Menendez, Clinton Fundraiser Bashed By GOP, Greens, Libertarians

To many of those supporting the Democratic Party in New Jersey – as well as those in the corner of longtime U.S. Senator Bob Menendez – Monday’s appearance from ex-presidential candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was a blockbuster.

To Menendez’s political foes? Not so much. Clinton’s appearance at a “Women For Menendez” fundraiser for his reelection campaign at the Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City drew scorn from the Republicans, laughter from the Libertarians and a boots-on-the-ground protest from the Greens.

For Democratic Party boosters, Clinton’s support of Menendez came at a welcome time, with many polls reporting an unexpectedly close race between the longtime senator and the Republican nominee, Bob Hugin, in the battle for a U.S. Senate seat in the 2018 General Election.

• See related article: Polls Show Nail-Biting US Senate Race In New Jersey

The NJ Democratic State Committee trumpeted Clinton’s arrival on social media.

“@HillaryClinton came to New Jersey tonight to stand with @LtGovOliver and say loud and clear that it's #NeverMatteredMore for women to vote for Democrats we can count on like @BobMenendezNJ. Three weeks until Election Day, time to GOTV!”

The Hudson County Democratic Organization wrote:

“Thank you, Hillary Clinton for joining us in Hudson County tonight to rally for Bob Menendez for NJ!”

Many Menendez and Clinton supporters also pulled out the happy face emoticons after learning of Monday’s event. “She spoke with grace and dignity!” one attendee at the fundraiser wrote online. (Story continues below photo)

REPUBLICANS: ‘TWO CORRUPT PEAS IN A POD’

Despite a swell of support from local Democratic Party members, however, Monday’s event saw as much protest and criticism as it did cheers.

As might be expected, Republican Party members didn’t hold back when bashing the fundraising event. As stated on GOP.com, which called Menendez and Clinton “Two Corrupt Peas In A Pod”:

“Bribin' Bob and Crooked Hillary are a match made in Democrat corruption heaven… Clinton has been dogged by scandals and corruption throughout her entire political career. Menendez has struggled to move past the federal corruption and bribery charges he faced this time last year… Unfortunately for Menendez, who would like to pretend ‘that a hung jury represents vindication,’ 59 percent of New Jersey voters said they view Menendez's corruption charges as ‘extremely important’ when deciding how to vote next month.”

Joshua Sotomayor Einstein, the NJ GOP State Committeeman from Hudson County, said the 2018 U.S. Senate election in New Jersey was “the most ethically challenged campaign event in the history of American politics,” and that Clinton’s appearance represented Menendez's “desperate attempt” to reinvigorate a flagging campaign.

“Menendez’s association with Hillary Clinton speaks volumes about his lack of integrity and goes to show how out of touch he is with the citizens of New Jersey,” Einstein said.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) later got in a symbolic jab that went viral on social media, posting a video that apparently shows a van carrying Clinton crashing in the parking garage while arriving at the Jersey City event. (Story continues below video)

GREEN PARTY: ‘EXACTLY WHAT’S WRONG WITH POLITICS’

Several Green Party of New Jersey members rallied outside the Liberty Steakhouse on Monday afternoon in anticipation of Clinton’s arrival.

The price tag of the fundraising dinner – which ranged from $500 to $5,400 per plate – was the main target of the protesters, who used it as a metaphor for wasteful campaign financing and misplaced priorities.

Craig Cayetano, a delegate to the Green Party of the United States, suggested that voters should try to imagine what a single, $5,400 plate could do to impact someone’s life.

“Heck, even a $250 plate could help a struggling family have food on the table,” Cayetano said.

Madelyn Hoffman, the Green Party’s candidate for U.S. Senate, took issue with the Democrats and Republicans for what she termed “an obsession with war.”

“Hillary Clinton’s presence here in New Jersey is one more example of how both mainstream political parties are obsessed with war,” she said. “We call for the billions spent on war overseas to be brought back home and used for schools, health care, jobs creation, education, fighting climate change and so much more.”

“The costs of this dinner show exactly what is wrong with politics in this country,” said Brian Powers of New Jersey Revolution Radio, who attended Monday’s protest. “The cost of just one plate at this fundraiser could go a long way toward helping out many people not in the 1%, but part of the 99% in this country. Instead, the money is being frittered away funding negative ad campaigns among candidates who refuse to address issues that really matter to people.”

The sentiments of the Green Party were echoed by Demetrius Terry, one of seven “prominent” New Jersey Democrats who have endorsed Hugin over Menendez, who had this to say about Monday’s fundraiser:

“Bringing in Hillary Clinton for a $500 per ticket fundraiser in Jersey City to support Senator Menendez while we have homeless people on our streets, and issues in some of our neighborhoods is appalling. We must do better!”

LIBERTARIAN PARTY: ‘WHO NEEDS A GOOD LAUGH?’

Meanwhile, Murray Sabrin, the Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate, had a different reaction to the Menendez/Clinton fundraiser.

“Who needs a good laugh this Monday?” he queried on social media, adding the hashtag #Hypocrisy.

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Photo 1: menendez.senate.gov

Photo 2 by Jason Kempin/Getty Entertainment/Getty Images (Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks on stage at the Children's Health Fund Annual Benefit at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 23, 2017 in New York City)

Additional Photos: Green Party of New Jersey (protest in Jersey City, Oct. 15, 2018)