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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD |
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FOLLOW THE MONEY As the campaign for Governor of New Jersey gets into full swing, it is becoming easier to follow the money from the candidates. While no one begrudges Republican Doug Forrester or Senator Jon Corzine the right to spend their fortunes in pursuit of the office, only Forrester can claim the high road in regard to campaign finance reform. As the facts come out, it is hard to take Corzine’s pledge to reform pay to play seriously. Everyone remembers that Corzine went through $62 million of his own money to win his Senate seat. Many others suspected that he has been bankrolling almost every Democrat candidate for state office in New Jersey, but few knew the extent of his commitment. In reports filed through the end of June, it is obvious that Corzine or his family hold sway over candidates throughout the state. For instance, the Senator has already maxed out on the amount that he can donate to the state NJ Democratic Party for this year. The $25,000 donation to the state committee pales in comparison to the $37,000 that his mother donated to the Bergen County Democrat Committee in 2004. And the 89- year old retired Illinois schoolteacher claimed that she doesn’t even like politics! If wheeling money through his mother wasn’t bad enough, the Senator has already contributed to every single Democrat candidate for Assembly this year. That total of $103,000 in donations would have been more, but a state limit of $2,600 is imposed for primaries. It is a safe bet that the Senator will donate another $2,600 to each of the 41 candidates for their general election funds this fall. In contrast, Republican Forrester has donated just $5,000 towards Assembly candidates. Corzine can claim that he is simply abiding by the election law, but every single Democrat is now beholden to him in some way shape or form. The Senator has set a dangerous precedent with his largesse, and killed any credibility that he may have had on pay to play.
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