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TagsBY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
SECOND UPDATE
Appearing before a cheering audience of New Jersey AFL-CIO activists, Vice President Joe Biden Wednesday called for the re-election of Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine.
With Corzine at his side at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, Biden told union leaders and activists that the governor has the complete and unwavering support of the White House.
"It is critically important he be re-elected,'' Biden said.
Biden told the audience that he and Corzine are pro-labor "from belt buckle to shoe sole.''
Corzine introduced Biden, a former longtime Delaware U.S. senator as "an American hero.''
It's a good day to be Jon Corzine.
As Biden was finishing his late morning praise of Corzine, Democratic Party hero, former U.S. senator and decorated Vietnam War veteran Max Cleland of Georgia called for the governor‘s re-election before veterans at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Former national VFW commander George Lisiki and leaders of New Jersey's veterans' organization were at his side.Cleland, who was a senator from 1997 to 2003 and U.S. Veterans Administration director during the Clinton presidency. Cleland, like Corzine, is an advocate for a woman's right to choose, as well as a proponent of environmental issues.
Cleland said, "Jon Corzine knows firsthand the sacrifices our military families make to serve New Jersey and our country. His is a powerful example of how our nation should honor our veterans. I hope all New Jersey military and veteran families support Jon Corzine for governor. His leadership will provide our troops the support and gratitude they deserve when they come home."
Corzine visited New Jersey troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and supported expanding health care and housing for veterans in need.
"I am amazed by the fortitude and resilient spirit of the families and loved ones we have on the home front," Corzine said of Cleland's and the veterans' endorsement. "I am proud to be endorsed by such distinguished veterans today like Senator Cleland and General Lisiski and am humbled to be recognized by many New Jersey veterans who have sacrificed for their country. We have a responsibility to ensure that the very government that sent them to war treats them with respect and honor afterwards."
Lisiki said, "Governor Corzine believes that every veteran who has served our state and country deserves to be recognized for their commitment to the ideals that our great nation was founded upon. He has been a national leader in supporting our veterans who have bravely risked their lives for the freedoms we all enjoy. With his continued leadership we can all be sure that every veteran who calls New Jersey home will be treated with the dignity and respect that they have more than earned."
NJ.com reported that Biden said, "This is not only one of the most important states, this is one of the most consequential governors serving in any state in the union, an it is critical that he be re-elected. You are the key to getting this man elected, so go out and get those votes.
According to NJ.com Corzine told the union members, "I mean this from the bottom of my heart — I would not have been a U.S senator without the help of the people in this room and your brothers and sisters across the state. I wouldn't have been elected governor in 2005, and I wouldn't have been able to do a lot of the positive things we've done. I'll make a pledge — just as you are standing with me in the next days, I'll be standing with you from 8:01 a.m. on November 3, on for the next four years. We have a lot of work to do.''
Biden also said, "It is critically important that we re-elect Jon Corzine. This is one of the most important governorships in the nation." Vice President Biden finished saying, "I'm betting on Jon Corzine being able to stand with Barack and me several years from now and say not only is this recession over, not only are we creating jobs but we are stronger and we're better prepared to be the dominant economy in the world in the 21st century because of what we did."
"The stakes of this election could not be higher and the choices we face are crystal clear," Corzine said. "Over the past four years, my administration has fought for what is right for New Jersey families, working every day to expand healthcare to more children and passing paid family leave that allows workers to care for their loved ones while still receiving a paycheck. Working with the Obama administration, we will continue to build for a brighter future for New Jersey families."
The National Democratic Party is working for a Corzine victory on Nov. 3, fearing that a defeat by Republican challenger Chris Christie could have national consequences.
Corzine has received the endorsement of the state AFL-CIO and its influential president Charles Wowkanech. Union members are going door-to-door around the state this month urging resident to support the governor's re-election.
Biden's stumping for Corzine marked his third appearance with the governor in New Jersey since May when he talked about federal stimulus spending in Lodi, Bergen County. The vice president returned on June 2 to celebrate Corzine re-nomination as the Democratic candidate for governor in West Orange.
Biden was prepared to appear with Corzine in Pennsauken on July 28 where he was to award $26.8 million in federal aid to finance the hiring of 123 municipal police officers. But the event was moved to Philadelphia after federal lawmen five days earlier rounded up a string of New Jersey public officials on corruption charges. All but one of the officials were Democrats.
On July 16, President Obama endorsed Corzine before an overflow crowd at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. Obama cabinet members have also made at least 12 appearances with Corzine around the state since the president took office in January.
Republican gubernatorial challenger Chris Christie said Corzine should have used his time with Biden to press for a reversal of the plan to close a US Postal Service facility in Logan, Gloucester County that is expected to put 650 people out of work in the next few years. The impending closing became public Wednesday.
"New Jersey already has the highest unemployment rate in more than 33 years thanks to Jon Corzine's tax increases and job-killing policies,'' Christie charged. "Instead of posing for photos, Corzine should be standing up for New Jersey families by standing against this hurtful plan when he sees Vice President Biden today.''
"The vice president's visit today is a stark reminder of how Governor Corzine once again sold taxpayers down the river just three short months ago,'' said state Republican Chairman Jay Webber, according to NJ.com. "When we last saw the vice president in New Jersey, Governor Corzine was writing yet another chapter in his failed tenure. Instead of fighting for fiscal responsibility and representing the best interests of New Jersey taxpayers, he gave away the store to public employee union.''
The Republican was referring to a previous Corzine rally in West Orange where it is alleged that the Governor settled contract details with union leaders so the Vice President would not have to cross a picket line.