Full text of Congressman Steve Rothman's e-mail to PolitickerNJ.com

Full text of Congressman Steve Rothman's e-mail to PolitickerNJ.com

By Wally Edge | October 16th, 2009 - 12:01pm
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U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman's e-mail to PolitickerN.com:

I wonder who gave out the creative writing assignment to suggest that I was retiring from Congress?  After all, I love helping my constituents, bringing an unprecedented amount of federal dollars back to many regions in New Jersey (as our only Democratic Appropriations Committee member); and working with my House colleagues and the Obama White House in matters of our national security and foreign affairs.  And I'm running for reelection in 2010, and for many years more.

As for my political posture in New Jersey, I guess it is as good as anyone's, maybe better.  I and others recall with pride my early and strong support of Jon Corzine for Governor, Loretta Weinberg for Lieutenant Governor, Bob Menendez for US Senate, Frank Lautenberg for reelection to the US Senate, and Barack Obama for the Democratic Nomination and later the Presidency of the United States.  I have more campaign funds than all but one of my friends in the NJ Congressional delegation, with the 10th highest total of all 256 Democratic House members in fact.  And I am from Bergen County, the most populous in the state, also representing parts of Hudson County and Passaic County.

My health and that of my family is good, knock wood, and I'm still able to make my mortgage payments.  And even after the 10 Town Hall Meetings on Health Care I did in New Jersey in August--the most, by far of any of my Congressional colleagues--my approval rating in my district hovers between 68-70%.

But above all else, I am having some of the most satisfying time as a public official (including my labors of love as Englewood's Mayor and Bergen County's Surrogate Court Judge) ever.  Its something about making my contribution to my neighbors' well-being and fighting for social justice at every turn, and working every day to "repair the world" that still drives me and fulfills me.  

As a member of, arguably, the most powerful committee in the House of Representatives, the Appropriations Committee--and as a member of its Subcommittees on Defense; Foreign Operations, and Homeland Security, I never have a dull day.  As a member of the Science and Technology Committee, I even get to work on the most cutting edge research and technology, covering just about every field under the sun and including the sun.

And so, while I did turn 57 years old this past week, let's remember that our longest-serving lion in the Senate, Frank Lautenberg (who we wish to serve till he's at least 120), didn't get to the Senate till he was 58 years old.

As for dreams of Senate sugarplums dancing in my head, well, I remain committed to the notion that "what is meant to be, will be".  In the meantime, I will continue to abide by what I've advised my 2 children and 3 stepchildren to do: "Appreciate all that you have, because you have so much".

To those who would seek my seat, I tell them to wait a bunch of more terms--if the people will continue to have me as their Congressman.  To those who wish to gain some advantage in a future Senate race, I hope your actions are ones you're proud of.  To those who may not like me, there must be some :-), I wish you well--and don't let your bad feelings cause you too much unhappiness.....but just enough.

Congressman Steve Rothman
(D, NJ-9)

Tags:

I wonder

Submitted by the oc on October 16, 2009 - 12:06pm.

I wonder if Wally will nominate homself for the "Dumb Press release" of the day for this one. I thought it was a news column and not a gossip column. Definitely must be Friday.

dems are toast

Submitted by garfieldrepublican on October 16, 2009 - 12:09pm.

everyone in Bergen knows that the Dems are toast next year

What a POS

Submitted by Corslime on October 16, 2009 - 12:20pm.

And I doubt Corzine was dumb.

Rothman

Submitted by Demsandonts on October 16, 2009 - 2:10pm.

Steve Rothman is a class act and it's a shame this web site would give credibility to anything that would suggest otherwise. With the exception of Kathy Donovan in 1996, the Republicans have failed to field a credible candidate or campaign in the 9th CD which has resulted in landlside after landlside for Steve Rothman. More importantly, it was Steve Rothman who led the Democratic party out of the wilderness in 1992 and showed them Democrats can win elections in Bergen County with his upset victory for surrogate. It was that victory that opened the door for Democrats to begin winning again in Bergen County! With Rothman at the head of the ticket in Bergen in 98, 00, 02, 04, 06 and 08 county Democrats have been blessed with a top-of-the-ticket lead-in with coattails unlike the Torricelli years when no county Democrat won with him leading the ticket between 1984 and 1996! Something few people acknowledge or realize. Steve Rothman has won seven times for congress and crushed Bob Gordon in the 1996 Democratic Primary. That's 8 competitive wins district-wide. He won two races for Englewood mayor and his memorable 1992 race for surrogate. His only ballot defeat was his 1989 race for freeholder. That makes Rothman 11-1 when running for public office plus his savvy endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 when no one in NJ dare cross Hillary Clinton, I'd say Rothman's had a pretty productive political career. Vote Column "A" - All the way!

A humble man

Submitted by JK1150 on October 16, 2009 - 4:35pm.

Isn't there anything Rothman hasn't accomplished?

My Congressman Steve Rothman

Submitted by iplawker on October 18, 2009 - 7:55pm.

One of the most approachable, considerate and thoughtful legislators I have ever known.
Steve is a congressman (and one day a Senator) who truly represents the values of the majority of his constituents.
I am obviously a fan of "my
Congressman," Steve Rothman...but for all the right reasons. He is a mensch. He didn't get reelected 7 times without bringing something of value to the table.
Go Steve!!!

At Last! Demsandonts is 95% Right! :-)

Submitted by Nick Lento on October 20, 2009 - 12:49am.

This is a happy ocasion! 

My only complaint about Steve is that he's allowing his Senatorial ambition keep him from being as progressive a Representative as he otherwise might be.

Bergen is a county that deserves a someone unafraid to vote for what he really believes in....like, for example, Single Payer health care. 

But, generally speaking, Rothman is indeed, "a class act".

The irony is that if he let's his progressive heart loose, and votes his Conscience more often, Steve Rothman's far more likely to become a Senator someday....New Jerseyans really don't like milquetoast pols very much.

 

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