McCain's NJ campaign: 'We're here and plan to stay'
By Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter
If the McCain campaign’s decision to end operations in Michigan doesn’t exactly produce a rush of new resource opportunities in New Jersey, McCain at least does not intend to fold up his Garden State headquarters, according to spokesman Peter Feldman. "Obviously as we move closer to Election Day, the campaign is making strategic decisions about limited resources and taking a closer look at the electoral map," said the Woodbridge-based Feldman. "The McCain campaign continues to fight for New Jersey’s 15 electoral votes, which are still up for grabs.
"With resources coming out of Michigan, we expect more attention on the traditional battleground states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, but also other states like Maine and New Jersey," the spokesman added.
This weekend, McCain campaign volunteers focused their phone-banking efforts on the town of Bayonne, where a fiercely contested mayoral election features two Democratic candidates who repeatedly remind people it’s a nonpartisan municipal election, after all, and who won’t publicly endorse Sen. Barack Obama (D-Il.).
Based in Princeton, Obama's campaign operations here in New Jersey are bigger and better funded. According to Andrew Poag, the campaign employees 25 full-time workers, compared to five full-timers at Camp McCain.
As was their plan from the beginning, Feldman said, McCain forces continue to target towns populated by so-called Reagan Democrats, including Sayreville, Hamilton, Carteret, and South Bergen. Moreover, sources in the City of Passaic say McCain’s national defense credentials and solid pro-Israel record make him a virtual lock with the town’s 2,000 Orthodox Jewish voters.
Last Thursday, state Sen. Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) keynoted a McCain rally at the Shore in a battleground county where the GOP also hopes McCain's numbers will be strong.
"Tomorrow we expect around 100 debate watching parties in the state," Feldman said. "And we will also be announcing another major New Jersey endorsement in the coming days. Stay tuned. Bottom line, we’re here and plan to stay."
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Syndicate
Then why can't I get a friggin free
sign from these clowns? Do they get a deposit returned for those unused? If GOP campaign tactics stay the same, the weekend before the election, they'll try a last minute rush. Remember the Kean campaign of 06?
They don't have any signs...
You'll have to order your sign from the website or hope a local group or county party orders their own signs to be made up.
Seriously though, why even have a staff in this state? Sure it's only 5 members but they should be sent to Virginia right now. No point in really having a campaign in this state right now and I think us McCain folks who are rational understand and agree.
Morons
I forgot that lawn signs win elections. Why don't you get your pathetic asses to Woodbridge to make phone calls instead of complaining about something that doesn't matter. You wonder why the GOP gets pounded in this state? It's because of morons like this who request lawn signs and think they are making a difference. Pathetic and disgusting.
Happy
Like phone banks with "left message" on log sheets makes a difference. NJ is still door-to-door. And as inane as it is - signs on lawns and literature at voter registration tables are that "personal" touch". Damgumitt technocrats who think that they can electronically manage campaigns are the problem.
How many of the staffers have actually been winners on competitive campaigns? Mercenaries who don't live on results only fighting.
Sounds good. Why don't you
Sounds good. Why don't you ride your lawn sign while you go door-to-door for McCain. People like you are a waste of time.
Who Cares?
Won't make a difference what they do. McCain will not win this state, thankfully. But I do hope he spends money here so he can't spend it somewhere else.
spent little money..
McCain's staff is now 5 and anybody will tell you the resources are dwindled down and the only thing really costing is the office space while obama has a staff of 25 people in princeton for a blue state..who's wasting more money?
Lawn signs
People are asking for them and when you can't give them any they get mad. Get a clue, ur losing votes that way and pissing off alot of good people. Never happened in any State wide race I ever saw and it's actually embarrassing. Bush dug a grave for the GOP and You guys are shoveling in the dirt with stupid descisions and WAY OUT OF LINE COMMENTS LIKE THE ONES UP ABOVE.
Happy
We have to go door-to-door without signs. Pay attention. BTW the volunteer list the campaign gave out had very few phone numbers. Since EPA regs forbid the traditional smoke signals, foot power still works and keeps the weight off.
Also, how much do you get when you return campaign literature back to HQ after the election?
And if this is your attitude toward campaign workers. You can still have my time but poof off for donations. I'll use it for new footwear and analgesics.
Lawn signs and bumper
Lawn signs and bumper stickers win elections. Don't you guys know ANYTHING??
Stop arguing with fellow Republicans
Do you really think that arguments between Republicans is the best use of your time and energies? Do you think that is what we need to change the political direction of this state. You are both correct, in certain ways. Lawn signs build some interest and help any momentum that exists, though mostly it is to make the already converted feel good about announcing their own position, they really do not change too many votes. Phone banks have some use in that the connect with voters, but door-to-door is always best ... if the candidate or surrogates are available. In NJ, there are only 5 paid staffers, but that is not the issue. There are many volunteers, and there are staffers and volunteers of other NJ politicians who will be doing door-to-door on their own behalf, and will be urging voters to support the entire republican ballot, especially including McCain/Palin. So, now that I have assisted you both in solving that rocket-science of a discussion, get to work trying to elect Republicans in NJ. I have volunteered a few hundred hours this year for various Republican candidates and events, are you pulling your weight?
Motown
If either one us hadn't put in the time, we wouldn't be in this peeing contest. I just think that his/her tactics suX and are hampering the ground game.
Prediction: they'll rush in resources at the last minute like 06 when the effect will be minimal.
And your butting in didn't solve anything because we both, probably, think your a weenie.
Question: How you know your campaign fails it?
Answer: You have to issue press releases telling people you still HAVE a campaign. Major LULZ.
Did the McClown campaign actually state "the campaign is making strategic decisions about limited resources and taking a closer look at the electoral map"? REALLY? Methunk you woulda looked at that electoral map a little soona than 28 days b4 the election, amirite?
McCain in NJ=FAIL.