VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE ENERGIZES CORZINE CAMPAIGN & NEW JERSEY DEMS AT ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE

VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE ENERGIZES CORZINE CAMPAIGN
& NEW JERSEY DEMS AT ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE

(ATLANTIC CITY) – Governor Jon S. Corzine and New Jersey Democratic State Committee (DSC) Chairman Joseph P. Cryan this evening hailed Vice President Al Gore’s visit to New Jersey as a significant force in energizing New Jersey Democrats.  Gore gave the keynote address at this evening’s dinner hosted by Congressman Frank Pallone to honor Governor Jon S. Corzine at the 2009 New Jersey Democratic State Conference.
 
“Jon Corzine has been fighting to do what’s right to get the economy back on track so that New Jersey families have a better future ahead of them,” said Gore.  “After the disastrous policies of the past eight years, we need a leader like Jon Corzine who will work in unison with President Barack Obama on his urgent agenda of building a green economy, investing in our children’s education and finally achieving health care access for all Americans.  I’m proud to stand with Jon Corzine because he has always had the courage to do what’s right and the expertise to get the job done.”

More than 500 attendees packed into the Imperial Ballroom at the Trump Plaza to hear the 45th Vice President, who served for eight years under Bill Clinton, speak as New Jersey Democrats honored Governor Jon S. Corzine.  The dinner hosted by Congressman Pallone was the premiere event of the 2009 New Jersey Democratic State Conference.

“Over the coming weeks, Loretta Weinberg and I will continue to discuss how we will fight for what matters in these tough economic times,” said Governor Corzine.  “Over the last four years, I have fought for families- working every day to get health care coverage for more children, passing paid family leave legislation that ensures workers continued to get paid while caring for their loved ones, and fighting to get more tax relief to seniors and the middle class. Together as Democrats we can fight for our families and make New Jersey a better place.

Gore shared a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his work in fighting global climate change.  The former Vice President also is the author of the best-selling book An Inconvenient Truth.  The documentary film version of the book -- which exposed the threat of global warming and provided solutions for mitigating the problem -- was the winner of two Academy Awards in 2007.

“The next few months are about the type of state we will have for the next four years and beyond,” said Lieutenant Governor Candidate Senator Loretta Weinberg.  “Make no mistake about it, we will all need to work together to fight for the values we share.  I am thrilled to help spread the message that the Democratic Party stands with all New Jerseyans.”

The three-day annual state conference drew over 1,000 participants including Democratic activists, volunteers, elected officials and candidates.  Attendees were given the opportunity to participate in campaign trainings and panel discussions focused on the economy, health care and faith and politics.
 
“Democrats came out in record numbers last November to elect President Obama and we need to continue that momentum so that our President has a partner here in New Jersey,” said Cryan.  “More than one thousand people participated in this year’s conference because they understand how important it is that we don’t let a Bush Republican take over the State House.”

The 2009 New Jersey Democratic Conference kicked off Thursday evening with a welcome reception for all participants of this year’s annual conference.  New Jersey Democrats gathered at a breakfast on Friday morning to honor New Jersey General Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts for his 32 years of public service and leadership.  On Friday afternoon, City of Newark Mayor Cory Booker headlined the luncheon hosted by the NJDSC’s STEP-UP women’s leadership program honoring Lieutenant Governor Candidate Senator Loretta Weinberg and the many Democratic women who ran for office across the State.
 
The conference will conclude on Saturday afternoon following workshops hosted by prominent national Democrats including Mitch Stewart, director of “Organizing for America,” who is scheduled to discuss the grassroots efforts of Democrats around the country whose support is helping to make President Barack Obama’s bold agenda for change a reality.  The conference will conclude with a service event hosted by DSC’s Yes We Can 2.0 Campaign led by Lieutenant Gubernatorial Candidate Loretta Weinberg who will team up with South Jersey residents and conference participants for a community clean-up project at Uptown Park in Atlantic City.