NJPoliticker.Com Year In Review 2008

1. Happy new Year from PolitickernJ.com
InsIde
Winners & Losers of the Year * Politician of the Year
* Best & Worst Campaigns of 2008
* Top Ten News Stories of 2008
Best Operatives * Moron of the Year
* People to Watch
PolitickerNJ.com Page 1

2. wInner OF THe YeAr lOser OF THe YeAr POlITICIAn OF THe YeAr
Bob Menendez Joe Ferriero Frank lautenberg
eight years ago, when House minority Whip David Bonior 2008 was supposed to be a hallmark year for Joe Ferriero at age 84, Frank lautenberg managed to become the
told al gore he should pick then-congressman Bob – his 10th as the uber-successful and incredibly powerful first New Jerseyan to win five races for the United States
menendez as his running mate, there were some ques- Bergen county Democratic chairman. Since taking the Senate. and he did it on his own terms against credible
tions about whether the Hudson county politician could reins in 1998, Ferriero had transformed the local Demo- primary and general election challengers.
extricate himself from his interest in local politics and crats from a perennial minority party to the holder of all but
become a leader of national stature. the joke at the time one county-wide office, and a successful bulwark against lautenberg was caught a bit off guard by U.S. rep. rob an-
was a mock press release that read: “Vice President Bob statewide republican victories. drews’ unexpected announcement that he would challenge
menendez, the Union city Democratic municipal chair- him in the Democratic primary, and even a bit frightened by
man, today announced his endorsement of candidates for So coveted was Ferriero’s endorsement in the presidential reports that some key North Jersey Democratic organiza-
the Hoboken Board of education.” primary that in order to get it, Hillary clinton had to come tions, most specifically his home county of Bergen, would
to Bergen county in January where, on stage with Ferriero give andrews their line. With help from his Senate colleague,
menendez has now completed is third year in the United at a rally and apparently oblivious to the irony, she said Bob menendez (it’s important to note that lautenberg, who
States Senate and continues to enjoy political success on a “let’s reform the government so it ends the no-bid con- didn’t really get along with Bill Bradley and despised Bob tor-
national stage. He is the new chairman of the Democratic tracts and the cronyism and the incompetence.” ricelli, has worked hard to play well with the other Senators
Senatorial campaign committee, a leadership post with during his return engagement in the U.S. Senate), he was
national visibility and clout, and as one of the ranking latinos But Ferriero made a huge blunder that april, when he able to stop andrews from winning any formal party support
in american politics; he’s in demand as a campaigner in looked ready to back U.S. rep. rob andrews’ nascent sen- outside of george Norcross’ South Jersey.
key states like Florida, texas and Nevada. He’s transitioned ate primary bid against Bergen county’s own incumbent,
from the day-to-day activities of Hudson county politics, but Frank lautenberg immediately, U.S. rep. Steve rothman, although his poll numbers have always been historically
he still maintains a strong interest, and considerable clout, working with U.S. Sen. Bob menendez, challenged Fer- lukewarm – his approvals were akin to those of an endan-
in New Jersey state politics. menendez’s accumulation of riero’s power by threatening Ferriero’s chairmanship if he gered incumbent, as they were when he won re-election
national and state power, and his willingness to step up and backed andrews. Ferriero retreated. in 1988 and 1994 – he ran with the confidence of a man
use his influence, makes him the 2008 Winner of the Year. with a safe seat. lautenberg skillfully parried jabs about
By the time the Democratic National convention rolled his age and refused to take the bait on insinuations that he
When rob andrews decided to take on Frank lautenberg in the around, it was clear that Ferriero was the target of a fed- actually lived with his wife in manhattan. When andrews
Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, it was menendez more eral investigation. But he made the rounds at the parties entered the race, lautenberg pledged to self-fund his race
than anyone else who fought to protect the political interests anyway, talking little to the press but attending many of if necessary.
of his 84-year-old colleague. Seemingly within minutes of the parties and sporting a sun tan.
andrews’ announcement, menendez jumped in to shut the most importantly, lautenberg held off debating andrews
South Jersey congressman down. He stopped Bergen county a week later, his law office was raided; he took a leave of and Zimmer until the end of the campaign, and avoided
Democrats from giving their line to andrews; his use of U.S. absence from his firm and, at least officially, temporar- face-offs on New York and Philadelphia network tV. this
rep. Steve rothman as a surrogate in the intra-party battle ily stepped down as chairman. in September, he was angered his opponents and the press – it probably cost
that led to Joe Ferriero’s sudden reversal was extraordinary. indicted on eight corruption counts by U.S. attorney chris him a newspaper endorsement or two – but it proved to
in Hudson county, menendez helped cut off andrews at the christie, who has prosecuted more than 130 public cor- be a smart political move. Debates on public television
kneecaps. He made sure that potential donors stuck with the ruption cases without a single acquittal. the Friday night before the primary and the Saturday night
incumbent. He played a key part in holding Union and middle- before the general limited his exposure. and he avoided
sex counties for lautenberg. and he campaigned hard for his meanwhile, Barack obama’s Bergen county campaign making a major gaffe that rivals hoped the octogenarian
New Jersey colleague – even willing to damage his relationship workers opted against setting up shop in the BcDo head- might commit.
with South Jersey Democratic powerhouse george Norcross in quarters so as to disassociate themselves from Ferriero.
the process. (they’ve since kissed and made up.) the results weren’t even close. lautenberg crushed an-
Ferriero has vowed to fight the charges and has remained drews by 24%, and went on to beat Zimmer by 13%.
menendez nemesis christopher christie is now gone as the more or less in control of the party from a background
United States attorney, and there has been no sign of any role. after a campaign waged mainly against Ferriero by lautenberg was also astute enough to stay out of the
federal investigation that linked the two during the final days local republicans, the Democrats still managed to hold on presidential race during his own election year, avoiding that
of the 2006 U.S. Senate campaign. Now menendez will play to all three freeholder seats, although by a lesser margin drama by refusing to back a Democratic primary candidate
a pivotal role in the selection of christie’s successor under than usual and despite an obama tailwind. until obama’s win was a foregone conclusion.
the new Democratic president.
But all of the county-wide elected officials have come to lautenberg committed just one political error as a candi-
there was one blip on menendez’s 2008 record: he backed the realization that keeping Ferriero as chairman is politi- date for re-election: his campaign used political connec-
the wrong horse in the race for the Democratic presidential cally untenable. earlier this month, the party’s executive tions to get a block of premium tickets to a Springsteen
nomination – which is likely the reason he wasn’t offered committee voted for a resolution requiring him to resign concert at the meadowlands, and then sought to sell them
a speaking slot at the national convention last summer. by January 15th if he’s not exonerated of all the charges off at a huge profit to campaign donors. once the press
But still, menendez delivered for Hillary clinton, who beat against him. if Ferriero does not, the party will likely hold tried to make this an issue, lautenberg cancelled the fund-
Barack obama in the February 5 New Jersey primary by a meeting where members will vote on whether or not to raiser and shut the story down.
ten points, and now his friend is about to become the U.S. replace him.
Secretary of State. By the time he’s done finishing out his next term, laut-
although whether Ferriero’s opponents can marshal enberg will be just shy of 91. While most insiders expect
as the new DScc chairman, menendez is now Harry reid’s enough votes from the county committee’s rank and file this to be lautenberg’s last term, it’s a testament to his
personal political confidante at a time when the Senate to remove the sitting chairman is an open question (many political skill that the possibility of him running again in
majority leader faces his own competitive re-election in of those members hold public jobs thank to Ferriero), 2014 remains open.
Nevada. menendez is also poised to get a much coveted even if Ferriero survives he’ll be leading a party wracked
seat on the Senate Finance committee, and he enjoys a with internal strife while facing his own corruption trial. if
runners uP: nexT PAge
strong personal relationship with the new White House he beats the rap, look for a triumphant return.
chief of Staff, who is his former House colleague.
PolitickerNJ.com Page 2

3. runners uP runners uP
FAVOrITe
wInners OF THe YeAr lOsers OF THe YeAr
HeAdlInes
neil Cohen
lisa Jackson
the assembly Deputy
OF THe YeAr
the former state envi-
Speaker resigned last
ronmental Protection
July after state officials
commissioner became
find child pornography on
gov. Jon corzine’s chief
his legislative office com-
of Staff on December
Blind rabbi’s
puter. He was indicted in
1 and on December 15
December.
won a seat in Barack
opponent
obama’s cabinet as the
administrator of the U.S.
in Bacon
environmental Protection
agency. —referring to Dennis Shulman’s challenge
in the Democratic congressional primary
Bob Mulcahy
leonard lance from personalized mug designer roger Bacon.
the longtime rutgers
the former State Senate
athletic Director is fired
minority leader is elected
amidst criticism of secret
to congress, winning the
deals surrounding the
open seat of retiring U.S.
school’s football program.
rep. mike Ferguson.
rob Andrews
John Adler
the congressman from
the Senate Judiciary
Shreck is the new
camden county challeng-
committee chairman be-
es Frank lautenberg in
comes the first Democrat
mayor of
the Democratic U.S. Sen-
to represent his district in
ate primary, loses, and
congress since 1882.
Bradley Beach
then cancels his pledge
not to seek re-election to
— after Julie Shreck defeated gary engelstad
the House.
by 30 votes last may.
Stender’s a
Bill layton
george Arwady
Fact Bender
and Jim willse the Burlington county
goP chairman loses
the hard-nosed Star- —a column by Star-ledger columnist Paul
two Freeholder seats
ledger publisher and mulshine after linda Stender attacked leon-
and a county clerk race
editor helped save the ard lance for supporting christie Whitman’s
after denying Diane
state’s largest newspa- pension bond plan in 1997, which he did not.
allen the chance to run
per by pushing for 200
for Jim Saxton’s seat in
buyouts and convincing
congress.
two labor unions to follow
his demands.
Politicians of the Year
Donald Scarinci, 2000 michael Beson, 2003 Juan melli, 2006
John lynch, 2001 Joseph Ferriero, 2004 Stephen adubato, 2007
christopher christie, 2002 richard codey, 2005 Frank lautenberg, 2008
PolitickerNJ.com Page 3

4. TOP 10 POlITICAl sTOrIes OF 2008
1 Neil cohen, one of the most influential members of Her replacement, andy Unanue, never left his colorado
the New Jersey State assembly, resigned in July after vacation home and was out within a few weeks. State
state officials found child pornography on his legislative Sen. Joseph Pennacchio’s 1991 “manifesto” made it hard
office computer. the assembly Deputy Speaker and for some goP county leaders to back him. others, like
chairman of the Banking and insurance committee, biotech millionaire John crowley, State Sen. kip Bate-
was later indicted. He was turned in by his running man, and U.S. marshal James Plousis, openly flirted with
mates, State Sen. raymond lesniak and assemblyman running. Finally, the nomination was won by Dick Zim-
Joseph cryan, the Democratic State chairman. mer, a former republican congressman who has been
out of office since losing a 1996 Senate race.
4 rob andrews, a ten-term congressman from
camden county, challenged four-term incumbent
Frank lautenberg in the Democratic primary for U.S.
Senator. andrews secured the backing of South Jersey
Democrats and won some North Jersey endorsements,
but could not get any organization lines outside of the
South. lautenberg beat him 59%-35%, with 6% for polls show corzine in a close race against republican
morristown mayor Donald cresitello. christopher christie, the former U.S. attorney; he’s
leading 42%-36%. the governor’s plan to increase
tolls failed, and he deals with a pending lawsuit over the
release of e-mail to and from his former girlfriend, labor
leader carla katz and substantial shortfalls in the state
budget. katz is an unpaid PolitickerNJ.com columnist.
8 New Jersey Democrats had their eleventh consecu-
tive winning year on November 4, 2008. Frank laut-
enberg was re-elected to the U.S. Senate and John adler
won a seat in congress that republicans have held since
2 New Jersey’s newspapers have suffered massive 1884. Democrats won control of the monmouth county
budget cuts and layoffs. the Star-ledger, the largest Board of Freeholders, won major victories in Burlington
daily newspaper, threatened to closes its doors unless and cumberland countywide races, and held their 7-0
200 employees agreed to buyouts and two labor unions majority on the Bergen county Board of Freeholders
ratified new contracts. gannett slashed their state- despite the indictment of their county chairman. Ba-
house bureau from six reporters to two, and cut several rack obama easily carried New Jersey’s fifteen electoral
veteran editors. the New York times has effectively votes. republicans held mike Ferguson’s seventh dis-
5
pulled out of New Jersey; they didn’t cover the state conservative leader Steve lonegan, the former trict House seat, unseated a veteran Democratic Sheriff
budget or the lautenberg/Zimmer Senate campaign. mayor of Bogota and a goP candidate for governor in atlantic county, and beat a Democratic Freeholder in
Politicker.com, which operates PolitickerNJ.com, also in 2009, was arrested during a protest outside one of Salem county.
experienced budget cuts. gov. Jon corzine’s town hall meetings to discuss his plan
to raise tolls. the charges were dropped, but not until
3 New Jersey republicans had a heck of a time finding the story became lonegan and not corzine. lonegan
a candidate for U.S. Senate. anne evans estabrook was an unpaid PolitickerNJ.com columnist until entering
unexpectedly withdrew after suffering a minor stroke. the race for governor in December.
6 Joseph Ferriero, the Bergen county Democratic
chairman and one of the most powerful political
insiders in the state, was indicted on charges that he
concealed his ownership in a grants consulting firm
while using his influence to deliver public contracts to
the company. Dennis oury, the BcDo counsel, was also
indicted.
9 Sharpe James and Wayne Bryant, two of New Jer-
sey’s most powerful public officials over the last two
decades, were convicted of federal corruption charges.
James was the five-term mayor of Newark (and a State
Senator) and Bryant was the chairman of the power
Senate appropriations committee.
10 a Superior court Judge removed Dana rone from
her seat on the Newark city council because
she sought to influence a Newark police officer during a
traffic stop of her nephew. rone was barred from ever
7 Jon corzine continues to struggle in his bid to gain holding public office again, and a special election was
the approval of New Jersey voters. a February held to fill her central Ward council seat.
Quinnipiac poll had his job approval at an upside-down
37%-52%; by November, he was at 43%-46% -- slightly
better heading into his re-election year. two Quinnipiac
PolitickerNJ.com Page 4

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PolitickerNJ.com Page 5

6. BesT And wOrsT CAMPAIgns OF 2008
BesT CAMPAIgns took advantage of a symbiotic
relationship with the adler cam-
OF THe YeAr paign, and went aggressively after
the record of incumbents aubrey
Fenton and Stacy Jordan. the
campaign’s video assault on Burl-
1. Frank lautenberg for u.s. senate
ington goP pay to play was one of
the campaign to re-elect Frank
the best hits of the season.’
lautenberg to the United States
Senate was nearly flawless. they
6. Anthony Ferrera and gloria
took heat from rivals and reporters
McCauley for Hillsborough
on process issues like debates,
Township Committee
but refused to waver on their plan.
the republican municipal
“He’s smart to avoid the campaign
candidates ran about 3,000
because the campaign trail is rife
votes ahead of John mccain, a
with the potential for missteps and
testament to the effectiveness of
mistakes,” said montclair State
a modern-day suburban political
University political science profes-
machine that has merged old-
sor Brigid Harrison.
fashioned constituent service
with 21st century campaign
QuOTe OF
2. leonard lance for Congress
tactics.
For much of the year, the conven-
tional wisdom was that leonard
THe YeAr
7. wilda diaz for Mayor of
lance couldn’t raise enough mon-
Perth Amboy
ey to overcome linda Stender in a
the upset of the year was in Perth
strong Democratic year. But while
amboy, where first time candidate
lance couldn’t keep pace with
Wilda Diaz upset 18-year mayor
“We called it the Friday Night
Stender, who had huge financial
Joe Vas despite being outspent
support from Washington Demo-
Special ... So one night, we
by a substantial margin. Diaz
crats, he brought in enough cash
become the agent of change
came in. I went down to the
to mount an effective campaign.
and showed that a grass roots
Starting with his primary victory, it
basement bathroom, and
insurgency really can beat an
was clear he was in the race to win. lance, perhaps for
entrenched political organization.
when I came up, to my shock,
the first time in his political career, took off the gloves in
his fight with linda Stender, but he never got dirty doing
she was basically undressed
8. Barack Obama for President
it. team lance knew their greatest strength was their
New Jersey’s fifteen electoral
and on the loveseat with
candidate.
votes were never really in the red
Jim. So I sat on the couch
column, but the Democrats acted
3. John Adler for Congress
like they could have been. Under
Some people forget that the
and watched and eventually
the leadership of Democratic
Senate Judiciary chairman got in
State chairman Joe cryan, state
joined in. And that’s how it
the race when he thought 12-term
campaign director tricia mueller,
incumbent Jim Saxton would be
got going,” he said. “We came
and coordinated campaign chief
his opponent. adler concentrated
mike muller, Barack obama’s
up with this nice little formu-
heavily on fundraising, and by the
New Jersey campaign ran a
time Saxton announced his retire-
la for making it work.”
tremendous grass roots opera-
ment, the Democrat already had
tion, and their extraordinary voter
— Former gubernatorial aide Teddy
a sizeable warchest. it seemed
registration drive is likely to have an evergreen effect up
like adler never stopped raising Pederson, on his three-way
and down New Jersey.
money. chris myers was no pushover, and adler stayed
relationship with James E. and
on message with the economy from the beginning. He
9. Andre sayegh for Paterson
Dina Matos McGreevey.
worked the fish and game political channels in ocean,
City Councilman
vibed with the Pemberton and Willingboro obama (New York Post, 03/17/08)
the 6th Ward Paterson city
organization in Burlington, and worked their base in
council candidate landed the
cherry Hill. this was a big win for Steve ayscue, a close
endorsement of retiring city
ally of george Norcross, who played a key role from day
councilman thomas rooney, and
one of the adler for congress campaign.
built a multi-ethnic, multi-racial
grassroots organization to shut
4. Mark smith for Mayor of Bayonne
down his chief opponent.
the Bayonne mayoral candidate
runner-uP
shut down his opponent with fund-
10. Carl Block for Ocean
raising, alliance-building and old
County Clerk
fashioned door to door campaign-
“I don’t use e-mail now.”
the goP incumbent faced a
ing. When a ghost from Smith’s
tough opponent in Berkeley town-
— Gov. Jon Corzine
police past intruded into the cam-
ship mayor Jason Varano, who
paign, the candidate addressed
(Star-Ledger, 06/19/08)
was the recipient of campaign
the issue up front, took every
funds from Democrats all over the
question, and never tried to hide.
state, including gov. Jon corzine.
Democrats went on tV and radio
5. Chris Brown and Mary Anne reinhart for
before the goP did, and while
Burlington County Freeholder
ocean is solidly republican, this
the Burlington county Democrats, led by rick Perr
race was hardly a cakewalk.
and chris Fifis, worked statewide fundraising channels,
PolitickerNJ.com Page 6

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PolitickerNJ.com Page 7

8. BesT And wOrsT CAMPAIgns OF 2008
wOrsT CAMPAIgns didn’t seem to care about process issues like debates. in
the end, andrews for Senate, which won just 35% of the
OF THe YeAr vote, was nothing more than tilting at the windmills of
political ambition.
1. linda stender for Congress 6. Finn Caspersen Jr. for somerset County Freeholder
after coming within 1% of the impatiently ambitious son of millionaire business-
ousting mike Ferguson in 2006, man/philanthropist Finn caspersen, who ran for Bed-
Stender was viewed as a likely minster councilman after first trying to
winner for Democrats. But her fun for congress, desperately wants to
MOrOn OF THe YeAr
campaign was an unmitigated move up the political ladder. His chal-
disaster. Her local supporters lenge to two incumbent Freeholders at
never got along with the emily’s the Somerset goP convention fell short Jersey City Councilman steve lipski, who
list imports who seemingly because he failed to articulate a com- faces charges of public urination after standing
hijacked the entire operation. pelling argument for chance, or to use on a balcony and evacuating his bladder on a
there was no coherent message. the advantage of his personal wealth to crowd of people at a night club in Washington,
Stender offended a core Democratic constituency with an build a grass roots operation. D.c. From the New York Daily News (11/09/08):
offensive tV ad – one of many examples of how the four- “a drunken Jersey city councilman was arrested
term assemblywoman lost control of her own campaign. 7. Jim Mcgettigan for Atlantic County sheriff for urinating on a crowd of concertgoers from
Paybacks can be a real bitch. the Democratic Sheriff the balcony of a Washington nightclub, police
2. Andy unanue for u.s. senate tried to unseat goP county execu- and club sources said Saturday. councilman
the goya Foods heir got in the race tive Dennis levinson in 2007, and his Steven lipski was caught relieving himself
on easter Sunday and refused to campaign tactics left the winners onto several revelers at the 9:30 club during a
cut short a ski vacation in Vail to with some deep resentment. mcget- concert by a grateful Dead tribute band Friday
meet party leaders, campaign for tigan never sought to do any damage night.”
the nomination, and defend himself control, and was a bit overconfident
against bad news stories that cap- in is chances to win a sixth term. De-
runners uP:
sized a ship that should never have spite Democratic wins for Freeholder,
been put in the water in the first mcgettigan was a loser.
wanda Molina, the former Jersey city munici-
place. He dropped out of the race without ever making a
pal court chief Judge, was indicted in a ticket
campaign appearance. 8. Josh Zeitz for Congress
fixing scandal. molina is accused of dismissing
For a while, it looked as though chris Smith’s fifteenth
eight parking tickets for a friend. Virginia Pagan,
3. lillian Burley and John Curley for Monmouth Democratic opponent had some promise as he posi-
the former court administrator, allegedly fixed
County Freeholder tioned the race as New Jersey vs.
215 tickets received by herself and her daughter.
the republicans seemed Virginia. the college history profes-
to have no organization, no sor never really got Smith’s 28-year
Former Pleasantville Board of education mem-
coordination between the connection with New Jersey voters
ber James McCormick, on the witness stand
candidates, and no appar- as he peddled story after story
during his primary trial, said: “i stand corrected.
ent opposition research. that sought to make Smith look as
i didn’t realize it was a bribe because it wasn’t a
Despite Democratic wins though he lacked integrity. When the
bribe to me. Until i was arrested, i didn’t know it
in 2006 and 2007, the goP incumbent went to the republic of
was supposedly a bribe.”
pretended that the Demo- georgia to facilitate the return of two
cratic threat was a mirage. they were only half right, and New Jersey children caught up in a
Pemberton republican official ed Kuck, who
now the Democrats control the Freeholder Board, 3-2. war zone, Zeitz didn’t recognize that voters didn’t care
was forced to resign after posting a “obama
where Smith lived as long as he produced.
loves america like o.J. loves Nicole” banner on
4. Murray sabrin for u.s. senate
the local goP website.
the ramapo college professor is a 9. Camille Andrews for Congress
nice guy, but his third statewide cam- if one were to assume that the
Hardwick township committeeman Alfred Car-
paign came off as just plain mean. His campaign of rob andrews’ wife for
razzone had a problem with bathroom facilities
claim to be the front runner was just his open House seat was serious,
at a public swimming beach in Warren county
plain crazy. His press releases, while even as a placeholder, then the effort
last summer: “Whew, what a mess that was with
entertaining to political insiders, were receives a failing grade. camille
all the, you know, Puerto ricans and, my god,
divisive. He was unable to replicate andrews didn’t take her position as
terrible.”
at a local level the enthusiasm his the Democratic standard bearer se-
friend ron Paul generated nationally, riously. She refused offers to debate,
although his third place 14% of the vote was still better rejected press calls, and declined to
than anything Paul received. Sabrin joined PolitickerNJ. discuss her positions on issues. She
new JerseY,
com as an unpaid columnist in December. did raise about $70,000, and used some of the money to
reimburse herself nearly $7,000 in credit card bills, pay
FOr OnCe,
5. rob Andrews for u.s. senate for mailings and computers, and pay for a staff.
For the 10-term congress-
duMPs Our
man from camden county,
a last-minute primary chal- 10. Bob decheine for Obama
TrAsH In
lenge against Frank laut- n.J. Campaign director
enberg must have seemed U.S. rep. Steve rothman’s
new YOrK
like a good idea at the time. chief of Staff launched a very
He thought he’d be able to public campaign to run Barack
raise enough money, and obama’s New Jersey campaign
CrAIg CArTOn
was led to believe that he’d and lost. the last thing chicago
COMPleTes FIrsT
score a few organization wanted was the Decheine vs.
lines in North Jersey. the mueller race being fought out in
Full YeAr AT wFAn.
lines didn’t come through, causing the money to dry up. the open.
the attacks on lautenberg’s age didn’t work, and people
PolitickerNJ.com Page 8

9. BesT OPerATIVe
OF THe YeAr
Brendan gill dwight Brown Joe Colletti samantha Maltzman
the veteran Democratic operative from
montclair managed Frank lautenberg’s 2008
re-election campaign. lautenberg beat rob an-
drews by 24 points in the Democratic primary
and Dick Zimmer by 13 points in the general
election.
Tricia Mueller Michael Muller Jason O’donnell
runners uP
BesT OPerATIVes OF 2008
dwight Brown, campaign manager, charles Bell for Newark city council
Joe Colletti, Field Staffer, John mccain for President
nicole davidman, republican fundraiser
Tim del Monico, Field Staff, N.J. obama campaign
Amanda gasperino, campaign manager, Scott garrett for congress
Christy gleason, executive Director, camden county Democrats
lynne Hurwitz, campaign manager, Bergen county Democratic organization
Frank luna, ocean county republican operative
samantha Maltzman, Finance Director, Frank lautenberg for U.S. Senate
Julie roginsky Mark warren Amanda woloshen
Jennifer May, Finance Director, John adler for congress
Tricia Mueller, N.J. State Director, Barack obama for President
Michael Muller, Director, New Jersey Democratic coordinated campaign
Jason O’donnell, campaign manager, mark Smith for mayor of Bayonne
donna robinson, South Jersey Democratis fundraiser
Julie roginsky, Spokesperson, Frank lautenberg for U.S. Senate
Chris russell, campaign manager, chris myers for congress
raiyan syed, South Jersey Democratic operative
Adam steinberger, Field Director, monmouth county Democrats
Mark warren, campaign manager, John adler for congress
Amanda woloshen, campaign manager, leonard lance for congress
Tim del Monico Amanda gasperino Christy gleason
YOgI BerrA-IsM OF THe YeAr
Chris Christie declares in April that illegal immigrants
aren’t breaking the law while being here illegally.
In MeMOrIuM
the political community lost a good man on march 15 with the assembly Speaker William Dickey; former assemblyman
death of goP political consultant Tom Blakely. He collapsed arthur albohn; Salem county Freeholder chuck Sullivan;
during a 5k race at the age of 46. Democrats and republicans former Stafford mayor Wesley Bell; former mt. Holly mayor Jim
admired him for his tenacity, his integrity, and his intensity, and Smith; former atlantic city mayor Joseph lazarow; Democratic
he is missed. pollster Don Herche; former Jersey city council President
Bobby Jackson; reporter russ Flannagan; former essex county
goP powerhouse Joseph intile; gloria Bontempo, the widow
other New Jersey political figures who passed away in 2008 of former New Jersey Democratic State chairman Salvatore
include: former U.S. rep. matthew rinaldo; middlesex county Bontempo; and marian Pallone, the mother of U.S. rep. Frank
Freeholder David crabiel; former State Senators Walter Pallone.
kavanaugh, anne clark martindell and Ned Parsekian; former
PolitickerNJ.com Page 9

10. Happy Holidays
CONGRESSMAN
FRANK PALLONE
Chairman, Health Subcommittee
Energy and Commerce Committee
www.pallonefornewjersey.com
Paid for by Pallone for Congress
PolitickerNJ.com Page 10

11. PolitickerNJ.com Page 11

12. BesT PrACTICAl JOKe OF THe YeAr
gov. Jon Corzine never returned the phone
calls of Michael Kravitz, a local goP candidate
in West Deptford. “they would never put me
through,” kravitz complained. So last october,
kravitz called the governor’s office again, but this
time he said he was george norcross.
kravitz: “is Jon there?”
lady answering the phone”
“Who is calling?”
kravitz: “george”
lady: “george who?”
kravitz: “george Norcross”
“right away i was talking to Jon corzine,” kravitz
says. i asked him, ‘How can you take a call and
talk to george Norcross but not the average New
Jersey citizen.” the State Police were apparently
investigating the call, but no word yet.”
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New Jersey, Jamestown provided the out-of-the-box thinking
and persuasive voter contact that made the difference.
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PolitickerNJ.com Page 12

13. PeOPle TO wATCH In 2009
John Ashcroft marriage and conservatives for his views
the former U.S. attorney general, who on school funding, is up for reappointment
received a $50 million federal monitor in 2009.
contract from chris christie, is sure to be an
rick Perr
issue in the 2009 campaign for governor.
the Burlington county Democratic chair-
steven goldstein man will have two Freeholders, a county
all eyes will be on the garden State equality clerk and a Surrogate in 2009 – and the
leader as the New Jersey legislature con- opportunity to take control of county
siders a marriage equality law. government.
ralph Marra, Jr. Bonnie watson Coleman
John Ashcroft Barry Albin steven goldstein
the acting U.S. attorney could hold the sec- the assembly majority leader is the front
ond most powerful position in New Jersey runner to be New Jersey’s first lieutenant
for most of 2009. governor.
Bill Caruso Christine “roz” samuels
the former chief of Staff to U.S. rep. rob one of the first superdelegates to switch
andrews succeeds Bill castner as the her support from Hillary clinton to Barack
new executive Director of the assembly obama. She lost her bid for re-election
republicans. as New Jersey’s Democratic National
committeewoman in June, calling the vote
rick shaftan “retaliation for February.”
the veteran conservative strategist is
Frank Pallone
leading Steve lonegan’s campaign for the
republican nomination for governor. the Democratic congressman helped
Christine “roz” Bonnie watson ralph Marra, Jr.
Henry Waxman oust John Dingell as House
samuels Coleman
Patrick Murray energy & commerce chairman, making
the Director of the monmouth University his Health Subcommittee chair even more
poll has increasingly emerged as the new powerful.
David rebovich.
richard Codey
wilda diaz the Senate President and former governor
the new mayor of Perth amboy, who upset is still New Jersey’ most popular Democrat,
incumbent Joseph Vas, seems to be emerg- and that matters if the race for the Demo-
ing as genuine reformer. Some Democrats cratic gubernatorial nomination changes
say Jon corzine should pick her for lieuten- suddenly.
ant governor.
Bill Palatucci
Barry Albin the lawyer/lobbyist/goP strategist who
richard Codey Bill Palatucci Frank Pallone
the associate Justice of the New Jersey ran campaigns for ronald reagan and tom
Supreme court, who has annoyed liberals kean is chris christie’s closest friend and
for writing the decision against same sex top advisor.
THe lIne THAT deFIned THe PrOTesT And MAde nJ101.5 MegA MOneY
“Pigs will fly over the Statehouse before there is a
realistic level of new taxes or spending cuts that can
fix this mess.”
— Gov. Jon Corzine, on New Jersey’s fiscal woes.
(Star-Ledger, 01/09/07)
Charlie Stile explains it all: “The Flying Pig Flap cap-
tures the paradox of Jon Corzine. After spending
more than $100 million of his own money to become
an elected politician, he remains the anti-politician --
struggling to master the salesmanship side of his new
profession. He sees the problem and can articulate it
through pie charts, bar graphs and phrases like ‘un-
funded liabilities’ and other Wall Street wonk words
that spell fiscal disaster.” (The Record, 02/12/08)
PolitickerNJ.com Page 13

14. Happy Holidays
Cape May County Regular Republican Organization
David I. Von Savage, Chairman
Ordered and Paid for by the Cape May County Regular Republican Organization
PolitickerNJ.com Page 14

15. OVersTAYIng Hudson county Freeholder Bill Braker, who served 41
months in a federal prison on corruption charges. (Jer-
HIs welCOMe sey Journal, 04/25/08)
carmen orechio lost his bid for
re-election to an eleventh four-year
nOw IT All MAKes sense
term as a Nutley commissioner in
may 2008, ending a career in local
When assembly Deputy Speaker alfred Steele was
government that began in 1968. a
arrested in 2007 and charged with taking bribes, his
MOsT lIKelY TO former Senate President, orechio
republican opponent sounded surprised. “al Steele is
was a State Senator from 1974 to
lOse THeIr JOBs In 2009 a great guy,” said chauncey Brown, a Paterson Board of
1992.
education member. Nearly ten months later, Brown was
also charged in the same bribery scandal.
william Clark, the Director of the state Division of
BesT Free Press
investments. the state pension fund he manages lost a
OF THe YeAr
reported $25 billion over the last six months.
COluMBO AwArd
Tom wilson, the republican State chairman, whose Steve lonegan got arrested during a peaceful demon-
term is up in June. stration outside gov. Jon corzine’s town hall meeting goP State chairman tom Wilson was able to trace a
in atlantic county. the story of lonegan’s opposition prankster who was impersonating him in e-mails to
Joseph Ferriero, the Bergen county Democratic chairman. to toll hikes became front page news. the record’s republican county chairmen to Patrick Donohue, a
alfred Doblin explains it: “in the game of media one- consultant to murray Sabrin’s U.S. Senate campaign.
wOrsT JIngle OF THe YeAr upmanship, lonegan is winning. He took a handful of
lemons and made himself a very nice whiskey sour.”
BesT lIne On THe BIggesT
(the record, 01/25/07)
“Hey, ho. Hey, ho. it’s Jersey Joe Pennacchio.” For some
Pre-BlAgOJeVICH sCAndAl
unexplained reason, Pennacchio passed on a more
and the best quote about the arrest came from State
OF THe YeAr
effective radio ad to use the jingle in pre-primary robo
Sen. gerald cardinale, talking about corzine: “Who
calls.
does he think he is – Joe Stalin?” (PolitickerNJ.com,
“Now, what i want to know is: what kind of whore costs
01/22/08)
wOrsT TIP OF THe YeAr $5,500? i mean, that’s even more money than lawyers
get, for essentially the same service.” – assemblyman
MOsT eFFeCTIVe michael Patrick carroll (r-morris), on New York gov.
the one spoon fed to Pulitzer Prize winning Star-ledger
endOrseMenT OF THe YeAr eliot Spitzer. (PolitickerNJ.com. 03/10/08)
reporter Josh margolin, who reported the morning after
Barack obama’s election that gov. Jon corzine was be-
I’M nOT rAY lesnIAK AwArd
ing vetted for U.S. Secretary of the treasury. Six Democratic congressmen from New Jersey endors-
ing Frank lautenberg for U.S. Senate over their House
wOrsT AdVAnCe wOrK OF colleague, rob andrews. Democratic State chairman Joe cryan stuck with the
sinking ship known as the S.S. linda Stender, becoming
THe YeAr leAsT eFFeCTIVe one of the few Democrats willing to beat up on leonard
lance: “He’s not independent. He’s as partisan as they
endOrseMenT OF THe YeAr
Standing next to Bergen county Democratic chair- come. independent my ass!,” cryan told PolitickerNJ.
man Joe Ferriero at her campaign rally in Hackensack, com in october.
Hillary clinton said: “let’s reform the government so Democratic State Sen. raymond lesniak announcing
it ends the no-bid contracts and the cronyism and the six weeks after the election that he was secretly backing
sTuPId Is As sTuPId dOes
incompetence.” republican leonard lance for congress.
atlantic city councilman george tibbitt alleged that
sTrOngesT mayor David evans offered him city jobs in exchange for
BesT FIgHT OF THe YeAr help with his re-election campaign: “this guy is either
sTATeMenT OF 2008
BeTween FrIends wired or incredibly stupid tibbitt, alleging told the Press
of atlantic city a month before evans lost the Demo-
U.S. rep. Bill Pascrell, stating with cratic primary to lorenzo langford.
the exchange between U.S. rep. Steve rothman and complete certainty, that karl rove
Surrogate michael Dressler in a closed door meeting of was going to hell. “Dante’s inferno
Bergen county Democratic leaders following the indict- laid out very specifically the very
POll OF THe YeAr
ment of Bergen county Democratic chairman Joseph levels receding into hell. and the hot-
Ferriero: test place is reserved for those who
distort the truth, who manipulate the one that former Democratic State chairman tom
rothman: “F-ck you, f-ck you, f-ck you.” our minds, or who attempt to do it, Byrne put in the field to test his chances in a primary
Fressler: “F-ck you too.” anyway. So i don’t think Bush and against U.S. Sen. Frank lautenberg. Byrne bailed on the
cheney will be at the hottest point race, but some of the numbers encouraged U.S. rep.
THIngs we wIsH were On in the inferno, but i sure as hell know rob andrews to get in.
that karl rove will be,” Pascrell told PolitickerNJ.com at
YOuTuBe the Democratic National convention last summer.
OnlY In new JerseY
U.S. Sen. Bob menendez singing tora lora lora during and don’t forget Pascrell’s motto: “this is serious busi-
Former Passaic city councilman marcellus Jackson,
a party for New Jersey delegates at the Democratic ness, this democracy.” (the record, 01/31/07)
who had already pleaded guilty to federal corruption
National convention in Denver.
charges and was awaiting sentencing, was the master
of ceremonies at a campaign rally for Passaic mayoral
What if conservative assemblyman mike Doherty takes
welCOMe HOMe candidate Vinny capuana, and was spotted at the door
garden State equality chair Steven goldstein up on his
taking cash contributions. another former Passaic city
offer to be in his wedding party?
Former Hudson county executive Bob Janiszewski was councilman involved in the same scandal, Jonathan
released from prison in april. “We fall down, but we get Soto, was hired by the county Board of elections as an
up. there are reasons there are erasers on pencils, and official challenger last June.|
that’s because people make mistakes,” said former
PolitickerNJ.com Page 15

16. wOrd OF THe YeAr: MOsT POlITICAllY InCOrreCT
MAnIFesTO PredICTIOn OF THe YeAr
a 94-page manifesto written in 1991 that called for the rick merkt: “the odds are even money that (Frank)
creation of a new Nationalist Party was one of the main lautenberg won’t live out his term.
reasons the author, Joseph Pennacchio, was unable to (Daily record, 06/05/08)
win party support in his bid for the U.S. Senate despite
considerable turmoil in the goP field. Now a State
Senator, Pennachchio had proposed housing the home-
less in military-run camps, and suggested a conspiracy
theory in the assassination of President John F. kennedy.
seCOnd BesT IllInOIs
sCAndAl OF THe YeAr
Feud OF THe YeAr THree wOrds THAT exPlAIn
gov. Jon corzine returns from a June 2008 visit to his
dICK ZIMMer’s CAMPAIgn
Dick codey and george Zoffinger.
home state of illinois only to find that the Senate major-
ity leader had proposed eliminating abraham lincoln’s
Zoffinger: “(Dick) codey’s an idiot,
birthday as a state holiday. “i do not.” -- James laurie, an 18-year-old Brookdale
and you can print that.” community college student, asked if he knew who Dick
HArsHesT InTrA-PArTY Zimmer was. (Star-ledger, 07/06/08)
codey: “in my 34 years in politics,
COMMenT OF THe YeAr FrOM i never met a more dishonest per- THAT’s wHAT HAPPens wHen
sOMeOne nOT nAMed lAuT- BIll BArOnI MOVes TO THe
son than george Zoffinger.”
enBerg Or Andrews senATe
“i don’t get a god damn thing for our city…. So far this
THe egYPTIAn assemblywoman linda greenstein, overhead on the
administration has not done a whole hell of a lot for
floor of the State assembly, saying “can somebody
HIerOglYPHICs AwArd
the citizens of Jersey city.” -- Jersey city mayor Jer-
please get over here and tell me how to vote?”
ramiah Healy, on state government. (PolitickerNJ.com,
01/04/08) the interpretive statement to Ballot Question #2,
THe VerY QuOTABle
defeated by voters, sponsored by assemblyman John
CAr OF THe YeAr Wisniewski.
rOnAld rICe
slAP dOwn OF THe YeAr
attorney general anne milgram’s 1994 Honda accord.
How did it even reach 69 mph? and milgram gets the
“She’s no Zulima Farber award’ for taking the $176 Senate President richard codey wasn’t taking any crap
speeding ticket and the four points that come with it, from goP State Sen. Jennifer Beck. “i respect your right
without seeking special consideration. She didn’t even to speak. However, respect the chamber,” codey told
give up a PBa card. Beck during a Senate session.
AluMnI OF THe YeAr runners-uP
Hudson goP chairman Jose arango didn’t even realize
he was being slapped when U.S. attorney christopher
three people who aren’t from New Jersey but their
christie told a radio audience: “those who hold the
ties to garden State politics are worthy of recognition:
power and corrupt the power are the ones that we’re
David Plouffe, who managed Bob torricelli’s 1996 U.S.
after. You know in Hudson county, is it shocking to know
Senate race against Dick Zimmer, ran Barack obama’s
“Bonnie Watson coleman’s a good choice. So is Nia gill.
that most of the people we’ve indicted and convicted
campaign for the presidency – arguably one of the
So is Shirley turner. So are all the other legislative Black
were Democrats? a Hudson county republican would
best races in american political history; Jill Hazelbaker,
caucus Nubian queens.” -- State Sen. ronald rice, on
love to be indicted. it would show they were relevant.”
who was tom kean, Jr’s communications director in
who Jon corzine should pick for lieutenant governor in
(WgBo, 11/21/08)
the 2006 Senate race, became John mccain’s national
2009.(PolitickerNJ.com, 01/31/08)
communications director after the first staff cutback
and handled the job extraordinarily well; and the multi-
“Steve’s a guy who wants his epitaph to be, ‘i controlled
convicted ex-goP operative allan raymond, on then-
talented matthew miller, who worked for Bob menendez
everything in my life,’ but he’s just a guy with a big ego,
congressional candidate, now U.S. District court Judge,
before becoming communications director of the Demo-
who wants everyone to kiss his behind like we’re out
Bill martini: “What a con artist the man was! His mis-
cratic Senatorial campaign committee – and if Politico
here picking a bunch of cotton bales, black, white and
truths came in layers - they came in thirty-one flavors!”
is right, could be headed for the Department of Justice
latino, all of us. to hell with Steve.” -- State Sen. ronald
raymond, who served as martini’s chief of Staff in
as spokesman for the new attorney general.
rice, on Newark Democratic leader Steve adubato.
congress, made the comments in his book, confessions
(PolitickerNJ.com, 05/31/08)
of a republican operative: How to rig an election
wOrsT PredICTIOn
OF THe YeAr MOsT COMICAl lIe deTeCTOr sCAndAl TO wATCH
sCenArIO sInCe denIrO &
tom Wilson: In 2009
sTIller In “MeeT THe PArenTs” During his testimony in the federal trial of former
“New Jersey is Senate appropriations committee chairman
Wayne Bryant, Democratic budget staffer
going to love Sarah Palin. Senate President Dick codey and assembly minority
george leBlanc revealed the existence of a
leader alex Decroce.
(PolitickerNJ.com, 08/29/08) secret slush fund where individual legislators
designated which entities would receive amounts
of money from the state account.
PolitickerNJ.com Page 16