Clinton backs Rep. Pascrell over Rep. Rothman in NJ's Dem primary

[ProSense]

Clinton backs Rep. Pascrell over Rep. Rothman in NJ's Dem primary

By Josh Lederman

President Clinton picked sides in a battle between two Democrats on Friday, backing Rep. Bill Pascrell over Rep. Steve Rothman in a redistricting-induced primary in New Jersey.

"I know Bill Pascrell, and he is the fighter we need to support President Obama,” Clinton said. "Bill helped write President Obama’s healthcare law, he’s a leader protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and he never stops fighting for the middle class."

Pascrell backed then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) over Obama in the 2008 presidential primary, while Rothman endorsed Obama.

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Clinton has already come to the aide of other Democrats who endorsed Hillary Clinton, including Rep. Mark Critz (Pa.) and Rep. Brad Sherman (Calif.). Both Critz and Sherman were pitted against fellow Democratic incumbents by redistricting, and Critz won his match-up.

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http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/225481-clinton-backs-pascrell-over-rothman-in-nj-primary

Pascrell, Rothman tout liberal views in NJ debate

ANGELA DELLI SANTI

PATERSON, N.J. (AP) — Two state congressmen who got elected in 1996, have similar Democratic voting records and have for years ridden the same Acela train to and from Washington wore their liberal views like badges of honor and tried to emphasize their differences during their second debate Monday night.

Reps. Bill Pascrell and Steve Rothman clung to issues that showcased their liberal bona fides, like gay marriage and abortion, as they sparred for an hour at Montclair State University. The onetime allies are headed for a June 5 primary showdown.

Rothman sought to portray himself as more predictably liberal than his opponent, claiming he supported same-sex marriage long before his opponent did and has an unvarnished record of supporting a woman's right to choose while his opponent voted to restrict late-term abortions. Pascrell tried to demonstrate that he's more in step with the president, having voted with him 94 percent of the time and been endorsed by former President Bill Clinton, and that his challenger is intentionally distorting his voting record.

Both said they were proud to be progressives in their party.

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In New Jersey, either Pascrell or Rothman will be squeezed out of a job as the state downsizes from 13 to 12 congressional representatives. Whoever wins the Democratic primary is almost sure to be elected in November to represent the solidly Democratic district. That's why this campaign has been such a dogfight.

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http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Pascrell-Rothman-tout-liberal-views-in-NJ-debate-3557130.php#ixzz1vC8VAO7e

[AtomicKitten]

1. payback

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/bill-clintons-endorsements-loyalty-or-payback/2012/04/19/gIQAzRQETT_blog.html?wprss=rss_the-fix