Three times the Senator

In 1996, the price of a gallon of gas was just $1.23. The median price of an average home was just $144,200. And in 1996, the cost of running for Senate in New Jersey was much less than it is today.

But don’t tell that to Dick Zimmer, ‘cause he is running as if we’re still at 1996 prices. Shhhh! Mum’s the word.

The last time lobbyist/lawyer Dick Zimmer ran for Senate, it was 1996. He spent alot less money in that race than he will have to spend to win in 2008. However, because of the Repuplican primary and his very late start, he is very far behind Frank Lautenberg in fundraising.

Nearly three times as far behind as of the last reporting deadline with the Federal Election Commission.

Senator Lautenberg has $1.29 million cash on hand. While lobbyist/lawyer Zimmer has just $411,029 at the end of June.

While primaries in both parties were costly, Lautenberg spokesperson Julie Roginsky told the Star-Ledger, “The campaign is confident that we will have the resources necessary to win this November.”

The late great Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neil said that money is the mother’s milk of politics. Zimmer is going to have to really start milking those cash cows, if he is going to compete with Lautenberg.

The Star-Ledger reported that there is a $1000 per head fundraiser for Zimmer at the National Republican Senatorial Committee in Washington later this month. Hope they’re serving milk.

Governor's Gala raises a couple of mil

I arrived at the Governor's Gala at NJPAC last night pretty late. Most of the big names were already out the door, but they tell me the fund raising was a couple of million. That's very strong funding for Democrats this fall --who oppose this president, this war, support a pro-choice platform, and value the working families of New Jersey. Very impressive. Tip O'Neil said that money is the mother's milk of politics. And, until someone thinks of a better system---publicly funded elections, maybe ----it's what we have to get out our Democratic message in a democratic society.

On the other side of the aisle, the Repubs raised just 600K last week when Bush came in to Edison. Top Repubs, not wanting a picture with a guy who has a 28% approval rating in NJ, stayed away in big numbers.

Our guy President Clinton raised 2 million. Their 28% guy raised 600K. That's the fact, jack.