Get ready, statehouse. Progressives are down in Trenton again today, lobbying and providing a show of force behind marriage equality in NJ, just like last time, and until it's passed.
Frank Pallone targeted by GOP
The strong surge vote in the shore towns for Chris Christie may put a bullseye on the back of Frank Pallone, who chaired Corzine's re-election campaign and is himself ramping up his statewide profile. Bring it on, GOP. Nobody touches Pallone.
Using teh blog for teh evil: Hal Turner case goes to court
Statehouse Democrats have their own ideas of the state's direction, and what's worth spending on.
Yeah, as soon as we're sure you guys won't try to intimidate minority voters
A federal judge denied the RNC's request to dissolve a 28-year-old court order designed to prevent intimidation of minority voters. It all stems from the 1981 governor's election when the GOP mounted a "ballot security" program with off-duty police stationed by polling places only in minority neighborhoods. Democrats sued claiming violations to the Voting Rights Act.
What DNC Vice Chair for Voter Registration and Participation Donna Brazile, with DNC Chair Tim Kaine said about this: Late last year the RNC asked that the consent decree, which it agreed to in 1982, be nullified, going so far as to argue that because the President and U.S. Attorney General are African American, there is no longer any reason for Republicans to be subject to limits on efforts to engage in "ballot security measures." Here's what I say: If you know any African-American Republicans, make sure they see that their party said that.
Unruffled by Christie calling him "probably the singular most unqualified candidate for the sports authority that you could find."
Fraud in Vote-by-Mail
Does the ongoing investigation into voting irregularities in Essex County - leading so far to 10 arrests of people attached to Sen. Teresa Ruiz' 2007 campaign - and an Atlantic City messenger ballot scandal with 12 arrests - require an overhaul of what used to be called absentee voting?
Meanwhile, some Essex officials swarm in to support Freeholder Samuel Gonzalez, the highest-ranking official ensnared in a voter fraud investigation. Include Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. in that list; he says he won't be asking Gonzelez to resign.
Local News
Newark: East Ward's Councilman, Augusto Amador, gets a millionaire for a challenger in his May election.
Passaic: Columnist Charlie Stile advises course correction to Mayor Dr. Alex Blanco.
Bayonne: Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone of Bayonne wife Diane arraigned, plead not guilty.
Jersey City: Michael Manzo, who lost his City Council race, pleads guilty in the corruption sting, expected to spend 10-16 months in prison.
