Mario Cuomo

From left: Gov. Jon Corzine, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, and Assemblyman Fred Scalera (D-Nutley)

LYNDHURST - Toxic enough to give any outsider pause to ponder the consequences of venturing in here, Democrats tonight brought in an Italian immigrant's son, born in the back of a grocery store on the other side of the river, to make a case for Wall Street Illinois import Gov. Jon Corzine in a nationalized political environment.

Republicans spawned the worst economy in the country since the Great Depression, said former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo - and Democrats have to reelect Corzine to ensure the GOP doesn't inflict more damage.

"The Republicans' supply side economics have failed and they want to use New Jersey to try to come back after their failure," Cuomo told a packed banquet hall of Corzine supporters, corralled for the evening in San Carlo's Restaurant by state Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge) and company.

"Gov. Jon Corzine is a great governor, and he will be an even greater governor," added Cuomo, who said GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie's proposed income tax cuts for wealthy New Jerseyans and corporate tax cut proposals reflect the trickle-down values of former President George W. Bush that again threaten the fiber of the state and should spur Democrats to action.

"We are the party of the whole community," said Cuomo. "We don't care what color you are or where you were born. But we do care most particularly about the poor and the disabled and the elderly and the infirm."

Corzine denied that the buck-up speech and arm hoist from the elder statesman tonight meant that if he gets re-elected he intends to back Cuomo's son, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, for governor of New York in a Democratic Primary against fellow poll-beleaguered incumbent Gov. David Paterson.

Mario Cuomo today headlined a rally with more than 300 people gathered to support the re-election efforts of Governor Jon S. Corzine and the 36th Legislative District Team of Assemblymen Fred Scalera and Gary Schaer (both D-Bergen/Passaic/Essex).

“The excitement of Lyndhurst residents at today’s rally with Mario Cuomo shows the growing energy and momentum of New Jerseyans across the state that will carry Democrats to victory this November,” said Governor Corzine. “New Jersey Democrats are dedicated to doing the right thing for working families by fighting for the issues that matter most. We passed the nation’s first economic recovery act, with new business grants to create jobs, froze property taxes for seniors and got health care coverage for almost one hundred thousand children.”

Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo on Tuesday evening will campaign with Gov. Jon Corzine at a rally in Lyndhurst, according to the Corzine campaign.

The rally is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at San Carlo Restaurant.