July 25, 2007 - 4:44pm
Rothman endorses Obama
By Max Pizarro
Tags: Barack Obama, Steve Rothman
Sen. Barack Obama announced today that U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman would serve as Northeast regional co-chair of his Presidential campaign. In a press release issued by his office, Rothman said Obama is the best candidate to unite the country, and reverse the damage created by the Bush administration.
Rothman is the only member of the New Jersey congressional delegation to endorse Obama so far. He is considered a possible candidate for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination in 2008, if Frank Lautenberg does not seek re-election.
"Last week’s National Intelligence Estimate proves that we are no safer than we were before the attacks of Sept. 11th," said Rothman. "It’s time to turn the page and bring an end to the Bush-Cheney foreign policy that has left Americans vulnerable here at home and reduced matters of war and national defense to signs and slogans. Barack Obama is the best candidate for President, with the strength and character to change our broken politics and restore America’s standing in the world. He will engage in the aggressive diplomacy necessary to hold countries that pose the greatest threats to our national security accountable. Senator Obama also possesses the resolve to use military force, if necessary, to protect America."
Rothman is serving his sixth term in Congress representing the 9th District. As Northeast Regional Co-Chair, Rothman will be a leader for Obama campaign efforts in the region, which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
In a statement, Obama said, "I am honored to have the support of Congressman Rothman and proud to have him represent the Obama campaign in the Northeast. Congressman Rothman has been a dedicated fighter for justice and equality for New Jersey and a leader in efforts to bring the war in Iraq to an end. I am pleased to have him join our grassroots movement for change and look forward to working with him to share with people across New Jersey and this country how we can transform our politics."
Contributors
Wally Edge
There's some specualtion that Gov. Jon Corzine will name Jaimee Gilmartin, a veteran Democratic operative and former aide to Richard Codey, ... >
Bob Torricelli
The Record announced yesterday that it was closing its Hackensack offices and "reinventing"itself. It was actually announcing its own ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
NJ STARS, while failing in its intended purpose, nonetheless demonstrates the need for fundamental reform in NJ's high schools. >
Debbie Holtz
It’s not often a congressional seat opens up in New Jersey – so you would think that all editorial eyes would be focused on any and all ... >
Steve Lonegan
“Capitalism is responsible for the current food crisis and starvation around the world,” the voice on the radio said. “Attend our Introduction ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
For the past few weeks, I've watched with fascination as politician after politician have appeared on a beach or a boardwalk and declared their ... >
Rob Tornoe
Michael P. Riccards
As the presidential race heats up, both parties are looking at so called swing voters, those who have in the past gone from one party to another ... >
Carla Katz
As labor is burning, our National union leaders are fiddling. Some of them are simply arsonists. While the labor movement has made tremendous ... >
Juan Melli
Among the nearly 1 million residents of Bergen County, approximately 0.4 percent are on the county payroll. But that figure jumps precipitously -- to ... >
Top Tags
Most Active Stories
- Star-Ledger: Christie launches Katz probe
- Manahan will retire as NJN news anchor
- Anatomy of a Machine
- Winners & Losers of the Week
- Katz probe: 'a very interesting twist in the plot'
- Hillraiser Turner considers the McCain option
- Lesniak suggests Republican running mate for Obama
- Oink! Oink! Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.
- Blind Rabbi has more money than Myers
- In 7th District fight with Stender, Lance starts from virtual scratch
- Dr. Bones goes to Washington
- PoliticsNJ.com Power List 2007
- Eleven arrested in bribery scandal
- Lyndhurst GOP, nearly all of them, switching parties
- Lobbyist arrested
- Governor Paralysis
- Who is the best State Party Chairman in New Jersey
- KYRILLOS, BECK, KEAN & HANDLIN VOW WORK TO KEEP SEASTREAK FERRY UP AND RUNNING
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
July 18, 2008
"Officer, stand down until your sergeant gets there." -- Trenton City Councilwoman Annette Lartigue, allegedly, to a police officer who had stopped her daughter for speaking on a cell phone for talking --- to the Councilwoman.
-Trenton Times, 07/18/08
Recent Press Releases
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Union head to seek restraining order against CWA― CARLA KATZ
Can Obama walk in Kennedy's footsteps? ― CHARLES STILE
Trump wonders why Corzine left the Senate ― CHARLES STILE
Bob Torricelli is Mad at the Big, 'Mean' Bergen Record― THE MEDIA MOB
Sweeney-Buono alliance shakes up N.J. Senate― JONATHAN TAMARI
Stile: Pay to play helped to quell party insurgents ― CHARLES STILE
Newark’s Mayor Cory Booker at Midpoint ― DICK BENFIELD
MUCHAS MARGARITAS― ANDY UNANUE
NJ Economic Growth chief leaves office― Gary Rose
PolitickerNJ.com Jobs
Syndicate
A Coveted Endorsement
Though we'd love to have had Rothman in the Edwards' camp instead, it speaks well to Obama's attributes that he was able to land the congressman, one of the last remaining particularly coveted New Jersey politicians not to endorse yet (Lautenberg is the other).
FL
Lautenberg will endorse Hillary. I can't imagine why SR would have done this, Hillary has been known to hold a grudge.
Interesting!
I'm still not ready to commit to a nominee. There's so much time left to hear more from these candidates and to see how they deal with the building pressures. I would love to see a freeform one on one between Hillary and Obama. Maybe that'll happen before this is all over!
The differences as revealed in that question weren't all that clear /realto me.
Obama left himself plenty of wiggle room to engineer appropriate preparartions before meeting with the heads of state in question. He didn't say he would meet with them in an unconditional/willy nilly manner.
Hillary interpreted Obama's answer in a very literal way and chose to attack/draw a distinction...which actually made some sense....though at the end of the day; an American President really should be willing/able to directly confront any/all of his/her opponents on the world stage.
Propaganda can cut two ways.
I give Rothman credit for taking a stand; he's heeded the demands of grass roots democrats and moved to the left on the Iraq war...and now he's to the left of Hillary on it.....and that's a good thing!
Now if we can move him along on single payer and impeachment and truly serious root to branch campaign finance reform and...
From Frederick Douglass
Bravo Steve Rothman
Obama wasn't naive as the Steel Magnolia claimed. He was right. Bravo for taking a stand and a right one for New Jersey and the country. Nice to see that there are still people out there she cannot intimidate.
interesting move
I'm a little surprised that he wasn't in the Hillary camp already. His Bergen County suburbanite district is Hill's base vote.
I guess he felt taken for granted, and un-loved by the Hill camp.
Also, if you do have statewide ambitions in NJ, having the urban vote on your side (Healy, Booker) is a step in the right direction.
ehh
there is a lot of time left, a lot of things yet to be played out. but no matter what happens, rothman can be given credit for taking a stand and throwing his support behind obama. as much as people like to talk about him being the superstar in the party and pay him lip service, there hasnt been the same kind of support for him (at least in jersey) that there has been for hillary. thus, no matter what happens, its nice that least someone from the nj delegation backed o.
If we did primaries on the same day...
I'd bet Wildes would run on Hillary's line. Heck he might run now anyway.
Rothman makes a good choice
Given Rothman's base is the 37th legislative district (former mayor of Englewood), endorsing Obama will give the Illinois Senator real boots on the ground in a contested primary with Hillary. How does Hillary win with Newark, Jersey City and the 37th in Bergen against her?