U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine is set to endorse John Kerry

[NewJerseyDem]

This is pretty surprising and a show of some division in NJ democratic politics. Also, St. Sen. Joe Vitale will co-chair the Edwards campaign in NJ (mostly just raising money, primary is in June). And Lautenberg got married again. Good for him!

http://www.politicsnj.com/default_012504.asp

Sources in New Hampshire have told PoliticsNJ.com that Corzine is at this hour trying to reach Howard Dean by phone to convey to him that he has decided to back Kerry A formal announcement by the Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is considered imminent. The endorsement comes five weeks after Gov. James E. McGreevey endorsed Dean and delivered a large block of the New Jersey Democratic establishment to the former Vermont Governor. (Steve Kornacki, 01/26/04)

[JohnKleeb]

1. very neat

If anyone is curious, Senator Corzine voted against the war. This is good, I like what I read about him, though I dont know much about NJ politics.

[NewJerseyDem]

2. Corzine if very liberal

He is probably one of the most liberal members of the senate. It is just interesting that Corzine would endorse Kerry even though so many other politicians in the state endorsed Dean. Corzine is a lot more popular though and has a ton of contacts for fundraising because of his position at the DSCC and he has a lot of rich Wall St. friends.

It is also surprising that Joe Vitale is supporting Edwards. McGreevey and Vitale are both from the Middlesex county machine under John Lynch and I was surprised that that machine would be divided on their endorsements. Also, the South Jersey machine was divided before Kerry, Dean and Gephardt so I guess the party bosses are letting their puppet legislators endorse whoever they want to.

I happen to think that Lautenberg could endorse Kerry as well. This is just conjecture buy he doesn't like Dean and even went out of his way to condemn McGreevey's endorsement of him.

[JohnKleeb]

7. Lautenburg would be lovely

Thanks for giving me an understanding of your state's politics. I had no idea Lautenburg did that, and I know Frank is liberal. Thanks again, the NJ senators would be great. Lautenburg is another vet which is neat.

[NewJerseyDem]

10. Yeah

Lautenberg was asked how McGreevey should improve his poll numbers and Lautenberg said that first of all he shouldn't be giving an early endorsement to Dean. It was really out of his way to mention that.

Lautenberg is perhaps the strongest pro-gun control senator and I never thought he would consider Dean, considering his stance on gun control. Also, Lautenberg has worked with Kerry for 17 years in the Senate and I'm sure they have developed a close working relationship considering how they share many of the same liberal positions.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

12. If you look at their records, Kerry is MUCH more progressive....

than Dean. Dean openly praised Newt Gingrich's cutting of social welfare spending.

[NewJerseyDem]

13. Former St. Senator John Lynch will endorse Edwards

Politicsnj.com is reporting this even though Lynch denies that he will make an endorsement.

Lynch is the former state senate president and the Middlesex County democratic boss who has been McGreevey's mentor and someone who Politicsnj.com reported as being the most powerful unelected man in New Jersey politics. They even referred to him as "Governor Emeritus." This could be seen as a sign that some of the powerful figures in NJ politics are moving away from McGreevey, but I could be reading too much into this. This all makes sense though considering Joe Vitale, a Lynch ally, has endorsed Edwards.

Also, Tim Carden the 2002 congressional nominee in the 7th district is supporting Edwards and that is surprising since it has been widely reported that he was the frontrunner to become McGreevey's next Chief of Staff.

[goobergunch]

3. Delegate #85

First Inouye, now Corzine...looks like Kerry's shoring up support in the Senate.

Senate Superdelegates
Clark        1 (Baucus)
Dean         1 (Leahy)
Edwards      1 (Edwards)
Kerry        5 (Corzine, Hollings, Inouye, Kennedy, Kerry)
Kucinich     0 ()
Lieberman    3 (Carper, Dodd, Lieberman)
Sharpton     0 ()
Uncommitted 36
Chimpy       1 (Miller)

[goobergunch]

11. Make that 6 for Kerry

I forgot about Feinstein.

[jenk]

4. I think Lautenberg might follow suit

Good choice, wish it was Edwards but Kerry is my #2.

[blm]

8. You may be getting both your picks

on one ticket. How happy will THAT make you? heheh

[Creamed Corn]

5. A perfect fit

Corzine financed his campaign for Senate with $60 million of his own dough.

[NewJerseyDem]

6. True

They are the two richest members of the Senate.

[molly]

9. GREAT!!

I like Corzine - and he's very outspoken.