August 26, 2008 - 11:22am
News
Menendez won't speak at the convention
By Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com ReporterDENVER -- Senator Bob Menendez will not speak at the Pepsi Center during the Democratic National Convention, despite the lobbying by fellow influential New Jersey politicians on his behalf.
Menendez was the New Jersey’s delegation’s hope to place one of their own in the spotlight. Politicians were banking on his Latino appeal.
When asked by reporters whether he felt snubbed, Menendez responded said that he didn’t.
“The bottom line is, look, different conventions, different people speak. Speaking is not important. Winning is important.”
Meanwhile, sources close to Menendez emphasized that, even if other politicos were pulling for him, he never made an effort to get a spot himself.
Governor Corzine, who said he would speak out on Menendez’s behalf yesterday, said that the delegation should not take the fact that New Jersey has any speakers as any sort of slight.
“We’re all very, very much plugged in. There shouldn’t be any mistake in any peoples’ minds that Sen. Obama is going to be in New Jersey the day after the Republican convention. He’s looking to make sure that there’s a statement in one of the most important media markets, in one of the most important voting bases for the Democratic Party, and he wants to be there. You’re making something out of nothing.”
Corzine noted that he didn't get a chance to speak in his 2000 U.S. Senate campaign.
"The issue that is on everyone's mind when we have a convention is let's win the battleground states, let's get the electoral votes that make Barack Obama the president of the United States," he said.
Contributors
Wally Edge
Two New Jersey Congressmen are at opposite ends of a intra-party battle for the the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of ... >
Bob Torricelli
There's nothing more difficult to see than the history before your eyes. It sometimes takes generations to understand the significance of ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
OK, he didn't say precisely that, but when the Chairman of the Budget Committee informs us that governmental spending is the key to prosperity, ... >
Debbie Holtz
The Star Ledger got it right last April when it gave a thumb's-up to the NJN management plan to wean “the state's only public ... >
Steve Lonegan
The sub prime mortgage melt down and its ensuing financial “crisis” has tested the mettle of all of us who believe in and support the free ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here. >
Michael P. Riccards
The media, which loves headlines and knows little history, is trying to sell President Elect Obama as another Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But that ... >
Joey Novick
Whenever I get the chance to visit my parents in Florida when working a comedy gig down there, it’s like living in a “Seinfeld” episode. They ... >
Juan Melli
In an election year driven by a hemorrhaging economy and an electorate hungry for an end to divisive politics, 7th Congressional District candidate ... >
Carla Katz
A couple of weeks ago, my mother, Angelina Katz, did her second debate on behalf of Barack Obama. A debate? My mother? If you knew her, you’d be ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
A press release on the official Union County web site admittedly made me snicker just a bit today because it brought back to mind something my late ... >
Hot Topics
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Most Active Stories
- Why is Levine running?
- Bramnick backs Christie for governor; urges GOP to use Lance as a model
- Christie to resign effective Dec. 1
- Pennacchio calls on GOP state chairman to resign
- Bryant guilty on all counts
- Lonegan gubernatorial announcement coming next month
- Spadea: Crowley decision won't hinge on Christie's plans
- Wilson not certain whether he’ll stay on as GOP State Chairman after June
- Governor reacts to Christie news
- Quinnipiac: Corzine 42%, Christie 36%
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
- Jersey City councilman makes it rain in Washington
- Torricelli on deer hunting
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
November 20, 2008
"(Dennis) Shulman, a blind rabbi and psychologist, acted as if articles about him and his candidacy in Time magazine and the New Yorker, as well as an endorsement from the mayor of New York City, made him a celebrity and a serious threat to incumbent Republican Rep. Scott Garrett. They didn’t. Most people in his district don’t read those magazines or care what Michael Bloomberg thinks. Garrett’s district strongly leans Republican, and Bush won it with 57 percent in 2004, running more than 11 points ahead of his statewide total. Credible Republican statewide candidates always carry the district even if they are getting pounded statewide. Despite all the self-generated hype and over-the-top campaign rhetoric, Shulman drew 42 percent against Garrett — almost 2 points worse than Paul Aronsohn (D) did two years earlier and only 1,300 votes more than 2004 Democratic nominee Anne Wolfe did."- Stuart Rothenberg, the editor and publisher of The Rothenberg Political Report, a non-partisan political newsletter covering U.S. House, Senate and gubernatorial campaigns, Presidential politics and political developments.
-Rothenberg Political Report, 11/19/08
Recent Press Releases
- Nov 19 2008
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Christie's legcy― THE BERGEN RECORD
Corzine for Treasury? Don't Bet on It.― WASHINGTON POST
Immigrants still in New Jersey― THE BERGEN RECORD
Now it's the Dems' chance to be dumb― PAUL MULSHINE
Corzine likely to go nowhere― THE DAILY RECORD
SILENT ON CHARGE; LIPSKI TELLS OF ALCOHOL BATTLE― STEVEN LIPSKI
Reclaiming the narrative of an enlightened nation ― CORY BOOKER
Gays don't 'got Milk' ― ALFRED DOBLIN
PolitickerNJ.com Jobs
Syndicate
Embarrassing moments for Corzine, Menendez, and Lautenberg.
It's the lowest possible point for our politicos in Denver. I assume that outraged Latinos, whose "national spokesman is Menendez" (according to Corzine) will stage protests throughout NJ against Obama. Let's not expect any sweet deals between Clintonites and Obamanites in NJ any time soon.
Who cares?
When is the last time that this dope spoke to NJ voters about turning this corrupt state around? NEVER
He was snubbed...this illustrates the underlying racism in the Dumbocrap Party...
JOM
What a pompous ass.
Why would it be on anyone's priority list to strong-arm a speaking spot for this windbag who likes to hear the sound of his own voice? It's not like anyone listens to the arm's length roster of daily speakers anyway. It's purely vanity. What a collosal waste of time for all involved.