This is too funny: candidate Lautenberg wants review of how NJSEA handles VIP tickets
By Wally EdgeU.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg sought to end a brewing political firestorm today cancelling a campaign fundraiser at Bruce Springsteen’s Giant Stadium concert on Friday – just one day after The Record broke the story that the Senator’s re-election campaign had cut a deal with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to buy forty premium tickets held back by the state agency for VIP’s and political insiders for $108 per ticket and reselling them to donors at $1,500 each.
The Lautenberg campaign blamed the cancellation on the NJSEA, which rescinded their commitment to sell them the tickets – and in full spin mode, called on the sports authority to “re-examine its practice of reserving tickets, in order to ensure that its tickets are available to all New Jersey residents, not just to VIP’s,” according to a published report.
But a source who formerly worked at the NJSEA says that Lautenberg has requested tickets for his personal use over the years from the same pool of premium seats, as have some key members of Lautenberg’s campaign team.
The Record also reported that GOP State Chairman Tom Wilson criticized Lautenberg for seeking tickets from the NJSEA after helping them receive federal funding for rail connections and road improvements. “His request for a special favor from the NJSEA to help his campaign looks like an old fashioned quid pro quo,” said Wilson.
Contributors
Wally Edge
David Crabiel, the longtime Middlesex County Freeholder who died today at age 78, ran for Congress twice, both times without success. His first ... >
Bob Torricelli
There's nothing more difficult to see than the history before your eyes. It sometimes takes generations to understand the significance of ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
OK, he didn't say precisely that, but when the Chairman of the Budget Committee informs us that governmental spending is the key to prosperity, ... >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here. >
Michael P. Riccards
The media, which loves headlines and knows little history, is trying to sell President Elect Obama as another Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But that ... >
Joey Novick
When I was eleven, way back in 1965, my family was invited for Thanksgiving to my cousins’ cousins, a Jewish-Italian family who lived in the ... >
Juan Melli
Last week's fight between Henry Waxman and John Dingell for chairmanship of the powerful House Energy and Commerce committee also featured a less ... >
Carla Katz
A couple of weeks ago, my mother, Angelina Katz, did her second debate on behalf of Barack Obama. A debate? My mother? If you knew her, you’d be ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
A rained out MusicFest this past September has provided Union County with $275,000 in insurance monies. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders ... >
Murray Sabrin
As New Jerseyans get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving the nation's economic outlook is indeed bleak, and there doesn't seem much to be ... >
Poll
PolitickerNJ Partners
Hot Topics
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Most Active Stories
- Norcross picks Beach for Adler Senate seat
- Lonegan to kick off his second gubernatorial campaign today
- Lonegan enters race for Republican gubernatorial nomination
- David Crabiel, longtime Middlesex Freeholder, dead at 78
- Team Lonegan
- Ariyan not interested in BCDO chairmanship
- Amid economic downturn, mayoral backlash, Lesniak anticipates COAH finetuning
- Spicuzzo mourns 'Mr. Middlesex'
- Marra will be Acting U.S. Attorney
- County official remembers Crabiel as 'great public servant'
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
- Jersey City councilman makes it rain in Washington
Quote of the Day
"Joe Ferriero never influenced me not to speak to Loretta. I would never be influenced in that kind of way." -- State Sen. Paul Sarlo, on his relationship with State Sen. Loretta Weinberg.
Recent Press Releases
- Dec 1 2008
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
James R. Lambert: Convicted Felon, Head of Authority― ONLY IN NEW JERSEY...AND PENNSYLVANIA
Why can't we find a role for Christie in Washington? ― MIKE KELLY
Christie Gives Notice, and G.O.P. Gains Hope ― DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI
Christie's legcy― THE BERGEN RECORD
Corzine for Treasury? Don't Bet on It.― WASHINGTON POST
Immigrants still in New Jersey― THE BERGEN RECORD
Syndicate
Glass Houses
Ummm.... I have to agree with Wilson on this one.
But, I'm sure Wilson took some free tickets to events when Christie Whitman was Governor.
Ticket Revenue
One day, when George Norcross stands trial for Crimes against Humanity, I would be interested in buying a ticket to sit in the back of the court room.
Let the ticket money go to paying down the state's debt.
What an A.H.
I got my hand caught in the cookie jar, so now let's just blow up the whole cookie jar.
Is there no honor among thieves?
So let me get this right...
Lautenberg, who is in a position of authority, seeks and accepts a special favor from the NJSEA, who need Lautenberg to get the money to build the rail link to the Meadowlands, and the NJSEA is at fault for bending the Lautenberg's totally inappropriate behavior??? Either he thinks we're all stupid or he's a lot more senile than we imagined. I bet this turns out to be one of those stupid little things that blows up into a really major deal.
So let me get this right...
Lautenberg, who is in a position of authority, seeks and accepts a special favor from the NJSEA, who need Lautenberg to get the money to build the rail link to the Meadowlands, and the NJSEA is at fault for bending the Lautenberg's totally inappropriate behavior??? Either he thinks we're all stupid or he's a lot more senile than we imagined. I bet this turns out to be one of those stupid little things that blows up into a really major deal.
So let me get this right...
Lautenberg, who is in a position of authority, seeks and accepts a special favor from the NJSEA, who need Lautenberg to get the money to build the rail link to the Meadowlands, and the NJSEA is at fault for bending the Lautenberg's totally inappropriate behavior??? Either he thinks we're all stupid or he's a lot more senile than we imagined. I bet this turns out to be one of those stupid little things that blows up into a really major deal.
The Boss???
I'd figure Frank for an Eddie Cantor fan... I hear Frank really likes to bump some Jay-Z or 50 Cent on the road... it's not the Notorious B.I.G, it's Seriously O.L.D... hey Frank, stick with the "hoop-and-stick" crowd...
It is beyond ridiculous!
I do not know why Frank put himself in such a mess, but it is clear to me that this old man lost all control of his campaign. It must be his forgetfulness, but a seating US Senator should not be involved in ticket scalping for a rock concert. Frank should rather be involved in respecting ethical and moral rules that he is supposed to follow. Blaming the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority for all of this is clearly mean and desperate.
I think Frank should resign from his office.
People Calling Other People "Stupid" Who...
...post the same comment three times (then don't delete the excess) are of questionable intelligence themselves, no?
From Frederick Douglass
True....but
True, it is annoying when people don't erase the comments that are accidently posted multiple times. But that does not change the fact that either the Senator thinks we (residents of New Jersey) are all stupid, or he is more senile than anyone expected.