Posted on 03/08/2005 3:11:21 AM PST by Cagey
TRENTON, N.J. -- The gubernatorial campaign manager for former Minnesota Gov. Jesse "The Body" Ventura is working with a group of New Jersey residents urging actor and comedian Joe Piscopo to run for governor of the Garden State.
Doug Friedline, who led Ventura's successful campaign in 1998, has created a draft committee called "Run Joe Run 2005!" He said the committee is made up of about 60 independent and "disgruntled" Democratic voters who want to give New Jersey voters a choice other than presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Jon Corzine and his Republican challengers.
Piscopo, who could not be reached for comment Monday, has not committed to the race, Friedline said.
"We're trying to get him to run," said Friedline, a political consultant who is acting as the draft committee's chairman. "He's kind of reluctant right now,"
Glenn Schwartz, a California-based publicist for the former "Saturday Night Live" comic, declined comment.
However, Friedline said he thinks his group has a "good chance" of convincing Piscopo, who is from central Jersey, to run as an independent candidate.
Piscopo would appeal to the "the softer left of the Republican Party" and "the conservative wing of the Democratic Party," he said.
Friedline sees similarities between Ventura and Piscopo: Both were born and raised in their respective home states, have name recognition, are independent-minded and neither are beholden to either major political party.
"They're very dynamic speakers and I think it would make a good campaign," in New Jersey, said Friedline, of Chappaqua, N.Y. "(Piscopo) would do extremely well."
"Run Joe Run 2005!" is to officially kick off its committee Tuesday at the Statehouse in Trenton.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Works for me. New Jersey is already owned by clowns, might as well have a comedian leading them.
That has to be a first.
Joe Piscopo couldn't be reached for comment?
He's been on the tube talking about this for over a year.
Good luck New Jersey ... you need it. ;)
I didn't realize he was still alive.
At first, I thought they were talking about Joe Pesci. I forgot about the existence of Piscopo.
He's been waiting by the phone for 13 years hoping the producers of Sidekicks II will call.
Nobody drafts me for governor! My Mudda drafted me once. Once! (Holds up one finger).
Yeah? What exit?
Oh no! Not unfunny Joe Piscopo!
Joe and Eddie Murphy were hilarious on SNL. I remember when Eddie was playing Buckwheat and Joe lost it, he could not even go on with the skit.
Is Kato available to run as an independant?
I guess Rosa Cirianni figures she is writing for Dimocrat readers and that facts and common sense need not get in their way.
Hell, they might fall down and go boom. ;)
"...Take back Joe Pis-ca-po..."
-Tom Petty "Jammin me"
best thing i can hope for with this is that he drains more Dem votes and gets the R in.
It only stands to reason the Dems would pick another adulterer to run the state. So much for revamping the family values issue.
Jersey bump
No Joke: Piscopo for Governor of New Jersey?
Mar 8, 2005 9:34 am US/Eastern
(1010 WINS) (TRENTON) The gubernatorial campaign manager for former Minnesota Gov. Jessie "The Body'' Ventura is working with a group of New Jersey residents urging actor and comedian Joe Piscopo to run for governor of the Garden State.
Doug Friedline, who led Ventura's successful campaign in 1998, has created a draft committee called ``Run Joe Run 2005!'' He said the committee is made up of about 60 independent and ``disgruntled'' Democratic voters who want to give New Jersey voters a choice other than presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Jon Corzine and his Republican challengers.
Piscopo, who could not be reached for comment Monday, has not committed to the race, Friedline said.
``We're trying to get him to run,'' said Friedline, a political consultant who is acting as the draft committee's chairman. ``He's kind of reluctant right now,''
Glenn Schwartz, a California-based publicist for the former ``Saturday Night Live'' comic, declined comment.
However, Friedline said he thinks his group has a ``good chance'' of convincing Piscopo, who is from central Jersey, to run as an independent candidate.
Piscopo would appeal to the ``the softer left of the Republican Party'' and ``the conservative wing of the Democratic Party,'' he said.
Friedline sees similarities between Ventura and Piscopo: Both were born and raised in their respective home states, have name recognition, are independent-minded and neither are beholden to either major political party.
``They're very dynamic speakers and I think it would make a good campaign,'' in New Jersey, said Friedline, of Chappaqua, N.Y. ``(Piscopo) would do extremely well.''
``Run Joe Run 2005!'' is to officially kick off its committee Tuesday at the Statehouse in Trenton.
It also launched a Web site, www.runjoerun2005.com, where people can buy navy T-shirts stating, ``Run! Joe Run! Piscopo for Governor,'' written in lime green.
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