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Adler defends stimulus vote and his centrist record in Ocean County debate with Runyan
TOMS RIVER – The UAW auto worker’s son and the dry cleaner’s son mount the stage here at Ocean County College and begin their 3rd Congressional District debate on the subject of the economy. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/42354/adler-defends-stimulus-ocean-county-debate-runyan
Christie campaigns across the river for Fitzpatrick
FAIRLESS HILLS – Gov. Chris Christie today campaigned in Pennsylvania for 8th Congressional District candidate Mike Fitpatrick, who is attempting to regain the seat he lost four years ago at the height of Bush backlash. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/42337/christie-campaigns-across-river
GOP in lead in final lap
A vigorous post-Labor Day Democratic offensive has failed to diminish the resurgent Republicans’ lead among likely voters, leaving the GOP poised for major gains in congressional elections two weeks away, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. (Weisman, The Wall Street Journal)
GOP nearly even with Democrats in state fundraising
TRENTON — The election of Gov. Chris Christie in 2009 has had a positive impact on Republican fundraising in 2010, according to figures released by the state Election Law Enforcement Commission Tuesday. (Statehouse Bureau, NJ Press Media)
DNC: $11.1 million raised in early October
The Democratic National Committee plans to file another strong fund-raising report this week as Democrats work to stem Republican momentum and counter money flowing from pro-Republican outside groups. (Meckler, The Wall Street Journal)
Adler, Runyan race gets personal as candidates agree on many issues
TOMS RIVER — As it turns out, Democratic Rep. John Adler and Jon Runyan, his Republican challenger, seem to agree on a number of major national issues.
So the race, which most polls show as even, has turned personal. That fact was on display at a debate hosted by Millennium Radio and moderated by newsman Eric Scott on Tuesday night at Ocean County College. (Larsen, Asbury Park Press)
Tea Party candidate declared bankruptcy
Peter M. DeStefano, the “NJ Tea Party” congressional candidate at the center of a controversy over whether Camden County Democrats put him on the ballot to siphon off Republican votes in the 3rd District race, declared bankruptcy last year. (Method, Asbury Park Press)
http://www.app.com/article/20101019/POLITICS/10190357/Tea-Party-candidate-declared-bankruptcy
Christie administration nixes paid holiday swap
TRENTON — State employees could be eating turkey one day and bagging it for lunch the next under a decision by Gov. Chris Christie’s administration to rescind the customary day off after Thanksgiving. (Method, Home News Tribune)
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20101019/STATE/101019057/1098/POLITICS
Safe Dems hoard campaign cash
Cash-strapped House Democrats are beginning to feel Scrooged by politically safe elder statesmen who won’t part with stockpiles of campaign money.
Dozens of House Democrats with no electoral worries are sitting on millions in campaign cash that could be turned over to the party to help build a retaining wall against the advancing Republican wave. (Allen, Politico)
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43845.html#ixzz12tKO5ZbO
Former Washington D.C. schools chancellor hesitates in accepting offer to become N.J. education chief
TRENTON — Washington, D.C.’s former schools chancellor is seriously considering an offer from Gov. Chris Christie to become the state’s next education commissioner, but family concerns may prove an insurmountable stumbling block for her, two people familiar with the negotiations said. (Calefati, The Star-Ledger)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/10/former_washington_dc_schools_c.html
From the Back Room
The Bagger name-drop
In his debate with GOP challenger Jon Runyan tonight, U.S. Rep. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) invoked the name of former state Sen. Richard Bagger, with whom former Senator Adler co-authored successful legislation to ban smoking in public places. (Editor, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/bagger-name-drop
Pallone v. Little
While conscious of not wanting to hurt feelings or diminish enthusiasm, establishment Republicans in the 6th Congressional District continue to politiely tell impassioned Anna Little followers to relax. (Editor, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/back_room/pallone-v-little
Opinion
Now Menendez had tunnel vision too
Gov. Christie is scheduled to say Friday whether he will kill the tunnel from Xanadu to Macy’s basement. Christie says he won’t allow New Jersey taxpayers to be stuck with billions in cost overruns. The federal government has refused to kick in any more than $3 billion. New York won’t kick in anything. Meanwhile, Sen. Bob Menendez has joined the chorus and he’s just as silly as Sen. Frank Lautenberg who thinks the tunnel goes to Penn Station instead of two blocks away under Macy’s. (Ingle, Daily Record)
http://blogs.app.com/politicspatrol/2010/10/20/here-comes-lahood/