With just two weeks left until the gubernatorial election, the Democratic Party has ramped up endorsements for the re-election of Gov. Jon S. Corzine with appearances from prominent Democrats including President Barack Obama, Former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden all throughout the state.

Biden visited Middlesex County College yesterday afternoon to publicly announce his endorsement for the Corzine’s re-election.

“We need people like Jon Corzine — smart, honest, hardworking politicians who really get it,” Biden said.

He said the United States is in the worst recession the country has ever experienced — short of a depression — and New Jersey was hit so hard because it was doing well before.

Biden said the first week he and Obama were in office, they knew their first priority was to address the economic situation.

“The president and I weren’t blaming Corzine for the economic problems; we literally picked up the phone and called him to ask what we should do,” he said.
In June and July, home prices rose for the first time in three years, and last week the stock market closed at more than 10,000 points, Biden said. Also, 35 percent of the money people lost in their 401K plans has returned.

He said Corzine knows about the economy and the world market.

“All this progress didn’t happen over night. It’s because of Corzine at the state level and [Obama and I] at the national level,” Biden said.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie believes New Jersey’s stimulus plans was not good when in reality, the rest of the nation is trying to catch up to the state’s progress, Biden said.

“Corzine chose to protect the things that New Jersey really values,” Biden said.

The vice president said while many think Corzine has already won the election, they should still go out and vote.

“Corzine has been a governor in tough times,” Biden said. “Let’s give him the chance to be a governor in good times.”

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-6, said he believes the election will be close, but will still be a Democratic victory.

“Biden is here to point out why Obama needs to work with a Democratic governor and legislature in New Jersey,” Pallone said.

The bottom line is that this is an issue-oriented election, he said.

“Corzine’s policies will lead us to a bright future, while Christie’s policies are the policies of the past — the policies of the Bush administration — which is what got us into this mess in the first place,” Pallone said.

Corzine addressed the audience, stating the United States is in the deepest economic recession in 80 years, and the election of Obama and Biden has brought a great change to the nation.

“Voters, you believe in America, like I do. You believe in America’s promise, like I do,” he said.

Corzine detailed his beliefs, successes as governor and differences from Christie.

“This election is not about me or Chris Christie — it is about the future, our children and the legacy we leave behind,” Corzine said.

Every child deserves quality, public education, he said.

New Jersey students outperform the country in math and science, and 3,000 new pre-school students enrolled last year, Corzine said.

“There is a reason why New Jersey students … have the highest graduation rate in America,” he said.
Health care is another basic right he believes in, Corzine said.
Christie does not think mammograms, autism screening or 48-hour stays for new mothers in hospitals should be covered by insurance, the incumbent said.
Corzine said the Republican wants a constitutional ban on abortion.

“Chris Christie is wrong where it matters,” he said.

The governor stressed the importance of college students to his campaign.

“We are proud of you [college students]; we know you will succeed,” Corzine said. “We want you to make New Jersey your home, and I am fighting for a better future for you.”

Sen. Barbara Buono, D-18, said Corzine has been increasing funding to assist students to pay for school.
Several students in attendance felt Corzine is the choice for N.J. voters.

“People fault [Corzine] for the current state of New Jersey, but they have to remember that every state and every country is in recession,” School of Arts and Sciences junior Shariq Ahmad said.
School of Arts and Sciences junior Samip Joshi said the governor’s first term was very difficult and controversial because he was put in a tough situation with the bad economy.

“Corzine has really helped the financial aid situation in a time when students need it most,” Joshi said.
But several did not.
Middlesex County College student Rebecca Olvia did not like how Corzine attacked Christie throughout the campaign.

“He could have given his view points without talking about [how] Christie’s [viewpoints] are bad for the state,” she said.
Manish Singh, a Middlesex County resident and Corzine supporter, thinks the rally as a whole was good, but that Biden was not a good advocate for the incumbent.

“They’re old friends, so of course he’s going to support him,” Singh said. “I think we should take everything he said with a grain of salt.”
Rutgers College Republicans President Ron Holden said Corzine is using the endorsements by the prominent Democrats this week to help him.

“I think Jon Corzine needs Joe Biden, Bill Clinton [and] Obama to come,” said Holden, a Rutgers College senior. “Given his first term in office, he needs that all-star line up in three days in order to get those votes.”

Holden said Corzine has good intentions but has made a lot of mistakes.

“I just think Christie is a better guy for the job,” he said.

In regard to the attacks against the Republican challenger, Holden said Corzine’s campaign has been misquoting everything Christie said.

“If half the things Corzine says Christie believes in are true, such as Christie’s views on mammograms and early childhood education, then Christie couldn’t run for office,” he said.