Vote For Cory

President Obama made this video for Cory Booker asking New Jersyans to vote for Cory Booker for the U.S. Senate in tomorrow's special election.

Monmouth Dems Host Rally for Booker and Buono in Red Bank

For those interested, the Monmouth County Democratic Organization will host a rally featuring Newark Mayor Cory Booker (Democratic Nominee for US Senate) and State Senator Barbara Buono (Democratic Nominee for Governor) on Thursday October 10th at the Red Bank Bates Elks Lodge #220, 306 Shrewsbury Avenue in Red Bank.

Other confirmed speakers include Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor Milly Silva and State Democratic Party Chairman John Currie along with our Democratic Party candidates for local, county and state offices.

The rally will begin at 4:30pm.

Press may RSVP by e-mailing us at monmouthdemocrats@gmail.com or call (732) 739-8888.

CWA Endorses Cory Booker for U.S. Senate

Booker is Best Candidate for NJ’s Middle-Class & Working Families

(Trenton, New Jersey) - Today, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) endorsed Mayor
Cory Booker for United States Senate.

“Cory Booker supports President Obama's commitment that every family should have access to quality, affordable healthcare. He believes in a pathway to citizenship, and that government has a responsibility to stand for the common good. There is no doubt that Cory Booker is the best candidate on the October ballot,” said Hetty Rosenstein, CWA NJ State Director. “Frank Lautenberg was a progressive hero who always stood up for middle-class and working families. We look forward to working with Cory Booker to carry on that legacy on behalf of New Jersey in the U.S. Senate.”

"It is an honor to have the support of the Communications Workers of America for my candidacy for the United States Senate,” said Mayor Booker. “The men and women of the CWA have fought for equality in the workplace, promoted access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans and sought to strengthen investments in job training, so that we continue to expand and empower our workforce here in the United States. These are the same values and priorities that I have fought for in Newark and will continue to fight for if elected to the Senate in October."

The Communications Workers of America (AFL-CIO) represents both private sector and public workers. CWA represents more than 70,000 working families in New Jersey - including over 40,000 state workers, 15,000 county and municipal workers, and thousands of workers in the telecommunications, airlines, health care and direct care industries.

Election Day is Wednesday, October 16, 2013.

Salon.com: New York Times endorses plutocracy! The Grey Lady calls "coziness with the moneyed class" an "asset," in an editorial supporting Cory Booker. Seriously

I happen to be supporting Frank Pallone and his candidacy for the U.S Senate and while I don't have anything personal against Cory Booker or the New York Times, I have to agree with this scathingly critical assessment of what just "... may be the most nauseating endorsement you'll read this election cycle ".

Salon.com's David Sirota writes the following review of the New York Times endorsement of Cory Booker for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the passing of Senator Frank Lautenberg:

If you happened to have read the New York Times’ opinion section this weekend, you may have noticed you were told that the U.S. Senate – the body comprised primarily of millionaires – apparently needs more lawmakers who are very close to the wealthy.

Yes, despite every member of the upper house raising huge amounts of campaign money primarily from the American aristocracy, and despite the fact that legalized bribery results in votes that consistently defend the aristocracy’s economic interests at the expense of everyone else — the grey lady’s editorial board implored voters to see Senate candidates’ all-too-close relationship with America’s uber-rich not as something suspicious or repugnant, but as something commendable and worthy of reward.

This was the powerful message in the Times’ house editorial this weekend endorsing Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s candidacy in New Jersey’s upcoming special U.S. Senate election. Citing Booker’s success engineering a $100 million donation to Newark schools from Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg (but conveniently not mentioning the ugly controversies surrounding the donation), the newspaper concluded its endorsement with a slap at Booker’s opponents – one that in a single sentence revealed everything you need to know about the elite media’s royalism (emphasis added):

Some of Mr. Booker’s opponents are trying to denigrate those assets — his fame, his ability to work with Republicans, his coziness with the moneyed class.

You read that correctly: According to the Times, being “cozy with the moneyed class” should be seen by voters as an “asset” for an aspiring senator – one the Times insinuates shouldn’t dare be “denigrated” by other candidates.

Of course, the Times is fairly accurate in declaring Booker as “cozy with the moneyed class.” If anything, in fact, it’s an understatement – Booker is one of Corporate America’s most loyal and obedient Democratic politicians.

Give Pallone Dem Senate nod

In case you missed it, the Asbury Park Press  yesterday endorsed a candidate for the August 13th special Democratic primary election to replace the late Frank Lautenberg in the U.S. Senate. The Asbury Park Press endorsed Congressman Frank Pallone as the best Democrat in the race to replace Lautenberg in the Senate.

Here is what they said:

If we are to believe the pundits and pollsters, New Jersey might just as well skip the special U.S. Senate election and start polishing up the late Frank Lautenberg’s old seat for Newark Mayor Cory Booker. 

Congressman Frank Pallone

Booker is indeed the heavy favorite. But he’s not the best choice, not in the Democratic primary on Aug. 13. Our endorsement goes to Rep. Frank Pallone, who has earned the nod with a long and distinguished legislative career that has yielded many benefits for New Jersey, and especially his 6th Congressional District, which stretches from Jersey Shore towns all the way up to Middlesex County. 

Voters can’t go wrong, no matter which way they lean in this primary. The other challengers — Rep. Rush Holt and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver — can offer to New Jerseyans their own admirable records of achievement and service. 

But Pallone has done the most in Washington, playing leading roles in environmental causes favorable to New Jersey as well as a variety of health care reforms. Pallone has a long history on Capitol Hill — first elected to Congress in 1988 — and knows where to go and who to see to get things done, an important advantage for a new senator. 

Booker has an anointed-one vibe at the moment, a fast-rising star whom his supporters see as a future president. He is a dynamic speaker with a youthful vitality that leads to bold — some say spotlight-grabbing — moves to carry his message. 

He ran into a burning building to save a neighbor. He shoveled snow for residents on Christmas. He went on a 10-day hunger strike in the Newark projects to draw attention — and more police presence — to one of the most drug-infested areas of the city. 

Booker also claims to have spearheaded a broad recovery for his city symbolized in part by rare Newark sights — new hotels, a new supermarket, and vast urban farming. 

But Booker’s image still outshines his accomplishments. Dig a little behind some of the claims of Newark’s renaissance and you’ll find a different picture, at least in some eyes. Crime and unemployment numbers are open to interpretation, not all of it good. The origins of many of the economic development advances date back before Booker’s regime. Booker’s critics say the mayor is far more concerned about burnishing his national image than doing the dirty work of running a major, troubled city. 

In short, the substance behind Booker’s style is hard to identify, and often doesn’t hold up well to closer scrutiny. 

Pallone, 61, can point to the many tangible benefits of his willingness to work the system and find solutions. He is particularly proud of his success in banning ocean dumping off New Jersey’s shores, a key pledge during his winning campaign for Congress in 1988 for the first of his 13 terms. He has continued to protect the shoreline in many ways, including persistent opposition to offshore drilling. 

On health care, he is one of the principal architects of the Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — which itself says a lot about his expertise, regardless of anyone’s opinion of the law. 

Most of all, though, Pallone is a grinder who knows the players and can work the Washington backrooms and corridors in making deals. He is campaigning on that image, contrasting it to Booker’s showmanship and speechifying that, to Pallone’s way of thinking, will accomplish little. 

Holt and Oliver deserve some attention as well. Holt has been playing off his “nerd” image in Web ads that note his defeat of a computer in “Jeopardy” while calling for a “speculation tax” that would rein in Wall Street excesses. That’s classic Holt – thoughtful, intelligent policy-making that goes off the beaten path, and doesn’t necessarily press the buttons of the electorate, even if it should. Holt, more than most Washington politicians, is always worth a listen, regardless of the topic. 

Oliver champions herself as a pragmatist, pointing to, among other things, her support of pension and benefits reforms that didn’t win her many friends among fellow Democrats. While her power as speaker has occasionally veered into obstructionism, it has also served as a bulwark against some of the extremes of Gov. Chris Christie’s reign. 

One school of thought has long been that Pallone was a kind of heir apparent to Lautenberg’s seat, and he has the support of the Lautenberg family. That, however, was before Booker’s comet started shooting skyward. But we urge voters not to be blinded by Booker’s celebrity. Choose the candidate who can do the job best. That’s Pallone.

Middletown Democrats Endorse Congressman Frank Pallone For U.S. Senate

For Immediate Release
August 2, 2013


At its July 25th 2013 meeting, The Middletown Democratic Executive Committee (governing committee of the Middletown Democratic Party), voted overwhelmingly to endorse the campaign of Congressman Frank Pallone in his bid as candidate for the U.S. Senate seat formerly occupied by Senator Frank Lautenberg. The Middletown Democratic Party urges all registered Democrats to show their support by voting for Congressman Pallone in the upcoming special Primary Election on Tuesday, August 13th 2013.

Democratic Party Chairman Don Watson states:

“Congressman Pallone has represented the 6th Congressional District for many years and has done everything he could to protect against cuts to Social Security and Medicare. He has a strong environmental record and has advocated for the cleaning up of our waterways and the protection of our shorelines and he stands up for every resident, especially those in the middle class.

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Congressman Pallone has worked tirelessly to ensure that the residents in the Bayshore region of northern Monmouth County and other communities along the shorelines of the 6th Congressional District receive the relief needed to get them back into their homes and move on with their lives. Without his advocacy for assistance on the federal level, New Jersey would not have the funds to distribute to those affected.

Congressman Pallone has also reached out across party lines, working with those in both the House and Senate to write and pass legislation signed into law by the President. He knows how to work with all members of Congress and would be the most effective person to represent all of New Jersey in the U.S. Senate.”

Rush Holt - Time For Single Payer Health Care System

"This state of affairs is nonsensical, morally reprehensible, and financially wasteful. The fact is, there is a proven, effective way to hold down the cost of health care – a method embraced by many nations throughout the world, and a method that the United States has already implemented successfully for our senior citizens through Medicare. That method is simple: single-payer, universal health care.

I have long supported Medicare for all, and I will fight in the Senate to advance the day when America has truly universal access to health care." -  Rush Holt

Pallone Receives Endorsement from Recreational and Commercial Fishing Industry Supporters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 24, 2013

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ—Today, Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Frank Pallone, Jr. was endorsed by the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and members of the New Jersey’s commercial fishing industry for the August 13th primary election to fill the seat of the late Senator Frank R. Lautenberg at an event in Atlantic City.

“I’m honored to receive the support of my friends in the fishing industry,” said Pallone. “Fishing is a critical part of New Jersey’s economy and we need to do everything we can to support and bolster this vibrant industry.

Joined by New Jersey fishermen, Pallone was praised by RFA and other fishing industry groups for his commitment to environmental protection and work to improve conditions for both the recreational and commercial fishing industries.

"Mr. Pallone has served on the House Natural Resources Committee for over 25 years where he has proven to be a fierce and vocal friend of the fishermen, not just in New Jersey but throughout the coastal United States," said RFA executive director Jim Donofrio.

A senior member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Pallone has worked throughout his career to promote fishing and help the fishing industry have the tools it needs to thrive.

New Jersey’s fishing industry is a critical economic driver for the state’s economy. Nationally, the commercial and recreational fishing industries support over 1.3million jobs and $l66 billion in sales.

Holt Web Ad - Climate Change

Speaking of Climate Change

Rush Holt released his latest Campaign for U.S. Senate web ad today on the topic of Climate Change.

“The evidence is overwhelming: Climate change is real, and humans are to blame. Humans have dumped so much carbon dioxide into the air that concentrations are up 39 percent worldwide. And the consequences are exactly what physics predicts. Every single month since 1985 has been warmer than the historic average. All 12 of the warmest years on record have come in the last 15 years.", the video states.

"We have to stop treating climate change like there’s doubt about the science. We must cap greenhouse gas emissions and end the assault that corporate interests are waging on our planet.”, Holt adds on his campaign's web page.

You Can Count On Frank

Congressman Frank Pallone's campaign for U.S. Senate released a new TV ad  today titled, "You can Count on Frank". The commercial highlights Pallone's record of achievements in Congress, including his leadership in passing President Obama's landmark health care reform bill, the Affordable Care Act as well as his work to clean up the environment and fighting the Tea Party to protect Social Security and Medicare. Front and center in the ad is Pallone's commitment to fighting for middle class New Jerseyans.

Rush Holt - Social Security

Rush Holt's lastest web ad from his senate campaign, released earlier today, takes on Social Security. Take a look.

New Holt Web Ad Tackles Student Loans

​“A few years ago, Wall Street blew up our economy – and we still haven’t recovered. For recent college grads, the unemployment rate is above 13 percent. The average starting wage is lower in real terms than in 1998. And the average student loan debt is nearly 27,000 dollars.

So if students are still reeling from Wall Street’s blunders, why on Earth would the government charge them an interest rate nine times higher than it charges Wall Street banks? It’s absurd, and there’s a better solution. We should charge students the same interest rate that the Federal Reserve charges Wall Street banks: 0.75 percent, and not a penny more.

The idea was Elizabeth Warren’s, but Elizabeth can’t pass it alone. In the Senate, I’ll fight by her side to make it the law of the land. Wall Street broke our economy. Students shouldn’t have to pay to put it back together again.”

Learn more about student loans ....  Here

Pallone Launches Latest Web-Ad: ‘We Need a Senator Who Drives a Chevy; Leave the Limo to the Other Guys’

LONG BRANCH, NJ—Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Frank Pallone, Jr. released his latest web-ad in the primary campaign to fill the seat of the late Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. The 30 second ad features Pallone driving throughout New Jersey telling his story and talking about the issues that are important to New Jerseyans.

The video shows Pallone driving his Chevy Impala on New Jersey roads and cites his background as a husband, father of three and accomplished lawmaker who “gets things done.” Highlighted is Pallone’s substantial record of achievement in Congress, including his leadership in passing President Obama’s landmark health care reform bill, the Affordable Care Act, as well as his work to clean up the environment and fighting the tea party to protect Social Security and Medicare. The spot speaks to Pallone’s commitment to fighting for the middle class and tackling important issues head-on.

Frank Pallone's "Typical Jersey Story"

Rush Holt wasn't the only Democratic Senate candidate to release a web ad yesterday, Congressman Frank Pallone released one as well.

The video, based on the theme of Pallone’s “Typical Jersey Story” features testimonial accounts from real New Jerseyans of Pallone as a “regular guy” who “gets things done” for New Jersey.

The video touches on Pallone’s commitment to continuing the legacy of Senator Lautenberg, whose family strongly endorsed Pallone earlier this week, of being a “workhorse” and champion for the people. Pallone’s tireless work as an advocate and accomplished legislator are also noted in the video as well as his leadership in passing President Obama’s landmark health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act.

Holt Pitches Speculation Tax In New Senate Campaign Ad

If you haven't seen it, yesterday Congressman Rush Holt released a new web ad. .In the ad Holt calls for a new "speculation" tax  that would raise hundreds of billions of dollars from big Wall Street speculators.The money could then be used for investments in our roads, bridges, schools, energy research, our social safety net, and more.

This ad is the first in a series of ads that will be rolled out in the next few weeks that drive home the message that bold ideas are needed.

PALLONE CAMPAIGN HITS OPPONENTS FOR LACK OF "TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY"

“Voters have simply been ignored by Cory Booker, Sheila Oliver and Rush Holt.”

LONG BRANCH ¬ Weeks after first Congressman Frank Pallone first signed the “People’s Pledge” and asked Cory Booker, Sheila Oliver and Rush Holt to join him, Pallone’s campaign today noted the request has been met with silence. While widely regarded for its ability to remove outside special interests and unnamed PAC money from the Massachusetts United States Senate race between Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren in 2012, the Congressman’s opponents have simply ignored the request for transparency and accountability. Congressman Pallone’s campaign today released the following statement:

“Fifteen days ago Congressman Pallone signed the ‘People’s Pledge’ in an effort to provide voters in this year’s special Democratic Primary campaign for U.S. Senate the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, and he asked his opponents to do the same. Since that time, our campaign’s request for accountability and transparency has been met with silence.

In an expedited election sorely lacking in much needed direct voter contact as a result of multiple debate opportunities being turned down by Congressman Pallone’s opponents, the ‘People’s Pledge’ is the bare minimum the other three candidates can do to make sure Democratic voters aren’t encumbered by outside influence. Yet, Democratic voters have not even been give the courtesy of an answer in the negative and an acknowledgement that outside special interests and unnamed PAC’s with their own agendas will play an active role in this race. Instead, these voters have simply been ignored by Cory Booker, Sheila Oliver and Rush Holt.

The dismissive posture taken by all three of Congressman Pallone’s opponents with regard to accountability and transparency in this election is truly perplexing and should speak volumes to New Jersey’s Democratic primary voters on August 13. We will continue our call for Frank Pallone’s opponents to sign the ‘People’s Pledge’ in the coming days and weeks, just as we will continue to hold out hope they will agree to more debates to allow for a proper vetting of all four candidates previous records and future platforms in this campaign for United States Senate.”

PALLONE FOR SENATE ENDORSED BY LAUTENBERG FAMILY

STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY OF SENATOR FRANK R. LAUTENBERG:

“Frank Lautenberg followed three fundamental principles as New Jersey’s U.S. Senator: stay true to his progressive values, put New Jersey first, and be a workhorse, not a showhorse. After he announced his retirement, he spoke often about his desire that his replacement in the Senate respect those core principles and continue his work.

Deciding which candidate to endorse was not an easy decision. Most of the candidates in the Democratic field have proven themselves as hardworking, progressive leaders who care deeply about New Jersey. But only one of them stands out as ready to continue Frank Lautenberg’s progressive leadership in the U.S. Senate. That candidate is Congressman Frank Pallone.
We are saying: Stick with Frank.

Frank Pallone, like Frank Lautenberg, has always looked out for working families in New Jersey and made them his top priority – in fighting for economic justice, healthcare reform, environmental protection, education and so many other issues. Frank Pallone, like our Frank, will put in the hours and hard work necessary to fight for New Jersey in the Senate. And Frank Pallone knows that gimmicks and celebrity status won’t get you very far in the real battles that Democrats face in the future.

Frank Pallone worked with Frank Lautenberg for many years. He understands what it takes to take on and defeat Republicans and the special interests that attack the well being of working families. While it may not always attract glamorous headlines, Frank knows that to be effective you must put New Jersey and your principles first, not your own glory.

When New Jersey Democrats examine the Senate candidates closely, they may be surprised to find out that not all of them share core Democratic values or loyalty to the party. And one candidate stands out as the best hope of continuing the progressive legacy of Senator Frank Lautenberg – Congressman Frank Pallone.”

Holt Video - I'm With Rush

Just before the holiday weekend I received and email from the Rush Holt for Senate campaign that contained a link to the video below.

 In the video Holt's background as a scientist/teacher and his progressive stands and voting record in Congress are highlighted by a number of people both young and old that rattle off a list of issues that are near and dear to them.

The video also takes a passive aggressive, subtle swipe at one of Holt's U.S. Senate challengers, front runner Cory Booker. The swipe happens when a young African-American supporter states, " I like Cory Booker but for Senate, I'm with Rush".

Overall I like the video, it's effective, concise and charmingly quirky, playing off the "Big Bang Theory" geekiness of Holt's background and supporters.  



Rush is a teacher, scientist and a true progressive. No one will fight harder for progressive policies in the US Senate.

Rush has taken on the Republicans in Congress - voting against the war in Iraq, to repeal the PATRIOT Act, against warrantless surveillance of Americans, and against Republican cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

In the Senate, Rush will be a leader on progressive issues, like increasing education funding, expanding background checks to ALL gun sales and building a smart national energy grid.

PALLONE FOR SENATE CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES "MAIN STREET" TOUR FRIDAY

LONG BRANCH ¬ Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. will be touring several downtown locations on Friday, July 5 as an opportunity to meet and greet with voters and business owners.

Schedule -

1:30pm - Meeting at the Broadway Diner, 45 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ

Congressman Pallone will walk with Councilman Ed Zipprich, Candidate for Assembly in the 11th District.


4:30pm - Meeting at 96 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ

Congressman Pallone will walk with Senator Joe Vitale and Council President Charlie Kenny.


7pm - Meeting at Lambertville City Hall, 25 S. Union Street, Lambertville, NJ

Congressman Pallone will walk with Mayor Dave DelVecchio and Hunterdon County Democratic Chairman Mike Flynn

Booker Releases First Senare Campaign Ad

Newark Mayor and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker released his first T.V. spot for the upcoming special election for the U.S. Senate seat left open by the passing of Senator Frank Lautenberg earlier this month. The 30 second campaign ad titled "Run" will begin airing tomorrow.