Pallone says his party must strive for unity

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS - Buffeted by a Republican majority in Congress through most of the Bush years, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) told Monmouth County Democrats at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands on Saturday that it is critical for his party to pick up more seats in the House and Senate.

"But the most important thing is the presidency," said Pallone. "This president has just completely screwed up."

The congressman said the country is in an economic downturn as a direct result of the Bush administration’s policies, and lamented America’s loss of respect around the world as a consequence of the War in Iraq, which Pallone opposed from the beginning.

He alluded to the possible fractious nature of the Democratic primary fight between senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the presidential nomination.

"I’m a Hillary person," said Pallone, "but regardless of what happens at the end of this process we’ve got to be united. We have to take all of those new Democrats who have come out and want change and want us to win, we’ve got to bring them into this party and make sure we have a huge victory this November."

Pallone, along with Sen. Frank Lautenberg and U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, was on his way to a private fund-raiser scheduled for Assemblywoman Linda Stender, which was also attended by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

The congressman said he liked Stender’s and Sen. John Adler’s chances as Democratic candidates in the 7th and 3rd district respectively.

"We think we can gain two seats in the House of Representatives in New Jersey from the Republicans this year," said Pallone. "And Sen. Lautenberg knows we have a very good chance of picking up five, six, seven seats in the Senate this year."

As of Dec. 31, the Stender campaign had raised over $615,000, or more than all of the Republican candidates for the 7th District combined, according to Stender campaign spokesman Joshua Henne.