July 21, 2008 - 1:58pm

This is too funny: candidate Lautenberg wants review of how NJSEA handles VIP tickets

U.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The Lautenberg campaign blamed the cancellation on the NJSEA, which rescinded their commitment to sell them the tickets – and in full spin mode, called on the sports authority to “re-examine its practice of reserving tickets, in order to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.

Comments

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.

07/21/08 2:06 pm

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.

07/21/08 2:10 pm

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?

07/21/08 2:28 pm

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.

07/21/08 2:46 pm

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.

07/21/08 2:47 pm

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.

07/21/08 2:47 pm

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...

07/21/08 7:47 pm

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.

07/22/08 8:43 am

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

If there is no struggle there is no progress......Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

07/22/08 9:59 pm

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.

07/23/08 10:39 am