New Jersey Star Ledger: New Jersey Democrats Reciprocate Support in Hillary's Bid

Ever-reliable Hillary to N.J. Democrats: Pay up, guys Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Hillary Clinton traveled to Elizabeth City Hall on Monday, where she fell into the warm embrace of the Democratic Party establishment. One speaker after another stepped to the podium to praise her intelligence, her work ethic, her devotion to the underdog.

But the cluster of smiling politicians who squeezed onto the steps behind her had another big reason to show support.

These guys owe her, big time. Clinton may carry too much baggage to win it all. But she has been patiently building up chits in New Jersey for many years. And she came here Monday to collect.

She and her husband were early supporters of Jon Corzine, giving the rookie pol from Wall Street immediate legitimacy.

She speaks at rallies during every big campaign these days.

And she does the smaller things, like attending fundraisers for Assembly Democrats.

"More than anyone, she has made herself available to help us," says Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden). "That's helped us win a lot of races."

So now the party leaders will fire up their machines to help Hillary. They will work phones banks. They will shuttle voters to the polls. They will help her raise money. Perhaps most important, they shifted the primary from its regular date in June to Feb. 5, finally putting New Jersey in the thick of things.

Continued

Gov. Corzine of New Jersey Endorsing Hillary Clinton for President

Corzine to endorse Clinton on Monday, sources say

Posted by The Star-Ledger March 29, 2007 9:03PM

What may have been one of the worst kept secrets in New Jersey politics is out: Gov. Jon Corzine will throw his support in the 2008 presidential campaign to New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Corzine will formally endorse Clinton at a joint appearance Monday morning in Elizabeth, according to officials in the admin­istration, Democratic party and the Clinton camp. All asked that their names not be used because Cor­zine hasn't yet announced his decision publicly.

The rally at city hall in Eliza­beth will be followed by a Corzine-hosted afternoon fund-raiser for
the Democratic party's front-run­ner, two of the officials said.

A spokesman for Clinton's cam­paign was coy when asked tonight about the endorsement. ''Sen. Clinton is going to be in New Jersey on Monday to make a major campaign announcement," spokesman Mo Elleithee said. "That's all we're going to say tonight."

Corzine Press Secretary An­thony Coley declined comment: "We have no announcement at this
time," he said.

It has been widely expected that Corzine would endorse Clinton, with whom he served in the
U.S. Senate, but the governor has never said so publicly. Hillary and former President Bill
Clinton campaigned with Corzine during his run for governor in 2005.

Several prominent Democrats are expected to attend Monday's event, including Rep. Rob Andrews, Sen. Robert Menendez and Assemblyman Jo­seph Cryan (D-Union), the Demo­cratic state committee chairman, the officials said.

Contributed by Deborah Howlett

'The Group' Backs Hillary Clinton in New Jersey

In New Jersey, presidential hopefuls court 'The Group'

By ANGELA DELLI SANTI
Associated Press Writer


TRENTON, N.J. -- A small group of Democrats with an attraction to national politics, the diversity to mobilize voters and the connections to raise millions could have a big impact on the 2008 presidential race in New Jersey.

The high-profile lawyers, business owners, suburban politicians and civic leaders informally call themselves The Group. Together, they could represent the archway for the winning presidential candidate in the Garden State.

"It's clear that this group is not only able to deliver money, but also able to deliver votes," said the Rev. Reginald Jackson, executive director of the Black Ministers' Council of New Jersey, and a group member. "We have influence in a host of areas around the state that are needed to deliver a victory. It's a matter of leadership as well as money."

The Group organized with a single focus: to find a presidential candidate to back in 2008.

Initially, they zeroed in on former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner. After Warner dropped out, The Group threw its political weight to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Before making an endorsement, The Group grilled each of the party's half-dozen or so serious presidential contenders.

They met Sen. Joe Biden at his home in Delaware, sat with 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards and Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh in New York City, chatted with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson at Pal's Cabin in Essex County, and met Clinton in Washington. (One member met privately with Barack Obama, but scheduling conflicts prevented the Illinois senator from meeting with entire group.)

Group co-founder Alfred DeCotiis, a prominent Democratic fundraiser and former Democratic National Committeeman, is convinced Clinton is as electable as her two-term husband despite a high number of potential voters who say they don't like her.

"I always thought Hillary was more impressive than Bill," said DeCotiis, who has known the former first couple for 15 years. "She is much more thoughtful, she is much more of a policy person. She was clearly Bill Clinton's co-president. She is really wonderful."

Continued