Quote:

They demand that?

God help us all.

Quote:


Do I get a pony as well? I've always wanted a pony.

Vote for Clinton in Feb. 5 primary
Monday, January 28, 2008

H udson County is a stronghold for the Democratic Party, and this newspaper considers it important that voters in the county and state make the right choice on Feb. 5 in New Jersey's Democratic presidential primary.

The Jersey Journal believes U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York is the best selection from an impressive field of Democratic hopefuls.

While the party has a unique opportunity to make history by giving this nation either its first woman or first black president, for this endorsement The Journal concentrated on the qualifications needed to solve the country's problems.

There are subtle differences among the candidates, but the message is similar. They demand that everyone share in the nation's wealth and prosperity, call for moral leadership in the world, seek to improve education opportunities, want health care for everyone, promise to solve the nation's energy problems and pledge to end the war in Iraq.

Realistically, this primary race has come down to two front-runners, Sens. Barack Obama of Illinois and Clinton of New York.

In his visit to Jersey City earlier this month, Obama proved that he can be an effective speaker and that he has a magnetic personality. He has energized young voters and offered hope to older voters who see him as someone who speaks to them and is not about partisan politics.

Obama sparked our imagination and he would make a fine president - in time. Unfortunately, beyond the rhetoric, his inexperience is hard to ignore. Now is the time for the nation to have confidence that it will have seasoned leadership.

Clinton's speech at a North Bergen rally on Wednesday drove home the need to bring the United States out of the shadow of distrust it has been under since going to war in the Middle East.

She exposed her idealistic nature when she promised that one of the first things she will do when she becomes president is to sign into law the expanded version of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that was vetoed by President Bush. Also upon taking office, she promised to start bringing troops home from Iraq in 60 days. As for the economy, she pledged that her administration will create 5 million new jobs. "Jobs that will not be sent to a foreign country," she said.

Clinton has the qualifications to navigate through the Washington power riptide that has drowned many a president's agenda. Her work ethic and knowledge of the issues make her an ideal candidate for president.

? 2008 The Jersey Journal

Journal's endorsements in Democratic primaries
Saturday, June 02, 2007
I n Hudson County, a Democratic stronghold, a primary is important because a victory usually translates into an elected position following the November election against a weak Republican organization.

Unfortunately, voter turnouts for primaries are predictably very low. Most Hudson County voters wait to cast their ballots until November, preferring not to declare their party and thinking the general election is more important. County history has shown the importance of the June 5 primary among Democrats, and while it is an intramural fight the outcome will have a major impact on the lives of people living across the state.

For this reason, The Jersey Journal is endorsing Democratic primary candidates.

Another factor in making these endorsements is that the current state administration, and the one before it, have provided Hudson County with very little in the way of appointments to state boards and agencies. Perhaps there should be a mix not only of old but young blood, with the latter providing needed energy in the Legislature on behalf of Hudson County.


COUNTY OFFICES


F or Hudson County executive, The Jersey Journal endorses incumbent Tom DeGise of the Hudson County Democratic Organization. By providing more open space with the financial support of a county trust fund he created, DeGise has made a concerted effort to improve the quality of life in Hudson County. His budgets have been free of smoke-and-mirror accounting, those mostly one-shot gimmicks. He is also looking to consolidate offices at the old Block Drug facility, and that will open more courtroom space at the County Administration Building on Newark Avenue.

A North Hudson campus of Hudson County Community College is in the works, and DeGise is pushing for a third county high school. He has also been supportive of the county's Living Wage Law. DeGise has been an accessible official and open to discussing concerns with any mayor in the county.

The Journal also endorses Mary Jane Desmond for county clerk and incumbent Joseph Cassidy for sheriff, both members of Democrats for Hudson County. Desmond has already been performing the duties of Javier Inclan, who left earlier this year for a post in Gov. Jon Corzine's office. Cassidy has held sway over an office that has had its problems with several individuals, but his office has a number of commendable programs that have been praised in the past by all Democrats.



31st DISTRICT


I n the 31st state Legislative District, The Jersey Journal endorses incumbent Assemblyman Louis Manzo for the state Senate seat.

When Manzo ran for his present Assembly seat, this newspaper endorsed him because he was viewed as the straw that would stir Trenton. The Legislature needed some stirring on issues that included public education, property tax reform, expungement of less serious crimes, tax abatements and improving the environment. Manzo did just that, made some noise and offered legislation that many of his state colleagues supported. He has a reputation for not being a "yes man" and for having well-researched opinions. Gov. Jon Corzine dislikes being second-guessed by Manzo, but this newspaper sees it as a good thing. A step up to the Senate will serve the 31st District well.

As for the Assembly seats in the 31st District, there were difficult choices. The Journal gives the nod to Nick Chiaravalotti of Bayonne of the DFHC and former Jersey City Council President L. Harvey Smith of the HCDO.

Chiaravalotti is the up-and-coming Bayonne politician who worked as director of city constituent services and honed administrative skills when he was executive director of the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority. His last post was as state director for U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez.

Smith is the gentleman of politics who has distanced himself from negative campaigning. A county undersheriff, he is a former Jersey City council member, former acting mayor and former interim state senator who once chaired the city's Redevelopment Agency. His background should aid him in Trenton.



32nd DISTRICT


F or the 32nd District, The Jersey Journal is reluctant to give up on the incumbents, who have years of experience and influence in the Legislature.

While the Journal endorses North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco for Senate, based on his longevity and his influence in Trenton, there are some concerns about his support for Gov. Corzine's desire to privatize state toll roads - a bad idea.

Assemblywoman Joan Quigley has held her post since 1994 and has helped the county with legislation concerning public safety, transportation and health care. She is the chair for the Assembly Committee on Homeland Security and State Preparedness, and a prominent member of several other committees. Quigley has developed a niche for herself and Hudson in Trenton and she deserves another two-year term.

Vincent Prieto of Secaucus joined the Assembly in 2004. He is part of the growing diversity in the Legislature and last year he quickly climbed the influence ladder when he became deputy majority whip. This will be a pivotal term for Prieto. After having shed the rookie label, he will be judged on his legislative efforts.



33rd DISTRICT


I n the 33rd District, it would be difficult to ignore the human dynamo Assemblyman and Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack, whom The Jersey Journal endorses for Senate. The Journal also endorses Stack's running mates, Hoboken Councilman Ruben Ramos and Caridad Rodriguez of West New York.

Stack is a legendary workaholic who lives and sleeps government. As an assemblyman, he did bring home the bacon, millions of dollars for schools, parks and public projects, including more funding for the Light Rail.

When he served on one of several special committees in Trenton to review possible property tax reforms, Stack battled suburban legislators who wanted to cut funds for Abbott schools, which include four school districts in Hudson County. In the Assembly, he has nearly 90 pieces of legislation pending where he is the main sponsor.

In Hoboken, Councilman Ramos was nurtured as a future legislator. Eight years on the council, for two terms, he has served as the council president and gained political prestige when he spoke at the 2000 Democratic National Convention. The school teacher said he did not see a passion for governing among the county Democratic Party leadership. He jumped at the chance to run with Stack, with whom he shares that enthusiasm for helping the less fortunate in their districts.

For the other Assembly seat, Hoboken's Carol Marsh has a strong resume, but Rodriguez has a government background as well, and the Journal believes that in light of one of the more strident primary campaigns in the county, it would be better to keep the 33rd District ticket intact for a better working relationship in Trenton. Rodriguez has the administrative background to do well in the Legislature. She is a former member of the West New York Board of Commissioners and sat as a member of the town Planning Board for six years and on the Zoning Board of Adjustment for three years.




? 2007 The Jersey Journal
? 2007 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.