June 4, 2008 - 11:07am
News

McCain to open New Jersey headquarters

At a press conference today, Republican Senate nominee Dick Zimmer let something slip that had previously been undisclosed: presumptive presidential nominee John McCain plans to open a staffed headquarters in New Jersey.

State Sen. Bill Baroni, who chairs McCain’s New Jersey campaign, confirmed the news, although he's not sure when and where it will open.

Banroni said that it’s proof McCain plans to play in New Jersey.

A location isn’t picked out yet, but Baroni said that it will likely be somewhere in Middlesex County.

“I’ve been saying for months, trying to tell everybody that New Jersey is in play for Sen. McCain,” said Baroni. “We’ve now hired two staff people on the ground for New Jersey. We’ve had four political visits for McCain since February. We’re now opening a headquarters. This should show everyone that New Jersey is going to be a very active campaign until November.”

McCain plans another campaign stop in New Jersey next Friday at Burlington County Community College.

MATT FRIEDMAN is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at matt@politicsnj.com.

Comments

It needs to be...


...in the northeast region of the state. Democrats in Bergen County are vulnerable and in order to win the state you need to two things:

1) Win Bergen County.

2) Campaign in Hudson County to keep the loss there down like Whitman did in '97 and make the Hudson dems spend money defending their own backyard which in turn, prevents them from pumping money into Bergen.

Barack Obama is a very weak and vulnerable opponent and if we these two things instead of the same old thing that doesn't work for the millionth time, McCain has a shot.

"Blah Blah Blah - establishment rhetoric - Blah Blah Blah" - NJMurrayPaultard

06/04/08 1:00 pm

I had Bill Baroni


as a law student at Seton Hall a few years back and was so impressed with his energy, zeal, intelligence and overall humanity.

I understand his past work with McCain, but I really can't believe that such a dynamic young guy can't see the disastrous failure of the futile work that awaits him.

Oh well. Nice knowin' ya Bill

06/04/08 2:00 pm

McCain's NJ chances


McCain has a shot, but it will be extremely expensive to make it happen. Not sure he has the funds to play in all these different states.

I think he should focus on South Jersey, no way can he win in Bergen.

06/04/08 2:10 pm

Baroni


Sen. Baroni is a very savvy politician with a very bright future on a statewide scale and if he manages to deliver New Jersey for McCain, that star will definitely get too bright to ignore.

Baroni's relationship with organized labor is a huge asset in this effort as Hillary scored big with labor and most will not soon forget Obama's remarks regarding blue collar workers in neighboring Pennsylvania.

I trust that he knows what needs to be done in order to win and I look forward to seeing the campaign effort he puts together.

"Blah Blah Blah - establishment rhetoric - Blah Blah Blah" - NJMurrayPaultard

06/04/08 2:13 pm

Dino...


....saying that Obama is a "very weak and vulnerable opponent" is one thing, winning is another. I think you judge him by Republican-base standards. Granted he would be a bad GOP candidate but so was John McCain. Go figure.

06/04/08 2:50 pm

mister_nj


John McCain was chosen by the majority of Republican voters, New Jersey included, as the best candidate in the field.

Loudmouthed, trash talking fencesitters do not matter to me and therefore, do not factor into my equation.

"Blah Blah Blah - establishment rhetoric - Blah Blah Blah" - NJMurrayPaultard

06/04/08 2:55 pm

-


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06/04/08 6:47 pm

Advice for McCain


If Baroni remains the voice of McCain's efforts in New Jersey, that will only further dampen Republican enthusiasm for his campaign. Seriously, the McCain camp needs to rethink this. Even if you can't rid yourselves of Baroni, at least name a few bona fide Republicans as co-chairs. In other words, water down Baroni's role in a way that saves him a little face.

06/04/08 7:05 pm

Advice for Hudson


We as Republicans have to stick together and unite if we want a Victory for Senator McCain in November.No one has worked harder then Senator Baroni on Senators McCains campaign and the results were a victory in the primary.It is a shame that we have people like hudson trying to derail a John McCain victory.In spite of the opposition Senator Baroni and his team will lead us to victory in November and John McCain will be the next President of the United States of America.

06/05/08 10:21 am

The simple fact is:


John McCain's chances of victory in New Jersey (and for that matter Nationally) would expand exponentially if he was a Republican.

 

 

 

"Democracy becomes a government of bullies tempered by editors."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

06/05/08 12:10 pm

Face Reality


Tiger: Baroni is viscerally despised within his own party. You need to realize this. McCain is viewed with enough suspicion to start with. Baroni's high-profile role in his state campaign only serves to validate that mistrust. And when you make comments like, "Senator Baroni and his team will lead us to victory in November," you are making it even harder for many Republicans to fully get on board with McCain. Believe me, you really don't want to draw a line in the sand and make this election a referendum on Baroni's "leadership."

06/05/08 2:03 pm

With Respect


Hudson with all due respect I disagree with you.The election is about Republicans joining together and setting aside are differences and working together to get Senator John McCain elected to President of the United States.The other point I would like to make is hudson you obviously have never been to the Hamilton New Jersey were Senator Baroni calls his home and did you know that Senator Baroni gets 65% of the vote in the 14th district. Senator Baroni is the future of the GOP in New Jersey.

06/06/08 9:09 am

Look Outside the 14th


Sure, he might be well-regarded within his own district. Outside his district, Baroni's name is mud. If he is the "future" of our party, God help us. Baroni and his fellow Democrats are running this state's economy into the ground. If, as you say, we need to put aside our differences in order to defeat Obama, then why not lower Baroni's visibility by adding several state co-chairs? In his current role, Baroni is not doing McCain any favors. Is he more interested in promoting McCain, or himself?

06/06/08 1:00 pm