NJ101.5 Jersey Guy and the co-author of The Soprano State says that U.S Attorney Paul Fishman's declaration that New Jersey does not have a culture of corruption has demoralized law enforcement personnel who have been fighting corruption.

Fishman said that characterising New Jersey as corrupt was demoralizing to its citizenry.

From Ingle's column this morning:

You don't write a book like "The Soprano State" without getting to know a lot of people, many of whom we came to respect as dedicated law enforcement personnel. They have kept in touch and one of the sad things is that demoralization is happening, but it isn't due to the stories about New Jersey corruption; it's due to Fishman's seemingly downplaying his office's role in finding political corruption and prosecuting it.

When I wrote about Fishman's statements last week, I implied that the directive to downplay corruption was coming from U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and the Obama administration.

Ingle does me one better, saying that another candidate for the U.S. Attorney job was specifically asked if political corruption would be downplayed.

Schundler's Departure Is A Sad Spectacle

By Art Gallagher

Anybody who saw the U.S Department of Education video that contradicted Governor Chris Christie's statements about New Jersey's "Race To The Top" application, and who heard Christie on NJ101.5 yesterday evening, knew that someone was going to be fired or resign today.

The only question was who? Bret Schundler, someone who worked under Schundler, or both.

Just in case you've heard Senate President Sweeney's babble or the NJEA's squeals on the matter, Schundler wasn't shown the door because NJ lost out on $400 million in federal education dollars due to a missing page in the application. Schundler was fired because he wasn't completely straight with his boss, Governor Christie.

The Governor's office has been careful not to use the L word today regarding Schundler. But the message was clear. If Schundler didn't outright lie, he wasn't straight enough. When your on a team with Christie, or someone who performs at the level which Christie performs there is no room for parsing of words or being cute. When your playing a supporting role to someone like Christie, there is no room for misunderstanding--the player in the supporting role must make sure the boss understands. Being on a team with Christie requires the level of trust that flying trapeze performers have for each other. If a flying trapeze performer doesn't trust that his partner will be there to catch him he can't swing out. If he trusts his partner, swings out and his partner isn't there to catch him he crashes, hopefully into a net.

As we have seen over the last eight months, Christie swings way out and flys. He so trusted Schundler's account of what happened with the RTT application that he was swinging out in a classic performance. For the second time in two weeks rhetorically taking on the Obama administration. Schundler left Christie exposed. He was swinging from a bad rope and crashed. With that trust broken Schundler could no longer be on the team.

Schundler's performance in the last 24 hours since Christie saw the video is more embarrassing than the error that caused the termination. He should have submitted his resignation when it was requested and avoided the press at least through the weekend.

His statement that he did not resign because he needs unemployment benefits until he gets a job, and that the administration when along with that, is appalling. He obviously was not thinking clearly. Understandably so. His instincts were good when he told Politickernj, "I don't want to talk right now." He shouldn't have talked to the Star Ledger either.

Senate Minority Leader Barbara Buono jumped all over this, according to the Ledger, accusing Christie of perpetuating a fraud by allowing Schundler to collect unemployment benefits:

State Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex), said she was "just blown away" that the governor agreed to fire Schundler after asking for his resignation and said Christie "should be accountable under the law of helping to perpetrate a fraud."

"The facts as I understand them, the stated purpose of asking the governor's office to fire him instead of resigning, was so he will then qualify to receive unemployment benefits from the State of New Jersey that he would not otherwise qualify for," Buono said.

Schundler is not going to get unemployment benefits.

The statement issued by the Governor's press secretary Mike Drewniak early this evening makes it clear that Schundler was terminated for cause:

“We regret that Mr. Schundler continues to sully his own image by engaging in revisionist history. His attempts to cover up misleading the Governor are evidenced by the contrast between his letter to Secretary Duncan, in which he describes making a verbal clarification at the presentation, and the video released by the U.S. Department of Education. Mr. Schundler was the Administration’s only source for what occurred in the Race to the Top presentation. All of the Governor’s statements were based on Mr. Schundler’s account.”

That's going to be hard to overcome when the unemployment office calls for an interview. Then again, you never know with the folks at the unemployment office. I've had an employee get benefits for six months even when I told the interviewer I wanted the person to come back to work immediately.

A guy like Schundler shouldn't need unemployment benefits, which max out at $600 per week, anyway. For $600 per week he can sell advertising and write for MoreMonmouthMusings until he lands on his feet. I'm sure I'm not the only business person who would put him to work.

Schundler's performance is not the only sad spectacle of the day.

Trenton Democrats, Sweeney, Oliver, Diegnan, and the NJEA are enjoying the first misstep of the Christie administration with glee. Yet their spin is that Christie is making Schundler the scapegoat for losing out of the $400 million. They probably just can't imagine firing someone for lying.

Christie did what he had to do. I hope the Democrats' partisan and disingenous attacks keep coming, because I want the combative Chris Christie back. I'd rather see him sparring with Sweeney, Oliver and the unions than President Obama, as he did in both the RTT and Mosque press conferences. As we enter campaign season, I'd rather see him taking shots at Frank Pallone, Rush Holt and John Adler, than President Obama. Christie should stop taking shots at Obama and get back to turning Trenton upside down, especially if he wants to quell the speculation that he is running for President.

Christie Names Acting Commissioner and Chief Of Staff For Department of Education

Trenton, NJ – Today, the Governor’s Office announced that Rochelle Hendricks, Assistant Commissioner for the Division of School Effectiveness and Choice at the New Jersey Department of Education, will serve as Acting Commissioner of the department while a national search for a new commissioner commences. Gregg Edwards, Director of Policy in the Office of the Governor, was named Acting Chief of Staff for the Department of Education.

“I am glad to step into this new role at the department to ensure that Governor Christie’s bold reform agenda moves forward without interruption,” said Hendricks. “The governor has made educational excellence and high student achievement a top priority, and that commitment will continue to be the driving force in the activities of the Department of Education. I am proud to share in the Governor’s vision and look forward to continue working diligently on behalf of children and parents to ensure that the opportunity, hope and empowerment that comes with parental choice is available to every family.”

Rochelle Hendricks has more than 20 years of experience working on education issues in New Jersey. Hendricks joined Governor Kean’s Department of Education in 1987 and has previously served in various capacities within the department, including work as the Director of the Office of Vocational-Technical, Career and Innovative Programs, Director of the Office of Innovative Programs and Schools, and managing the Charter School Unit within the Office of Innovative Programs and Schools. Prior to joining the Department of Education, she worked for over 15 years at Princeton University in numerous capacities including, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Educational Opportunities Program and Interim Director of the Women’s Program. Hendricks began her career as a teacher at the Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School District, where she taught for three years.

As Assistant Commissioner for School Effectiveness and Choice, Hendricks oversees key reform initiatives and areas, including the Offices of Board Development, Small Learning Communities and School Culture, District Schools, Turnaround Partnerships, Inter-District Choice and Opportunity Scholarships, Charter Schools, Career and Technical Education, and Online Education. She has also served previously in the department as a Director of the Professional Development Office, Manager of the Office of Policy and Planning in the Administration Division, and Assistant to the Deputy Education Commissioner.

While serving as Acting Chief of Staff in the Department of Education, Gregg Edwards will temporarily relinquish his current position as Director of Policy in the Office of the Governor, where he develops and implements policy initiatives for the Christie Administration. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Edwards was the founding President of the Center for Policy Research of New Jersey and a long-time, respected voice for education reform and academic achievement in New Jersey. Edwards is a former member of the Hamilton Township Board of Education, including two-term Board President, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Senate, and Chief of Staff to the late former Congressman Bob Franks.

Hendricks and Edwards will assume their respective duties effective immediately.

Statement From Governor Chris Christie Regarding Schundler Termination

Trenton, NJ – Governor Chris Christie released the following statement today regarding Commissioner Bret Schundler:

“I was extremely disappointed to learn that the videotape of the Race to the Top presentation was not consistent with the information provided to me by the New Jersey Department of Education and which I then conveyed to the people of New Jersey. As a result, I ordered an end to Bret Schundler’s service as New Jersey’s Education Commissioner and as a member of my administration.

“As I have said before, I never promised the people of New Jersey that this would be a mistake-free administration. However, I did promise that the people serving in my administration would be held accountable for their actions. As I said on Wednesday, I am accountable for what occurs in my administration. I regret this mistake was made and will do all I can to have my administration avoid them in the future.”

Christie Fires Schundler

Governor Chris Christie fired Education Commissioner Bret Schundler this morning after Schundler refused to resign in the wake of the controversy over the state losing $400 million in federal "Race To The Top" education funding and a video released by the US Education Department that contradicted Schundler's account of "clerical error" which caused New Jersey to lose the award, according to a report at NJ.com.

Christie had relied on Schundler's version of the events when speaking to reporters on Wednesday. He blamed the Obama Administrations Education Department for not giving the state an opportunity to correct the "clerical error" which presumably would have put New Jersey over the top in scoring for the award. The Education Department video portrays a department official asking for the information twice, and Schundler's team being unable to produce it.

Rush Holt Slurps Up Money from Corporate America and Wall Street

By Abram N. Spangel

As the campaign season heats up, you will see more yard signs endorsing candidates. This political engagement is healthy for democracy. It is also healthy for the electorate to know who is paying for such signs. In the case of signs supporting Rush Holt, they are overwhelming financed by big pharmaceutical companies, defense contractors, hedge fund managers, the American Bankers Association and other large corporate interests. Indeed, during the second quarter of 2010, 62% of Holt’s campaign funds came from lobbyists and corporations located in the greater Washington DC area.

I do not begrudge these entities from participating in the political process. These companies and trade associations are a vital part of our community. They employ our neighbors and many of our senior citizens depend on the dividends these companies pay to supplement their income.

What is surprising is Rush Holt and his ardent supporters demonize the very industries, companies and institutions that are bankrolling Holt’s campaign. So why would Holt’s supporters impale their lawns with signs funded by General Dynamics, Raytheon, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin? Why would Holt’s supporters place bumper stickers paid for by Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novartis, and Wyeth on their cars? Why would Holt’s supporters don t-shirts and pins paid for by Prudential Financial, Oppenheimer Funds, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, and, MetLife?

The answer is that Holt’s supporters place individual greed before ideology. This is evidenced by an overwhelming number of Holt’s supporters unabashedly praising Holt for his constituent services (a.k.a the distribution of government spoils) in their letters to editors and comments on the blogs.

While Holt is one of the most impotent Representatives in terms of sponsoring any meaningful legislation and is as submissive to House Leader Nancy Pelosi as the eunuchs who defended the imperial rulers of the Ming dynasty, Holt is effective in directing taxpayer money to his supporters. While Holt’s supporters tout their disdain for Corporate America, they are quite willing to throw their self-defined lofty notions under the bus for the opportunity to feed at the trough of government spoils.

The vast majority of Holt’s supporters are hypocritical trough feeders who disguise their greed and narcissism behind the veneer of liberal clichés. While these people may be your neighbors, they are not your friends. These radical redistributionists applaud Holt’s efforts to tax the working people of the 12th district back to the stone age, just as long as they continue to receive their government handouts. Holt is a predator on the taxpayers and his supporters are his accessories. At least their brandishing of signs supporting Holt are being erected without the necessity of the government having to pass a rendition of Megan’s law.

Someone's Got Some 'Splaining To Do

U.S Education Department officials released a video yesterday that appeared to refute Governor Chris Christie's claim that Washington bureaucrats did not give NJ Education Department officials an opportunity to correct a "clerical error" that cost the state $400 million in federal "Race To The Top" education reform funding, according to a report in the Star Ledger.

Appearing on NJ101.5's Ask The Governor last evening, Christie told host Eric Scott that his comments to the press about the cause of the lost funding were based on reports that staffers had given him. He said he became aware of the tape that apparently contradicted his account of the process only moments before the radio show, that he would review the tape and would be "very disappointed" if someone on his team misrepresented what happened in Washington.

By this morning Christie probably knows what happened.

Even before the apparent misrepresentation, Trenton Democrats and the NJEA were relating to this issue as the break they've been waiting for to stop Christie's momentum in reforming New Jersey government.

Christie needs to give a full account of what happened, make the necessary corrections and move on.

I expect he will do so today.

Daily Kos Covering Anna Little

Cross posted from More Middlesex Musings

Daily Kos is now mentioning that Frank Pallone may actually be in trouble in this latest post about November's elections. The text about Anna is below, but you can read about the many tight races that has liberal Dems quaking in their birkenstocks.

NJ-06: Is longtime Dem endangered? GOP internal poll says is he. If this internal poll is to be believed (and the standard caveats, of course, apply), then the climate for Dems in this cycle might be even worse than has been often projected. A new internal poll, by National Research, for longshot Republican candidate Anna Little claims that she might not be a longshot, after all. The poll shows longtime Democratic incumbent Frank Pallone leading Little by just six points (40-34). This would be a stunning result, if true, in a district where Barack Obama won by 60-38 and where Pallone has won every election since 1992 with at least 57% of the vote.

Where's Frank? Where's Rush?

With all the fuss about New Jersey losing out on $400 million in "Race To The Top" due to a clerical error and the NJEA's refusal to endorse the Christie administration's application for the funding, one would think that such espoused and senior Democratic members of the New Jersey congressional delegation as Frank Pallone and Rush Holt would step up and use their power to save the day and pursuade the Obama administration to award New Jersey the education dollars. Right?

Here's what's been on Pallone's mind, according to his facebook page since the news that New Jersey lost out broke:

Frank Pallone Jr. An anniversary that took decades of advocacy! 90 yrs ago women gained the constitutional right to vote w- enactment of the 19th Amendment.

Frank Pallone Jr. Good discussion in Wayside tonight about US-Israel relations. Hope that peace talks next week in DC lead to political results.

Frank Pallone Jr. Those receiving $ from the BP spill fund shouldn't be barred from suing other companies for economic damages from the oil spill.

Frank Pallone Jr. Disappointed in stem cell research ruling. I support president's decision to appeal it bc this research gives hope to millions of families.

Frank Pallone Jr. Boehner/GOP plan to halt regs moves us in the wrong direction and would leave consumers vulnerable as demonstrated by current egg recall.

Frank Pallone Jr. Salmonella contamination highlights the need for the Food Safety Act - FDA needs authority to respond & prevent these dangerous outbreaks.

Frank Pallone Jr. Boehner continues to support tax breaks for businesses that ship jobs overseas - good thing for the Dem bill that closes this GOP loophole.

Frank Pallone Jr. Spoke at UAW Conference in Cape May about bringing back U.S. manufacturing sector, opposing new free trade deals.

Here is what is on Holt's mind:

Rush HoltTeam Holt is accepting applications for fall campaign interns in our offices across Central New Jersey. If you're a high school or college student interested in an exciting, educational, and rewarding experience, send along a resume to mail@rushholt.com - and spread the word to others that might be interested!

Rush Holt By popular demand, here's a "shareable" link with information about our available campaign internships. Thanks for spreading the word!

Rush Holt Exciting evening meeting with Trenton residents at the Mill Hill Saloon

I Am An American

By Grace Cangemi

“I am part of this country.”

Maybe too many of us Americans take for granted what that means. Not Fernando.

Fernando Cesar Dos Santos said it over and over again, tears in his eyes as he told me about his path from busing tables without papers to becoming an American citizen. Fernando did it the right way. He and his cousin came here from Brazil on September 26, 2000 on a visa, and Fernando got a job as a 28 year old busboy making $180 a week.

A month or so later, he knew that he needed a better job, so he took the bus to Atlantic Highlands and walked up and down First Avenue, stopping at all the restaurants to look for work.



Fernando says it was “God’s hand directly” that brought him to the Copper Canyon . At the time, the location was tiny, and he didn’t think they’d be hiring, but the third time he walked by, he stopped in. When he was introduced to Michael Krikorian, he thought that the chef/owner was the kitchen help. He asked for work anyway, and Michael said he’d think about it. When Fernando got home, he had a message asking if he could start the next day.

“Michael is my angel. Everything I have is because of him and the people here. He trusted me and now I am a part of all of this.”

Shortly after Fernando started washing dishes at Copper Canyon, he asked Michael to sponsor him for his Green Card. Michael agreed and has since also sponsored Fernando’s cousin.

“Every day I checked online for four years to see if I got it. When I did, I was so excited.”

From there, it was nearly five years to citizenship.

“I don’t want to make money and go home to Brazil. I wanted to put my name down and be part of this country,” Fernando told me. “I could just have a Green Card but I work for this country. I pay taxes for this country. I can go to Brazil, but I worked so hard to be part of this country. Everything I have is from being part of this country”

Some Brazilians he knows think he shouldn’t have changed citizenship, but Fernando disagrees.

“My heart is Brazilian. My only family here is my cousin. But I am an American. I think everyone wants to be American.”



Last Monday night, the Copper Canyon staff had a party for Fernando at Taste in Red Bank. Lindsay Dewis, Fernando’s manager says it brings tears to her eyes when she hears about it.

Over the past ten years, Fernando has worked his way up from dishwasher through kitchen prep to serving, expediting, and managing. His co-workers say he studied day and night for his citizenship test and quizzing him taught them things about America that they didn’t know. That’s why they couldn’t wait to surprise him by wearing matching t-shirts. The front said “Fernando is an…” and the back blazed “AMERICAN”.

“Seeing my name on the shirt, that made me feel so special,” Fernando told me. “I never felt so special.”

“How many people want to be like me? I’m so lucky. I’m not born here, but I’m an American just like you.”

I’m going to do my best to keep Fernando’s word in mind every morning.

“I feel free. No one can say I’m not a part of this. I wake up in the morning and I’m so happy because man, I’m an American.”

12TH DISTRICT LEGISLATORS REFLECT ON STRIDES IN WOMEN’S EQUALITY

Today the State of New Jersey commemorates the 90th anniversary of the ratification of one of the most influential amendments on our society: the 19th Amendment, by celebrating Women’s Equality Day.

This amendment changed not only how women participated in our elections, but how they are viewed as members of society. With an equal vote, women were given the same tools as men to make their voices heard as they cast their ballots on issues that directly affect them, both as women and as members of the community.

As we consider this particular milestone, and reflect on the fact that in the less than 100 years since the passage of this law we have seen women go from having no vote to having females candidates from both parties considered viable candidates for Presidency of the United States, we take a certain amount of pride. Although we have yet to see a woman sit in the Oval Office, it is not far out of reach, and women have taken significant strides in the political arena. This district, with two of the three legislators women, is an example of how far we’ve come.

Although the changes in how women participate in society are significant when viewed over the past 90 years, we have yet to reach full equality in the workplace and in elected positions. As we contemplate how far we’ve come, it is important to remain focused on achieving even greater success in women’s equality, both within the United States and abroad.

Senator Jennifer Beck
Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon
Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande

Godspeed Matt Rooney

By Art Gallagher

A gaping whole appears in New Jersey's blogosphere today as Matt Rooney signs off as "Blogger-In-Chief" of The Save Jersey Blog to pursue his legal career.

What Matt accomplished with his site, and the influence he garnered in just over two years is truly impressive by any measure. His accomplishments are remarkable considering that he built Save Jersey into one of the most read web sites in the world while also successfully pursuing his law degree.

Matt more than filled the void that was created when "the Erics", Pasternack and Sedler retired RedJersey to pursue their post scholastic careers two years ago. With leadership and keen intellect he expanded the influence of young right of center citizens in New Jersey and beyond.

Matt writes today that his departure is "the end of the beginning" of Save Jersey. I hope that proves to be true when the yet to be named young conservatives take over the site on September 8.

However, I have no doubt that today is "the end of the beginning" of the positive impact Matt Rooney will make in New Jersey, the United States and the world for many years to come.


Rooney For Governor 2034!

You read it here first.

I will miss Matt's partnership in exposing the fallacies of the progressive agenda. I will miss our almost daily IMs sharing ideas and insights. I will not miss his friendship, because that will endure. I will not miss the difference that he makes, because that will expand.

Club For Growth: NJ 3, 6 & 12 In Play

By Art Gallagher

Club for Growth Executive Director David Keating ranks three New Jersey congressional districts, 3, 6 and 12 among his list of 103 congressional seats nationwide that are "most likely" to switch from Democratic to Republican representation in November.

Writing at CFG's Economic Freedom Blog, Keating constructed his list based on a "pundit average" of Cook, Rothenberg, Sabato and CQ, four pundits who are tracking congressional races, using his own computer rating to break ties.

NJ3's GOP candidate Jon Runyan ranks 47 on Keating's list. Anna Little (NJ-6) is number 73, and Scott Sipprelle (NJ-12) is number 101.

Building The New Majority President Bill Spadea said, "This is huge for Anna Little. It really does show that Anna's ground game is trumping early money in the game of expectations. Her poll numbers confirm that a retail campaign focused on direct voter contact is working to move the numbers." Spadea is a consultant to the Little campaign.

Little and Sipprelle should really be much higher on the list. Keating, Cook, Rothenberg, Sabato and CQ have yet to account for the MMM factor.

As you know because you're reading this, MMM is the place where Central Jersey Republican and Tea Party activists come to be informed and leave inspired.

Central Jersey Democrats come here to spy and argue. They leave either angry or demoralized but can't resist coming back and get many get converted, even if they don't admit it. This site is dangerous to Democrats.

Unfortunately for Runyon, MMM's influence does not yet extend to Eagles fans. He'll have to win without us.

Holt: Decreasing Voter Confidence

By Fred Lehlbach

On Tuesday, Junior sent out a “franking” email to his email list crowing about his “Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act” and his call on US Attorney General Eric Holder to use the Department of Justice’s enforcement capabilities to “ensure the integrity of voting systems and to make sure that votes are counted as cast.”

Curiously, Junior does not raise, in his letter to Holder, any mention of the DOJ’s failure to pursue “enforcement” on the allegations of voter intimidation that took place just outside his 12th District by members of the New Black Panther Party, which could arguably have a more severe impact upon voter’s franchise rights than a failure to have paper ballots.

Junior has attempted to get his Voter bill passed in every Congress since 2000, and it has never advanced. There are objections to it on both sides of the aisle, not the least of which is, it doesn’t solve the problem it claims to solve. Junior does not even seem to know that his bill doesn’t solve the problem, as he has continuously misrepresented the Bill’s provisions, and failed to correct a New York Times piece on the Bill, which repeated his inaccurate talking points that remain posted on his website.

Specifically, Junior wants there to be added after-market printers to Direct Recording Electronic (DRE, or touch screen machines) electronic voting machines. Please note, these are not “paper ballots”, marked by the voter, but a printout of a vote, that could then be verified by the voter. Problem is Junior advertises his bill as requiring voter-marked ballots, while all it requires is printed “voter trails” which are no more reliable, or verifiable, than the same machines without the after-market printers.

This gets confusing, but it comes down to this: Junior has continually misrepresented his Bill, and he knows it. There are many blogs dedicated to stamping out potential voter fraud, and they have repeatedly called attention to Junior’s misrepresentations, only to be ignored. It is also clear from the legislation itself that Junior knows the difference. The same bill makes a distinction between elections in 2010 and 2014, requiring voter-marked paper ballots by 2014. By his own legislation he admits his paper trail is ineffective.

Junior’s Bill also requires technology that only ONE company can currently provide. His Bill creates a monopoly on voting machines. This has also been pointed out to him, and he continues to tilt at windmills with a Bill that is ineffective, subject to monopoly, and which does not stop potential fraud.

Yes, AG Holder, please ensure the integrity of our votes. But if the New Black Panthers want to “Kill Whitey” outside the voting place, that’s OK.

NJEA needs to fard a bit more often.

By "Ronald Reagan"

The Star Ledger, esteemed flagship for the Newhouse dynasty, led with the story this morning that it was the Christie administration that failed to collect a piece of the Federal handout (aka Stimulus Package) because of a simple error in reporting 2007-2008 budget figures.

Cue the angry mob of “who do we blame next for our greed which is sinking the pension fund and our approval ratings” teachers who had plenty to say about Christies “math” skills, etc. The 1000 or so comments on the Star Ledger story is sort of like being a fly on the wall of a huge virtual teachers lounge.

Well, it turns out, it may be more the NJEA’s fault than the Christie’s administration. Turn out under Phase I of the “Reach to the Top” funding application New Jersey’s application ranked 18th and was not even a finalist invited to apply for Phase II. So who is responsible for the first phase. Well, it was due in March but all the preliminary meetings were held prior to Christie taking office.

In fact, Christie’s Phase II application for “Race to the Top” funds actually fared far better than the NJEA endorsed Phase I application.

The real story should have led with “Christie Administrations hijacking of the application fared better than the NJEA application.” Like so often in the last eight months, the NJEA has taken it on the chin again for allowing some poorly trained PR person to create some shallow spin. These days, shallow spin is uncovered in minutes, and much to the Star Ledger’s chagrin, who has led an unchallenged existence until blogging came along.

NJEA needs to spend some time farding because all the angry rhetoric is creating some really ugly appearances.

Fishman: NJ Not The Most Corrupt

Isn't that uplifting news!

By Art Gallagher

As reported in the Star Ledger and brilliantly analysed by our friends at InTheLobby, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman declared that NJ does not suffer from a culture of corruption and that characterising NJ that way is demoralizing.

That's why NJ elected Chris Christie governor. He demoralized us during his 7 years as U.S. Attorney. Yeah right.

After Christie's undefeated record of 130+ corruption convictions, declining to make public corruption a priority of the NJ U.S. Attorney's office would be like the Feds declining to enforce our immigration laws on the Mexican border.

Oh. Now I get it.

Fishman has a great resume for U.S. Attorney. Better than Christie's resume was when he got the job. Fishman went to Princeton and Harvard Law where he was Managing Editor of the Law Review. He was a clerk for the Third Circut Court of Appeals and worked in the NJ U.S. Attorney's office during the Reagan and Bush 41 administrations.

In 1994 Fishman become Counsel to Deputy Attorney General Jamie "The Wall" Gorelick of 9-11 Commission fame and Fannie Mae and BP fortune. He was promoted to Associate Deputy Attorney General in 95 where he served until 97 when Eric Holder became Deputy Attorney General.

Senator Frank Lautenberg wanted President Clinton to appoint Fishman U.S Attorney in 1999, but Senator Robert Torricelli wouldn't go along.

Instead he was a prominent defense attorney for 12 years. He represented Carla Katz and Encap Golf Holdings, both of whom were investigated by Christie's U.S Attorney's office. Maybe Fishman doesn't want to make public corruption a priority because he doesn't want to recuse himself from so many cases.

Upon President Obama's nomination of Fishman, Senator Robert Menendez said,

"New Jersey families deserve a U.S. Attorney who makes protecting them from economic crimes, the spreading gang activity, as well as gun and drug trafficking a priority of the office. I am confident that Paul Fishman will work with integrity and effectiveness to do just that."

At his press conference on Monday Fishman said his priorities would be public safety and terrorism.

Menendez is the former Democratic Chairman of Hudson County. Obama is a product of the Chicago Democratic machine.

Oh. Now I get it.

UPDATE: Check out Matt Rooney's thoughts on the matter at SaveJersey.

WHAT'S REALLY DEMORALIZING

Daily Muse from InTheLobby

So if Bob Ingle was hoping to write a sequel to “The Soprano State,” well, he’d best not look to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for help.

In what can best be described as a surprising interview, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman let it be known that public corruption isn’t his top concern.

Instead, he said his top priorities were "public safety, or terrorism" prosecutions.

And he told the Ledger this:

The chief federal prosecutor in New Jersey doesn’t endorse the idea he works in the "most corrupt" state in the union — and says such talk can be "demoralizing" to the people who live here.

"I don’t know how you can make that kind of comparison,’’ said Paul Fishman who, last October, was named to replace Christopher Christie as the United States Attorney. "I don’t happen to believe that to be true."

That’s nice, Mr. Fishman. But this isn’t Iowa or Kansas -- we live in New Jersey. And we know exactly what we’ve got here.

After all, there is a reason why “The Sopranos” was set in Jersey. And why “The Soprano State” was a best seller. And why “The Jersey Sting” likely will be too.

Like there is a reason why undercover FBI agents were able to walk through a League of Municipalities convention and catch so many fish.

Just like salmon swim upstream, in New Jersey, some politicians go up the river.

It is the natural order of things.

Fishman was apparently reacting to quotes made last July after 44 people were arrested in a corruption investigation. (The same one that led to the new book, “The Jersey Sting.”)

As the Ledger reminds us, "at that time, Ed Kahrer, the FBI agent in charge of the office’s public corruption unit, told a press conference, 'New Jersey’s corruption problem is one of the worst, if not the worst, in the nation.’
Ralph Marra, then the acting U.S. Attorney, at the same press conference, said honest people didn’t have a chance ‘in this culture of corruption.’"

But fear not, New Jersey. It isn’t as bad as we thought.

Read the rest of the column here.

American's For Prosperity's Response To Obama's Attack

Sipprelle to Career Pols: Put the Credit Card Away! (New TV Spot)

Princeton, August 24, 2010 – Releasing his third positive, issue-based cable television commercial this summer, businessman Scott Sipprelle (NJ-12) chided career politicians in Washington, DC, telling them “It’s time to put that credit card away,” while touching upon his plans to cut reckless spending and rein in out-of-control debt.

"Credit Card” :30 TV Spot
Washington politicians think of us as one giant credit card. They spend, and we get the bill. Help me stop the reckless spending that’s mortgaging our country’s future. My Blueprint for Renewal controls spending, creates jobs and reforms a broken system. Let us return to the principles that made America the land of opportunity. I’m Scott Sipprelle and I approved this message because it’s time to take that credit card away!”



"At $13.3 trillion and counting, our national debt represents $120,000 owed by every single taxpayer and a staggering $43,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States – that is unconscionable and Congress needs to take action to fix it now,” said Sipprelle. “Instead of the typical Washington, DC response of kicking-the-can-down-the-road and saddling future generations with debts they will never be able to repay, my ‘Blueprint for Renewal’ outlines a series of solutions that, if implemented, would save our country from the fate of Greece and other European nations currently drowning in debt.” http://www.supportscott2010.com/2010/02/control-government-spending-and-national-debt/
“America’s balance sheet is on a collision course with disaster, as the cumulative effects of demographics, legislative ineptitude, and financial recklessness by both political parties combine to push America’s creditworthiness to a tipping point, or beyond,” said Sipprelle. “With the national debt now over $13 trillion, the annual interest costs for servicing the debt swallows up nearly 10% of federal revenues. This cost will increase by $500 billion over the next decade, even in the highly unlikely event that annual deficits shrink dramatically. To put this in perspective, $500 billion is greater than the combined annual federal spending on our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, homeland security, energy, and education.”

Sipprelle said unchecked entitlements were a major driver of the problem, and assailed Washington politicians for not having the courage to deal with them.

“For the first time ever, the unfunded projected costs for Social Security and Medicare exceed household net worth in the United States and combine to consume 57% of federal tax receipts,” said Sipprelle. “The system is crying out for thoughtful, bipartisan reform. Yet, how does my opponent respond to this crisis? By falsely claiming I want to privatize the system in a cynical attempt to hold onto power by scaring senior citizens dependent on Social Security for their retirements. That’s not leadership; its cowardice.”

“In short, our present trends are unsustainable,” said Sipprelle. “If we do not address the enormous and growing gap between our federal spending and our federal revenues, we will one day wake up to the realization that the credit of America, once the world’s gold standard, will have become junk.”

The damage, said Sipprelle, would be catastrophic.

“What follows then is a catastrophic adjustment process that would necessitate dramatic cuts in federal programs, outsized tax increases, and a default on many unfunded future liabilities. The retirement security of our seniors would be destroyed and our children would become de-facto wards of a bankrupt state that drains their earnings to pay for past mistakes,” said Sipprelle. “We cannot allow that to happen.”

Anna Little’s Grassroots Strategy Keeps Sixth District Race Close

Repeated Votes on Spending Also Keeping Incumbent’s Numbers Down

Highlands, NJ – In a poll released by the Anna Little for Congress campaign, Anna Little is only six points behind 22-year incumbent Frank Pallone. The poll, conducted by National Research Inc., shows Pallone at 40% and Little closing the gap at 34%. Perhaps most telling is that Pallone has nearly 100% name ID among voters in the district. “The more people learn about Anna Little, the more they like her and can see her as the right alternative to the incumbent. The voters already know about Frank Pallone and becoming increasingly uncomfortable with his out-of-touch voting record. He’s been in Washington too long and has become a bit too cozy with Nancy Pelosi.” commented campaign chair, Leigh-Ann Bellew.

Aside from Pallone’s voting history and strong support of Speaker Pelosi’s agenda, Anna’s campaign is running an unprecedented ground effort that is taking her message directly to the voters. During the past five weeks, Anna Little’s volunteer army has knocked on more than 10,000 doors in the Sixth District. A tireless campaigner, having won her past five elections for Mayor and Freeholder in similar fashion, Anna is comfortable taking her message directly to the voters.

Little said she was heartened and gratified by the results, though she admitted she is not surprised: “The arrogance of Frank Pallone and Nancy Pelosi aside, New Jersey voters have sent and are sending an unmistakable message to Democratic incumbents - stop spending money we don’t have and bankrupting our children. It seems that neither Governor Christie’s election nor the unsustainable path on which the Democrats in Congress have put America matter to entrenched incumbents like Frank Pallone and Nancy Pelosi. As Frank Pallone said at his town hall last year, he just knows better what’s good for us.”

Little’s ground game arrives in Manalapan this Saturday, August 28th, beginning with a meet and greet followed by dozens of volunteers and the candidate spending the day in the neighborhoods. The details will be announced on Wednesday, August 25th. All are welcome and members of the press are encouraged to attend.

America's Wackiest Congressman

By Abram N. Spanel

New Jersey is home to the undisputed wackiest US Representative. One of Rush Holt's (D-NJ, 12th District) fetishes revolves around toilets. Holt is so infatuated with toilets that he insisted on locating his district office across the street from a store that sells toilets and bath supplies. Bath's Etc's floor to ceiling windows allow Holt to ogle toilets on his way to and from his office. Here are some of the programs that he has championed at great taxpayer expense:

Voted to squander $462,000 to replace toilets National Forest in Missouri.

Voted to waste $11.3 million on bathroom renovation at Somerville Lake, Texas.

Voted to spend taxpayer money to splurge $200,000 for restroom and showers at Black Butte Lake, California.

The Miller-Holt legislation calls for water conservation by incentivizing the purchase of toilet fixtures and low water pressure showers.

He pushed for legislation that would require that restrooms in public buildings be equipped with baby changing facilities.

At an annualized cost of $96 million, he supported a bill to expand the research, prevention, and awareness activities with respect to inflammatory bowel disease.

While he never tires of telling us about his being a physicist, Rush Holt's priorities more reflect those of a space cadet. The residents of New Jersey would be well served by defeating him in the election of 2010.

MONMOUTH DELEGATION LAUDS PASSAGE OF AZZOLINA BILL

Legislation to Rename Bridge on Route 36 as "Captain Joseph Azzolina Memorial Bridge"

Legislation to rename the bridge on Route 36 over the Shrewsbury River in memory of the late Assemblyman Joseph Azzolina passed the Senate today. Sponsors of the legislation, Monmouth County Senators Jennifer Beck, Sean Kean and Joe Kyrillos, praised the passage of this bill which will honor their friend and former colleague.

Azzolina was a veteran of the United States Navy; he served in both the Assembly and the Senate, and was a successful and respected businessman in the local community.

Senator Kyrillos was a friend and long-time legislative colleague of Captain Azzolina, representing the same district for many years.

“Joe loved New Jersey and America and it is only appropriate that we honor his memory and life-time dedication to our State with this legislation,” Kyrillos stated. “Though his work and devotion speak for themselves, designating the bridge in his name will be a constant reminder of all he did to better both Monmouth County and New Jersey.”

Senator Beck served as Assemblyman Azzolina’s chief of staff and worked side by side with him for many years.

“The Captain was my friend and mentor,” said Senator Jennifer Beck, “and I am so pleased that the State of New Jersey is honoring him in this way. He loved New Jersey and always had a special affinity for the Bay Shore area. I know that he would be honored and humbled to have this bridge named for him. I would like to thank my colleagues in the Senate for approving the renaming of this bridge for my dear friend Joe.”

Senator Kean, who represents the district where the Route 36 Bridge is located, said he is proud to pay tribute to such a renowned and respected member of the Garden State community.

“Dedicating a bridge over the waters of New Jersey to Captain Joseph Azzolina is a fitting tribute to a man who served in the Navy and worked tirelessly as a public servant,” said Senator Sean Kean. “Joe Azzolina devoted his life to serving his community, state and country.”