The Confession

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Trenton, New Jersey- November 8, 2005

Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight you have sent a strong message.  You sent a message that we will continue to build will be a government of Republicans, independents and, yes, Democrats -- a government for all the people.  We will continue the work that we started four years ago, and continue to make this state, my state, the State of New Jersey, better than ever.  We have come so far, but we still have a lot of work to do. I would like to thank all of you who have supported me for the past four years, my volunteers, my campaign staff, my wonderful wife Dina and my two daughters Morag and Jacqueline for their continual support and their source of strength...  



Novemeber 9, 2005
After all the votes were counted Jim McGreevey beat his challenger, Douglas Forrester, by a margin of 54% to 43%, a somewhat amazing feat considering the where his approval ratings stood not only moths before the election. McGreevey had managed to gain an increase in popularity by finally coming to an agreement with the state legislature on a sensible state budget, implementing the EZpass system in the state, and implementing a drastic reform of the infamous New Jersey pay to play system.

Elections Results 2005


After his reelection in New Jersey McGreevy landed on the National Stage, some even calling him the next president of the United States.  However, there were problems that had been simmering between him and his wife Dina since he was first elected in 2001. The underlying problems that would pull apart his marriage and emerge on an international scale later on, were only know by McGreevey and one other person, Golan Cipel. But for now McGreevey was taking delight and basking in his reelection.

Novemer 9, 2005 News Articles
New York Times: After Big Win McGreevey Lands on the National Stage

The Star-Ledger: McGreevey: The Democrats Solution to Hillary?

Philadelphia Inquirer: Whats Next for the Young New Jersey Governor?

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January 17th, 2006- Trenton, New Jersey- Governor James McGreevey Inaugurated for his second term.


New York Times Januray 18th, 2006
"Declaring that the 'days of growth, prosperty, and bipartisan governing are a head and runaway spending are over,' James E. McGreevey was sworn in for a second time as New Jersey's 51st governor today and challenged state residents to help him to continue to improve their educational system and deter terrorism even while continuing to maintain the progress in addressing the improving, but still perilous fiscal crisis.

In an inaugural address notable for its optimism, Mr. McGreevey, 44, assured residents that  the state must fulfill its obligation to provide children with a good education. Pointing to the outpouring of good will after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Mr. McGreevey said that New Jersey could emerge from the recession even stronger if state residents sought to sustain that sense of unity.

''So this is my call to action,'' he said. ''In the days ahead, each citizen of New Jersey should demand more of me. That is your right. But you also must ask more of yourselves. That is your responsibility.''

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February 2006- Troubles at Drumthwacket, Princeton New Jersey


Despite a post inaugural rise in popularity and his rise to the national stage, all was not well in New Jersey.  Jim and Dina's marriage had degraded past the point of repair.  Dina complained that she never saw Jim and when she did they never talked, they hardly ever had sex any more, and she was over hear by one of the governors aids saying "our marriage has been reduced to an acquaintanceship that can be conducted over the phone".

Jim felt the same way, and felt that the office of governor, his affair with his staffer Golan Cipel, and his national ambitions were crushing him.  On February 3rd, 2006 after a long night of discussion, and several bottles of wine from Upstate New York, the couple had come to the mutual decision that a divorce was the only way that the two of them could both realize their dreams.  Dina would take their two daughters and move in with her parents, while Jim would see them on the weekend.  Jim did not disclose to Dina that he was gay, or had been carrying on an affair for the past few years.  The couple ended their marriage amiably, and decided that they would tell the press the next day at a One O'clock press conference.  The extent to which McGreevey's second divorce would hurt his looming presidential campaign is unknown, but both Dina and Jim agreed it was for the best. 

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February 4th, 2006- Drumthwacket, Princeton New Jersey- The McGreevey's Announce their Separation and Divorce

Jim McGreevey speaks with Dina at side:
"If you are lucky in life you find someone who makes you better than you could ever hope to be, and you have to opportunity to celebrate that relationship with marriage .  I found that person in Dina.  We have spent the past six years together living a wonderful life, but the stress of public life, the governorship, and personal differences has for whatever reason drawn us apart. We have started a beautiful family and are raising two daughters, Morag and Jacqueline who are the lights of our life. Through no ones fault but circumstance we have drifted apart and our relationship has lost what made our it a marriage. I look back on these past six years with no regrets, but I realize that it is time to end this chapter in our lives and move forward so both of us can be happy again. Although divorce is never easy, sometimes it is the best way to save what is so special in a marriage or relationship. Throughout this entire process our main concern will be to make sure our two daughters live as normal of a life as possible, that we are involved in their lives, and they are assured every minute of every day that they have the love and support of both of their parents. Throughout this process Dina and I ask for your continued prayers and support not only for us, but for our families. Thank you"

February 5th- Divorce Fall Out
Star-Ledger Headline: McGreevey's Separate: Emotional Speech by Governor Well Received
Philadelphia Inquirer: New Jersey Governor Divorced
New York Post: New Jersey Governor's Second Divorce: Gay or Affair?

As Dina began to prepare her things to be moved from Drumthwacket to her parents house the massive governors mansion was silent.  McGreevey spent most of his time in the office dedicating himself to the work at hand.  Occasionally he would sit down in the upstairs living room with Dina and the kids for an attempt at family bonding.  Conversations with Dina were short, but more pleasant than before when they decided to get the divorce.  She still knew nothing about Golan Cipel, no one did.

Golan had bought a town home within walking distance from Drumthwacket, so McGreevey could say he was going running, which was not atypical, and he would then go over to Golan's place.  If he did have to be driven or escorted to be with Golan, he always made up some official reason for being with him.  No one besides the two of them knew anything.  Some of the staff were suspicious of the "close relationship" the two of them exhibited, but most wrote it off as a close friendship.  

McGreevey avoided the press for the next month or so in attempt to let the divorce issue blow over. Quinnipiac polling showed his approval dipped to 49% with 45% disapproving about a week after his speech from from 55%/ 40% immediately after his inauguration. The governors staff didn't seem extremely worried, and were expecting worse. They were sure that his numbers would bounce back once voters forgot about the divorce. The The governor was now focused on a long shot attempt to win the Democratic Nomination for the Presidency.

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McGreevey's Back at Work


In early march, McGreevey bolstered his image as a reformer governor by issuing an executive order effectively killing the states infamous pay to play system.  In June and July McGreevey's political skills would be tested as he teased his way through negotiating a deal with the New Jersey legislature to compromise on a budget that would avoid a devastating state shut down.  The Governor and Legislature agreed on a budget on June 29th and McGreevey signed the budget on June 30th avoiding a State Government shutdown that would have gone into effect July 1st.   In August of that year Governor McGreevey announced that he would veto any plan by the State Legislature to monetize the New Jersey turnpike, citing "the middle class does not need the state of New Jersey to tax them on their way to work".

By the December of 2006 McGreevey's approval rating had remained steady at 53% approving to 43% disapproving. After talking and praying over the issue with his family, staff, and especially his two daughters and even his two ex-wived Kari and Dina he decided that he would seek the Democratic nomination for the presidency. McGreevey's staff assured him that he would be a severe underdog, and that it would be best to announce before the summer of 2007. McGreevey decided that it was time to start to call some old contacts and begin laying the ground work for a national campaign.   

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January 2007- An Unexpected Death



Senator Frank Lautenberg passed away from a massive stroke at his home in Patterson New Jersey at the Age of 83 years old.  Governor McGreevey gave a heart warming speech where he reflected on Lautenberg as a role model and personal friend. The next day McGreevey announced that Lautenberg would be replaced by Congressman Bob Menendez of New Jersey's 13th Congressional District, making him the sixth Latino to serve in the United States Senate.

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And So It Begins...

By the End of 2006 three Democrats, Former North Carolina Senator and Vice Presidential Nominee John Edwards, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, and Former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel, had launched campaigns to run for president, while three others, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich,  Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd and Delaware Senator Joe Biden had indicated that they are doing all of the preparatory work to run. Hillary Clinton is seen as paving her way to announce her candidacy later in 2007. Meanwhile another rising star, Barack Obama, has changed course and is now considering a run for the presidency. McGreevey still sees and opening for him to steal the nomination. In an interview in December 2006, McGreevey states that he "seriously weighing a run for the Democratic Nomination".

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January 15, 2007: Governor McGreevey Announces Exploratory Committee For the Presidency

McGreevey Addresses Reporters in Trenton New Jersey-

"After months of prayer, consideration, and discussion with my family, friends, and colleagues I have decided to run for president of the United States of America.  I believe that my experience as the Governor of New Jersey, a reformer and a father give me the experience needed to guide this country through the challenges we face.  I'm in this race for the long Haul and I'm in it to win!"



McGreevey is the seventh Democratic candidate to announce a campaign or exploratory committee for this election, the others being Joe Biden, Tom Vilsack, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards, and Mike Gravel.  Most pundits expect Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson to cap off the field by announcing exploratory committees before the end of January. Although the media reacted favorable to the young Governor's entrance into the race, the general consensus was that he was a long shot candidate against Clinton, Obama and Edwards.  This consensus was confirmed by a Gallup poll released two days after McGreevey announced the formation of his exploratory committee.

Gallup 2008 Democratic Primary Poll
Clinton: 33%
Obama: 19%
Edwards: 14:
McGreevey: 5%
Richardson: 5%
Biden: 3%
Dodd: 2%
Kucinich: 1%
Vilsack: 1%

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February 5, 2007: Liberty Park, New Jersey- McGreevey Official Enters the Race

"Today I announce that I am running for President of the United States of America. I speak not only for my candidacy. I speak for a new American century and a new generation of Americans -- both young people and the young at heart. We seek the great restoration of American values and the restoration of our nation's traditional purpose in the world. This is a campaign to unite and empower people everywhere.It is a call to every American, regardless of party, to join together in common purpose and for the common good to save and restore all that it means to be an American. Our President and too many in Washington are giving away our future so that we pass to our children not a flickering flame of freedom but the chain of insurmountable debt. No parent would do this and America must not do this. And so for me the long journey of a Presidential campaign has begun with the people I have met affecting me far more than any affect I may have had on them. And because of that, the reasons why I seek the Presidency have changed. This campaign is about more than issue differences on health care, tax cuts, national security, jobs, the environment and our economy. It is about something as important as our children. It's about who we are as Americans. Here are the words of John Winthrop: "We shall be as one. We must delight in each other, make other's conditions our own; rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always living before our eyes our Commission and Community in our work." It is that ideal, the ideal of the American community, that we seek to restore. An America where it is not enough for me to want health care for my family but the obligation, and responsibility of every one of us as American citizens to insure that each one of us has health care for our families. An America where it is not enough for me to want good public schools and a better life for my children but an obligation, and a responsibility as citizens to insure that every child in America may go to a good public school and have the opportunity of a better life. An America where it is not enough to protect my rights under the law but where it is a duty and an obligation for each of us as Americans to make sure every American is equal under the law. An America where it is not enough to proclaim the words freedom, self-government, and democracy, but where it is a duty and a responsibility to participate together in common purpose with the sacrifice required of each of us to give those words meaning. You have the power to reclaim our nation's destiny. You have the power to rid Washington of the politics of money. You have the power to make right as important as might. You have the power to give Americans a reason to vote again. You have the power to restore our nation to fiscal sanity and bring jobs back to our people. You have the power to fulfill Harry Truman's dream and bring health insurance to every American. You have the power to give us a foreign policy consistent with American values again. You have the power to take back the Democratic Party.You have the power to take our country back. And we have the power to take the White House back in 2008".

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Meanwhile Back on the Ranch...

By April of 2007 eleven Republican's have announced their candidacy for the Presidency. Those that have announced include Arizona Sen. John McCain, California Rep. Duncan Hunter, Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore and Former ECO-SOC Ambassador Alan Keyes. Many pundits expect Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson to enter the race later in the year.

National Republican Primary- Gallup April 2007 Poll

Rudy Giuliani 35%
John McCain 22%
Fred Thompson 10%
Mitt Romney 9%
Newt Gingrich 7%
Jim Gilmore 2%
Mike Huckabee 2%
Ron Paul 2%
Tommy Thompson 1%
Sam Brownback 1%

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The Long Slog to Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and the White House Begins- Spring 2007

Governor McGreevey remains in a consistent fourth place in national, and Iowa polling, but has been shown to be inching up into a distant second place in New Hampshire behind Hillary. McGreevey's staff knows that Hilary's position in New Hampshire is strong, but not impermeable. He also see's Iowa as a great opportunity to come up the middle, like Kerry did in 2004.  The Governor spent the next months balancing his responsibilities in Trenton and traveling across Iowa and New Hampshire.

McGreevey in Debuke, Iowa

McGreevey named New Jersey's two United States Senators, Bob Menendez and John Corzine as his national co-chairs after they endorsed him shortly after his entrance into the race. 

Senator Corzine Endorses McGreevey in February of 2007

   

 

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June 2007: The Democratic Debates Begin- Signs of McGreevey Gaining

First Democratic Debate Hosted by CNN in New Hampshire on June3rd, 2007

The candidates stayed to basic talking points, no candidates really came across as spectacular or incredibly poor.  McGreevey had some good points and was the first candidate to competently challenge Hillary Clinton in the debate over her vote in favor of the Iraq war. The next debate was held at Howard University in Washington DC by PBS.  At this debate the young Governor again attacked the senators on the stage who votes to the authorization of the Iraq war. Barack Obama tried to take the same line as McGreevey as the anti-Iraq candidate, but it had appeared that he had been beat to the punch by the articulate governor. By the end of June McGreevey has established himself as the Anti-Iraq war, socially liberal, tough on crime, guns and drugs candidate.

McGreevey Taking a strong stance on Iraq and strong debate performances seemed to have helped him in the national and Iowa Caucus polling by the end of June. McGreevey's rise in the polls seems to have cut equally into Obama's, Clinton's, and Edward's support.    

National Gallup 2008 Democratic Primary Poll
Clinton: 29%
Obama: 15%
McGreevey: 14%
Edwards: 10:
Richardson: 4%
Biden: 3%
Dodd: 2%
Kucinich: 1%

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July-September 2007: The Campaign Heats Up

July 23 – A Democratic debate is hosted by YouTube and CNN in Charleston, South Carolina

Jim McGreevey criticizes the President's record on Iraq and the Patriot act, and insists that every person who "stands on this stage and voted for this war and the Patriot act has piled debt upon out children to pay for an unjust war and compromised the fundamental liberties of every American with the overreaching, unregulated, and unconstitutional Patriot act".

August 7 – MSNBC and the AFL-CIO host a Democratic debate over labor issues in Chicago, Illinois.

Dennis Kucinich was seen to have won the debate, but no candidate got any real traction.

August 9 – The Human Rights Campaign sponsors a Democratic forum on LGBT issues in Los Angeles, California.

At this debate the only thing that pundits were talking about was Jim McGreevey being the first, and only candidate, to voice his support for gay marriage.  Some of the other candiates came close, advocating for civil Unions,calling it a state right, or just stating that they are "just not there yet" (John Edwards). McGreevey stated that he believed that "I cannot, as a representative of the people, all of the people, tell a law abiding, tax paying citizen, that the are not entitled to the exact same rights because of who they love". McGreevey also called for the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and The Defense of Marriage Act, which he called an "unconstitutional scar upon the face of American history".

Polls following the debate showed that McGreevey had surged into second

National End of August Gallup 2008 Democratic Primary Poll
Clinton: 30%
McGreevey: 20%
Obama: 15%
Edwards: 14:
Richardson: 4%
Biden: 2%
Dodd: 2%
Kucinich: 1%

September 26 – New England Cable News, NBC News, Dartmouth College and New Hampshire Public Radio host a Democratic debate at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire

This debate became Clinton's Waterloo.  With McGreevey steadily rising in the poll, and now only trailing her by single digits, he was more aggressive than ever. McGreevey kept up the attack on all the candidates, especially Hillary on her support of the Iraq war and her vote for the patriot act. Then he got some help from Chris Dodd when he launched an attack on Clinton over her support of Governor Spitzer's proposal to offer drivers licensees to illegal aliens. The rest of the Democratic candidates joined in on what became an eight on one attack.  Hillary was scarred from the attack, although she handled it as best she could.  John Edwards later in the debate attacked McGreevey for his support of gay marriage, to which McGreevey replied, "Mr. Edwards if you believe it is the governments responsibility to deprive a group tax paying American's of the the right to happiness, love, and equal protection under the law, that is your opinion, but I don't believe in an America where the government can tell people who to love and what is good love, I believe in an America that says, out of many we are one!".  

National Gallup End of September2008 Democratic Primary Poll
Clinton: 29%
McGreevey: 25%
Obama: 14%
Edwards: 14:
Richardson: 4%
Biden: 2%
Dodd: 2%
Kucinich: 1%

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Republican Update- September 2007

September 6, 2007- Fred Thompson Announces Cantidacy

McCain falling fast, Giuliani Still Front Runner and Wait for it... Brownback Surging?

John McCain had a tough summer in which he faced severe financial problems, fired over a hundred campaign staffers and publicly considered accepting matching funds. Hindered by sub-par debate performances, McCain has not been able to gain nay traction in recent polling. Thompson's entrance placed him in second place in most polls, and in a turn of events Kansas Senator Sam Brownback began to gain some traction, mainly with the help of Evangelical Christians.  

National Gallup End of September 2008 Republican Primary Poll
Rudy Giuliani 30%
Fred Thompson 22%
Mitt Romney 8%
Sam Brownback 8%
John McCain 7%
Ron Paul 4%
Mike Huckabee 2%
Duncan Hunter 2%
Tom Tancredo 1%

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December 2007- Edward's Scandal Breaks Open

On December 10th, 2007 the Washington Post reveled that John Edwards had been involved in and Extramarital Affair with Rielle Hunter, who was now pregnant with his child.  The scathing report of the Democratic candidates affair revealed that he had had bought Hunter a three million dollar home in North Carolina. Edwards was not available to comment for the next two days, leaving his campaign to do damage control and take the brunt of the media questioning.

 

On December 12, 2007 Edward's addressed reporters from Charlotte, North Carolina admitting the affair had occurred, but denied that the child was his. He apologized for his actions and to his family, and his wife Elizabeth who was not with him at the conference. Edward's announced he would withdraw from the presidential race.  

With Edward's, who was a strong contender in the first caucus state of Iowa, suddenly and unexpectedly out of the race less than a month before Iowa no one knew how this would affect the Democratic primary.  Who would benefit? Did this give McGreevey that opening he desperately needed?

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Late December 2007/ Early January 2008: A Final Push for Iowa!

McGreevey Making a Final Push in Des Moines

"America needs a governor who is proved reformer, a governor who has proven he can reach across the aisle to bring about meaningful change, a governor who will stand up for the the rights and civil liberties of individual citizens and take a firm stand against an unjust and unfunded war!"

Senator Obama at a Rally in Waterloo Iowa

"Today America has a choice, a choice to move forward and usher in a new era of hope and chanage to undo the mistakes of a reckless president and to make America great again!"

Senator Clinton Campaigning in Mount Pleasant Iowa

"I stand here today as a someone who can offer experience.  I have the experience as a Senator, as First Lady and as a lawyer to take on the challenge of undoing the mistakes of George Bush and restoring America to it's rightful place in the world".

Gallup Iowa Democratic Poll:December 30, 2007
Obama: 31%
McGreevey: 29%
Clinton: 28%
Richardson: 4%
Biden: 2%
Dodd: 1%
Kucinich: 1%

The Republican Push

Senator Brownback Campaigns in Sioux City, Iowa

"I've been around the government system and believe me it's built to spend. You've got to change the system, otherwise it's like asking a cultivator to do what a combine does, it just doesn't fit, it won't get it done. You've got to change the system".

Mitt Romney Hold's a Q&A in Mason City

"And the American people are the greatest people in the world. What makes America the greatest nation in the world is the heart of the American people: hardworking, innovative, risk-taking, God- loving, family-oriented American people".

John McCain Campaigns in Ames

"I am fully prepared to be commander in chief... I don't need on-the-job training".

Rudy Giuliani decided to forgo campaigning for the Iowa Caucus and focus his attention of the states of Florida, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

Iowa Gallup December 30, 2007 Republican Primary Poll
Sam Brownback 30%
Mitt Romney 28%
Fred Thompson 10%
Ron Paul 10%
Rudy Giuliani 10%
John McCain 4%
Mike Huckabee 3%

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MSNBC Election Night 2008: Iowa Caucuses

Rachel Maddow: Thank you for joining us here at MSNBC for our coverage of the Iowa and Democratic and Republican Caucuses.  The polls have just closed in Iowa and we are expecting an interesting an unpredictable night ahead of us.  Kieth, what do you make of the closeness of both the Democratic and Republican races tonight.  

Kieth Olberman: Well Rachel I think, on the Democratic side it shows a general lack of satisfaction with the nominee apparent, Hillary Clinton. On the republican side I think the closeness is resulting from the deep polarization of the state between evangelicals, who are going heavily for Sam Brownback, fiscal conservatives who are going for Mitt Romney, and libertarians who are going for Ron Paul.

Rachel Maddow: I think the real story tonight is the rise of Jim McGreevey who was polling at less than five percent when he entered in February and is now tied for first with Barack Obama in the latest polling for the nomination.  To pull this off tonight McGreevey will have to do well in DesMoines and the Eastern Part of the state. It will be interesting to  see what effect the John Edwards scandal and subsequent withdraw from the race has had on the caucuses, which he was a strong contender in.

Kieth Olberman: Very true Rachel. I think tonight, depending on who wins, we will be able to see either Obama or McGreevey emerge as the 'anti-Clinton', if you want to put it that way, or if Clinton wins, which seems unlikely at this point this may give her the momentum to sow up the nomination like Kerry did four years ago.  

Rachel Maddow: Kieth I'm sorry I'm going to have to interrupt you, MSNBC can project that Sam Brownback will win the Iowa Caucuses.  Again, Kansas Senator Brownback will win the Iowa Caucuses.  

Iowa Caucus Goes to Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas

Rachel Maddow: This is incredible! Senator Borwnback, who was polling at less than two percent when he entered the race has won the Iowa Caucuses! We will now take you to Senator Brownback's headquarters in Mason City where he will be be addressing his supporters shortly!

Brownback HQ- Mason City, Iowa

"The way my family lives and the way the government should work is to pray a little more, work a little harder, save, wait, be patient and, most of all, live within our means. That's the American way. It's not spending ourselves into prosperity or taxing ourselves into prosperity".

Kieth Olberman: "That was Senator Sam Brownback addressing his supports in Mason City, Iowa.  This turned out to be huge victory for the Senator, winning by almost ten percent of the vote.  We can project that Governor Romney will finish second followed by Ron Paul and Fred Thompson is third and fourth respectively.  At this time, with fifty percent of precincts in, the Democratic Caucuses are still to close to call.  Lets take a look at the county break down of the Republican caucuses.  Gray denotes a Brownback win, Pink a Romney win and yellow a Paul win".

Rachel Maddow: Kieth, I have a huge projection to make.  With seventy five percent of the caucuses in, MSNBC can project that New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey will win the Iowa Caucuses!

Iowa Caucuses Go to Governor McGreevey!

Rachel Maddow: "To cap of an incredible night another upset! Governor McGreevey, who was polling at less than five percent when he entered the race has won the Iowa Caucuses! This race has taken so many dramatic twists and turns, with the exit of John Edwards to the decline of Obama and Clinton and the rise of McGreevey. We will now take you to Governor McGreevey's headquarters in DesMoines where he will be be addressing his supporters shortly!"

McGreevey HQ DesMoines, Iowa

"They said our country was too divided and disillusioned to come together, but tonight we rallied Iowans to come together for a common purpose, for change, for a better tomorrow. And just like we did her tonight in Iowa, come November we we bring Americans of every background, belief, and party around a common purpose".

Kieth Olberman: "This is truly incredible. Two parties, two formerly unknown candidates, two Iowa winners.  Let's take a look at the Democratic Iowa map.  Pink denotes a win by McGreevey, Grey by Obama, and Red by Clinton".

Rachel Maddow: "The final results in Iowa were extremely close with McGreevey getting 33% of the vote, Obama 32%, Clinton 22%, Richardson 6%, Biden 2%, Kucinich 2%, and Dodd 1%. Its seems as though Hillary really under performed her polling numbers tonight, although Iowa has never been a great state for her".

Kieth Olberman: "The results for the republicans weren't quite as close with Brownback getting 34%, Romney 25%, Paul 13%, Thompson 13%, McCain 11%, and Giuliani getting 4%. It will be interesting to see the aftermath of tonight. There are some campaigns that have some serious decisions to make tonight".  

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MSNBC Election Night 2008

Rachel Maddow: We will now take you to Joe Biden's Iowa rally where he will address his supporters. 

"Tonight I am withdrawing my bid for the Democratic nomination for president. I ain't going away. I'll be going back to the Senate as the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and I will continue to make the case I've been making..."

Kieth Olberman: "You heard it here first, on the same night of the Iowa caucus, after recieveing only two percent of the vote Senator Joe Biden, the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Chairman will be ending his bid for the presidency".

Rachel Maddow: "Truly incredible news indeed. Lets to another rally for another very powerful senator, the chairman of the Senate Banking committee Senator Chris Dodd". 

"Tonight I am withdrawing from the Presidential race. But let me assure you, we do not exit this race with our heads hanging - rather, we do so with our heads held high... I think we all knew from the very beginning that ... this would be an uphill battle...only when you try can you truly make a difference in this world, and I'm truly glad I tried".

Kieth Olberman: Wow, two heavy weight Senators, both chairmen of powerful senate committees withdraw from the race on the same night as the Iowa primary as two fresh faces duke it out for first place. This is shaping up to be quite the election.

Rachel Maddow: And the night is still young. Lets go back to Iowa and hear from the Huckabee campaign now.

"It's when ordinary people rise above the expectations and seize the opportunity that milestones truly are reached, and I even though we didn't win tonight, I believe that the we as ordinary people in the Republican party can unite behind a candidate and seize the opportunity that this election presents us and reach new miles stones".

Rachel Maddow: And another one bites the dust. In the aftermath of what was a surprising and unexpected caucus night for both Republicans and Democrats, three candidates have withdrawn less than five hours after polls closed in Iowa.  Stayed with us for continuing coverage of the fall out from the Iowa Caucuses.

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January 5th 2008

The Wyoming Republican caucus is won by Mitt Romney

Final Results: Mitt Romney: 66%, Sam Brownback: 25%, Duncan Hunter: 8.3%, Fred Thompson: 4.7%

The Race For New Hampshire Heats Up

January 6th Gallup Poll of New Hampshire Democrats
McGreevey: 35%
Clinton: 33%
Obama: 25%
Richardson: 4%
Kucinich: 1%

January 6th Gallup Poll of New Hampshire Republicans
Rudy Giuliani 25%
Mitt Romney 24%
John McCain 19%
Fred Thompson 15%
Sam Brownback 9%
Ron Paul 6%

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Whys Rudy doing so poorly?

At this point in time New Hampshire is only close because Mitt Romney, John McCain and Giuliani have all heavily focused on it and have an certain type of appeal in the state, thus effectively splitting the the vote.  Giuliani is still the front runner. Don't worry, I have plans for him.

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Whys Rudy doing so poorly?

At this point in time New Hampshire is only close because Mitt Romney, John McCain and Giuliani have all heavily focused on it and have an certain type of appeal in the state, thus effectively splitting the the vote.  Giuliani is still the front runner. Don't worry, I have plans for him.

Alright.  I'm still on the Paul Train tho.

I'll see what I can do.

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January 6th, 2008: A Rainy Night in Manchester, New Hampshire

After a narrow win in Iowa, Jim McGreevey took his message to the Granite State where he wanted to stop Hillary Clinton for good. This would be hard, as this was a North Eastern stronghold for Clinton, but new polls gave the New Jersey Governor his first national lead, and pushed him over the top in some New Hampshire polls.  He knew though that the race would be tight and, like Iowa, no one would be able to predict a winner until polls closed and the votes were counted on primary night.

Everything was going perfectly for the McGreevey campaign. Winning Iowa had propelled him to leading national polls as well as giving him slight leads in the Florida Primary and Nevada Caucus.  Even McGreevey's ex-wife, Dina Matos, gave an emotional endorsement of her former husband on CNN after the Iowa caucus.  Despite all of the good news, something was bothering McGreevey and his campaign staff just wrote if off as exhaustion.  

When McGreevey began campaigning for the Democratic nomination control of the state government was left primarily in the hands of lieutenant governor Richard Codey and McGreevey's cabinet and staff, which Golan Cipel was a member of. The affair that began between Cipel and McGreevey in 2003 had all but ended since his presidential campaign began in February. The two of them rarely saw each other, which bothered both men, but at the same time McGreevey was glad to no longer be involved in something that could derail everything he had worked for. Cipel was more upset about the situation. He was aggressive and made calls to the Governor almost daily, most of which were ignored.

After winning the Iowa caucus the McGreevey campaign realized it was understaffed for the kind of operation it now had to conduct to take on Clinton and Obama. Knowing of how closely he had been following the campaign, and knowing that McGreevey had consulted with Cipel before on issues regarding the primary, the McGreevey campaign manager had called Cipel the day after the Iowa caucus and asked him to join the campaign and help organize the final push in New Hampshire.  That same night Cipel arrived at Boston Logan Airport, rented a car and drove to McGreevey HQ in Manchester, New Hampshire.  

On the night of January 6th McGreevey hosts a fundraiser in downtown Manchester at the Radisson Hotel.  In the middle of his speech McGreevey saw, at the back of the room, Golan Cipel and paused, in shock, before finishing his speech.  After his speech he met with Cipel and asked "Golan why the hell are you in New Hampshire?". Cipel explained the story about his campaign manager's call and his flight up to Boston earlier in the week.  A photographer interrupted the two when he came up and asked the two to pose for a picture. Before either of them could say anything else Congressman Paul Hodes, who had just endorsed the Governor, came up and began to speak to McGreevey. Cipel slipped away into the distance.  

Governor McGreevey and Golan Cipel at McGreevey Fundraiser, Manchester New Hampshire

Later that night McGreevey was up in his room in his suit pants and undone dress shirt revising a campaign speech for the next day when there was a knock on his door.  He looked at the clock on his night stand and saw that it was 12:03am and could not possible think of who it could be.  He checked his phone... no messages or missed calls. He got up and went to the door, looked through the peep hole and thought "how did I not see the coming?!".  McGreevey opened the door, thanked the security guards, and before he could say anything Golan Cipel was in the room and said "we need to talk".  

Golan began listing off some internal poll numbers, some early voting numbers and demographic statistics before McGreevey said,

     "Golan, you didn't come here at midnight to talk to me about poll numbers did you?".

Golan didn't respond.

     "Golan, how have you been? I've missed you, really I've missed talking to you and seeing you  around".

At this point the two men are sitting on the king sized bed.

      "I've been okay.  I've been busy, there's a lot going on in New Jersey.  To be honest I've been miserable, I can't live my life with out being around you. I got on the first flight from Philadelphia to Boston when I found out I would have the opportunity to be part of the campaign".

      "Golan, I've missed you, I care about you so much and I'm glad you are here with the campaign but..."

Golan leans over and kisses McGreevey and the two fall  back onto the the king bed...

[HST1948]

Uh, was the last part necessary....?  I mean, I'm all for gay rights but...[shivers]. Other than that interesting update.

Sorry! I promise that is the only "sex scene" in the story.  I'm actually taking bits and pieces from his book, which the last part was loosely based on.

[HST1948]

CNN Election Night 2008: The New Hampshire Primary

John King/b] Welcome to CNN's coverage of the 2008 Democratic and Republican Primaries. Polls have just closed in the state of New Hampshire and we are awaiting results as I speak. We are in for what appears to be a an interesting night were there is no clear frontrunner on wither side to win New Hampshire.  

Anderson Cooper: That's right John.  Most polls showed Governor McGreevey starting to open up a slim lead on Senator Clinton, with Obama falling back about ten points.  However, some of the most recent polling shows that Clinton's teary moment may have stalled McGreevey's momentum and turned the New Hampshire race back in her favor.

Wolf Blitzer:  Well only the final vote tally will tell us. On the republican side the most recent polling points to a statistical tie between Giuliani, Romney and McCain.  And our exit polls show that they are all withing a couple of points of each other.  

Anderson Cooper: Well it certainly looks like the Brownback momentum that we saw in Iowa hasn't translated to New Hampshire.  He is currently polling last in the state.  

John King: Well you can't even begin to compare the republican electorates of Iowa and New Hampshire.  Brownback won Iowa with heavy support from evangelicals and populists, where as New Hampshire has far more fiscal and defense conservatives making up it's republican electorate.

Wolf Blitzer: I am sorry John, But I will have to interrupt you because CNN, one hour and forty eight minutes after polls have closed can now project that Rudy Giuliani has won the New Hampshire primary.  The results on the Democratic side are still too close.

John King: Lets go to Giuliani headquarters in Concord, New Hampshire where he will be addressing supporters shortly.

Giuliani Wins New Hampshire Primary

"In choosing a president, we really don't choose a Republican or Democrat, a conservative or liberal. We choose a leader. Leaders need to be optimists. Their vision is beyond the present. And tonight New Hampshire has chosen a leader!"

Anderson Cooper: That was Rudy Giuliani addressing his supporters at his headquarters in concord New Hampshire. Lets go now and take a look at the map for the Republican's.

John King: Thank you Anderson. On this map red denotes a Romney win while blue denotes a Giuliani win. Although almost forty percent of the votes are still outstanding, we can predict that the candidates will finish in the following order with the approximate vote percentages Rudy Giuliani 31%, Mitt Romney 24%, John McCain 15%, Fred Thompson 10%, Ron Paul 11%, Sam Brownback 9%

Anderson Cooper: This isn't a huge margin of victory for Giuliani, but it's big enough to give him some momentum going into South Carolina, Nevada and Florida. The real story tonight is really the collapse of the McCain campaign.  This is a state he won by eighteen points in 2000, and needed to win again tonight...

Wolf Blitzer: I'm sorry Anderson I'm going to  have to interrupt you, we can now call the Democratic Primary.  Nearly three hours after polls have closed in New Hampshire we can now project that Senator Clinton has won the New Hampshire Primary.

Clinton Wins New Hampshire Primary

"For all the ups and downs of this campaign, you helped remind everyone that politics isn't a game. This campaign is about people, about making a difference in your lives, about making sure that everyone in this country has the opportunity to live up to his or her God-given potential. That has been the work of my life. "

John King: A very emotional speech from Senator Clinton in New Hampshire.  Lets take a look at the map.  Blue denotes a Clinton win, red a McGreevey win.  

Wolf Blitzer: With almost ninety percent of the vote counted we can predict that the final results will look something like Clinton with 37%, McGreevey with 35%, Obama with 20%, Richardson with 4%, and Kucinch with 2%.

John King: Another impressive showing by McGreevey, but this win managed to save Clinton's campaign.  Obama seems to be flagging, but South Carolina seems to be very good territory for him.  On the republican side the real story is not Giuliani's win, but the fall of McCain's campaign.  

Anderson Cooper: This seems to be shaping up to be an incredibly exciting and unpredictable election season. Stay tuned with CNN to follow the fall out from the New Hampshire primary.  
 

[HST1948]

The Consequences of New Hampshire

January 8, 2008: New Mexico State Capitol, Santa Fe

“It is with great pride understanding and acceptance that I am ending my campaign for president of the United States. You know it’s been an exhilarating and humbling year, an experience I will treasure and never forget.”

January 8, 2008: Phoenix, Arizona

"Our crusade will never achieve all of its goals if your voices fall silent in the national debate, so raise you voices. I'm really proud of what we've been able to achieve...in terms of what this year's election debate is going to be about. I love my party, and I will support our candidate, but I will not be that candidate."