It Fell On Deaf Ears: my warning for the Lieberman 2006 campaign

by: Stephen Yellin

Tue Aug 09, 2011 at 07:53:23 AM EDT

I read Rosi's article on the front page of Blue Jersey with great interest. It was wonderful to see how she and so many NJ-DFA members came up to Connecticut to support a progressive Democrat in Ned Lamont.

However, I have a confession to make: not only was I not among them, but at the time I was trying to help his opponent win renomination. It was a futile effort on my part, and one I now regret.

Cheer Up. Things Could be Worse

by: deciminyan

Mon Jun 27, 2011 at 06:00:00 PM EDT

No doubt, he will continue to brag about his "leadership" ability and the "bipartisan" support he got for the stripping of collective bargaining rights from state workers.

I watched as assembly members I like and admire, people like Lou Greenwald, Pam Lampitt, and Herb Conaway, voted to affirm the path taken not only by Chris Christie, but also Scott Walker, Rick Scott, Rick Snyder, and others of their ilk.

"Vote of no confidence" in Wisniewski, from entire Woodbridge delegation at MCDO convention

by: Rosi Efthim

Wed Apr 06, 2011 at 12:15:33 AM EDT

When Alan Rosenthal threw his vote behind the map proffered by the Democrats, there was jubilation in Party circles, high-fives for NJDSC Chair & redistricting co-Chair Wisniewski and a palpable air of self-satisfaction that the Democrats made Christie - who had poked his executive branch nose deep into the legislative branch's process - lose something.

But what is a score for Democrats is not necessarily the same kind of score for progressives. There are different measuring sticks and the priorities are for more than party loyalty and a sunnier outcome for Democrats. From an infuriating Senate vote against marriage equality, to a too-cozy relationship between Chris Christie and sometimes-helpmate Democratic Senate President Sweeney, there is a sense that the Democrats have not done enough with their majority. And so it was that when that map leaked there was a one-day, multi-level, ferocious and very public expression of outrage from progressives in defense of Buono - an obvious contender for governor - and Vitale. (Disclosure, several members of the Blue Jersey staff were involved).

But while that was going on, the leaked map had what I think is a separate impact on local Democrats loyal to their own in Vitale and Buono, people they've worked alongside and helped develop. And so, there was actually discussion among the Buono and Vitale camps to organize to deny Wisniewski the line tonight. But, maybe because longtime MCDO Chair Joe Spicuzzo was just arrested a month ago on corruption charges something many shades less extreme took place.

In the end, the entire Woodbridge delegation abstained in a vote to endorse Wisniewski for re-election, minus Woodbridge mayor John McCormac, who is not on the county committee and didn't vote, but made clear their position:

Woodbridge is a team, and Wisniewski's actions threatened our teammate [Vitale], and we don't appreciate that. It was symbolic, but it was essentially a vote of no confidence.

It remains to be seen what fissures tonight's vote revealed or opened. Wisniewski played it all down: "Middlesex County's fine. I don't think there's any lack of cohesion in Middlesex County."

#ticktickBOOM: Jeff Gardner for Senate Money Bomb UPDATE: $2,713-plus at 3:35

by: Rosi Efthim

Thu Mar 24, 2011 at 03:38:26 PM EDT

THANK YOU to everybody who's already contributed. Every amount powers up Jeff's campaign, and gets us closer to having a fine and tough progressive working for his District and for all of us. So, at around 3:20pm, with hours left to go, here's an update:

Jeff's Money Bomb ActBlue: $2,713 from 76 supporters.
- plus -
DFA's ActBlue: $851 from 30 supporters.
BlueAmerica's ActBlue: $1,124 from 55 supporters.
(Blue) Jersey Jeff Gardner for Senate, money bomb: $1,149 - 36 supporters.

None of us has ever done this before, and we didn't know what to expect. Your response is off-the-charts. We breezed past our $1,000 initial goal early this morning, and we're now pushing toward a goal of $5,000 or more today. And the buzz is ramping up. Jeff just finished his 2nd live-chat of the week at BlueAmerica's page at Crooks & Liars. And today, there were two posts about Jeff on the Recommended list at Daily Kos.

Jeff's Money Bomb is today. Every dollar counts. Can you jump in?

There is no tilting at windmills here. This is a viable campaign, with real progressive vigor behind it. Blue Jersey, you're a huge part of this.

It's time to step up

by: Matthew Jordan

Mon Mar 21, 2011 at 12:06:17 PM EDT

Everyone here knows Jeff's story.  We know how strong of a leader he would be in the State Senate.  We know his commitment to progressive ideals and local organizing.  The bottom line is we need more people like him running for office.  If we don't take back the Democratic Party now - when are we going to?

That is why I'm hoping everyone who is able will commit to donating this Thursday for the Jeff Gardner for Senate money bomb.  Jeff doesn't have special interests or Trenton lobbyists donating to his campaign.  He doesn't have employees at various state authorities filling his campaign coffers.  He has normal people like you and me.  People that care about who is representing us.  People tired of so many failed policies coming out of Trenton.  People who want to make a difference.

I'm no Donald Trump, and I've already donated $100 to Jeff's campaign (and I made my girlfriend give $50, thanks Christie).  I hope you can reach down and send $5, $10, or $25 his way to help him get his message out.

If you aren't financially able to donate, there are plenty of other ways you can chip in to help his campaign.  Spread the word about his Facebook and Twitter pages. Post a blog.  Write a letter to the editor.  Reach out to the campaign and canvass on the weekend in the district.  Every little bit will help.

My friendship with Jeff goes back three years.  After meeting via the common link of Passaic County on this site, we had coffee and talked about the County Committee and turning red towns blue.  To this day, his apt for organizing and energy for democratic ideals never ceases to amaze me.  We need him fighting for us in Trenton.  

Full disclosure: I'm working on Jeff's Senate campaign.

Thanks to the Washington Post, and Chris Cillizza's readers at The Fix

by: Rosi Efthim

Mon Feb 28, 2011 at 07:01:37 PM EST

The Fix's Best State-Based Political Tweeters for New Jersey:

@JoshuaHenne
@lisafleisher
@michaelcmuller  
@NJDSC
@bluejersey
@jason_springer
@CoryBooker
@GingerGibsonSL

Cillizza apparently was thinking (here's his call for tweeter nominations) most of people he chose would be reporters. In his NJ list, only 2 are; Ginger Gibson of the statehouse bureau shared by Star-Ledger & Bergen Record and New Jersey reporter for the Wall Street Journal Lisa Fleisher both made Cillizza's list.

The rest of us are all progressive or Democratic partisans. more below

Strategizing for Progressive Policy

by: Barbara Buono

Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 09:43:34 AM EDT

The good news is that we're facing this crisis together.

As they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.  Well, it's time to stand up and get going.  On Wednesday, June 16th, I'm going to be holding an informal gathering in New Brunswick where we can get together and share our ideas for the pursuit of a progressive agenda for New Jersey's future.

                                       Tumulty's Pub
                       361 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ
                                     5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
                Donation: $25 (includes admission, food, wine and beer)
            Free parking available in the Wilson Deck after 5PM  

Over the last decade, we've led the nation in turning our progressive values into public policy.  Whether it's protecting working families through the Paid Family Leave Act, reining in carbon emissions with the Global Warming Response Act, enacting strong consumer protections, or making sure that every child has access to a quality public school education, we've set an example for other states to follow.  Now is not the time to roll back that progress.

For the past half-decade, Blue Jersey has proven to be a true home for New Jersey's progressive community.  I hope to put a face to some of the handles and comments I've read through the years.  So I wanted to personally invite every Blue Jersey contributor and reader to come together offline and organize.  Unless we plan now, so much of the progress our state has made will be lost - and we cannot let that happen.  

So I hope everyone will join us for some good food and drinks, and even better conversation and progressive dialogue in New Brunswick on June 16th.

Please RSVP by Friday June 11th.  You can RSVP on Facebook, by e-mail at ProgressivePolicyNJ@gmail.com, or call us at 732-494-6279.

Launching A New Website

by: Barbara Buono

Mon Feb 08, 2010 at 04:43:29 PM EST

Often, everyone focuses so much on campaigns and process stories that sometimes people overlook that government provides important services and programs unavailable anywhere else.  So, one particular part of my new website I'm especially excited to unveil is its "Resources" section - which will serve as a one-stop portal for a number of issues facing our state's residents.  I hope this will serve as a useful tool in answering questions and solving problems. If you think anything can be added that would be helpful to fellow New Jerseyans, I hope you'll let me know.

In addition to the Resources section, I'm also excited about how we're recapping some of the places I get to visit across the 18th District and the state.  When you click on "In the Community", you can join me as I meet so many people and groups, all with interesting stories to share.   Also, please be sure to visit the Newsroom for all the latest news, clips, blogs and press releases from my office.  

Transparency, accountability and efficient government are all principles I've championed during my time in the state legislature. I know everyone here at Blue Jersey shares my belief that we need to shine a light on the day-to-day business of state government.  As Senate Majority Leader I promise to continue pushing for reforms to clean up the way business gets done in Trenton.

I'm excited about our new website.  But, I'm just as excited about how advances in technology are revolutionizing the way people communicate. I've been on Facebook for a bit and I recently starting tweeting.  I hope you'll follow me on both social networking sites, so I can keep you in the loop with the latest happenings in Trenton, in my legislative office and at events across the state, as well as with articles and blogs I think might be of interest.

Right now, we have a unique opportunity to push for meaningful reform in the 214th Legislature. For far too long, state government has come up short in its mission and responsibility of making New Jersey the best state in the nation to live, grow and prosper. There are several areas which have been ignored to-date and which we need to focus on right away - including pension reform, a strong State Comptroller with full audit powers over every tax dollar being spent, and finally addressing New Jersey's out-of-control property taxes. We simply cannot continue to turn a blind eye and put these issues off any longer. I plan on working with Senate President Sweeney, Speaker Oliver and Governor Christie (along with every single legislator and cabinet member) in tackling these issues head-on.

I hope you will explore my new website as we move forward in the new legislative session. It is vital that everyone in the progressive community - and on Blue Jersey in particular - remains active in helping us move our state forward. I hope this website opens new lines of communication and dialogue. And I hope you'll sign up to join our efforts in improving Trenton and making life better for each and every New Jerseyan.    

A shot across the bow

by: Adam L

Mon Feb 08, 2010 at 12:52:39 PM EST

Personally, this is a great thing to see, as the Democratic Party (both on the local, state and national levels) have taken progressives for granted - using us as an ATM (or in this instance as coined by someone who I will certainly credit when I remember, a gAyTM) to elect their candidates because "the other party is worse" but then offering little in the way of real change.  

"Better than the alternative" has gotten real old real quick - we have had large majorities as well as the Governorship here in NJ for quite some time now - and a good number of progressive issues and causes have gotten little traction.  On the Federal level, this is the same story - first it was "we need a majority", then it was "we need a bigger House majority and 60 Senate seats", and even then it took a shitstorm to even get the repeal of DADT on the agenda.

The Democratic Party (again, here in NJ as well as on a national level) should see this as yet another sign of a wake up call.  No longer are progressives happy to work and donate to the party structure only to get pushed aside.  The rise of the national netroots has given progressives the ability to donate and promote individual candidates based on views, support of issues or to reward for "going to bat" for progressive causes.

Amazingly, equality is one that has to be pushed for over and over and over again - and is one that is pushed aside or given half-hearted "separate but equal" actions.

On the issue of marriage equality, AmericaBlog has already initiated a Don't Ask, Don't Give initiative, and as noted by Pam's House Blend (where you can also see the entire text of the resolution), this could lead to support for Republican Party candidates who support marriage equality.

National and State Democratic Party leaders should sit up and take notice - the progressive netroots and grassroots has been kicked around for long enough, and has been able to organize in one of the few ways that elected officials react to - money and donations.  The tired excuses and lack of support by those who made promises in order to gain support and election will most certainly come back and bite them over time.

It may not be this November, but you can bet this is more of a blueprint for future netroots and grassroots campaigns and less of an aberration.  The state and national Democratic Parties can ignore this or write it off, but they do so at their own peril.

I wouldn't be disappointed to see an NJDSC floor fight tonight, but I won't see one.

by: Rosi Efthim

Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 04:57:50 PM EST

The marriage equality fight was a moment of growing up, and new muscle, for the progressive forces in NJ. Losing says more about you folks in the Legislature -  especially some of you Democrats -  than it says about us. The new muscle - don't mistake it - grows around the way the leadership & membership of so many formerly-separate progressive groups stood together.  

On Party leadership, I've said it's more about what's done than who's elected. Yeah. I've changed my mind. It's also about process. I wasn't thrilled with a press release from Asm John Wisniewski, saying he nabbed endorsement from all 21 County Chairs. The Chairs don't vote - the 113 State Committee members do (bylaws), and the release - while obviously a show of strength for a Chairmanship long ago worked out in a room somewhere - seemed an unfortunate admission that political orthodoxy, deals, and the Way Things Have Always Been Done are what rules.

Then, the last couple days, we hear that a viable candidate for Vice-Chair, Janice Kovach, Corzine's Division on Women Director and current NJDSC Secretary is now likely dropping out of a race to move up to Vice Chair because Dana Redd wants to stay.

I would be delighted with a floor fight tonight as the State Committee chooses Party leadership. But given how undemocratic this vote seems like it will be - with candidates stepping back in favor of their seniors, and politico dealmaking long before the vote - I don't think I'll see one (I'll probably get a lot of nasty looks tonight though, c'est la vie).

Dana Redd brought shame on her Party during marriage equality consideration, not only - as Asm Reed Gusciora points out - because she snubbed Julian Bond when he came to testify, but also because she made a point of avoiding the New Jersey citizens and Democratic Party rank-and-file who wanted to talk to her about it. I hope she gets last-minute competition tonight.

The vote tonight - 7pm at Forsgate Country Club - belongs to NJSDC State Committee, not the Chairs, not the dealmakers, not outgoing party structure. I think Asm Gusciora is right in calling on them to consider Redd's recent choices, and I hope tonight's vote is anything but boring.  

Atheism in New Jersey

by: Martin

Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:58:30 AM EST

Media Matters Report on N.J. Papers/Courier Post: Conservative Bias?

by: Martin

Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 07:02:45 PM EDT

After looking over the Media Matters' findings on N.J. newspapers I would say that, while we do have some newspapers (Bergen Record, Burlington County Times) that feature a greater number of progressive columnists over conservative ones, many newspapers, such as the The Courier Post, feature more conservatives than Democrats.  After reading yet another editorial by Cal Thomas in today's edition (with no featured liberal columnist), for example, I did some research on the Courier Post on Media Matters' site and found that they have a 6-1 pro-conservative bias in their choice of regular columnists, which includes such "dignitaries" as Michele Malkin and Bill O'Reilly.

Let's help the Courier Post become a more inclusive newspaper and contact their editor, Mike Daniels at mdaniels@courierpostonline.com, to ask them politely to change their editorial policy so that more progressive voices are included.  Look up your local paper, and see what their level of bias is, too, and be an activist to change conservative-leaning editorial boards.

Hot news from the political ball game in WA

by: DottieG

Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 09:08:20 PM EDT

Here's the Progressive Majority's report:

In Washington state's Tuesday's primary election, 11 of our 27 candidates faced primaries, many of them stiff challenges.

As of this morning, 10 of our 11 candidates have won their primaries and moved on to the general election this November.

Snohomish County: A New Progressive Majority.
The most important race in the primary was for Snohomish County Council, where Brian Sullivan won the Democratic nomination against a long-time elected official. As his district is strongly Democratic, he faces only token conservative opposition in the general election. Sullivan replaces a conservative Democrat and changes the balance of power on the council from conservatives to progressives!

We have been working on the Snohomish County Council since we opened our doors in Washington in 2004 when the council had a 4-1 conservative majority. In 2005, we helped Dave Somers get elected. Now this fall we have one other Snohomish County Council race. If our candidate Mike Cooper wins in November, we will have a 4-1 progressive majority! Now, that's PROGRESS!

Big Upset in Port of Seattle, but the battle isn't over yet.  Progressive Majority candidate Gael Tarleton led incumbent Seattle Port Commissioner Bob Edwards. In fact, Edwards is at a lowly 28%!!!! The progressive community has been fighting for a majority on the port for years; this year we have our best chance in years to win. It's time for change, and Gael is ready to deliver that change!

Here is a complete list of results from the Washington State primary. As Washington is a vote-by-mail state, the numbers can change, but we're confident in our predications:

County Offices

John Lovick - Snohomish County Sherriff
Won! Faces a tough general election.

Brian Sullivan - Snohomish County Council, District 2
Won! Faces token opposition in the general.

Bob Kelly - Whatcom County Council, District 1, Position B
Won! Currently leading other candidates 2:1.

City Offices:

Dan McShane - Bellingham Mayor
Won! The leading vote-getter over 6 primary opponents.

Maureen Judge - Mercer Island City Council, Position 3. Won! The leading vote getter over 3 primary opponents.

Terry Scott - Shoreline City Council, Position 6. Won! While the election results are close, he will advance to the general election and held an incumbent to 35%!

Marilyn Strickland - Tacoma City Council, At Large, Won! The leading vote-getter in a four-way primary.

De'Sean Quinn - Tukwila City Council, Position 2. Lost in a three-way primary.

Ron Bonlender - Yakima City Council, District 3. Won! Bonlender will face strong opposition this fall.

Seattle Port Commission:

Alec Fisken - Position 5. Won! Alec will face a very strong race this fall against a very well-funded opponent.

Gael Tarleton - Position 2. Won! Leading a 6-way primary over an 8-year incumbent.

A New Year's Resolution for Progressives: Animal Rights

by: Martin

Tue Jan 02, 2007 at 09:41:53 AM EST

Animal rights is an important component of liberalism because we as a movement have always sought to preserve individual freedoms, regardless of race, gender, religion (or lack thereof), belief system, or sexual orientation.  Surely, these rights can and should extend to sentient being who share the capacity for suffering that humans have.  One of the reasons that I'm writing this piece is because I'm convinced that fellow progressives are simply behind the curve if they haven't already converted to vegetarianism and because I don't fathom how those who favor the rights of the disenfranchised in the above human areas find it compatible in their belief system to eat the flesh of creatures who, from factory farming practices, are beaten, kicked, prodded, and tortured.  Factory farms, where most of our meat production comes from, are anything but open farms where cows, pigs, and other animals roam free, and the most cursory research on their conditions will truly horrify you.

If you consider yourself an environmentalist, then you should strongly consider switching to a vegetarian lifestyle.  The amount of land that needs to be used to create a pound of meat is staggering when compared to renewable farming practices, meat consumption is the driving factor behind most worldwide rainforest destruction, and meat byproducts and animal feces from factory farms are polluting our soil, streams, and air.  Our planet simply cannot sustain our meat-based dietary practices for much longer.  One of beliefs that liberals seem to hold is that we as a culture must be responsible for our actions, and a lot of pain, suffering, and environmental degradation goes into the global meat industry.

By switching to a vegetarian lifestyle, you will make a change, however small, that will positively impact our planet and the animals who live on it; you'll feel good about your body, be healthier, and be leading a sustainable lifestyle. As a vegetarian for 16+ years, I made that choice a long time ago and am better for it.  Besides becoming a vegetarian, perhaps consider ruling out circuses, which are often cruel to their animal performers; buying cruelty-free products; lobbying legislators for animal rights-oriented laws; and not wearing animals, if possible.  If you are still on the fence, or just need some basic information on vegetarian recipes and such, just see the website "GoVeg" below; for more on factory farming, watch the "meetyourmeat.com" video on the same page.

Go Veg link .