Johnson apologizes for LaRouche contribution
By Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com ReporterAssemblyman Gordon Johnson apologized today for donating $1,850 to controversial political activist Lyndon LaRouche in 2005 and 2006.
"Had I been aware of the LaRouche record of anti-Semitism I obviously would not have made my contributions," said Johnson, who will ask for a refund.
READ JOE FERRIERO'S LETTER TO JOHNSON
"I have spent my entire life opposing anti-Semitism, racism and all forms of hate; this regrettable episode only furthers my resolve to fight bigotry of all stripes. I sincerely and humbly apologize to those whom I have hurt
Johnson's running mate, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huddle, chided him on his judgement but defended his record.
“I am certainly disappointed in Assemblyman Gordon Johnson’s judgment. He made a very large mistake for which he has now sincerely apologized. Gordon’s life’s work speaks more clearly about his values than a few contributions," said Huttle.
Contributors
Wally Edge
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a watchdog group that promotes ethics and accountability, has filed a complaint with the ... >
Bob Torricelli
There's nothing more difficult to see than the history before your eyes. It sometimes takes generations to understand the significance of ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
OK, he didn't say precisely that, but when the Chairman of the Budget Committee informs us that governmental spending is the key to prosperity, ... >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here. >
Michael P. Riccards
The media, which loves headlines and knows little history, is trying to sell President Elect Obama as another Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But that ... >
Joey Novick
When I was eleven, way back in 1965, my family was invited for Thanksgiving to my cousins’ cousins, a Jewish-Italian family who lived in the ... >
Juan Melli
After the entire Star-Ledger editorial board opted to accept the paper's buyout offer, John Farmer, a 26-year veteran of the paper, was tasked ... >
Carla Katz
A couple of weeks ago, my mother, Angelina Katz, did her second debate on behalf of Barack Obama. A debate? My mother? If you knew her, you’d be ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
A rained out MusicFest this past September has provided Union County with $275,000 in insurance monies. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders ... >
Murray Sabrin
Today the Asinine Watch begins. With so many illiterate statements made about the economy by elected officials in recent days and weeks, it was ... >
Hot Topics
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Most Active Stories
- Lonegan enters race for Republican gubernatorial nomination
- David Crabiel, longtime Middlesex Freeholder, dead at 78
- Christie says give him four to six weeks
- Team Lonegan
- Lonegan to kick off his second gubernatorial campaign today
- Amid economic downturn, mayoral backlash, Lesniak anticipates COAH finetuning
- Ariyan mum on BCDO chairmanship prospects
- Some county chairs keep their gubernatorial options open -- for now
- Marra will be Acting U.S. Attorney
- Breaking a glass ceiling: will New Jersey get a Latino Secretary of Agriculture?
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
- Amid economic downturn, mayoral backlash, Lesniak anticipates COAH finetuning
Quote of the Day
"Because he had to dress for his speech immediately, he had to purchase an entirely new set of clothes. The campaign credit card used to pay for the clothing was reimbursed in total by the airline, which wrote a check for $952.04 to the congressman on July 20, 2007. The congressman then endorsed the check over to the campaign account on July 20, 2007. Thus, the campaign incurred no expense for the clothing." -- Francis Tagmire, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, on why Andrews used campaign funds to pay for clothing. A Washington, D.C. watchdog group has filed a complaint against him.
Recent Press Releases
- Dec 3 2008
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
James R. Lambert: Convicted Felon, Head of Authority― ONLY IN NEW JERSEY...AND PENNSYLVANIA
Why can't we find a role for Christie in Washington? ― MIKE KELLY
Christie Gives Notice, and G.O.P. Gains Hope ― DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI
Christie's legcy― THE BERGEN RECORD
Corzine for Treasury? Don't Bet on It.― WASHINGTON POST
Immigrants still in New Jersey― THE BERGEN RECORD
Syndicate
Life Work
Who cares about life work - his recent works of art are worthless - Dual Office, Being reprimanded for being heavy handed and on municipal property collecting donations, quiet on ENCAP which his running mate is connected to and now this and who knows what else there is. Aren’t these politicians supposed to get better with time and with all the recent public scrutiny? Maybe they really miss the Ferrerio dollars. In his defense he should chide Huttle and pay to play with Decotis law firm.
Money to LaRouche?
I would question the Assemblyman's judgement. LaRouche is a convicted scammer. Am I the only one that remembers the US Labor Party? $1850 is a lot give without checking whom one gives it to. I am not sure whether the Assemblyman is stupid or pathetic? There is an addition to the cliche about a fool and his money. How did the fool get the money to begin with?
Kudos
Kudos to Clara and her campaign for digging this up!! Ya gotta give her credit. Too bad she didn't get the Clean Elections money!
District 37 on fire at last
Kudos to those who exposed and continue to expose Progressive libral socialist hypocracy. Anti American , Anti Semitic, dual office holding, double dipping thugs. Wondering when the next shoe is going to drop at the BCDO.?
Ft. Lee Couldn't Say It Better
This letter shows why Joe Ferriero will stay in power, he is willing to challenge the clear anti-Americanism in the far left of his party and does not suffer fools gladly.
District 37 faces a real choice, either vote in the same corrupt, socialistic bums or vote for a group of decent moderate Republicans. Even the people there must be sick of Lorretta and Valerie the joke reformers, and Gordon the LaRouche supporter.
Boss Joe, why couldn't you have gotten Wildes, Wilson and the other guy in?
If Gordo was not aware of
If Gordo was not aware of Larouche's politics and anti semitic statements, then he is too stupid to represent anyone in Trenton
YOU ARE ALL NAIVE
if you think Clara came up with this information all on her own. Ferriero spoon fed this information to Clara like he has been doing through out this campaign. Ferriero's letter is a joke! I'm not defending Johnson, because contributing to that nut job was plain stupid. But Gordon's $1800 does not compare with the millions and millions Ferriero has funneled out of taxpayers and into his own pocket. When everything about Encap finally comes out, you will see the hand of Ferriero, Sarlo and all that crew. I sincerely believe that Johnson is not a racist. However, I would not want to be in his shoes. I'm sure Senator Weinberg has let him have it already. And we all know what happens when you mess with MOTHER NATURE!!!!!!
Gordon Johnson, LaRouche comments
All of LaRouche's views and political initiatives are available at www.larouchepac.com. LaRouche has been working for Arab-Israeli peace since the 1970s and has met leading Israelis and Arabs. Some of these debates may have been intense, but he has always fought for what is right. To call him an anti-semite is a lie. By the way, he is also a US Army Veteran of World War II.