DENVER – The Democratic Party already knows Dennis Shulman, who’s running for Congress against Republican incumbent E. Scott Garrett, exists. 

Shulman, a blind rabbi and psychologist who’s not a delegate, is attending the Democratic National Convention.  And he said he’s been doing the same thing in Denver he’s been doing at home in Bergen County – shaking hands and trying to convince influential politicians that his district is winnable, even against an entrenched incumbent. 

Pretty much all of the New Jersey delegation in Denver knows who Shulman is, and many politicians from other states may have heard of him from news accounts in several national publications.  But convincing them that winning is a realistic prospect is another matter.

“I’ve been really meeting people, talking about how to take it home to the district to help people make the steps to change.  This convention’s all about change, the district is all about change, and this election is all about change,” he said.

Shulman also said that Barack Obama’s pick of Joe Biden would help Obama’s with New Jersey Jewish voters. 

“Our ticket is a great ticket for America and for Jews,” he said.

Shulman didn’t think that a John McCain/Joe Lieberman ticket would threaten to sap any traditionally Democratic Jewish votes from the state.

“I would say that a Lieberman choice is highly unlikely, given the fact that McCain has to appeal to his right.  But I think that would not effect the election even one bit, because Obama and Biden are fabulous choice for America and for American Jews,” said Shulman.