Clinton calls for 7th district to send Stender to Congress

CRANFORD -- Speaking in support of Assemblywoman Linda Stender's congressional bid at Union County College today, former President Bill Clinton said Hillary had sent him.

"She said that New Jersey had been good to me and good to her, and we needed to be good to New Jersey by helping Linda Stender get elected to Congress," said Clinton.

Clinton spent the bulk of his time giving his usual stump speech for Barack Obama, but he started off by rattling off some of Stender's accomplishments in the legislature.  He characterized her as an integral part of a sweeping change needed in Washington.

"I have reviewed Linda Stender's record very carefully, and if you look at the needs of America today, I think you can make a very compelling case that she has a record that is one of the finest not only in the legislature in New Jersey, but in the entire United States of America," he said.

Clinton specifically mentioned Stender's global warming bill, her previous work dealing with mortgages, her support for stem cell research and her bill to ban junk food in school cafeterias.

He also demonstrated some familiarity with her last race against now-retiring U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson.

"She lost by 3,000 votes last time.  There are enough people in this room to turn 3,000 votes between now and Tuesday," he said.

He was less familiar with the margins he won New Jersey by in his two elections.  Clinton said he won the first time by one percent, and the second time by 15 percent.

"We haven't won by less since," he said. (John Kerry beat President Bush in the New Jersey by 6%).

Event organizers said about 1,500 people turned out to hear Clinton speak, and they grew antsy waiting for him as they awaited him.  He showed up 50 minutes late.

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth), the event's emcee, was admittedly unprepared for the long wait and struggled to come up with new material.  At one point he mentioned the Philadelphia Phillies' World Series win, which drew mostly boos from the crowd.  He had better luck he led chants of "We want Bill" and gave shout outs to organized labor.

Some political observers see Clinton's appearance in the district as a signal that, at the very least, the race is tighter than national Democrats would prefer to see it.  He is not making a stop in New Jersey's other ultra-competitive congressional district in the south.

But Stender spokeswoman Irene Lin said that the appearance was not the sign of a struggling campaign.

"She did a great job last time coming close, and we're very close to sealing the deal this time. I don't think it's shocking. I think any campaign in the country would love to have Bill Clinton come.  We're thrilled that he thinks she's going to win on November 4th," she said.

Also in attendance were U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch), Steve Rothman (D-Fair Lawn), Rush Holt (D-Princeton) and Donald Payne (D-Newark).

Stender spent about ten minutes introducing Clinton, mainly telling tales of blue collar workers who have struggled to make ends meet over the last eight years.  She brought up her father's experience after returning from World War II, saying that she wanted the next generation to have similar opportunities.

"That access to the American Dream is what's at stake in this election. That's what we want for all our children. That's why I'm running for Congress," she said.

Two hours before the Stender rally began, rival State Sen. Leonard Lance was next door in Westfield with former Gov. Tom Kean.

"Leonard Lance is exactly the Congressman Central New Jersey voters need in Washington," said Kean in a press release.  "Our state economy is hurting.  Leonard is a fiscal watchdog and principled lawmaker who will always serve the best interests of New Jersey residents."