I just reached Senator Loretta Weinberg, on her way to talk to a Jewish Women's group at Eagleton Institute on the Rutgers campus, to ask her about what went on in yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Bret Schundler, Gov. Christie's pick for Education Commissioner, made it out of the confirmation hearing by an 11-0 yes vote and after two sessions of intensive questioning, but he goes on his way without the Judiciary Committee's recommendation.
In an obvious effort to suss out whether his personal religious views would dictate his managing New Jersey's schools, Schundler was questioned on everything from evolution, abstinence-only sex education, and teaching about homosexuality as a "lifestyle." Schundler recently worked as Chief Operating Officer of The King's College, a Christian liberal arts school. Senators asked Schundler whether he would try to revise how same-sex relationships are discussed in New Jersey's schools, with Sen. Nick Scutari doing much of the questioning.
Loretta reports that some of her colleagues didn't want to vote for Schundler at all, and others wanted him confirmed. What I didn't know, and Loretta reports today, is that Sen. Gerry Cardinale - senior Republican on the Judiciary - asked him a series of questions "on the other side" of all these issues. Quoting Loretta:
For instance, Cardinale asked him if he would approve a curriculum which "advocated for the gay lifestyle". He was appropriate in his replies. I couldn't resist to then ask him if he would "advocate for the heterosexual" lifestyle.
The full Senate may consider Schundler's nomination as early as March 11.
Sen. Loretta Weinberg explaining why she voted no on Chris Christie's choice for state Treasurer, gives the Quote of the Day:
Christie has the prerogative and every right to do as he sees fit in his role as governor, but to deny what the outcome of some of these acts are is a little bit Alice in Wonderland and I expected the Treasurer to be a lot more factual and appropriate.
Today is Senator Loretta Weinberg's 75th Birthday.
At Democracy for America (DFA-NJ), we call her the Godmother of Progressive NJ.
At Blue Jersey, our new Monday morning columnist has another nickname. LW gives speeches sometimes about Blue Jersey's coverage of her during the Senate seat fight, when she was standing up to the Ferriero machine, and we were all standing behind her. We had so many diaries about her - each tagged with her name - that she was on our Hot Tag List for months. In this video (shot by Nick Lento, introduced by Steven Goldstein) below, she crows about that at her campaign kickoff in 2007:
What has made me happiest in my public career is being listed as a hot tag at Blue Jersey.
Progressive Democrats of America to host Statewide Conference & Winter Warm Up Dinner
Conference will feature local and state progressive champions including U.S. Congressman Donald Payne, SICKO's Donna Smith, PDA National Director Tim Carpenter and others.
Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts has signaled that the Assembly will not take up marriage equality as lame duck session resumes Monday, unless the Senate does first.
This is not good enough. New Jerseyans on both sides of this issue deserve an up or down vote from every legislator, in both houses, in both parties. Given that the testimony December 7th before the Senate Judiciary Committee made history - with 7 hours of testimony and 1,300 marriage equality advocates taking the day off to show up at the statehouse (against a few handfuls of opponents), it is right and proper now to hear what the people we elected to represent us have to say. And we want it on the record.
I have statements from Roberts, Garden State Equality Chair Steven Goldstein, and Sen. Loretta Weinberg.
Speaker Joe Roberts:
After more than seven hours of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Dec. 7 and continued public debate in the weeks since, we've certainly had a chance to hear all sides on marriage equality legislation. I believe ample opportunity has already been given for all views to be heard and additional Assembly committee debate is not needed. I've advised the Senate sponsors that, if the bill is passed by the Senate, I am prepared to bring the bill directly to the Assembly floor for a vote before the end of this legislative session.
UPDATE: Sen. Loretta Weinberg statement to Blue Jersey: It is right and appropriate for the full Senate to now vote. Senator Lesniak and I requested Senate President Codey post the Civil Marriage and Freedom of Religion bill for a vote. Let the public know where the majority party in both houses stand on this civil rights issue so important to a strong segment of our supporters.
Garden State Equality Chair Steven Goldstein:
We're far from dead - in the long and winding road in this marriage equality battle, anything and everything has happened. On an issue like marriage equality, which thousands of key players in the Democratic party support so passionately, you predict at your own peril. Remember, earlier this month, we won a major victory in the Senate Judiciary Committee when no one thought the bill would even go to any committee. We call on Senator Codey and Speaker Roberts to bring the bill to a vote before their respective houses, and in the meantime, we will continue to work day and night for victory soon.
We're not taking this announcement from Trenton lying down - not any of us. Garden State Equality is again massing supporters, gay and straight. I'll add my voice as co-Chair of Democracy for America-NJ, and I know my colleagues on the DFA-NJ board back me up - they include Jeff Gardner. Blue Jersey also stands behind Garden State Equality - this is a matter of fairness and equity for all of us.
An ACTION ALERT, called for MONDAY, by GSE:
We're going back to the statehouse. Meet this Monday at 10:00 am in front of Garden State Equality's Trenton office across from the State House - 110 West State Street. We will lobby and rally - keep up the pressure to do the right thing. Massive turnout is key. Please spread the word.
We know from the wild ride that this year has been that this issue is no longer the province only of the gay people whose committed relationships should be recognized in our community. This is about equality. It's that simple. And that matters to us all - it's about what kind of a state we're going to live in. Fair, or unfair. Our legislators have the responsibility to all of us to commit their votes, and we shouldn't accept anything less.
Whether you're talking about the death penalty, a woman's right to choose, marriage equality, in our party we have always had an unwritten rule that you don't take a party position on matters of conscience. For the few legislators who might feel that way, I respect it and I think I have some understanding. Legislators who are somehow afraid of this issue - that I have less patience with.
It's been a rough and tumble few weeks on the road to marriage equality. We've seen ups and downs, moments of despair and moments of great hope. Emotions have run high on both sides of the issue.
Last week, State Senator Loretta Weinberg, the bill's key Senate sponsor, made the case for marriage equality advocates and supporters to keep their message positive, rather than resort to nastiness or threats. She's right.
When you boil it down, we progressives are fighting now a fight that we've fought so many times before in history. Our fight is about positive rights, about affirmational policy, about granting equality where there is inequality, about providing justice and opportunity where there were none. About giving everyone a shot at the American Dream, not just some. About moving our state forward. The other side is looking to deny and prevent and delay progress kicking and screaming if need be for as long as possible. We shouldn't sink to their level.
One of the striking contrasts at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing of S1967 (which was a judiciously and fairly-run hearing for which Senator Sarlo deserves much credit and appreciation) was the fundamental character of both sides. Marriage equality supporters were committed, loving families and children, ordinary folk just wanting to get on with their lives and be left alone. Clergy and community leaders. Legal scholars. Medical professionals. Legendary civil rights leaders. Both gay and straight spoke. The testimony was heartfelt, moral, and striking.
In deep contrast, the other side resorted to typical fear-mongering and scare tactics. That marriage equality would lead to polygamy and bestiality. That gay people are making a choice and weren't born that way, so they should be less than equal. That marriage equality would lead to depravity being taught in our educational system. That it would, in fact, cause the sky to fall.
We've seen this movie before. We, and people of conscience, know all those things to be terribly false, horrific distortions designed to incite fear and to intimidate. But as Martin Luther King, Jr.--whose legacy endorsed marriage equality recently in the words of John Lewis and through the powerful voice of Julian Bond-- said, "Dark cannot drive out dark; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
We must not respond in kind to vicious name-calling and bigotry, as much as it pains us (and it does so deeply). Negativity, name-calling, and threats only close minds that we need to open. Like King said, we must respond with positivity and with making our case. With light, and with love.
Like Gandhi said so many years ago, we must "be the change we wish to see in the world." Let's get our Gandhi on. Let's draw another contrast by making the case that equality and fairness are real family values, while the other side calls our LGBT friends sinners and sickos and shovels hate speech upon them. Let's rise to the bigness of the moment, not shrink to the smallness or pettiness of the other side. Let's push forward and not look back. Let's be positive.
And let's fight like hell. Because justice and fairness for our LGBT brothers and sisters has already waited long enough.
Senator Loretta Weinberg, prime sponsor of the Marriage Equality Act (S1967) just sent us this statement. We don't usually print statements intact, I'm posting this one exactly as she wrote it. Clearly what prompted it was the brief incident Steven Goldstein apologized for here. But it also goes toward some discussion we've had here about how we talk about the people who hold the fate of equality in marriage in their hands. The words are hers. - promoted by Rosi
I have been working hard to achieve passage of my legislation granting full marriage rights to same-sex couples. While I understand that passions are running high on both sides of this issue, I would ask advocates to maintain the civil and courteous tone that has been established by legislators during these discussions. The overwhelming majority of advocates for and against my bill have focused their arguments on the merits of the legislation and presented them in the appropriate forums - contacting legislators through our district offices or speaking with us at the Statehouse. I thank you all for that.
I strongly urge everyone to continue that approach. It is not appropriate to confront members of the Legislature at their homes or businesses or at private family events in order to engage them on this issue. Please be respectful of us and our families as we have been respectful of your views. And please refrain from passing judgment on the personal religious and moral beliefs of legislators who happen to disagree with your particular belief system. We have been scrupulous in treating everyone's personal beliefs with respect and dignity and I believe we have the right to expect the same from our constituents on both sides of this issue. A person's deeply held religious and spiritual beliefs are not fair game for attack by those who hold different beliefs.
The conversations between lawmakers and the public will continue as we move forward with the Marriage Equality Act. Whether we agree or disagree with your position, I think everyone involved needs to remember that this is a civil rights issue. It can and should be discussed civilly, and in the appropriate forum.
There were many dastardly, cowardly, and incomprehensible things said tonight by New Jersey's senators. We'll get to that. Frankly, it didn't go down easy and it takes some serious digesting. And we're all tired. Especially Scott, who single-handedly delivered more than 7 hours of live-blogging the Senate Judiciary today (Part 1)(Part 2). But there were also forward-thinking, profoundly decent, moving and wonderful things said. Music to our ears. This is Senator Loretta Weinberg, on her own bill, S1967, the Marriage Equality Act. These are her words- - Rosi
Mr. Chairman, I would like to personally thank you for living up to your commitment by posting this bill today.
I also want to thank all my colleagues for the care and consideration they've given to this important issue.
It's no secret that some of us support this bill, and others do not. To those senators who cannot in good faith or conscience vote in favor of marriage equality, I hope you believe me when I say: I might disagree wholeheartedly with you, but I respect the process by which you arrived at your position. And what's more, I respect you.
To those of my colleagues who have been grappling with this issue, and who walked into this hearing room this afternoon, uncertain of how they will vote, I want to convey my heartfelt appreciation and admiration.
I understand that this is not an easy vote. It would be hard enough if we were being asked to deliberate on the divide between church and state, or the rights of minorities, or the meaning of equality.
But today, we're being asked to deliberate on all of these questions at once.
I never thought I'd say it, but it might be easier to be on the Budget Committee today than the Judiciary Committee.
If you'll indulge me for a few minutes, I'd like to explain the path that I traveled to sponsoring the Marriage Equality Act.
As many of you know, I was married for 39 years to Irwin Weinberg.
Irwin was the love of my life.
If you were lucky enough to have met Irwin, you would know that he was a wonderful man, a wonderful father, and would have been a wonderful grandfather.
Losing Irwin was the hardest adversity I ever faced, but I'm lucky to have had him in my life for as long as I did.
What we're voting on today is the right of every citizen to have what Irwin and I had.
There is little momentum behind the New Jersey marriage equality bill, The New York Times website's front page curiously suggested this evening. Somehow, however, they're not seeing what I'm seeing. In reality, we have plenty of reasons to be (cautiously) optimistic. The NYT's claim, I would therefore argue, is unsubstantiated. But unfortunately we're now seeing it being reported throughout the state.
I'm not quite sure how this media narrative first materialized -- but it's being widely propagated. And it needs to be stopped in its tracks, lest public opinion be damned.
Let's look at the facts:
Sen. Steve Sweeney, who was today elected senate president, made comments last week that were interpreted by one PolitickerNJ reporter to suggest that the senator wasn't in favor of bringing the marriage equality bill to a vote. But in the original PolitickerNJ article, Sweeney was never directly quoted as saying this, and quickly issued a statement affirming that same-sex marriage is "an important social issue" and would be on the lame-duck legislative agenda.
Sen. Loretta Weinberg intervened, calling on Sweeney to reaffirm his commitment to the bill's passage. After the initial dust had settled, though, it all seemed like much adieu about nothing. Again, from PolitickerNJ:
Update, 9:42pm -- Citing a miscommunication with Sweeney, Weinberg offered this revised statement:
"I think there has been a miscommunication between Steve Sweeney and myself. I look forward to talking to him personally. It really is up to Senate President Dick Codey to make a decision about pushing this bill forward, and the Judiciary Committee Chair [state Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge) has informed me that he will post the bill."
This, along with just about every other development related to the prospects of winning marriage equality in New Jersey, is excellent news. The result of today's lobbying in Trenton was invigorating; we vastly outnumbered the opposition, who were out in full force. I was personally able to hand-deliver a letter from the TCNJ College Democrats in support of the bill to Sen. Sarlo. TV, radio, and internet ads are now going on the air. Public opinion polls show a plurality of support for same-sex marriage. Garden State Equality has spent an unbelievable amount of time and energy organizing the LGBT community and its allies for this very moment. Democratic legislators are aware that by reneging on their commitments, they will be upsetting a very large proportion of their progressive base.
Please come, and invite your friends and colleagues. Let me know if you'd like to become an admin on Facebook (so you can invite people). This rally will likely closely coincide with the time around when the bill will have hopefully been brought to a vote, so a visible presence at the State House is vitally important! The opposition is sure to be out in full-force again. By outnumbering them, we are achieving a valuable psychological victory. And remember, changing trends in public sentiment are often much more consequential than the timing of arcane procedural votes. Legislators, especially state legislators, are very sensitive to the demands of their constituents.
These are the facts, despite the alleged doom-and-gloom reported by certain media outlets. Things, I can say with confidence, are looking up. No doubt, we have to keep vigorously applying pressure to our legislators, many of whom are endlessly frustrating with their ambiguously tenuous statements of support -- if only there were more Loretta Weinbergs. But think of how far we've come, and how close to achieving our goal we now are.
As the prime sponsor of the Marriage Equality Act, I am urging our current Majority Leader to honor the commitment he made to me to move this important civil rights bill forward. We have the ability in the legislature to talk about this bill and address the economic crises at the same time I received commitments from the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as from Majority Leader Sweeney that they would allow this bill to move forward. It will be a disappointment to so many in the grassroots of our party as well as to me personally if this commitment is not honored.
Let me preface this conversation by stating that I supported Senator Frank Lautenberg's re-election campaign during both the primary and general elections last year, but...
1) ...after seeing him speak in public numerous times at a dramatically reduced level of performance than in the past...
...and...
2) ...after last week's gubernatorial election results...
...and...
3) ...assuming that the aspiring Governors that are currently serving in the State Senate and State Assembly are not going to be willing to rescind the power that the Governor currently has to fill vacated U.S. Senate seats, I think that Democratic Party leaders, electeds, and rank-and-file members should reach out en masse to Senator Frank Lautenberg and ask him to resign his seat.
Promoted by Jason Springer: A very candid take from Senator Weinberg on the race that was. Thank you for the shout out and for running.
Let's get the negatives out of the way first: We lost! Property taxes, unemployment, property taxes, property taxes. That was it in a nutshell.
To some of my colleagues whose egos might be a little out of control: Ray, was it really necessary to trash the Governor within 24 hours? Perhaps if you had joined us just once on one of those 18 hour days on the campaign trail, we might have gotten a couple of more votes out of your home base. Dick, did you have to share that White House anecdote? We could have saved that one for "the book". How about the party officials who couldn't join us for a very graceful concession. And how about that Jeff Tittel? He seemed to go out of his way to be mean and condescending. The Sierra Club endorsement is one thing - your meaness of spirit another altogether. Jeff, it's not ALWAYS about you!
Now to some of the more positive recollections: Our stars who were always there in full force. Thank you to Assemblywomen Annette Quihano, Linda Stender, Grace Spencer, Milla Jassey, and Nellie Pou, Senators Theresa Ruiz, Nia Gill, and Mayor-elect of Camden Dana Redd and to Mayor Colleen Mahr of Fanwood, Mayor Wilda Diaz of Perth Amboy, Mayor-Elect Toni Ricigliano of Edison (who must be related to half her constituents), the "WeDo" women of Passaic County, the Demo women's groups of Bergen County and of Essex County and so many more. To our Congressmen Frank Pallone, Steve Rothman, Donald Payne and Bill Pascrell who joined us many times on the campaign trail. Another "shout out" to our two Senators Lautenberg and Menendez.
Of course, our President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton gave us so much of their time and insight. I'll tell you in my next posting what he suggested to me to follow up. Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Shultz and Loretta Sanchez joined us on the campaign trail and made women elected officials very proud. Fran Adubato runs a great progam in Newark. The labor community could not have done any more to help us. Charlie Wowkanich, Laurel Brennan, Ray Pocini and the building trades and my personal favorite, Buzz Dressel, were fully involved. The labor
bus with "the painter and insulator guys" was not a bad way to get around.
The campaign was energizing and I thank the Governor for giving me a wonderful opportunity to travel the great state of New Jersey, to meet many terrific NJ citizens, and for giving me a statewide voice to talk about the family values we share. I wouldn't change a moment of it.....oh yes, except the losing part!
I have so many anecdotes to share and hope to do that over the next few weeks. Jason Springer and Jay Lassiter along with those brave breast cancer survivors met me at the street fair rain and all. So we used pink umbrellas and carried the hand-colored pink Corzine/Weinberg signs right up the street.
The various Garden State Equality headquarters were always filled to the rafters and their members worked tirelessly. DFA came through for the Governor and me with a resounding endorsement. Rosi sent emails of encouragement. That picnic in Willingboro where I met 92 year old Miss Lizzie who is still actively engaged in civic life and their wonderful Mayor Jackie Jenkins. All those unairconditioned headquarters where folks worked in the heat of summer and never gave up. THANK YOU.
My friend and colleague, Rocco Mazza, put more than 12,000 miles on his trusty car. Rocco, the GPS and I traveled together for three months sometimes 14 or 18 hours a day. The only thing I got tired of was the voice in the GPS! My own campaign protectors Tory Singleton and Cecelia Fassano, made me feel comfortable every step of the way. Sometimes, there was a little too much "hovering" from the staff, but hey - it was great being part of an effort which had common goals.
Would I change anything? Perhaps better communication on the really good things Jon Corzine did these last four years. Perhaps one or two positive ads spelling these out a little more clearly. But that's all hindsight. I thank Governor Jon Corzine from all of us for working his heart out for New Jersey's residents.
Let's now join together with a newly installed Assembly, a newly organized Senate and figure out what the voices of our party should sound like; how we address the people's mistrust of their elected officials; how we make sure we have together taken a strong stand against corrupting influences in our body politic; and how we work with a Republican Governor on the things necessary to improve the lives of New Jersey residents.
DFA-NJ is the Jersey homebase of Democracy for America, the nation's largest progressive political action community. With local groups meeting monthly all over the state, DFA is a grassroots engine to change the Democratic Party from the bottom up. We provide campaign training, organizing resources, and media exposure so our members have the power to support progressive issues and candidates, up and down ballot. We're proud of every one of these candidates, they're our progressive standard-bearers. And some of them might be local to you. Full disclosure: Jeff Gardner & I both serve on the DFA-NJ executive board.
Jon Corzine & Loretta Weinberg It's enough that Jon Corzine's running against a candidate as unacceptable Chris Christie. But above that, we find Corzine an admirable governor struggling uphill against a national economic downturn (read: George Bush). Expanding health coverage for NJ kids. Paid family leave. First-in-the-nation economic recovery program, ditto return-to-work. Ready to sign Marriage Equality. Expanded early childhood education. Choice. Ends the death penalty. Corzine stands with Obama, and that's the future. Christie's a product of Bush, and we don't want to go back. But for us, when Corzine chose that corruption-busting, pro-transparency, no-nonsense progressive hot chick Loretta Weinberg, this race took off. She's our ally. There's nothing tempered, or guarded about the way we admire her. Website.
Doug Singleterry & Cecilia X. Birge for Somerset Freeholders Cecilia was born in China and spent part of her childhood in Chinese labor camps where her Western-educated parents were sent. As a student, she was in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, then came to America for college. She put her Wall Street background to work on Montgomery Twp council. And in 2007, she became the only Asian-American woman mayor in NJ history. Cecilia & North Plainfield Councilman Doug Singleterry focus on DFA core issues: transparency, accountability, fiscal responsibility, pay-to-play. Website.
Marianne Rampulla & Chan K. Leung for Raritan Twp Committee Raritan Twp's the center of one of the toughest GOP strongholds in the state. Every race is uphill. But this year, the Dems already have one of their own on committee, so if Marianne & Chan both win, the population center of red Hunterdon swings to Dem majority. Running for the 2nd time, they started early, came on strong. They're both very well-known in the community, both professionally and in high-level municipal and volunteer capacities. Website.
Naomi B. Collier for Hawthorne Mayor First woman ever to run in the general election for that position. An attorney, Naomi is sensitive to issues that face families, both young and old. Serves on the Executive Board of Woman Lawyers in Bergen County, & Trustee/Treasurer for the Jean Robertson Foundation. Volunteers for Alternatives to Domestic Violence. Instrumental in bringing the hugely successful farmers market to the borough. Priorities include developing a sustainable economic plan, revitalizing downtown & improving services to seniors and families. Website.
Dan Benson for Mercer Freeholder Dan Benson was appointed March 2008 as a Mercer Freeholder to an unexpired term and won a special election later that year for a 1-yr term. Dan's priorities are to expand on his progressive record of fiscal responsibility, open space preservation and job creation through infrastructure investment, and ensure Mercer County has a progressive voice in government. He is running for a full 3 year term. Website.
Tammeisha Smith for NJ-23 Assembly First time Hunterdon DFA members heard Tammy speak, it was on the need for health care reform, with a strong personal story and concern for her elders. It was a surprise that she works in the insurance industry. But there, she manages outreach programs to bring access to affordable medical/prescription coverage to the community. Health care reform is her passion. Website
Randy Bishop for NJ-11 Assembly Randy is a Neptune Township Committeeman and the 3rd openly gay Mayor in NJ history. Randy believes that service to your community is one of the highest callings. His community background includes time serving on boards. He's been the local Chamber of Commerce President. In his professional background, Randy has both corporate experience, and is a small business owner. His priorities: job creation, meeting resident's health care needs and stemming the flight of families and businesses spurred on by our tax and regulatory structure. Website.
Jeff Grayzel for Morris Twp Committee Elected in 2007 with the help of many DFA members, he was the first Dem elected to Morris Twp. Committee in 34 years. Since Watergate. Jeff works hard for open & participatory government and citizen involvement, against pay to play & for improved land use. His grassroots efforts have won him the support of many Independents. Seeking a second three-year term. Website.
Want to party down with Loretta Weinberg and Jon Corzine?
The Corzine/Weinberg Victory Party, which is also called a Yes We Can 2.0 and DSC Victory '09 event, is Tuesday night (duh) at East Brunswick Hilton Ballroom. That's at 3 Tower Center Boulevard in East Brunswick. And if you've ever worked a Democratic campaign before you can just put your car on autopilot because you already know how to get there. But in case you don't, here are the directions. Doors open 7pm.
The Christie and Daggett campaigns ... well, they haven't shared their victory party details with us.
So, Blue Jersey, you going? And what are your thoughts as we careen towards GOTV weekend?
Governor Tim Kaine, Chairman of the DNC will make 3 stops to campaign with Governor Corzine and Senator Weinberg tomorrow:
Gov. Kaine will first join Lieutenant Governor candidate Senator Loretta Weinberg at an event with American Federation of Teachers and Health Professional & Allied Employees union members in Saddle Brook before speaking at the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey's 30th Annual Installation Ceremony of the President and 2009/2010 Officers and Trustees in Hoboken. Later in the evening, Kaine will join Governor Corzine in Harrison for Mayor Raymond McDonough's Annual Cocktail Party.
If you live anywhere in the area, we'll put the event information below the fold. If you go to any of the events, take a few pictures for your friends at Blue Jersey and write about it in a diary.
I posted a diary on Saturday with pictures of the great reception Senator Weinberg received in Moorestown while raising awareness for breast cancer. The Corzine campaign put out a video with some comments from women who were with the Senator:I think it's a really well done video and like I said Saturday, Weinberg got a great reception. People seemed to appreciate the talk about the mammogram issue. Meanwhile, the Governor kept the focus on mammograms as well, hosting a roundtable today:
"While I have worked to expand healthcare to cover more kids and passed the paid family leave law to ensure workers can care for sick relatives or newborns, Chris Christie would side with the big insurance companies by giving them free-rein to drop coverage for critical procedures like mammograms," Corzine said during a roundtable discussion today with breast cancer survivors to mark National Mammography Day. "The insurance companies don't need a governor, New Jersey families do."
They had Monmouth County Freeholder Amy Mallet, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age nineteen,there as well to talk about the importance of mammograms.
I decided to take a drive over to the street fair in Moorestown today where Lieutenant Governor Candidate Loretta Weinberg was walking around and talking to attendees. Here's a report from Lisa, posted over at the Corzine Blog:
We are feeling so great about the event today that we are going to carry it forward. As you know, we have been having women- women phone banks every Wednesday evening. Beginning this week, we are going to have our Women's phone banks include a "Mammos Matter" theme. We will be outfitting our local field office with pink tablecloths, pink pencils as well as eating pink food. Women are responding to the need to keep the NJ mandate for insurance companies to pay for our Mammograms. They are responding to the need to keep Jon Corzine as our governor.
As we walked Moorestown today we visited the "Soft Pretzel Factory" on Main Street. They have a large pink ribbon in their window, so it was a natural stop for us. Senator Weinberg was gracious and purchased us some delicious soft pretzels. During the month of October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) ,The Soft Pretzel Factory is donating half of their proceeds to the Susan B. Koman Foundation. I stopped in and asked if they would make us some pretzels in the shape of breast- cancer awareness ribbons. They said of course. We plan to keep these in stock at our field office and serve "pink" mustard with them.
I enjoyed my pretzel compliments of the Senator and although I didn't have pink, I wore my red Rutgers shirt since that was the closest I had and it's homecoming day too. Here is a picture right as the Senator arrived:
There were classic cars that lined Main Street in Moorestown including this one promoting breast cancer awareness as well:
The rain as she arrived could not dampen people's spirits as Weinberg appeared to get a very good reception from what I was able to see. I'll put more pictures below the fold.
We're just around the corner from the start of the Lieutenant Governor Debate between Loretta Weinberg, Frank Esposito and Kim Guadagno at 8pm. This is the first time in 214 years that we will elect a Lieutenant Governor and the role of the position is still being defined. You can watch the debate streaming here:What do you expect to see tonight? If you're watching, feel free to blog along.
