Jon Bon Jovi

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in Newark: Obama campaign photo

The Obama campaign organized two big events over the weekend, including a Friday fundraising party in Middletown with the Democratic presidential candidate, that netted his campaign $4.1 million in one night, according to party fundraiser Al DeCotiis.

"The tremendous enthusiasm and support of Jon Corzine helped make this the most successful fundraising event ever," said DeCotiis, who along with fellow former Clinton fundraisers Bill Harla, Michael Kempner, and John Graham, organized the Obama event with the governor.

New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi sponsored the bash at his home.

A day later, Gov. Bill Richardson stumped for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) at the Flamboyan Manor in Newark's North Ward, making the Democratic Party’s case for an end to the Iraq War.

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama had a private meeting in Newark on Friday, just before Obama headed to Middletown for a fundraiser at Jon Bon Jovi's home.  Menendez and Obama bet to discuss GOTV strategies for New Jersey and other key Latino communities across the U.S.  New Jersey's Senator is also considered an influential national Latino leader, who has demonstrated abilities to motivate Latino voters in states like Florida, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.

Enough talk about the lack of New Jerseyans on the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week: two Monmouth County Democrats are expected to get a prime slot on Thursday, when Barack Obama accepts his party’s presidential nomination.  Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi will be the opening acts for Obama’s concert. 

This top ten list came to us from Bob Talmadge of Belford, New Jersey:

One day after ex-baseball star Al Leiter said he wasn't running for U.S. Senate or Congress in 2008, the New York Post reports that rocker Jon Bon Jovi "could be planning one day to run for governor of New Jersey."