To U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson), the lack of any primetime speakers at both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions is just another example of both parties using the Garden State cash machine before abandoning the state to its own devices.

“I think it was an insult to the state of New Jersey because a lot of money comes out of this state for both political parties, and a lot of support for both political parties. So there’s no excusing it,” he said.

Responding to a Star-Ledger report that Sen. Bob Menendez (D-Hoboken) was eventually offered a speaking spot but turned it down because it wasn’t primetime, Pascrell quickly responded that they only offered it “after the fact.”

Pascrell’s reaction is much sharper than Menendez’s public statements on the subject. Meanwhile, Gov. Corzine has repeatedly insisted that the New Jersey delegates have not taken the lack of a public role in the convention as a snub, instead appealing to party unity.

“Corzine or Menendez would have been natural speakers, but I guess the Obama people know what they’re doing,” said Pascrell.