The Democratic mayor of Monroe Township is in trouble. He's accused of nepotism, sexual harassment, tax evasion, pay-for-access, racial discrimination, and violation of town ordinances.
Among other things, Mayor Michael Gabbianelli allegedly provided a job as a police officer to his son, Michael Gabbianelli Jr, despite an anti-nepotism ordinance. He also is alleged to have discriminated against an African-American roadside vendor pursuing a sales license in favor of other vendors who are white. To some people, the most egregious of all these charges is that hizzoner blatantly lights up and smokes on government property in violation of town ordinances.
Given these alleged transgressions, it is inevitable that Gabbianelli will face increased scrutiny, maybe even removal from office or prosecution. But there's an almost foolproof way the mayor can alleviate or even avoid the consequences of his actions.
From Bill Clinton to Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi and everywhere in between, many experienced policy thinkers agree: in order to get what they say they want, Occupy Wall Street will eventually have to get specific and say what agenda they WOULD advance. Such an agenda would likely address wealth inequality and big money influence on policy among other demands.
But despite all of the direct democracy and capacity building taking place in Zucotti Park, the 99% are most certainly not comprised mostly of anarchists or self-styled revolutionaries or people who take dumps on cop cars. In fact, the 99% as the movement describes it includes Republicans, Libertarians, vegetarians, racists, values voters, gun nuts, survivalists, hippies, Snooki fans and financial planners. The 99% also includes people who believe that American government can work again, and that participation is essential, not hopeless.
Remember back in the 1990s the horror at Al Gore using the private residence phones at the White House to call donors? Or Bill Clinton allowing donors to stay in the Lincoln bedroom (which Reagan, Bush and Bush all did as well)?
Well, now our own Chris Christie is using the public facility provided for New Jersey governors to host political fundraisers from out of state who are trying to convince him to run for President.
A team of Iowa businessmen will fly by private jet today to meet with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who has steadfastly refused to run for president "but agreed to have dinner with them in the governor's mansion," the Des Moines Register reports.
"The heavy hitters' journey is being closely watched by political operatives across the nation who read it as evidence of Republican discontent in the lead-off voting state with the developing field of GOP hopefuls -- and a sign that Christie's resistance might crack."
Make of this what you will, but at least Christie is 100% focused on the business of New Jersey.
In a week of sinking poll numbers for Gov. Chris Christie, and a Supreme Court ruling this morning that his deep slashes to NJ public schools was unconstitutional, the results of an election 383 miles away from Trenton is almost as fist-pumping awesome.
Jane Corwin, the Republican, was supposed to win. But then, she saw that sure thang dissolve after she came out in favor of Paul Ryan's plan to remake Medicare.
Why does this matter to us? In addition to the fact it's a Democratic pick-up, every one of the GOP members of the NJ congressional delegation also backed the Ryan plan. They won't be made to pay for that until 2012, but Hochul's victory pumps up those expectations big-time.
Most of all, after a year of Governor Chris Christie play-acting on the national stage, with nothing really at stake for him, he finally got invited to play with the Big Dog this week. And fell on his face. It was Christie the Republicans picked to go up against President Bill "My name is Bill Clinton and I AM the President" Clinton in a battle of the robo-calls, a request you have to figure came via Karl Rove, who was heavily leveraged in this race for Corwin. And Christie's involvement didn't help pull a victory for his Party. [ Makes sad clown face ].
Big ups for our friends at The Albany Project, and to all the New Yorkers who drove this win.
You know, there's been a dearth of news in New Jersey over marriage equality for a while, so I decided to cross the river and gives us a bit of good news.
Bill Clinton, the President who signed both Don't Ask/Don't Tell (which was an improvement, if slight) and the Defense of Marriage Act (a horror show that is still the law of the land) has thrown his considerable support behind marriage equality.
Here's part of his statement, issued with the Human Rights Campaign:
Our nation's permanent mission is to form a 'more perfect union' - deepening the meaning of freedom, broadening the reach of opportunity, strengthening the bonds of community. That mission has inspired and empowered us to extend rights to people previously denied them. Every time we have done that, it has strengthened our nation. Now we should do it again, in New York, with marriage equality. For more than a century, our Statue of Liberty has welcomed all kinds of people from all over the world yearning to be free. In the 21st century, I believe New York's welcome must include marriage equality.
Here's hoping this will give some of our folks in the legislature some growth hormones for their gonads so they can move this one forward. It just makes sense, folks!
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's lack of understanding of economics appears to approach the level of John McCain.
Christie, like many Republicans, claims to believe in fiscal responsibility, and says that government shouldn't spend more than it has, just like real families. (I'd like to meet these families). The problem is, these ideas don't work for families and they don't work for our government.
President Obama isn't the only one making a return trip to New Jersey on behalf of the Governor as we come down the home stretch in the election:
Democratic State Committee Chair Joseph Cryan today announced that President Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States of America, will return to New Jersey on Tuesday, October 27 for a fundraiser at the Mayfair Farms in West Orange and rally at the UFCW Local 464A in Little Falls to energize New Jersey residents in support of the Corzine/Weinberg and entire Democratic ticket.
The West Orange event is the Chairman's annual dinner and fundraiser for the Essex County Democratic Committee beginning at 6pm. Doors open for the rally in Little Falls at 7:30pm. Clinton made stops this past Tuesday in Collingswood and New Brunswick.
We live blogged the Clinton Rally in Collingswood earlier today and here is video of the President Clinton's speech. He spoke for 16 minutes, so here is part 1:I'll put part 2 of his speech and other photos below the fold. The capacity of the room was 1100 and I was told they reached capacity. It was just Governor Corzine and President Clinton at this one, Senator Weinberg joined them for their 2nd event in New Brunswick tonight.
We're here live at the Bill Clinton Rally in Collingswood to cover the day's events. We'll be taking some video to post from the event later and will be posting photos along with live blogging as much as we can. The room is filling up with anticipation as the music plays.
The doors opened at 3:30 and there were lines outside for people waiting to get in. State Senator Jim Beach is on the state warming up the crowd and now we have the pledge of allegiance. Beach introduces Congressman Rob Andrews.
Next week will be a busy one for Democrats in New Jersey. On Monday October 19, we'll have Vice President Biden making a return visit with the Governor and then Tuesday Fmr. President Bill Clinton will be making campaign stops:
Vice President Joe Biden will attend a rally at Middlesex County Community College in Edison on Monday. The next day, former president Bill Clinton will make appearances at two separate events, first with Corzine running mate Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) in Collingswood and then with Corzine at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.
The doors will open for the Biden Rally at 11am. And then on Wednesday as we talked about yesterday, President Obama will be at Fairleigh Dickinson in the afternoon for a rally with Governor Corzine. He won't be done yet though:
Caroline Kennedy will appear with Corzine that evening at an Irish-American festival in Belmar.
We'll look out for more details on the events and share them with you when they are available.
Updated by Jason: But wait, there's more. PNJ tells us that Congressional members Michael Honda (D-CA) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), along with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis will be campaiging in the state as well:
Honda is scheduled to bond with voters at a Saturday, Oct. 17 Filipino American Heritage Month Rally in Old Bridge, a Chinese Americans' Moon Festival Rally in Princeton, and a Korean Americans' Harvest Moon Festival Rally in Engelwood.
Also campaigning Saturday, Sanchez will atrend an Elks Lodge brekafast event in New Brunswick, a Mexican Chamber of Commerce event in Passaic, a luncheon hosted by Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-Paterson) for New Jersey Latinas at the Paterson Museum, a meet-and-greet with Latino Small Business Owners at the Harrison Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Harrison, and a late luncheon hosted by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth) for New Jersey Latinas at a restaurant in Elizabeth.
Solis will brunch on Sunday with Pou and New Jersey Latinas at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen.
This morning, clammyc and I are hitting the road on the way to beautiful Pittsburgh and Netroots Nation 09. I'm stoked.
I'm going as one of Democracy for America's Netroots Nation Scholars. DFA has this fabulous competitive program to underwrite costs for people they think ought to have that opportunity. It's a savvy way of undescoring deep ties between grassroots political organizers and those of us who ride the interwebs. I'm very lucky they chose me. (Shrugs.)
If you've got the means, throw DFA some coin. They're sending 40 of us this year to NN09- and that's all expenses paid.
Last year, they sent 30. On of them was Jeff Gardner, my buddy and a denizen of this site, and of DFA-NJ, like I am. There was a friendly, but cutthroat competition for votes with one Robert Harding at The Albany Project, which Jeff won, being that he's awesome. Don't worry, Robert got to go, too.
Clammyc's an old hand at NN, and he's participating in a session on red districts (for the fighting NJ-5) and moderating this one on PTSD.
Saturday, we'll be there to greet Governor Corzine, headlining the keynote panel, on 21st Century economy. It's a great "get" for Netroots Nation. With just two big state races this year - NJ & VA - the Republicans are focusing a lot of resources here to try and climb out of their hole. That's a story every blogger at NN09 is going to know. (Barring last-minute surprise, Creigh Deeds, running for the open seat in VA, won't be there).
With less than a week to go until Election Day, all of us here at the Linda Stender campaign are excited to kick off our Change Express tour across the 7th District, which will include a very special visit from President Bill Clinton!
Starting October 29th, Linda has been barnstorming a bunch of train stops across the 7th to share her message of change. Due to high gas prices, more people than ever are taking mass transit to get to work, yet many of New Jersey's citizens have lost their jobs due to the recent economic crisis. And, President Clinton is coming to New Jersey to help send Linda Stender to Congress to fight for the change we need. After eight years of failed Bush policies, we need strong Democrats like Barack Obama and Linda Stender in Washington to fight for middle class families.
Linda with Governor Dick Codey and the staff of the Reo Diner in Woodbridge!
Here are some of the next few scheduled stops on the tour!
Tewksbury Candidate Forum Thursday, October 30th
7PM to 8:00PM
Old Turnpike School
171 Old Turnpike Road
Califon
Meet n' greet at Bound Brook Train Stop Friday, October 31st
6:30AM to 7:30AM
Bound Brook
Rally for Change with President Bill Clinton Saturday, November 1st
12:30 PM
Union County College
Commons Area
1033 Springfield Avenue
Cranford
Free tickets are available at the following locations:
Campaign HQ 256 South Ave
Fanwood
Somerset Victory '08 1910 Washington Valley Rd
Martinsville
Hunterdon Dem HQ 155 Main Street
Flemington
Middlesex Dem HQ 231 Bridge St, Bldg F
Metuchen
(Parking space is limited for this event, so we encourage all that plan to attend to please carpool!)
Linda cares passionately about the issues affecting New Jersey's middle class families, and she would love to hear from you. You can either stop by the stations listed above, or you can visit our website to find out where Linda will be next!
With the final week before Election Day ahead of us, Linda needs your help more than ever! We are pulling out all the stops, and we look forward to working with you help get out the vote until you enter the voting booth! You can sign up to volunteer here to make calls and knock on doors until Tuesday, November 4th! Any time you can give will make a huge difference on Election Day.
Today, Linda Stender announced President Bill Clinton will headline a "Rally for Change" for her campaign this Saturday, November 1. The rally will support the entire New Jersey Democratic ticket and her campaign for Congress in New Jersey's 7th District.
WHAT: Rally for Change with Linda Stender and special guest President Bill Clinton
WHERE: Union County College
Commons Area
1033 Springfield Avenue
Cranford
WHEN: 12:30 PM
If you have the opportunity to go, please consider posting about your experiences here at Blue Jersey.
I wasn't able to go to the NJ2 debate yesterday between Representative Frank LoBiondo and challenger Dave Kurkowski, but Kurkowski describes how Frank LoBiondo was questioned about his role in squandering over twenty billion dollars:
"I wasn't the only one last night asking LoBiondo to explain his role in this scandal," Kurkowski said. "He was supposed to be looking out for taxpayers and for the Coast Guard. As usual, LoBiondo refused to take responsibility for his actions, passing the buck to-and this is a new one-Bill Clinton. As far as I know, President Clinton wasn't the chairman of the Coast Guard subcommittee."
Deepwater, awarded in 2002 and modified in 2005,...
The first problems appeared in 2004, ...
Bill Clinton wasn't even President! But even if Bill Clinton personally programmed the computers that miscalculated the weight of the ships and made the radios that were not waterproof, LoBiondo still bears major responsibility. After all, we already knew he wasn't running the shipyard.
Bill Clinton Here's Bill Clinton. I haven't seen his speech yet, and I doubt Barack Obama has either.
Last night, Hillary Clinton said she would do everything she could do to support Barack Obama. That makes two of us. Actually, that makes 18 million of us.
The blogger lounge and the media room alike are very quiet...
...until Bill Clinton calls Barack Obama "the right man for the job," a quote which draws applause from the audience and bloggers alike.
Barack Obama is ready to lead and restore American leadership to the world. ...Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States.
The theme of the night is "Securing America's Future," and Bill Clinton is hitting that message hard.
Bill Clinton spent the first half of his speech focusing on bringing up Obama. Now he's going to start bringing down McCain.
Yes he can but first we have to elect him
The first flaw in Bill's speech: he was too complimentary of McCain in that segment. But he'd been doing very well until then and I expect he'll be very good in the rest of the speech.
And he delivers: Clinton hits last night's message, that John McCain promises more of the same.
In this case, the third time is not the charm
President Clinton draws the inevitable comparison between the criticisms he faced in his run for president in 1992 and those that Barack Obama faces this year.
If, like me, you still believe America must always be a place called Hope, then join Hillary, Chelsea and me in making Senator Barack Obama the next President of the United States.
Bill Clinton delivered big time tonight.
John Kerry Kerry talks about Senator McCain versus Candidate McCain, turning the lines used against him in 2004 against John McCain.
CNN cut to Kerry's speech as he played the flip-flopper card against McCain.
Bill Clinton is, as we all know, a terrible example for children and should have been put in the stocks for his terrible sexual peccadilloes. George Bush is, of course, a good Christian man who helps our teenage girls to stay pure and good until their marriage night with abstinence only education.
At least that's what the media and the right wing noise machine will tell us, equating the Democrats with weak morality and the Republicans with "family values."
But the evidence rarely shows that to be the case. Here's more info that puts the lie to conventional wisdom:
With teenage birth rates rising nationally for the first time in 15 years, a majority of New Jersey residents worry that pregnancy among teens is a major problem in the state, according to a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll.
Fifteen years ago? What happened 15 years ago, in 1993? Oh, Bill Clinton became President and ended a streak held by George Bush the First of increasing teen pregnancy.
And he implemented programs that taught kids about HIV and safe sex, and for the rest of his term pregnancy rates continued to fall.
It wasn't until the good Christian and moralist George Bush the Second trashed all those safe sex programs and spent seven years telling kids they would be OK as long as they ignored those sexual urges God gave them that teen pregnancy rates began to rise again.
Sixty-one percent of New Jersey adults believe teenage pregnancy is a major problem, while 27 percent say it's just a minor concern, and 10 percent have no opinion.
Those 61 percent probably think that the damn immoral relativist Democrats are to blame, and will consider voting for McCain over Obama. Even though McCain cheated on his first wife and got married just a month after he divorced her.
Bill Clinton will be in New Jersey for a rally on Tuesday. The event will be at the Papiono Gymnasium at Camden County College (200 College Drive, Blackwood) and is scheduled to begin at 10:15AM.
New Jersey's own Steve Adubato is a must visit for most pols in the state, and has been growing in stature as a political writer, talk show host and opinionator. He even has a column on MSNBC now, showing that he is moving outside the state.
But with crap like this (noted by TPM), maybe he should just stay in the bowels of NJ politics.
Bill and Hillary want the media to focus on are only the positive aspects of her experience but won't say a word about such topics as "Travelgate;" "Whitewater;" exactly how Vince Foster died; missing billing records; or Hillary's role as architect of the failed effort for universal healthcare.
Wow! Maybe Steve can blame Hillary for Mike Huckabee releasing Wayne Drummond to rape and kill again!
This is the problem with Democrats who become talking heads -- as soon as they get any play in the greater media world they instantly start buying into the crap the Republicans have been throwing around for the past 30 years, and in particular into the hateful lies they spewed about the Clintons for the past 15.
Here these are one by one:
Travelgate: Upon taking over the White House, the Clintons fired a bunch of staffers in the travel office and hired new ones. Somehow this became a huge deal: a new administration brought their own people in. Why won't Hillary talk about it on the stump?
Whitewater: This was the fevered imaginings of the right wing lunatics that Bill and Hillary Clinton were somehow culpable for a screwed up investment scheme on which they lost money and for which four separate Republican special prosecutors found no evidence against them. That's right: four Republican special prosecutors, and the best they could get was Bill lied about getting oral sex outside of his marriage. Steve is totally right that we need to investigate and discuss this one again!
Vince Foster's Death: Again, four Republican special prosecutors determined that Vince Foster committed suicide, was not murdered, there was no foul play, the body was not moved, and Hillary had nothing to do with it! Of course the sad, private death of a close friend 13 years ago should be a basic part of the stump speech.
Missing Billing Records: Yep, they were missing and the right wingers were going nuts over them, suggesting that the smoking gun was in them and Bill and Hillary were hiding them! How nefarious. Then the records were found, turned over to the prosecutor and, shockingly, there was nothing bad in them. Nothing. Hillary should answer for that!
Healthcare debacle: Hillary did screw this one up, and has repeatedly said so on the stump, at debates, in interviews. She suggests that because she has been through the fire on the health care issue she is best suited for taking it on again. As Steve says, why won't she talk about it?
Adubato is dredging up Republican smears that not only cost the American taxpayers millions of dollars, but were proven false repeatedly by Republican prosecutors. Then Adubato raises his own lie about Clinton, that she won't talk about the failed effort to institute universal national health care when she most assuredly has.
Look, I'm a John Edwards guy and I really hope he gets the nomination and Hillary gets to stay in the Senate. I've never been a big fan of either Clinton, and would have preferred Tsongas in 1992 and my Dad in 1996.
But that's all besides the point. When our spokesmen like Steve Adubato make their bones on trotting out disproven right wing lies against other Democrats, then we are fighting a massive uphill battle.
Maybe you can say there's some Karma here after Clinton NH co-chair Bill Shaheen slyly brought up Obama's teenage drug use or Clinton backer and former Senator Bob Kerrey "innocently" repeated the "madrassa" claims. But if Shaheen and Kerrey were wrong, so is Adubato.
Among other things, Mayor Michael Gabbianelli allegedly provided a job as a police officer to his son, Michael Gabbianelli Jr, despite an anti-nepotism ordinance. He also is alleged to have discriminated against an African-American roadside vendor pursuing a sales license in favor of other vendors who are white. To some people, the most egregious of all these charges is that hizzoner blatantly lights up and smokes on government property in violation of town ordinances.
