NJGOP: Adler Traded Legislative Access for Election Endorsements
This amazing story is posted on the NJGOP's official blog. It's shocking, but I can't say it's entirely surprising:==========================
Taped phone conversation indicates Adler and other Trenton insiders traded legislative access and action for endorsements
Excerpts from a taped phone conversation between New Jersey Outdoor Alliance (NJOA) Chairman, Anthony Mauro, and another individual who taped the conversation, expose the seedy, underside of New Jersey politics, and detail how Senator Adler and Trenton insiders like Speaker Joe Roberts and Senate President Dick Codey traded promises of legislative favors to secure Adler endorsements in the 3rd Congressional District race this year.
Job-creating businessman and decorated combat veteran Chris Myers says the recording “provides a glimpse into how Trenton works when you’re connected, and how the concerns of ordinary taxpayers and citizens get ignored.”
Myers said Adler’s endorsement by the NJOA was particularly puzzling because of Adler’s long history of being anti-hunting and anti-2nd Amendment in Trenton. Adler actually sponsored legislation to ban the black bear hunt, sponsored legislation to ban handgun ownership by everyone other than “authorized persons” like law enforcement and the military, or people who could prove a “justifiable need,” and received an “F” grade from the National Rifle Association in this congressional race. (see proof below)
“One listen to the tape, and it all becomes crystal clear,” said Myers, who pointed out he had publicly suspected Adler and other Trenton insiders of rigging endorsements, but lacked hard proof until now. “Adler and his Trenton pals traded legislative access and action for endorsements and it’s a disgrace. I wonder how the rank and file members of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance feel knowing they were sold out, and told to vote for someone who has been historically opposed to the issues they hold most dear.”
“John Adler raised property taxes 88% in just one year, he raised state taxes 43 times since 2002, he wrecked the state’s economy, he directed tax dollars to the employers of his family and friends from a Trenton slush fund, and now we have proof that he’s trading promises of access and votes in Trenton for endorsements in his congressional race,” said Myers. “Voters needs to ask themselves one question before they vote on Election Day: If John Adler created the mess in Trenton – and what a mess it is – how can he be trusted to fix the mess in Washington.”
The most damning excerpt, spoken by NJOA Chairman Anthony Mauro to the individual who taped the conversation, is transcribed below. It speaks for itself.
Listen To Clip One By Clicking Here.
http://www.njgop.org/Roots/15a5f870-d86c-4cdd-b8ab-66797af1fee8/Audio/081027caughtontapeClip1.wmv
“The moment that we endorsed Senator Adler, the doors started opening in Trenton. We got meetings with Speaker Roberts. We got acknowledgment from Senate President Codey. Those are the two people that allow any bill that’s ever going to be considered in Trenton – it’s got to go through those two people. Automatically we get access to them, doors open…and things start to work behind the scenes.”
Listen to Clip Two By Clicking Here.
http://www.njgop.org/Roots/15a5f870-d86c-4cdd-b8ab-66797af1fee8/Audio/081027caughtontapeClip2.wmv
“If Senator Adler wins…he goes to Washington, DC and although now he has little to do with our issues, he is very influential to the people in Trenton who are going to turn to him to look for money from various different sources that the state needs…Senator Adler is grateful to us, so he is going to make sure that we are taken care of here in New Jersey, in Trenton. Whoever replaces Senator Adler is going to be told by Senator Adler and other politicians in South Jersey that the NJOA is your friend and you work with the NJOA. So now we have the Senator in New Jersey who will replace Senator Adler, who is for the lack of a better word, kind of in our pocket, OK? And that’s New Jersey politics. Now let’s say for a moment, Senator Adler loses this race. OK? Senator Adler stays in New Jersey, had the backing of the NJOA, the doors in Trenton are open to us, he’s grateful to us and so we have someone working on our behalf.”
1996-97 NJ Legislative
Session:
Adler was the Prime sponsor of S-351,
which would have restricted the sale, importation, possession and carrying of
handguns except by certain “authorized persons” like law enforcement
or members of the military, or those who could prove a “justifiable
need.”
1998-99 NJ Legislative
Session:
Adler was the Prime sponsor of S-514,
which would have statutorily banned the hunting of black bears and overturned
the judgment of the Fish and Game Council, which has the authority, subject to
the oversight of the DEP Commissioner, to establish a black bear season.
http://www.nrapvf.org/Elections/State.aspx?y=2008&State=NJ#U.S.%20HOUSE%20OF%20REPRESENTATIVES
-
By Zebulon Pike | October 26, 2008 The Old Gray Lady, like a cranky old woman badgering the... Read Full Story » -
By Matt Rooney | October 3, 2008 Why do our liberal friends despise Sarah Palin? Ask Blue Jersey... Read Full Story » -
By Matt Rooney | September 21, 2008 Kudos to Mayor Chris Myers and State Senator John Adler... Read Full Story » -
By Matt Rooney | September 12, 2008 Today, Wally Edge reported on the results of an internal GOP... Read Full Story » -
By Matt Rooney | October 3, 2008 Is Democrat staffer George LeBlanc's incredible Bryant trial... Read Full Story »
