Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg gave a $100 million grant to the public school system in 2010. Now, according to CBS News, officials are considering using some of that cash on buyouts to get rid of poorly performing teachers. Read More
Hey, have you seen New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s goofy web video with Newark hero-Mayor Cory Booker? Have you? Have you? Well, if you’re famous enough, Mr. Christie has probably tried to pitch it to you over Twitter.
Last night, the official account of the New Jersey Governor tweeted at Saturday Night Live and Seth Meyers, suggesting Mr. Christie and Mr. Booker would be good for a sketch on the show. Cute. But a quick glance further into his feed shows clear and troubling signs of desperation. Read More
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker filmed a video for the annual New Jersey Press Association Legislative Correspondents Club Show spoofing Mr. Booker’s reputation as the “supermayor” and Mr. Christie’s widely rumored status as a potential vice presidential pick for Mitt Romney. The video begins with Mr. Christie trying to come up with something “even bigger” than Town Halls to energize his administration. He gets the idea to try to copy Mr. Booker’s daring rescue of a woman in a house fire last month by similarly saving someone from a disaster, but at every turn, Mr. Booker has already beat him to it.
“I got this,” Mr. Booker says.
“Booker!” Christie replies angrily each time his efforts are thwarted. Read More
Last month, a picture of President Barack Obama meeting with an exceptionally enthusiastic young fan became a viral internet sensation. Now, Newark Mayor Cory Booker is giving the Commander-in-Chief a run for his money by mugging for his own picture with a very, very excited young supporter. Read More
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, the author, television personality and erstwhile spiritual guru to Michael Jackson, has raised $90,470 since starting his underdog New Jersey congressional campaign last month. Mr. Boteach announced his first quarter fundraising results in a statement today that also touted some of his big name backers; Birthright Israel co-founder Michael Steinhardt, coffee mogul Sunny Sassoon, conservative radio host Dennis Prager, Elie Wiesel’s son, Elisha and House Minority Leader Eric Cantor, whose PAC gave Mr. Boteach $5,000.
“The substantial sum we raised in little over five weeks, since announcing my campaign, is evidence of the passionate desire on the part of Americans for a values-based campaign that dismisses divisive social wedge issues and focuses on fixing the family, combatting materialism and greed, and encouraging service and commitment on the part of America’s citizens,” Mr. Boteach said in a statement. “I am humbled by the support we have gained with our message of dignity through self-reliance and economic renewal through personal accountability and entrepreneurship.” Read More
Newark Mayor Cory Booker is one of the most visible Democrats in New Jersey, but his old friend, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, is running for Congress in the Garden State on a GOP ticket. Despite his relationship with the rabbi, Mr. Booker didn’t sound likely to back his friend’s congressional campaign when he spoke with The Politickerthis afternoon.
“I’ll tell you this, I’m a Democrat and, at this point, I have not made any decision, but I’d be hard pressed not to support,” Mr. Booker momentarily stopped himself before continuing, “You know, this puts me in a very tough position, but the reality is, I think it’s very important that we return a Democratic congressman from that district.” Read More
Affordable Housing or Lack Thereof
