newjerseynewsroom.com

By TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

In a 23-minute address before an excited crowd of over 17,500 people at the PNC Arts Center in Holmdel Thursday, President Obama called for the re-election of Gov. Jon Corzine and urged New Jersey to support his attempt to bring about universal health care.

Corzine, who polls find is less popular among New Jerseyans than Obama, repeatedly referred to the president as “our partner in the White House’’ and said they are both trying to end the recession , restore jobs, improve health care and institute green energy

Citing the over 90 degree heat that baked the crowd on the amphitheater lawn and made the theater itself an outdoor oven, Obama took off his suit coat as he warmed up his praise for Corzine before he launching a call for support for his health care reform program.

With Corzine at his side and smiling broadly, Obama said, “This is man who is here because he cares. This is a man who has provided more property tax relief than any other governor in New Jersey history. This is the first governor in 60 years to reduce the size of government.

"This is a leader who stood up against those who wanted to cut education funding. Since Jon Corzine became governor, children’s health care has been expanded by 80,000 kids. Eighty thousand more kids have health insurance.‘’

In a lengthy introduction of the president that also served as a campaign address, Corzine compared the former Illinois U.S. senator from Chicago to another famous Illinois native, Abraham Lincoln.

“I share his values and share his commitment and share his sense of purpose,’’ Corzine said of Obama. “We are dedicated to better health care, better education, combating climate change, creating jobs and growing our way out of the recession. Both of us are attempting to overcome the incredible damage done to the nation by a Republican Congress and and a Republican president.’’

In a reference to his Republican rival, former New Jersey U.S. attorney Chris Christie, Corzine said, “Remember, there will always be critics, some even into deceit, who will tell you they will slash taxes but offer no specifics. That they will layoff 10,000 government workers but won’t say who or what the consequences will be. They won’t say what police or firefighters will be laid off or what schools would be closed.’’

“They have no-bid contracts for their friends and tough talk for everyone else. I don’t think we should put our trust into the same people who gave us bank bailouts ... and the war in Iraq. The same people who failed in the White House now want you to hand the keys to the Statehouse to them. Real leadership is taking on a crisis the honest way. If a person can’t stand up at the plate and offer solutions to problems, that person is not ready to lead.‘’

As he settled into his address, Obama said he had telephoned Jersey City Mayor Jeremiah Healy after learning that five of the city’s police officers were wounded Thursday in a confrontation with a gunman. “All of the families are in our thoughts and prayers,’’ the president said. “It’s a reminder of what all law enforcement officers do everyday to protect our families.’’

Obama described Corzine as, “A man called to lead in extraordinary times, a man called to serve during a recession caused by the same small thinking that had plagued politics for decades. The kind of thinking that we can tinker around with problems, tell people what they want to hear. That is not the kind of leader Jon Corzine is.’’

Obama added, “Some in Washington and some in Trenton want us to go down the road we have trave led for the last decade. The only thing they are offering is to make the rich richer, the deficit deeper, and leave you holding the bag.‘’

Corzine is hoping Obama’s popularity with New Jerseyans will rub off on him.

A poll released Thursday by Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey finds Christie leads Corzine by 43 percent to 37 percent among likely voters in the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election. Independent Chris Daggett gets support from 5 percent of potential voters and 15 percent remain undecided.

Obama dedicated the greater portion of his address to praising his proposed health care plan and calling for New Jerseyans to lobby their Congressmen and senators to support it. He said climbing health care cost are effecting the economy and placing severe financial strains on families.

“Harry Truman could not get it done, and every president since has talked about it and couldn’t get it done,’’ Obama said of health care reform. “Let me be clear here, New Jersey, you are going to hear a lot of nonsense. This is what reform means to you: If you have coverage, you can keep it. You can keep your doctor and plan. Reform means lower costs, more enhancements and coverage you can count on.

"If you lose your job, start a new job, run a business, you’ll have health insurance. If you don’t have health insurance, you will finally get it at a reasonable price. If you have an existing condition, it will be covered.’’

Obama added, “When you hear the critics, ask them ’What is your plan, what is your alternative? What will you do for families with health costs that are driving them into bankruptcy?’’’

Corzine and Obama’s words were frequently interrupted by applause and cheers from An audience that waved blue and white placards that read, “Obama-Corzine.‘’

When his address was concluded, Obama waded into the crowd to shake hands before departing in the presidential helicopter.