For almost a decade the specter of Chris Christie — first as federal prosecutor and now as chief executive — has loomed over the Democratic Party’s state conventions. Democrats gathering in Atlantic City Friday claimed their party is being reinvigorated by a backlash to the Republican governor, peppering their speeches with attacks on him. But there’s no mistaking their...
Governor Chris Christie with Senate president Steve Sweeney. Democrats attacked Christie in their speeches Friday at the convention in Atlantic City.For almost a decade the specter of Chris Christie — first as federal prosecutor and now as chief executive — has loomed over the Democratic Party’s state conventions.
Democrats gathering in Atlantic City Friday claimed their party is being reinvigorated by a backlash to the Republican governor, peppering their speeches with attacks on him.
But there’s no mistaking their convention is a shadow of the one held four years ago — the last time all 120 seats in the Legislature were up for grabs — when Democrats dominated Trenton.
"The atmosphere is not as celebratory as what I was hoping for," said Jay Lassiter, a liberal activist who frequents Democratic events. "I’m not sure what I’m going to do today, but I’m leaning towards craps."
In 2007, the Democrats were at the peak of their power, controlling the governorship and the Legislature, and holding a huge fundraising advantage. Today, the balance has shifted to the Republicans’ favor for the first time since 1999.
And while the Democrats still control the Senate and the Assembly, the governor’s office is occupied by Christie’s aggressive presence, whose appeal has spread well beyond New Jersey.
One reason much of energy seemed sucked out of this year’s meeting was that there were only 400 in attendance, compared with about 1,000 in 2007. At lunch there were handful empty tables, with others half vacant, and an abundance of uneaten chicken sandwiches.
The Democrats have been skillfully divided by the governor — even as recently as this week — which has left them reeling. State Sen. Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), the Senate president, is close to an accommodation with Christie on overhauling public employee pensions and health benefits despite slim Democratic support in the Senate and the Assembly and angry union members who make up the base of the party.
Still, many of the Democrats in attendance were full-throated in their criticism of Christie.
Recounting the governor’s fights with public employees, Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D- Middlesex), the state Democratic chairman, told the crowd: "When we are dealing with the bully of Drumthwacket for the next two years, the bully of Drumthwacket is helping us in so many ways. We’re going to be able to utilize the missteps of Chris Christie."
One after another, Democrats hammered at Christie’s refusal to renew of millionaires tax as well as proposed cuts to school financing and social programs in his budget.
U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, speaking at a luncheon honoring female elected officials, ripped into Christie for "working to destroy the progressive state we’ve built."
But he was equally critical of Democrats who have forged alliances with the governor, though he did not single them out by name.
"We see some Democrats sitting on their hands and even in some cases helping the Republicans, trying to move over on the other side to make up a few votes," Lautenberg said. "It won’t help New Jersey if we leave the ranks of Democrats."
He turned up the heat as it went on. The senator pointed to Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex), noting that Christie had called one of her claims a "lie."
"Gov. Christie actually called (Oliver) a liar in the press," he said. "Imagine Gov. Christie calling someone else a liar. He’s the king of the liars."
Wisniewski attributed the convention’s slim turnout in part to the difficult economy.
"We have excited, enthusiastic party members," he said. "The goal of this conference is about taking our base and making sure that they have the tools available to help win elections… It’s not a pep rally. If It can serve as that, that’s great. It’s not about counting heads."
The difference from earlier years was apparent, however. Previous keynote speakers have included former Vice President Al Gore and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; there was nobody of that stature present Friday.
Just getting the convention started was fraught with problems after a labor dispute had Democrats facing the prospect of crossing a picket line at the Tropicana — where they had originally booked the convention — or relocate. Just 24 hours before convening, the Democrats chose to move everything to Bally’s, less than a mile down the boardwalk.
They turned that misfortune into a statement that they still stood closely with labor, even if some Democrats have had some differences with public employee unions.
"This is an example of how the Democrats stood up for us," said Charles Wowkanech, president of the New Jersey chapter of the AFL-CIO New Jersey. "I think today is a tangible example of putting your money where your mouth is."
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