Yesterday I had the pleasure of catching up with one of the best public servants New Jersey has ever produced.
He is not well-known even in Democratic circles, let alone the state of New Jersey, and he last served in public office when Leonid Brezhnev was Premier of the USSR.
Frank Herbert, however is definitely not someone to forget, particularly if you're a New Jersey Democrat or - even more so - a progressive.
You see, Frank Herbert did 2 things that New Jerseyans and progressives should forever be grateful for:
1) He pushed for and got the Legislature to pass the law that created New Jersey Transit, a system that provides business and social lifelines for hundreds of thousands of our residents.
2) He is the only candidate in New Jersey history to win a Federal election as a write-in candidate. In doing so, he saved the Democratic Party from nominating a Holocaust-denying, KKK-loving extremist.
Doug Herbert, the Army vet and attorney who is challenging 8-term incumbent Rodney Frelinghuysen in NJ-11,
Among Herbert's endorsements are NJ State Building & Construction Trades Council, NJEA, and Sparta Unites for Our Schools, which points out that Herbert would have supported the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which Frelinghuysen voted against, that is now returning 3,900 teachers to New Jersey's classrooms - including 4 teachers whose jobs returned to Sparta, a school librarian, and teachers in art, music and gym. This is Herbert's first ad, now running on local cable. It deals with jobs, too, but from a different angle.
Yesterday, Sunday, October 17th a debate was finally held. The Debate was held at WMTR Studio in Morristown. The people debating were Douglas Herbert, eight-term incumbent Rodney Frelinghuysen, and Libertarian Jim Gawron. What were they debating you might ask, they were debating on issues facing America and the people in the 11th district. One of the opening comments in the debate was said by Doug Herbert, he said: "The people of this district deserve a representative who is going to go down to Washington and fight on their behalf." Frelinghuysen commented back by attacking Washington incumbents and Nancy Pelosi, in response, Doug said, "I would like to remind the Congressman that he is running against Jim and I. This election is about Rodney Frelinghuysen and his failed record." Frelinghuysen just attacked Washington incumbents...he is an EIGHT-TERM incumbent in Washington.
The 'Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act' was brought up next, which Frelinghuysen voted against, but put 3,900 teachers back in their jobs in New Jersey. Frelinghuysen said "I support Governor Christie's education reforms, and thought it unwise to pass this bill before they're complete." Doug opposed this by responding, "I support that bill, education is a long-term investment in our country, if we do not invest in education we will fall behind countries like China."
A caller then called in about 'Contract with America', which among other things promised 12 year term limits which Frelinghuysen ran on in 1994. Frelinghuysen said, "I did not sign term limits." Doug fought back saying, "I support the 12 year term limits, because we need to stop the political elitism in Washington- Congressmen who go down to Washington just for themselves and their own political interests." Which is exactly was Frelinghuysen is and has been doing.
Next, a small-business woman called in from Parsippany asking the Congressman why he voted against the 'Small Business Lending Fund'. Frelinghuysen said, "In my opinion people aren't going to make the right type of investments." Doug said, "Small businesses are struggling, the Small Business Administration has said that 75 percent of new job creation is going to come from small businesses. This is exactly the type of bill we need to get America working again."
In his closing statements, Doug said: "The way we take America back is by taking Washington back from incumbents like Rodney Frelinghuysen on November 2nd."
This debate was clearly a winning performance by Douglas Herbert. If you live in the 11th district please remember to go place a vote for him on November 2nd.
Douglas Herbert, candidate for the 11th Congressional District, currently held by Rodney Frelinghuysen; spoke outside a closed storefront in downtown Morristown on Wednesday. He confronted the urgent need to help struggling small businesses in the 11th district. Doug stated: "small businesses are the engine of our economic growth. They account for 75% of new job creation...Nothing should be more non-partisan than helping small businesses grow and putting Americans back to work."
Recently current congressman, Rodney Frelinghuysen voted against the 'Small Business Lending Fund Act.' Doug spoke about this saying, "Rodney talks about how he supports small business and how he wants to help put people back to work. However, when he has a chance to act, a chance to actually help small business, Rodney Frelinghuysen votes against their interests."
Doug created three approaches in order to help small businesses gain access to the resources necessary to grow. These three approaches are as follows:
1. I will fight to provide payroll tax credits for small businesses that hire and rehire Americans currently unemployed. Many small business owners that I have spoken to have told me that they would put this credit back into their business and into hiring new employees.
2. I will fight to expand government guaranteed loan programs and credit lines to small businesses. As a small-business owner myself, I know that access to capital is a primary concern for many small business owners now. We cannot sit back and allow small businesses to suffocate while Congressmen like Frelinghuysen approve billions of dollars in big bank bailouts. Bills like the one last week [Small Business Lending Fund Act] are crucial to ensuring business can survive this recession.
3. Lastly, it is time we have a Congressman in the 11th district who will support innovation and high-tech job creation. Through investments in research and a tax credit so that business can innovate, I will work to bring new, high-tech jobs to the 11th district. I will not accept the status-quo; there are real steps we can take to create new high-paying and secure jobs here.
Doug also said: "Now is not a time to play politics with people's lives. I would have voted to allow small businesses to rehire and reinvest. By putting money in the hands of those who will use it, we can and will create an economic recovery one dollar at a time."
Here is a candidate that wants to represent the people in the 11th district, not special and political interests. At the end of his speech, Doug stated: "Small-businesses drive our economy, and I will make sure that their interests and the 11th District's interests are represented in Congress."
If you would like to learn more, volunteer, or donate to the campaign please visit douglasherbert.org
IF you live in the 11th district please remember to go place your vote for Douglas Herbert on November 2nd.
Yes, this is true. NJEA failed to endorse NJ-7's Ed Potosnak. I don't get it either. A few facts: Ed has a graduate degree in education from Rutgers, where he also taught student teachers & teachers retooling their skills how to use technology to get kids more excited about science lessons. This is something he put in practice himself as a chemistry teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan HS, which is where he won an Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship and used it to work on federal education policy with Rep. Mike Honda of California. Hello?
- - promoted by Rosi
(Morristown) - October 1st, 2010 - On Friday, the New Jersey Education Association's 125-member political action committee voted to endorse Douglas Herbert for Congress in New Jersey's Eleventh Congressional District. Douglas Herbert is the only New Jersey Congressional challenger that they chose to endorse.
Don't get me wrong - I'm all for Herbert's candidacy, and I think he'd be far, far better than Little Lord Frelinghuysen, who is such a "moderate" that he voted to impeach Bill Clinton.
Barbara Keshishian, the NJEA President, said, "Each of our endorsed candidates has distinguished himself or herself by advocating for great public schools, public school employees, and for the 1.4 million New Jersey schoolchildren our members educate."
Yeah, and the one you DIDN'T endorse actually teaches those kids!
All New Jersey's congressional delegation - incumbents of both parties - should have at least one debate with their challengers before election time. Some of the incumbents have been resisting, but in the interest of transparency, voters should have the chance to see the candidates face each other and get grilled. Some of those logjams eased in the last couple days:
NJ-7: Ed Potosnak (D) & Leonard Lance (R) - More than a month ago young hard-charger Ed Potosnak challenged first-term incumbent Leonard Lance to 5 debates; one in each county, one for TV. Weeks later, Lance said he'd debate but without saying when, where or how often. This week, Potosnak decided to make it easy. He set up 6 debate events, all-set.
Given how close we are to the end, it's a small breakthrough that Lance finally talked personally by phone today with Potosnak. Lance's campaign has generally avoided reaching out; preferring to insist only via media that he's willing to meet. This is the dance of Fall, the will-they? two-step; the candidate in the cushier position dipping backwards, and twirling away. Lance had that same complaint two years ago against Linda Stender. So he of all people should make himself available for head-to-head matchups. Lance has had a lifetime in public office and has the built-in advantage of incumbency. He's in the catbird seat, and with a couple years of Congress under his belt, he should be leaping at the chance to meet up with Potosnak. Continuing to say you're for debates but not confirming any strains credulity, and NJ-7 voters deserve better. No more delaying, no running out the clock. Potosnak's done all the homework already. Or want another metaphor? It's shovel-ready.
NJ-11: Douglas Herbert (D) & Rodney Frelinghuysen (R) - Army vet Herbert has been challenging the incumbent to debate for 50 days, even provoking him by holding a press event outside GOP HQ in Morristown. Herbert go a little farther than Potosnak did in getting the incumbent nailed down, but then Frelinghuysen may be feeling a little more secure. The NJ-11 debates will be Oct. 17 at WMTR Studios in Morristown, the second in Hackettstown at WRNJ. (both 11am). h/t Kelsey17
via Fred Snowflack, and from NJ-11 Democrats, we find out what went down at Lenape Valley High School in Stanhope last week.
The congressman was having a town hall meeting. And "about five people" - that's "5" - showed up there with signs encouraging Frelinghuysen to debate his Democratic opponent, Doug Herbert.
They weren't making noise, weren't even holding the signs up so everybody could see them. But they were asked to leave. And they said no. So the police were called, and they and their signs were ejected. Mind you, a constituent hand-delivered an invitation to a debate her group - Sparta Unites for our Schools - is having. I can see how that would be unnerving.
Tom Wyka offers his own campaign post-mortem, with a promise to stay involved, some plugs for others doing good work, and a nice bit of well-earned thanks to the people who powered his unsuccessful bid. Tom is a bright, passionate, eminently decent guy of whom we have not heard the last, thankfully. -JG
Unfortunately the Obama campaign did not have a lot of coat tails for NJ Congressional races overall. It reminds me of an interesting article I read by David Sirota a while ago (click here to read about the idea of "presidentialism"). There's a lesson here for us: we need to get people thinking about not just the White House, but also about Capitol Hill - all the way down to townhall - and carry a strong consistent message to all levels.
Tom Wyka always tells everyone that will listen, how he was inspired by the late Senator Paul Wellstone. A graduate of Camp Wellstone, Tom is following in the foot steps of many a great progressive democrats, wishing to run a people powered campaign, a campaign that values boots on the ground over Washington DC consultants and big time media buys. In spite of soliciting small donations from average voters, and not big donars, Wyka for Congress has raised enough money for TV and radio.
Heres the ad that has been playing in NJ-11 this week.
This is not a normal election year. American forces have been in Iraq for more than five years while the insurrection in Afghanistan deepens. The economy crashed a month ago, prompting an unprecedented $700 billion bailout of the banking industry. There are thousands of new voters, many of whom are talking about change. Tom Wyka, the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 11th District says one can not expect change if we return the same people to Washington.
So vote for Rodney for more of the same. :-)
Unless lightning strikes, Frelinghuysen will win his eighth term.
Do you mean not since 1932 kind of lightning?
We hope that he will recognize an opportunity -- if not a mandate -- for a new approach. We hope the congressman will use his seniority to stake out new and independent positions when the status quo has failed. We hope he will sharpen his appetite for "best-practice" approaches to long-standing problems (see Wyka and Tedholm above), regardless of which party suggests them.
Congressman Frelinghuysen has had an opportunity the last 2 years to "stake out new and independent positions". Congressman Frelinghuysen has had the opportunity over the last 2 years to "sharpen his appetite for "best-practice" approaches to long-standing problems". How many more chances do the voters of the 11th give the Congressman to disavow the failed policies of extreme neo conservatism?
On Sunday the 23rd in the debate at the Temple Beth AM, Congressman Frelinghuysen said he can't imagine a worse job killer than raising taxes. Progressive taxation with hi taxes for the richest, created jobs as we worked our way out of the Great Republican Depression, and won WW2.
It's not at all surprising that The Daily Record would endorse Rodney Frelinghuysen for reelection in NJ-11, or predict a victory for the six-term Congressman over challenger Tom Wyka. What's surprising (and fun) is how much the paper of record in Morris County makes it sound like they don't want to, noting that Rodney:
has been resolute in his support of the war in Iraq and generally loyal to President Bush. It's hard to know where belief ends and loyalty to party and president begins. If nothing else, the past eight years have shown that party unity doesn't always equal good or productive government. More often than not, it has led to, at best, stalled initiatives and, at worst, grievous mistakes.
Bush loyalist. Party unity over good government. Stalled initiatives. Grievous mistakes. Nice.
And, his opponent?
Wyka, of Parsippany, who is making his second try for Congress, has expanded his campaign this year beyond criticizing the war in Iraq. He backs public financing of elections and increased government involvement in health care, a key point in a nation where an estimated 47 million are without health insurance.
Ok, so let's see: Opposed the Iraq War. Supports universal healthcare. Proposes "'best-practice' approaches to long-standing problems." Hmmm, what's an editorial board to do?
I know - call on Rodney, if reelected, to be more like Tom:
Unless lightning strikes, Frelinghuysen will win his eighth term. We hope that he will recognize an opportunity -- if not a mandate -- for a new approach. We hope the congressman will use his seniority to stake out new and independent positions when the status quo has failed. We hope he will sharpen his appetite for "best-practice" approaches to long-standing problems (see Wyka and [Indy candidate Chandler] Tedholm above), regardless of which party suggests them.
Rodney Frelinghuysen Videos ? Good luck finding much content generated by Rodney Frelinghuysen volunteers or his staff or campaign. A Google video search of "Rodney Frelinghuysen" yields one volunteer video, 2 C-span videos, and the 4th video is a clip from Sundays debate between Rodney Frelinghuysen and Tom Wyka filmed by Nick Lento, the 5th video is Congressman Frelinghuysen at the RNC, the next 5 videos are are all generated by Wyka volunteers.
SO the first page of hits has 4 Rodney Frelinghuysen videos and 6 Tom Wyka videos.
Promoted by Jason Springer: Thanks for posting and covering the debate.
This morning there was a debate at the Temple Beth Am in Parsippany, between the candidates vying for the NJ-11 Congressional seat, Democrat Tom Wyka, Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen and Independent Chandler Tedholm. I took 4 pages of notes and have reconstructed some it here.
Before the debate started, I walked over to the Congressman to shake hand..
Good luck Congressman, we're within single digits and closing :-)
The moderator took questions from the floor, which consisted of a majority of about 50 Wyka Supporters and about 12 Frelinghuysen supporters, with another 70 attendees not showing any affiliation.
On 2 occasions the same republican supporter interrupted, complaining about the selection of questions from the floor. Well my friend, you should have dug deep and got some friends to show up.
As the Star Ledger so aptly points out VetsPAC, who has only endorsed 5 other non vets in the cycle, endorsed non vet Tom Wyka over Vietnam Vet Rodney Frelinghuysen.
Wyka did secure an endorsement this week from Washington, D.C.-based Veterans Alliance for Security and Democracy. Guy Stevens, a board member, said they were "very disappointed" with Frelinghuysen in votes on health care and education. He particularly noted Frelinghuysen voted against a new G.I. Bill.
Frelinghuysen explains why he voted against the New GI Bill for the 21st Century:
Frelinghuysen supported a second version of the new G.I. Bill, which he said offered "improved benefits" for spouses and children of soldiers.
But on May 11th 2006, Roll Call No. 144, 109th Congress, 2nd Session, Motion to recommit, Failed: 202-220, Rodney Frelinghuysen voted to cut benefits for orphans and widows. If Rodney Frelinghuysen and 9 other congresspeople had voted yes, this would have moved forward.
Tom Wyka supports the Bill of rights for Military Families, but as I cited above, Congressman Frelinghuysen voted to cut benefits for Widows and Orphans, but yet tries to reconcile is lack of support on this issue by saying he voted for a 2nd rate GI Bill because it offered "improved benefits" for spouses and children of soldiers. Congressman Frelinghuysen wants it both ways.
The House of Representatives - the People's House - should be the most accountable to voters given that every member must stand for reelection every two years. Yet, despite ridiculously low Congressional approval ratings, incumbents are still expected to be reelected at a 90% rate or more. Indeed - the 7 New Jersey seats held by Democrats are universally considered safe. (Quick - can you even name the Republican challengers in the 6 races being contested? - I couldn't.)
Not so for the 6 seats held by Republicans. When the polls close two weeks from this moment, we have 6 chances to increase the democratic majority in the NJ House delegation. And, although conventional wisdom suggests some of these chances are better than others - there is reason for optimism in all of them. It's not just the anticipated coattails from Obama's increasing lead in NJ, or Senator Lautenberg's strong poll numbers that are cause for enthusiasm. There is also the little matter of new voters - hundreds of thousands of new voters in our state, substantial majorities of which favor the democrats. We are now playing on offense exclusively for the next two weeks - and every one of these candidates wants your help:
In NJ-2: David Kurkowski has an uphill battle against an incumbent whose middling ratings on labor issues nevertheless continue to keep him in good standing with the Atlantic City unions that might one day help flip this district. Too many people wrote off this district as soon as Jeff Van Drew said he wouldn't run. But this swing district in a year when independent voters are leaning so heavily democrat is not exactly the worst place to be running for Congress.
In NJ-3: Senator John Adler began the race as a the money favorite, but aware of the challenge even for an open seat in a District anchored by Republican stronghold Ocean County. But, recent polls show Adler may finally be breaking through, and with the cash on hand to finish things out - I think this race has edged past NJ-7 as our most likely pickup.
In NJ-4: Josh Zeitz has surpassed all expectations, with fundraising in the half-million dollar range, and an aggressive campaign that has not let up for a moment against another Republican incumbent who enjoys the unearned support of big labor. He needs to overcome dismissive treatment by the MSM and the PR miracle Chris Smith landed earlier in the campaign. But, this is another swing district, and with the benefit of increased turnout and a strong top of the ticket, it's a District that DC dems may regret not paying closer attention to.
In NJ-5: Dennis Shulman has raised more money than his two predecessors combined, and transformed a second tier race into one of the most exciting campaigns in the nation. That combination of cash and energy, together with a dynamic candidate, and an incumbent who relies heavily on the district's registration advantage for wins, could produce a very welcome surprise. Getting rid of both Scott Garrett and Joe Ferriero in rapid succession? Dare to dream.
In NJ-7: Linda Stender has raised a boat load of money, and blanketed the airwaves with negative advertising to define her opponent before he could come up with enough money to define himself. I'm nervous that she hasn't put this one away yet, but l still think Linda can get to the finish line. "The Congresswoman from New Jersey" still has a very nice ring to it.
In NJ-11: Tom Wyka has fought hard against a challenger's toughest foe - raising money in a district people don't yet believe is competitive. But, at least as much as any other race this cycle, Tom has his talent and the people power of Morris County progressives to fuel his bid. His supporters think he can win, and doing what they can to make it happen.
In a year of hope and change you can believe in, we may just be in for some surprises on election night. But, it will only happen if we work for it. Elections are won and lost in crunch time - and that time is now. Time to create some surprises.
What's your favorite surprise prediction for election day? Take the Poll, and make your pitch in the comments.
Heres chance for everyone to show some Wyka love next Wednesday, come on over to Livingston, bring your video camera because heres a rare chance to get Rodney on video.
Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 8pm
Livingston Senior/Community Center
204 Hillside Avenue, Livingston
"People who paid into the Social Security system depend on that system," Frelinghuysen said, adding that he wants both houses of Congress to work in a bipartisan way when addressing the crisis that funding for both entitlement programs might face a decade from now.
"I think there's a need for a bipartisan commission in both of these area," he said.
Does this mean he's not going to be pushing those private accounts still unless the commission backs him up? According to the Washington Post:
Rodney Frelinghuysen has voted with a majority of his Republican colleagues 87.8% of the time during the current Congress. This percentage does not include votes in which Frelinghuysen did not vote.
Frelinghuysen described the recently approved credit package in excess of $800 billion "the start of a very long process. Just because we gave power to (Treasury Secretary) Henry Paulson ... doesn't mean we're out of the woods."
The congressman again called for a bipartisan solution, saying that Congress should work toward for both reviving and stabilizing the economy while improving consumer confidence.
I guess even the reporter picked up on the word game, but Rodney wasn't done:
Frelinghuysen, during his summation, stuck to his bipartisan theme in promoting the need for the nation to become independent of foreign oil, and to emerge from the current economic stagnation.
"We don't need members of Congress to poison the atmosphere as we're trying to calm the atmosphere (for) true financial progress," he said.
So to recap, we need to talk about very bi-partisan, while not voting in a bi-partisan manner except for when it comes to replacing him with that partisan Tom Wyka to actually fix the mess that Rodney has helped create.
Be there or be a rhomboid. Promoted from the diaries - - Thurman Hart
Mark Alexander, Senoir Policy advisor to Barack Obama has just confirmed he will be speaking at the New Jersey for Democracy sponsored Wyka Lunch on Saturday Oct. 11th
Event location:
Mexicali Rose
10 Park St.
Montclair, New Jersey
Saturday, Oct. 11th,
Noon to 2pm
Appetizers & Juice bar
Featured speaker
Ron Rice Jr
West Ward Newark Councilman
Essex for Obama Chair
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