National Democrats Begin Ad Campaign for McGreevey

The New York Times ^ | September 11, 2001 | By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN

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TRENTON, Sept. 10 — National Democrats today fired the first shot in the air war of the New Jersey governor's race, unveiling a television advertisement that attacks the Republican record over the last eight years in Trenton, where the Republican Party has controlled both the governor's office and the State Legislature.

The ad's voice-over begins in an ominous tone: "1993: Republicans take control of Trenton; the governor's office; the Legislature. They said they'd make us No. 1. Well, eight years later we are No. 1 — No. 1 in the cost of auto insurance; No. 1 in property taxes; No. 1 in toxic waste sites and Republican scandals."

The new ad, which began its broadcasts today, does not mention James E. McGreevey, the Democratic nominee for governor, or his opponent, Bret D. Schundler, the Republican. But Democrats said the ad was a coordinated effort by national and local party officials to strengthen Mr. McGreevey's efforts.

Democratic officials estimated that the party would spend about $1.5 million to broadcast the ads on stations in the Philadelphia and New York markets.

The ad touches on what Democrats hope is a hunger for change among New Jersey voters — a sentiment that if carried into the ballot booth could put both the executive and legislative branches of state government in Democratic hands for the first time in a decade.

Advertising by the two major national parties is expected to play a major role in the New Jersey governor's race. Already the two campaigns have been in court fighting over whether the national parties, under state campaign finance law, can pay for ads featuring the names and faces of the candidates.

Last month, the Republican National Committee asked the Election Law Enforcement Commission if it could legally buy ads featuring Mr. Schundler. The commission said it did not have the authority to restrict those ads so long as they were not produced in coordination with the Schundler campaign.

The McGreevey campaign sued, arguing that any ads by the Republican National Committee featuring Mr. Schundler's name or face would have to be coordinated with the local campaign and should count toward the $8 million spending cap that both candidates agreed to in exchange for public campaign matching funds.

A state judge dismissed the lawsuit, saying it was premature because no ads had yet been bought.

National Republicans seized on the new ad today to accuse the Democrats of being disingenuous. "It reeks of hypocrisy," said Dan Ronayne, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee.

New Jersey law permits coordinated issue advertising. Jennifer Palmieri, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee, said the party had openly acknowledged its cooperative efforts. The ad, she said, was "fully coordinated with McGreevey's staff, with the party, with county chairs, the whole gang."

Ms. Palmieri said that the Democrats were hoping to get a jump on their adversary knowing that the national Republicans have far more money available to spend on campaign ads this year. "We think eight weeks out is the right time to put out an ad that helps candidates up and down the ballot," she said.

But Mr. Ronayne of the Republican group said the Democrats were afraid of Mr. Schundler. "I think it shows us that the Democrats are very afraid of Bret Schundler, and his hard-charging campaign," he said. Mr. Ronayne said the Republicans had not decided when or if to spend money on Mr. Schundler's behalf.

Mr. Schundler is trailing Mr. McGreevey badly in early polls, and some political analysts have suggested that the national Republicans may be unwilling to spend resources in New Jersey unless Mr. Schundler starts to close that gap.

Mr. Schundler was in Israel today, on a three-day trip that he has said is intended to build his relationship with New Jersey's Jewish community. And Mr. McGreevey today received the endorsement of Glenn Cunningham, a Democrat who succeeded Mr. Schundler as mayor of Jersey City this year.

Bill Pascoe, Mr. Schundler's campaign manager, reacted scornfully to the news of the endorsement. "Nothing pleases me more," he said, "than to see one tax-hiking machine politician endorse another tax-hiking machine politician."

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Mr. Ronayne said the Republicans had not decided when or if to spend money on Mr. Schundler's behalf.

What??!!! These national party hacks are afraid to see Schundler win. They don't want to see real change. They don't want to show others that they bet on the wrong horse -- twice.

Donate directly to Bret -- the RNC may not even play in this race!

[Politico2]

Go Bret Go!

[Ed_in_NJ]

I guess the DNC is paying for this with some of that illegal money they raised during their 1996 crime spree. The funds that were raised under the leadership of the corrupt Sinator Tawdrysmelly, who is about to be indicted for his own crimes.

[Russ]

I feel sorry for you, Ed. It must be lonely being a conservative in New Jersey. The way I look at it New Jersey deserves McGreevey just as New York City deserves Mark Green.

There will be hell (and higher taxes)to pay when those two are elected.

[Coop]

the RNC may not even play in this race!

I think they ultimately will, but only if - as the article says - Schundler makes up some ground in the polls. I imagine President Bush could be talked into an appearance as well. But Bret also needs to make up some ground in fundraising, which is where we FReepers can immediately help out. A few small donations from a conservative site of this size would help out immensely.

[Ed_in_NJ]

Thanks for your empathy.

Today, I am just grateful that I was not across the river. I have spent many, many mornings in the upper reaches of the World Trade Center -- and I am certain that some of the clients I called on are in the middle of this tragedy.