Lautenberg, Zimmer in statistical dead heat

According to the PolitickerNJ, incumbent U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg is in a statistical dead heat with former Rep. Dick Zimmer. I think the GOP did well for itself selecting Mr. Zimmer as a candidate. Meanwhile, I am sure that Mr. Lautenberg, a great senator for this state for many years, is going to be on the Campaign Trail and making a case for why he should go back to Washington D.C.

My opinion: Both these guys are very distinguished lawmakers. It's going to be a good race. The Politicker has the story. Click on the headline and go there.

Good Primary Day recap by PolitickerNJ

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-NJ, was a dominating figure during this Primary. Meanwhile GOP candidate Dick Zimmer overcame a well-organized opponent in "Jersey Joe" Pennachio. Click on the headline to go to a good election recap at the PolitickerNJ.

Best two choices running for U.S. Senate

The best two choices to represent New Jersey in the United States Senate have, in my opinion, been nominated to run for office. Incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a great public servant and accomplished businessman, is contending for office against former Rep. Dick Zimmer, the creator of Megan's Law.

I do not have an opinion yet about who should win, and it is soon for that. But I do think New Jersey has a couple good guys challenging to represent it. Click on the headline to go to the APP story about it.

NY Times backs Lautenberg in Primary

Long story short: Rob Andrews isn't going to be either the candidate or the office holder that incumbent U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg is. In my opinion, it isn't just that Lautenberg has more money or name recognition. Andrews just isn't the guy.

The NY Times has written an editorial endorsing Sen. Lautenberg. I totally agree.

My opinion: The race to watch this fall is going to be Zimmer-Lautenberg. Click on the headline to go to Lautenberg's site, where there is a copy of the NY Times' editorial.

APP: Lautenberg, Andrews clash in campaign

Gannett has done a story about the Democratic Primary. Just my opinion...Lautenberg by a lot. I think a General Election between Republican former Rep. Dick Zimmer and Sen. Lautenberg is going to be interesting. The Primary...not so much.

Click on the headline to go to the story at the APP.

EDISON NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK CLOSER TO REALITY

May 7, 2008

CONTACTS:
Afshin Mohamadi 202-224-4744

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate Energy and National Resources Committee approved legislation authored by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and co-sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) that would create a Thomas Edison National Historical Park. The legislation would make the Edison National Historical Site in West Orange part of the National Park System, raising its prestige and significance among America’s historical areas. Currently, the Edison Site preserves Thomas Alva Edison’s research and development laboratories, library, papers, and artifacts, as well as his home.

“Thomas Edison, his work and his home are tremendously significant parts of the rich historical and educational fabric of our state, not to mention our nation,” said Senator Menendez. “In order to best preserve and honor our history and the extraordinary advancements Thomas Edison brought to mankind, this site should be designated a national historic park. The prestige and significance that comes with that designation is fitting for a site of this importance.”

The current Site is a national historic treasure and contains the world’s largest collection of materials related to Thomas Edison, encompassing an estimated 5,000,000 pages of documents, over 400,000 artifacts, approximately 35,000 sound recordings, and 10,000 books from Edison’s personal library.

Having passed the committee, the bill now moves to the Senator floor, where it is expected to be considered as part of a broader package of national parks legislation later this year.

###

Menendez, Lautenberg should support Bayshore measure

The FEMA flood map crisis is a serious one. The only way, right now, for FEMA to get the message about the significance for this to the Bayshore is for action on Rep. Frank Pallone's legislation, which would place a moratorium on FEMA issuing new maps. FEMA's answer to 'could you please delay this action' is posted below.

I do suggest that calling the offices for U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, at 202-224-4744, and U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, at 202-224-3224, is the best way to drum up support for this issue in Washington, D.C., where it is going to count.

FEMA is not changing its position by pointing out that their position may be flawed, asking them to stop. It's been tried and it didn't work. This state has two U.S. senators, and hopefully they will support this measure by Mr. Pallone, and help the Bayshore avert a problem that it will have to lilve with for many years to come.

This is the moment when Mr. Menendez and Mr. Lautenberg are needed in the Bayshore. I certainly do hope that they take this area's side in this issue.

Gaffney posts piece about FEMA flood maps

Courier Staff Writer Melissa Gaffney has posted numbers for contacting Sen. Bob Menendez and Sen. Frank Lautenberg about the FEMA flood map issue. Click on the headline to go to her blog, Simply Sable.

Where does Sens. Menendez and Lautenberg stand on FEMA flood maps?

CAPTION: Sen. Bob Menendez last year, during a Bayshore appearance at the Shore Casino, in Atlantic Highlands.

The question of where U.S. senators Bob Menendez and Frank Lautenberg stand on the FEMA flood map crisis is being asked by Courier Staff Writer Melissa Gaffney.

Basically, Rep. Frank Pallone, D-6, has crafted legislation which, if adopted, would place a moratorium on the FEMA flood maps. Both of these office holders have been popular in the Bayshore. I believe now is a time, though, when the Bayshore needs something to alleviate the concerns of thousands of residents.

What each senator's office responds with will be in the upcoming edition of The Courier next week.

Cocuzza is trying to drum up support for Pallone's legislation

The FEMA moratorium legislation being sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone, D-NJ, needs support in Washington, D.C. and at home. The FEMA maps constitute a real danger to homeowners where it involves unnecessarily paying for flood insurance, in some cases, or paying far too much in flood insurance, in other cases.

The legislation being proposed by Rep. Pallone is absolutely necessary for the Bayshore. Letting FEMA know that this area will not put up with being arbitrarily picked out for this unnecessary form of federal abuse is important. I think calling U.S. senators Bob Menendez (202-224-4744) and Frank Lautenber (202-224-3224) and making it clear this area supports Rep. Pallone's bill and efforts is also important.

The reason that elected officials are supported politically, in the first place, is for them to address issues like this FEMA thing. No public official, regardless of party, that is not a part of the solution for this issue, in my opinion, deserves public support come election time in the Bayshore.

I know there is an effort under way, starting with Union Beach Councilman Charlie Cocuzza, to get Bayshore communities to send resolutions supporting Rep. Pallone's measure to our U.S. senators and various other agencies.

I give Councilman Cocuzza a lot of credit for working in a bipartisan manner to try and beat the clock in the FEMA issue. The Bayshore is a highly political place. However, when it floods it will get wet in Republican households just like it will Democratic ones. This is a time to be focused on getting something done, and Councilman Cocuzza is doing just that.

To go to Sen. Menendez's Web site, click on the headline.

Lautenberg, Zimmer would make for best race

There are very few people in newspapers that I respect more than the APP's Randy Bergmann. He is one of the brightest people in the news industry today, and he has an incredible impact on Monmouth County because he knows what he is talking about and applies common sense to issues.

Yet, I think he is selling Dick Zimmer short. Mr. Zimmer possesses real credentials as a state legislator and represented this state in the U.S. Congress in a dignified and productive way. Frankly, my impression of Dick Zimmer is that he is not an insider. Far from it, my take on it is that Mr. Zimmer is a principled individual who is not part of a "machine."

I thnk Mr. Zimmer is dedicated to his family, and works very hard at whatever is before him. He is quiet, unassuming and genuine -- which is not what I can say about most politicians.

In politics, there are candidates that gravitate toward government and others that gravitate toward politics. Since it is a political process that candidates have to move through before they have the opportunity to serve in government, it is usually candidates that are politically-minded who end up serving the public. This is not a plus for the taxpayer, in my opinion.

I believe Mr. Zimmer is a good person, who is genuinely concerned about the interests of the public.

I do not know if I would vote for Mr. Zimmer over Sen. Lautenberg. I do know that Dick Zimmer makes me think about that question twice. I am very interested about what candidate Dick Zimmer would say about the issues. While I do believe that Sen. Lautenberg has served well and been on the right side of most issues, I think the American process of government is founded on the idea of an adversarial process: The best of both parties contending for one job.

I do believe that Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Dick Zimmer competing for the U.S. Senate would represent their parties best for this election cycle.

Click on the headline to go to Randy Bergmann's blog.

Zimmer throwing hat into ring for Senate race?

According to the Politicker, former Rep. Dick Zimmer may be in the U.S. Senate race for the Republican Party. I have interviewed Mr. Zimmer a few times, and as a congressman there are not many people who have represented this state with the class and good sense he has shown through the years.

Mr. Zimmer is a dedicated campaigner, a reasonable person and a very intelligent man, who was a guiding force in creating Megan's Law (after the tragic death of Megan Kanka). Certainly, he is the best name the GOP has come up with so far to contend against veteran U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg in November. If Mr. Zimmer is in the race, it may well be one to watch.

Click on the headline and go to the story on the Politicker.

RUTGERS COACH TO BE HONORED FOR 800th WINS

Caption: Sen. Robert Menendez at an appearance in Atlantic Highlands during 2006. Photo Jim Purcell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2008

CONTACTS:
Afshin Mohamadi (Menendez) 202-224-4744
Lautenberg Press Office 202.224.3224

NJ SENATORS INTRODUCE RESOLUTION TO HONOR RUTGERS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH ON 800th WIN
Vivian Stringer last night became the eighth coach in college basketball history to win 800 games

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today introduced a Senate Resolution to honor Vivian Stringer, the coach of Rutgers women’s basketball team on her 800th victory. Yesterday, she made history by becoming the eighth coach in college basketball history to win 800 games with a 60-46 win over DePaul.

"Coach Stringer's contributions to our community are measured not just in her number of wins but also in the number of outstanding women her program has produced,” said Menendez. “It is a tremendous asset to have a world-class coach and world-class teacher in our state. I congratulate her for her accomplishments, for the advancement of women’s basketball and for her service to our community. It is my pleasure to work to honor her in the U.S. Senate.”

“Coach Stringer's 800th win is a tremendous accomplishment for her, her team and the entire Rutgers community. She is a remarkable coach and a true Hall of Famer, deserving recognition not only for her impressive accomplishments on the court, but for her work with student athletes off the court as well. Congratulations to Coach Stringer on this tremendous accomplishment,” said Sen. Lautenberg.

A native of Edenborn, Pennsylvania, coach Stringer’s many accomplishments include being inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and being named by Sports Illustrated as one of the 101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports.

The text of the resolution can be accessed below: Http://menendez.senate.gov/pdf/022808coachStringerresolution.pdf. Click on the headline to see the resolution.


###