Hi, I'm proudly working as Communications Director for Dennis Shulman in NJ-5, and wow, has the netroots support for our race been overwhelming and gratifying!
As you may know, Dennis is a rabbi, psychologist, author, educator, and otherwise accomplished man who happens to be blind. He is running against Scott Garrett, the most conservative member of Congress (more conservative than anyone in the country, let alone the Northeast!). The worst of his worst votes include voting against the Voting Rights Act reauthorization.
Our campaign manager Jeff Hauser has previously worked as deputy campaign manager for the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Much more below the jump.
Garrett has already attacked Dennis as an "empty suit," a "tax-and-spend pawn for Washington elites like Nancy Pelosi."
Now in a new press release, Garrett's going after us for ties to an "illegal immigrant activist," an "ACORN militant," and Charlie Rangel.
The whole release, forwarded to us by a reporter for our response, is presented here for your enjoyment. Read for yourself -- it's a real beaut.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amanda Gasperino
Friday, October 17, 2008
Phone: 973-300-0470
(Newton, New Jersey) – The Garrett for Congress campaign today issued the following statement regarding Dennis Shulman's ACORN ties:
Shulman campaign manager Jeff Hauser, an illegal immigration activist, served as a leading lobbyist for the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR), an organization with ties to ACORN.
Top aide Hauser's work as a lobbyist for ACORN interests has manifested in Shulman's campaign as Hauser actively pulls the strings. It hasn't gone unnoticed that Shulman rarely speaks directly to the press; his campaign message is communicated by Hauser, who cut his teeth as the mouthpiece for ACORN interests.
Hauser has personally lobbied the offices of Members of Congress, and his organization spent $840,000 on lobbying activities in one year alone; funds specifically directed at furthering an ACORN-driven agenda. This is yet another sign of ACORN spreading it's extremist tentacles against the interests of mainstream America.
Brenda Muniz, the current Legislative Director for ACORN, serves as a member of the CCIR Strategy Council. What did Shulman puppeteer Hauser and ACORN militant Muniz plot during their pro-illegal immigration meetings?
As Shulman flings mud at Garrett over desperately concocted charges, he feigns innocence over the fraudulent influences of his campaign. Shulman has surrounded himself with consiglieres of corruption in Jeff Hauser, Paul Sarlo, Joe Ferriero, and Charlie Rangel. Under their guidance and financial influence, Shulman has adopted extremist positions that run contrary to the interests of 5th District residents. Hauser's sway has shaped Shulman's policies toward illegal immigrants, and such policies pose a massive security risk to Americans as Shulman advocates rewarding illegal immigrants and throwing open our borders. This adds to the financial risks Shulman's left-wing tax policies would promote during this time of economic crisis, emphasizing the danger Shulman poses to the people of the 5th District.
As a result of Hauser's puppeteering, Shulman has been silent about the concerns raised by ACORN voter fraud during this election. Even as concerns are raised about ACORN's influence in New Jersey, Shulman has not condemned ACORN for their efforts to manufacture voter registrations. Shulman's approval of ACORN's ballot-box stuffing tactics alone should be shocking, but it contributes to a frightening and deceitful pattern that includes associations and support of those like the indicted Boss Joe Ferriero and tax evader Charlie Rangel. The pattern beings to shed some light on who Dennis Shulman really is: a radical liberal parroting the talking points of questionable characters and organizations that don't represent the voters of the 5th District.
In contrast, Scott Garrett has been a consistent advocate for government transparency and accountability. His stance as an independent and principled leader is supported by a solid voting record.
Individuals participating in the election process, especially those asking to be chosen as public servants, have an obligation to ensure the sanctity of our election process is preserved. Associating with organizations like ACORN is a warning that Dennis Shulman lacks a commitment to the United States Constitution and our political heritage as a nation.
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Update:
Jeff Hauser responds:
It is unsurprising that corrupt Washington insider Scott Garrett would try to change the subject from the economy and attack someone for working for a civil rights coalition which included the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, United Methodist Church, and the Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Services. Garrett, now a top national target of the Democratic party, is seeking to stonewall burgeoning scandals concerning his crony-facilitated tax evasion and his decision to place a top lobbyist for disgraced banks on the government dole as his Chief of Staff.