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Full coverage of the 2008 presidential election
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: Expectations soar for Obama speech
by John Farmer/The Star-Ledger
Thursday August 28, 2008, 9:30 AM
DENVER -- Sen. Barack Obama, whose meteoric rise to the pinnacle of Democratic politics began with his stirring keynote address at the party's 2004 convention, makes the most important speech of his career tonight, the 45th anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech.
But if advance indications are any guide, soaring rhetoric will share the podium tonight with a hefty serving of meat-and-potatoes: Details about his plans for dealing with a dysfunctional economy and the costs of health care.
Barack Obama seen on stage afer Joe Biden addressed the delgates attending the Democratic National Convention, Wednesday night.
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For black N.J. delegates, a day of wonder
by Bob Braun/Star-Ledger columnist
Thursday August 28, 2008, 12:05 AM
Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event at Riverfront Park in Montana.DENVER -- This is the day a black man accepts the nomination to be president of the United States.
A day most African-American delegates here -- maybe most African-Americans everywhere -- believed they would never see.
Continue reading "For black N.J. delegates, a day of wonder" »DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: Jerseyans plan parties for Obama speech
by Gabriel H. Gluck/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday August 27, 2008, 9:33 PM
Deborah Bjornstad was 21 years old the last time she got involved in politics. But Thursday night, the 49-year-old Bjornstad is coordinating two of the dozens of get-togethers across New Jersey to watch Sen. Barack Obama deliver his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Across the state and nation, Obama supporters are opening their homes and gathering in churches and restaurants to witness together the first nomination of an African-American for the presidency by a major political party.
Complete Democratic National Convention coverage
Bjornstad will be at the Kaign Avenue Baptist Church in Camden, while her husband will be at the Coastline restaurant in Cherry Hill. Sherra and Clyde Jones will be welcoming friends and Obama supporters to their Denville home.
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: NJ casts votes for Barack Obama
by Josh Margolin/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday August 27, 2008, 6:41 PM
DENVER -- New Jersey, won handily by Hillary Clinton during the primary season, cast its votes at the Democratic National Convention tonight for Barack Obama, as the historic roll call propelled him toward the nomination.
Gov. Jon Corzine told the cheering convention center crowd to put the state's 127 delegates in Obama's column. One by one, states had been reading off their vote tallies this afternoon as both Obama and Clinton's names were placed in nomination.
Gov. Jon Corzine cast votes during roll call for New Jersey at the Democratic National Convention"We proudly and unanimously -- unanimously I repeat -- vote for the next president of the United States, the person who will lead us to the change this country needs, who will inspire us with hope and promise," Corzine said. "We unanimously cast our 127 votes for Barack Obama."
Complete Democratic National Convention coverage
Soon afterward, when it was New York's turn, Clinton called for Obama to be nominated by acclamation.
Technical error voids petition to recall Frankford mayor
by Jim Lockwood/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday August 27, 2008, 5:16 PM
A petition to recall Frankford Mayor Robert McDowell was declared null and void today by the municipal clerk due to a technical error on the paperwork.
That means there will be no recall election of McDowell on the Nov. 4 general election ballot, township officials said.
Continue reading "Technical error voids petition to recall Frankford mayor" »Victory Gardens ex-mayor sues those who ousted her
by Al Frank/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday August 27, 2008, 5:15 PM
Nanette Courtine Claiming she has suffered "embarrassment and shame" at the hands of those who ousted her from office two years ago, the former mayor of Victory Gardens in Morris County has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for the "severe emotional harm" she said she has suffered since.
The suit, made public today, was filed by Nanette Courtine against borough clerk Deborah Evans, Councilwoman Kreszentia "Teena" Morris, resident Christina Weidemann and 10 unnamed defendants who circulated the recall petitions.
Continue reading "Victory Gardens ex-mayor sues those who ousted her" »Appeals court sets November hearing on Corzine-Katz e-mails
by Claire Heininger/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday August 27, 2008, 5:00 PM
An appellate panel has scheduled a November hearing on Gov. Jon Corzine's bid to keep secret e-mails he exchanged with former state workers union leader Carla Katz.
Attorneys for Corzine, Katz and state Republican Chairman Tom Wilson are due in a Morristown courtroom on Nov. 13, the state Superior Court's appellate division wrote in an order issued Tuesday and released today.
Continue reading "Appeals court sets November hearing on Corzine-Katz e-mails" »Morris County legislator may challenge Corzine for governor in '09
by Claire Heininger/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday August 27, 2008, 4:23 PM
Assemblyman Richard Merkt A conservative Republican legislator from Morris County said today he is laying the groundwork for a run for governor in 2009.
Assemblyman Richard Merkt said he is forming an exploratory committee to start organizing and fundraising. He stopped short of making a formal announcement of his candidacy -- calling a committee "the appropriate step" for this stage in the race -- but made his intentions clear.
"I'm serious about this. This is not just a trial balloon," said Merkt, who has scheduled a news conference on the exploratory committee for Thursday morning in Morristown.
Continue reading "Morris County legislator may challenge Corzine for governor in '09" »GOP slams Lautenberg's sense of 'duty'
by Robert Schwaneberg/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday August 27, 2008, 3:28 PM
Was it a joke, or a gaffe? Either way, Republicans lost no time pouncing on U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg's explanation for why he and other members of Congress show up at parties hosted by corporations and lobbyists.
"You have to do your duty," Lautenberg told ABC World News. "You must visit, make sure that the food they serve is OK, that it passes the taste test and the liquor is the right, you know, the right vintage."
Continue reading "GOP slams Lautenberg's sense of 'duty'" »DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: Highlights from N.J. delegation
by The Star Ledger Continuous News Desk
Wednesday August 27, 2008, 7:33 AM
Senator Robert Menendez and N.J. Gov. Jon Corzine attend the Democratic National Convention. Here are live headlines from Day 2 in Denver, where Star-Ledger reporters and columnists are following the New Jersey delegation at the Democratic National Convention. For complete convention coverage, go to nj.com/elections
Newark mayor Cory Booker says he would turn down a job with Obama
Hillary Clinton urges supporters to back Barack Obama
Continue reading "DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: Highlights from N.J. delegation" »Newark Mayor Cory Booker says he would decline job with Obama
by The Star Ledger Continuous News Desk
Wednesday August 27, 2008, 5:47 AM
Newark Mayor Cory Booker said he intends "unequivocally" to pursue a second term as Newark's chief executive in 2010, according to a report on the PolitickerNJ.com website.
Newark Mayor Cory BookerHillary Clinton urges supporters to back Barack Obama
by John Farmer/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday August 27, 2008, 12:26 AM
Senator Hilliary Rodham Clinton speaks to delegates attending the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night.The two-term New York senator, who fought Sen. Barack Obama fiercely through an often angry, 19-month long nomination battle before losing narrowly, threw her support to him Tuesday night, urging her passionate supporters to work for Obama as ardently as they had for her.
Complete Democratic National Convention coverage
"Barack Obama is my candidate," Clinton told a roaring convention crowd, which seemed relieved that the split in the party might be healing. "And he must be our president."
Continue reading "Hillary Clinton urges supporters to back Barack Obama" »DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION COVERAGE: Corzine wants unanimous NJ delegation for Obama
by Josh Margolin/The Star-Ledger
Tuesday August 26, 2008, 10:04 PM
DENVER -- Gov. Jon Corzine said he would like New Jersey to cast all of its votes for Barack Obama in Wednesday night's roll call, even though Hillary Clinton won the Garden State's primary in February.
A delegate wears buttons showing support for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) during the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Complete Democratic National Convention coverage
In an interview on the floor of the Democratic National Convention tonight, Corzine said he would talk with the delegation in the morning and ask them to join in a unanimous vote for Obama. Although he is the leader of the delegation he said he is "not going to order people to do something."
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION COVERAGE: Menendez declines speaking role
by Josh Margolin/The Star-Ledger
Tuesday August 26, 2008, 7:53 PM
DENVER -- Sen. Bob Menendez declined an invitation for a coveted speaking role at the Democratic National Convention because of lingering hard feelings between him and Barack Obama's camp, according to political and convention officials.
Senator Robert Menendez speaks to delegates at the NJ delegation breakfast today.Menendez was offered a pre-prime-time speech, which would have been the New Jersey delegation's only shot at the Pepsi Center podium. But the deal was never closed because the senator did not feel he was given a prominent enough time slot, said the officials, who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.
Complete Democratic National Convention coverage
It's the latest example, they said, of lingering unease that grew out of Obama's hard-fought primary battle with Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Though a longtime -- and strident -- Clinton supporter, Menendez was expected to address the convention and take an active role in Obama's campaign. He is a popular presence in the Latino community and Obama is aggressively courting that group in his effort to win the White House.
Continue reading "DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION COVERAGE: Menendez declines speaking role" »DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION COVERAGE: Changing of the guard for Democrats
by John Farmer/The Star-Ledger
Tuesday August 26, 2008, 4:45 PM
DENVER -- The opening night of the Democratic National Convention was like something from the barroom scene in "Star Wars" -- ear-shattering sound, garish lighting and a menagerie of different races and colors, ages and outfits, all gyrating to the din of bad rock music.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) addresses delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Denver Monday night.It was orchestrated frenzy, but it seemed fitting to a convention celebrating a seismic changing of the guard in the Democratic Party.
Complete Democratic National Convention coverage
This sort of out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new phenomenon is rare but not unusual at presidential nominating conventions. But not often has there been such a top-to-bottom turnover as is taking place here.
DNC COVERAGE: What will Hillary Clinton do?
by John Farmer/The Star-Ledger
Tuesday August 26, 2008, 8:45 AM
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), right, is seen with her daughter Chelsea as they tour the site of the Democratic National Convention in Denver in preparation for her speech tonight.DENVER -- What will Hillary do? And how will she do it?
In a Democratic National Convention as tightly scripted as a Broadway show, the only uncertainty -- the only real excitement -- centers on what the former first lady will say in her big-moment address to the convention Tuesday night and what will happen Wednesday when the roll is called on the presidential nomination.
Complete Democratic National Convention coverage
It's not a vote she can win, as she knows. But how Hillary Clinton bows out -- how gracefully she accepts defeat and how ardently she urges her delegates to back Sen. Barack Obama -- could have a critical impact on the election outcome, as three new polls make clear.
Continue reading "DNC COVERAGE: What will Hillary Clinton do?" »New Jersey delegation has non-traditional take on race
by Robert Braun/Star-Ledger columnist
Tuesday August 26, 2008, 12:02 AM
DENVER -- Questions of color and race that often tore apart the Democratic Party in the past have different meanings now -- and that's obvious in the make-up of the New Jersey delegation.
Take Cecilia Birge, for example, the Chinese-American mayor of Montgomery.
Cecilia Xie Birge, the mayor of Montgomery and a Democratic National Convention delegate, teaches introductory Chinese to a diverse group of youngsters on weekends at Upper Middle School in Montgomery."When I was growing up in Beijing, my image of America was not influenced by what had happened during the civil rights movement," she says.
"Rather I would think of how America to me was this friendly, well-ordered place, compared to China."
Jersey politics taught Obama campaign manager David Plouffe
by Josh Margolin/The Star-Ledger
Tuesday August 26, 2008, 12:01 AM
DENVER -- Barack Obama's national campaign manager, David Plouffe, says there's no better way to prepare for a presidential campaign than working a few years in New Jersey politics.
David Plouffe speaks in Denver today."My time in New Jersey was really important to me," said Plouffe, who managed the campaign that put Robert Torricelli into the Senate in 1996 and was a media adviser and senior counselor until the lawmaker withdrew from his re-election campaign amid an ethics probe six years later.
"You know, New Jersey is a cauldron," Plouffe said today. "So you learn from that. It's a tough place to do politics, and presidential campaigns are tough places to do politics."
N.Y. escort worker pleads guilty in Spitzer case
by The Associated Press
Monday August 25, 2008, 4:44 PM
NEW YORK -- The last of four defendants charged in the prostitution scandal that brought down former Gov. Eliot Spitzer pleaded guilty today to arranging trysts between high-priced escorts and clients.
Tanya Robin Hollander, of Rhinebeck, N.Y., admitted she conspired to violate the travel act, which prohibits crossing state lines to further an illegal business.
Continue reading "N.Y. escort worker pleads guilty in Spitzer case" »Obama looks to national convention for a boost
by John Farmer/The Star-Ledger
Monday August 25, 2008, 12:10 AM
As his party's convention begins today, Sen. Barack Obama is under pressure to sharpen his image, better define his positions on major issues, and demonstrate that he is clearly in charge if he is to regain momentum lost during a surprising summer slump.
News Analysis
On a high after clinching the Democratic nomination in early June and returning from a well-received tour of Europe and the Middle East, Obama has seen his lead in polls over Sen. John McCain drop steadily -- and Democratic election optimism with it. In recent days the two have been in a virtual tie in polls.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., winks at a member of the crowd during a Bar-b-que at Rod and Gun Park in Eau Claire, Wis., Sunday.Calm cops perplex protesters at Democratic convention site
by Bob Braun/The Star-Ledger
Sunday August 24, 2008, 9:56 PM
DENVER -- Glen Spagnola marched at the head of a crowd of some 2,000 protesters right to the entrance of the Pepsi Center, the site of the Democratic National Convention -- and then couldn't figure out what to do.
Anti-war protesters are interviewed during protest rally in front of the statehouse. Denver, CO 8/24/08"Frankly, I didn't think the police would let us get this far, so we really didn't plan on this," the Denver resident said over a bullhorn.
So he sat down, and maybe 100 others joined him, and they all waited for the helmeted cops nearby to carry them off.
"Hey, they're cool there, it's all right," said Sonny Jackson, a spokesman for the Denver police, standing atop a highway divider nearby. The cops did nothing about the sit-in.
Continue reading "Calm cops perplex protesters at Democratic convention site" »To find New Jersey delegation, go past Alaska
by Bob Braun and Josh Margolin/The Star-Ledger
Sunday August 24, 2008, 9:22 PM
DENVER -- It's not surprising that the New Jersey delegation did not get front-row seats for the Democratic National Convention. They went to the home states of Sen. Barack Obama (Illinois) and running mate Joseph Biden (Delaware) and the host state of Colorado.
And it's not surprising that states considered key to the Democrats' strategy this fall -- like Virginia, Michigan, Florida -- got prime placement on the convention floor while Democratic strongholds like New Jersey, New York and California are in the first tier of stands off the floor.
A bit more puzzling is why the seating plan puts New Jersey behind the delegations of Alaska and Guam.
Continue reading "To find New Jersey delegation, go past Alaska" »Corzine comes to Denver to praise Obama
by Josh Margolin/The Star-Ledger
Sunday August 24, 2008, 9:06 PM
DENVER - New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine landed here this evening as the leader of the state's delegation to the Democratic National Convention, a salesman for Barack Obama and - perhaps most importantly - a candidate himself for re-election.
It's the type of front-and-center role the former Wall Street titan relishes, one that allows him to float between New Jersey's traveling political backroom and the halls of power around the country. His schedule for the coming days is packed with big-ticket events, both public and private, at which he will be a featured speaker or guest.
Corzine, in an interview upon his arrival here, said he is focused exclusively on helping Obama and the Democrats win the White House.
Continue reading "Corzine comes to Denver to praise Obama" »Party in Elizabeth marks start of Democratic National Convention
by The Star-Ledger Continuous News Desk
Sunday August 24, 2008, 6:45 PM
Nesbitt Funeral Home in Elizabeth today held a kickoff party on the eve of the Democratic National Convention in Denver from 3 to 6 p.m. at 165 Madison Ave.
The Union County rally for the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee for president, Sen. Barack Obama, and his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden Jr., included speeches, music and refreshments, along with a voter registration drive.
View of a cardboard cutout of Barack Obama as supporters line up for food at Nesbitt Funeral Home in Elizabeth on Sunday, 08/24/2008.Obama expected in New Jersey for fund-raiser September 5
by Josh Margolin/The Star-Ledger
Sunday August 24, 2008, 6:36 PM
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is expected to celebrate the end of his rival's convention next week -- Jersey-style.
Obama is planning to attend a fund-raiser in Monmouth County on Sept. 5, according to New Jersey Democratic Chairman Joseph Cryan. The event will start at the home of Phil Murphy, the Democratic National Finance Chairman, and will conclude at the home of rock star Jon Bon Jovi, Cryan said. There was no immediate confirmation from the Obama campaign.
Continue reading "Obama expected in New Jersey for fund-raiser September 5" »Brendan Byrne probes Cory Booker's future en route to DNC
by Josh Margolin/The Star-Ledger
Sunday August 24, 2008, 4:08 PM
It was the political equivalent of "Tell me the meaning of life" between two of New Jersey's best-known Democrats.
Somewhere over Kansas, as their plane made its way to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, former Gov. Brendan Byrne turned to Newark Mayor Cory Booker and asked, "Why would you choose the executive (branch) over the legislative" if you want to move ahead in politics?
Booker immediately pointed out to the ex-governor, "First, I've been in a legislature and I would never go back."
Continue reading "Brendan Byrne probes Cory Booker's future en route to DNC" »Protesters march at Democratic National Convention
by Josh Margolin/The Star-Ledger
Sunday August 24, 2008, 2:57 PM
DENVER -- A large crowd of protesters descended on the site of the Democratic National Convention this afternoon, the first of what is expected to be a series of demonstrations throughout the week.
Hundreds of people marched past the Pepsi Center, shouting and waving signs bearing messages from "No War on Iran" to "Immigrants are Not Criminals." The arena, where the bulk of this week's speeches and ceremonies will take place, was temporarily closed off to allow the protesters to parade by.
The marchers were flanked by dozens of police officers in riot and SWAT gear, standing in blockade formation and armed with rubber bullets, tear gas and pepper spray. There were no immediate reports of any clashes or arrests.
Continue reading "Protesters march at Democratic National Convention" »Sea Girt recalls legacy as site where FDR launched presidential big
by Tom Hester/The Star-Ledger
Sunday August 24, 2008, 10:38 AM
Jersey City Mayor Frank Hague turned out huge crowds in Sea Girt for candidates like Franklin Roosevelt, above.As the late Frank Hague might have said: Is that all?
Hague, the famously powerful and infamously corrupt mayor of Jersey City from 1917 to 1947 and a Democratic political boss whose clout reached into the White House, probably would have been appalled at such a paltry turnout.
Continue reading "Sea Girt recalls legacy as site where FDR launched presidential big" »Key N.J. delegate pleased with DNC panel's ruling on caucuses
by Bob Braun/The Star-Ledger
Sunday August 24, 2008, 10:24 AM
DENVER -- The Democratic National Committee's rules panel has finessed a potentially explosive issue -- and one prominent member from New Jersey is happy about it.
"La guerre est finie,'' said Joseph Hayden of Hoboken after a five-hour session. That's French for "the war is over" -- and what's over, for now, is a battle over the way the Democratic Party's primaries and caucuses were run.
Workers install a sign at the site of the upcoming Democratic National Convention.The solution, passed unanimously by the panel Saturday night, was to create a 35-member study commission to look at the issue and recommend possible changes.
Continue reading "Key N.J. delegate pleased with DNC panel's ruling on caucuses" »License to kill us, say distraught Jets fans
by Nyier Abdou and Maura McDermott/The Star-Ledger
Sunday August 24, 2008, 8:16 AM
Jets fans line up Saturday by the team's future home in the Meadowlands to protest personal seat licenses."I pretty much grew up in the seats I hold today," said Levy, a 33-year-old Belleville resident who inherited the tickets when his dad died.
Now he may be giving them up.
Continue reading "License to kill us, say distraught Jets fans" »How Hillside became a township asunder
by Brad Parks/The Star-Ledger
Saturday August 23, 2008, 10:00 PM
In a small Union County town where lawsuits between public officials are flying like so much Route 22 litter, where the mayor and the council have barely spoken in years, and where the cogs of municipal government are frozen by politics, perhaps the most baffling thing about what has become known as the Hillside Stalemate is this:
Most of the combatants don't know how it started.
They, and Hillside's taxpayers, have all lived with the fallout, as ordinances languish, applications for state and federal grants slip through the cracks, tax bills are notoriously late, the township's master development plan is at least five years overdue and mayoral appointments are seldom approved.
N.J. Dems praise Biden; Republicans criticize selection
by Josh Margolin and Bob Braun/The Star-Ledger
Saturday August 23, 2008, 5:45 PM
At the start of the presidential campaign, most of New Jersey's top Democrats were ardent supporters of Hillary Clinton, and helped deliver the state for her in February's primary. But now, as they head to their party's national convention in Denver, they're fully supporting Barack Obama and celebrating his selection today of Joe Biden as his running mate.
"It was the best choice," said Corzine, a former Senate colleague of both Obama and Biden. "It's the very best -- if you weren't going to pick Hillary."
Continue reading "N.J. Dems praise Biden; Republicans criticize selection" »Obama formally introduces Joe Biden as his running mate
by The Associated Press
Saturday August 23, 2008, 5:17 PM
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is joined by Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as Biden is introduced as Obama's running mate at a campaign rally in Springfield, Ill.SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Barack Obama introduced Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware this afternoon as a man "ready to step in and be president," and the newly minted running mate quickly turned his campaign debut into a slashing attack on Republicans seeking four more years in the White House.
Sen. John McCain will have to "figure out which of the seven kitchen tables to sit at" when considering his own economic future, said Biden, jabbing at the man he called his personal friend.
It was a reference to McCain's recent inartful admission - in a time of economic uncertainty - that he was not sure how many homes he owns.
Continue reading "Obama formally introduces Joe Biden as his running mate" »Obama picks Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate
by The Associated Press
Saturday August 23, 2008, 9:45 AM
The latest button for Barack Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware.WASHINGTON - Barack Obama named Sen. Joe Biden early this morning as his vice presidential running mate, in a decision intended to give the Democratic ticket depth in areas Obama was labeled as weak by his Republican opponents - foreign policy and global security.
Obama, a relative newcomer on the national political scene, made history by becoming the first Aftican American candidate to lead a major U.S. political party's presidential ticket. But he has endured fierce criticism from Republican rival John McCain, a veteran Arizona senator, combat pilot and former Vietnam prisoner of war, over what Republicans contend is his lack of national security experience and his calls for a 16-month withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Iraq.
His choice of running mate clearly is intended to counter some of that criticism.
Corzine, Codey and Milgram to share governor's office during convention
by The Assocated Press
Friday August 22, 2008, 2:50 PM
New Jersey will be playing 'musical governor' next week.
Gov. Jon Corzine will share the executive office with two others as the Democratic National Convention takes the state's top Democrats to Denver beginning Saturday.
Continue reading "Corzine, Codey and Milgram to share governor's office during convention" »Corzine won't ask target of federal raid to stay away from convention
by Robert Schwaneberg/The Star-Ledger
Friday August 22, 2008, 2:13 PM
Gov. Jon Corzine said today he has no intention of asking a prominent Bergen County Democrat whose office was raided on Thursday by federal agents to sit out the Democratic National Convention next week.
Corzine, chairman of New Jersey's delegation to the convention in Denver, was asked at a noontime press availability whether Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero should stay home. Federal agents armed with search warrants raided Ferriero's law office Thursday and carted away several boxes of documents. It remains unclear what they were seeking and no charges have been filed.
Continue reading "Corzine won't ask target of federal raid to stay away from convention" »McCain beats Obama in New Brunswick roach race
by The Associated Press
Thursday August 21, 2008, 8:51 PM
If you have any faith in the prediction powers of cockroaches, John McCain will win November's presidential election.
A giant Madagascar hissing cockroach representing the Arizona senator easily beat the one representing Illinois Sen. Barack Obama today. The race was held during the New Jersey Pest Management Association's annual clinic and trade show in New Brunswick.
| Roaches predict the President |
Corzine sued for not appointing disabled people to council
by Susan K. Livio/The Star-Ledger Thursday August 21, 2008, 4:59 PM
A Middlesex County-based advocacy group filed a lawsuit against Gov. Jon Corzine today for failing to appoint disabled people to the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, effectively "silencing their voices" on the creation of public policies that effect them.
NEXT STEP also sued the council's executive director, Alison Lozano, accusing her of forcing three disabled people to resign from the council, cutting programs and allegedly making disparaging remarks about the people the council serves.
Continue reading "Corzine sued for not appointing disabled people to council" »Corzine says Obama must convince middle class he will fix economy
by Claire Heininger/The Star-Ledger
Thursday August 21, 2008, 12:45 PM
Barack Obama's "task number one" as he prepares to accept the Democratic nomination for president is convincing middle-class Americans that he will fix the economy, Gov. Jon Corzine said today.
Jon S. Corzine is joined by Senator Barack Obama during a rally at Middlesex County College in Edison on November 6, 2005. Corzine is part of a group of "core economic advisors" to the Illinois senator that also includes Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffet, former U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley (D-NJ) and three past Treasury secretaries.
Continue reading "Corzine says Obama must convince middle class he will fix economy" »Rep. Andrews looks into job at Goldman Sachs
by Claire Heininger/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday August 20, 2008, 8:33 PM
U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, who pledged not to return to the congressional seat he's held for 18 years after losing a primary campaign to U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) this spring, is discussing working for Goldman Sachs, according to paperwork obtained by a Capitol Hill newspaper.
Andrews late last week informed the House ethics committee that he is negotiating with the Wall Street investment firm and will recuse himself from matters that could pose a conflict of interest, Roll Call reported on its Web site late today.
Asked about the report, Andrews chief of staff Bill Caruso confirmed the paperwork was filed last week with the House committee. He would not give specifics and declined to comment on the status of the negotiations. "Congressman Andrews is exploring all his options and has recused himself from any decision affecting any parties in negotiations," Caruso said.
Continue reading "Rep. Andrews looks into job at Goldman Sachs" »Environmental group backs Obama, praises N.J. lawmakers
by Susan K. Livio/The Star-Ledger Wednesday August 20, 2008, 7:08 PM
A state environmental advocacy group today announced its endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for president and gave New Jersey's two U.S. senators and eight of its 13 congressmen perfect scores for their environmental records.
Environment New Jersey based its report card on 10 votes between January 2007 and February 2008 that involved combating global warming, promoting clean energy, protecting air and water, and opposing offshore drilling, Executive Director Dena Mottola Jaborska said at a Statehouse news conference.
Continue reading "Environmental group backs Obama, praises N.J. lawmakers" »N.J. congressman continues efforts to rescue girls trapped in Georgia
by The Associated Press
Wednesday August 20, 2008, 6:38 PM
US Sen. Joe Lieberman and NJ Rep. Chris Smith during a meeting with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in Tbilisi, Georgia on Wednesday.
Ashley and Sophia Evans
Reached on the phone in Georgia, Smith said he was meeting with anyone he could -- Georgian officials, U.S. officials, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and contacts in the Russian State Duma he knows through his work on refugee issues.
"This could break open any second," Smith (R-4th Dist.) said. "We're trying every tool. I can't tell you how many conversations I've had with diplomats and others. I keep stressing to the Russians that there are American children who are trapped."