What can Sonny McCullough be Thinking?

What can Sonny McCullough be Thinking?

McCullough Continues to Embrace George W. Bush even as the President continues his double-barreled assault on New Jersey residents

(Atlantic City, NJ) – Democratic Assemblyman Jim Whelan said today it was inconceivable that state Sen. James "Sonny" McCullough continues to embrace President George W. Bush even after Bush stripped New Jersey children of health-care benefits and then decided to deploy nearly half of the state's National Guard to a badly mismanaged war in Iraq that is costing taxpayers billions of dollars.

Whelan challenged McCullough to stand up to Bush - and support the state's working families - by opposing the president's double-barreled assault on New Jersey residents. First Bush vetoed a bill providing millions of dollars in health-care benefits to children in the state. And today, The Star-Ledger reported that Bush was sending 2,700 of New Jersey's 6,000 National Guard troops to Iraq - the state's largest military deployment since World War II.

"Will Senator McCullough finally stand up and say enough is enough?" Whelan said. "He continues to choose George W. Bush, as well as his own personal political interests, over the interests of the hard-working families of this district. How can he possibly continue supporting a president who is denying our children critically needed health benefits and putting thousands of our National Guard troops in harm's way - in a war that is being badly mismanaged."

When given an opportunity yesterday to question President Bush's latest actions, McCullough continued to side with Bush. "It's a pretty good reach, but who the heck cares? I don't know if George Bush even knows who I am," McCullough said in an interview with PoliticsNJ (PoliticsNJ.com, 10/17/07).

"Whether George W. Bush knows McCullough or not, elected officials like McCullough are obligated to stand up for their constituents," said Whelan. "McCullough didn't hesitate to take Bush's money, maybe that's why he can't afford to speak out against the presidents failed policies."

In a recent interview with New Jersey Network's (NJN) Jim Hooker, McCullough said:

"And should they have a George Bush come to Atlantic County, I would certainly have went to it," McCullough said.

When Hooker asked, "Would you be looking for some of those funds from the presidential (Bush fundraiser) visit that was raised there?"

McCullough replied, "I would hope they would entertain the 2nd district with some (Bush) funds."

McCullough continued… "Let me just say this about George Bush…I was Atlantic County's campaign manager for George Bush senior when he ran the first time."

When Hooker pressed…"So you'd be happy to get some of that favor returned? "

McCullough responded: "I would certainly hope so."

"So there you have it," Whelan said. "Sonny McCullough had the chance to exert some real leadership and stand up for the interests of middle class families throughout Atlantic County by denouncing President Bush's failed agenda. But for him, partisan politics trumped his responsibilities to his constituents.

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Paid for by Friends of Whelan, Wilkins & Spellman