Bill Richardson

Although he helped sell the stimulus package by appearing on national television on behalf of President Obama, Governor Corzine said today has not been approached about the open Commerce Secretary position in the Obama Administration, and today nipped in the bud any speculation that he might be interested in it. 

“No one has spoken to me about it, and I’m going to say the same thing I said when we had the flurry of conversation about the Treasury,” said Corzine, who was vetted for Secretary of Treasury by then-President Elect Obama’s transition team.  “I like what I’m doing.  We have enormous challenges in New Jersey and I’m working on trying to serve the people of New Jersey as best as I can as we go through these economic times. We need consistent on focus o that, and I have no interest in the commerce secretary position."

It’s no surprise, given his public comments the last few weeks regarding a possible replacement for former Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone.

But any doubt regarding where North Ward Democratic leader Steve Adubato stands in the special elections for her replacement on Nov. 4th evaporated on Saturday when Adubato prodded Charles Bell into a picture with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and local elected officials at the Flamboyan.

Running as part of Team Booker, Rone defeated incumbent Councilman Bell in the 2006 mayoral election. Citing Rone’s use of her public office to obstruct justice in December of 2007, an assignment judge this summer relieved Rone of her council seat and barred her from public office.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in Newark: Obama campaign photo

The Obama campaign organized two big events over the weekend, including a Friday fundraising party in Middletown with the Democratic presidential candidate, that netted his campaign $4.1 million in one night, according to party fundraiser Al DeCotiis.

"The tremendous enthusiasm and support of Jon Corzine helped make this the most successful fundraising event ever," said DeCotiis, who along with fellow former Clinton fundraisers Bill Harla, Michael Kempner, and John Graham, organized the Obama event with the governor.

New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi sponsored the bash at his home.

A day later, Gov. Bill Richardson stumped for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) at the Flamboyan Manor in Newark's North Ward, making the Democratic Party’s case for an end to the Iraq War.

MINNEAPOLIS - Newarkers will welcome New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to the North Ward on Sept. 6, to campaign for presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

Set to appear at the Flamboyan Manor on Saturday afternoon, Richardson will be joined by U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-West New York), state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, and other elected officials, according to Andrews Poag, spokesman for the Obama campaign.

Check back next week to view my Convention Sketchpads from the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.

The fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention will be called to order at 5:00 PM EST on Thursday, with a theme of "Change You Can Believe In."

The final day's events will take place at INVESCO Field at Mile High, where over 70,000 people are expected to attend.

Featured speakers will include Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D), former Vermont Gov. and Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean (D), New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), U.S. Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D), former Vice President Al Gore (D) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D).

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the Democratic presidential nominee, is scheduled to address the convention at 10 p.m. EST.

The full schedule is below.

The third day of the Democratic National Convention will be called to order at 5:00 PM EST on Wednesday, with a theme of "Securing America's Future."

The day will begin with the nominating process for President, including nominating speeches for U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), followed by a roll call vote.

The headline speaker will be vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.).

Featured speakers will include President Bill Clinton (D), U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.), U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.).

The full schedule is below.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is scheduled to campaign for Barack Obama in Newark's North Ward on Saturday, Sept. 6th, according to Essex County insider, former State Democratic Party Chairman Ray Durkin.

Durkin is a personal friend of Richardson's and signed up as an early backer in last year's Democratic Primary.

North Ward Democratic leader Steve Adubato and his team are organizing the Richardson event, aimed at energizing Latino voters for the Democratic ticket on Nov. 4th.

A top Clinton campaign fundraiser says Bob Menendez would make an ideal candidate for Vice President: Getty Images Photo
Vice President Bob Menendez?

John F.X. Graham, one of Hillary Clinton's National Finance Co-Chairs, thinks that the New Jersey Senator would make a great choice if Clinton wins the Democratic primary.

Graham fired off an email this morning to Clinton Campaign Manager Terry McAuliffe listing politicians who would make good vice presidential material, including the choices most often brought up: Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, John Edwards and Joe Biden. But Menendez, a Clinton campaign national co-chair, would be the "most intriguing" choice, Graham wrote.

Graham said that, like Richardson, Menendez can appeal to the increasingly important Latino voting bloc, but has universal appeal as well. And Mendendez's Cuban heritage makes him well received in Florida's predominantly Republican Cuban-American community.

"The name Richardson does not exactly sound Latino," wrote Graham. "The Latino voting block is becoming the most influential in this election, especially with the immigration and other economic issues confronting our prosperity. For a lack of a better term, he is the Latino Barack Obama with the experience."

The following is an unofficial list of the Democratic candidates for president in the order in which they will appear - lines A through F - on the Feb. 5th primary ballots in 20 of New Jersey's 21 counties. Cumberland County's lineup was not available on Thursday.   

Atlantic: Edwards, Richardson, Clinton, Kucinich, Obama, Biden 

Bergen: Obama, Biden, Edwards, Clinton, Kucinich, Richardson 

Burlington: Obama, Edwards, Kucinich, Clinton, Richardson, Biden