Forrester Ad Quotes Ex-Wife's Criticism of Corzine

New York Times ^ | 11/03/05 | DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI

[conservative in nyc]

With just five days left in New Jersey governor's race, the Republican nominee, Douglas R. Forrester, has released a campaign commercial featuring a quotation from the ex-wife of his Democratic opponent, Senator Jon S. Corzine.

The 15-second commercial, entitled "Quote," has no spoken words, just a black screen that scrolls through a quotation attributed to Joanne Corzine. The quote, which appeared in an article in The New York Times on Wednesday, says Mr. Corzine "let his family down, and he'd probably let New Jersey down, too."

When the article first appeared, Mr. Forrester declined to discuss the matter, describing it as "a private matter." But by this morning, the commercial was scheduled to run on television stations in New York and Philadelphia, and Mr. Forrester's campaign aides said they believed that Ms. Corzine's comments were relevant because they offered voters new insight into Mr. Corzine's character.

"Doug has been so clear throughout the campaign that a private life is a private life, but the news story in The New York Times, and her similar comments in The Newark Star-Ledger and The New York Post, put it into the public realm," said Sherry Sylvester, Mr. Forrester's campaign director. "Joanne Corzine is talking about the transformation of her former husband's political and family ideals and the abandonment of his principles for the sake of ambition."

Although voters have complained about the highly negative and personal tone of the race, Ms. Sylvester said Ms. Corzine had thrust herself into the public spotlight, both this year and in 2000, when she played a prominent role in his campaign for the United States Senate.

"She didn't just think she was part of the team, they clearly ran as a team in 2000, when Jon Corzine portrayed himself as a devoted family man," Ms. Sylvester said.

[conservative in nyc]

Ouch. Using a candidate's ex-wife against him seems a bit dirty to me. This will likely backfire on Forrester.

[conservative in nyc]

PING.

[Not gonna take it anymore]

I agree. Stupid move.

[angelsonmyside]

OK maybe, but you have to chuckle. They took a page straight out of the Dem own play-book. Actually I wish more would play by their rules, give them a wake up call.

[Question_Assumptions]

I don't agree. It isn't like Forrester got these statements on his own or anyone twisted her arm into making them. I think they are a legitimate commentary on the man's (lack of) character and fair game. I think it could give some people who are defaulting to Corzine some pause about pulling a lever for him.

[Coleus]

thanks for the ping. and if this is the same commercial, there are other points which I don't like, Doug's wife is on and states that he is: pro choice, pro stem cells and wants to take illegal guns off the street.

He's pushing the abortion issue too much and will turn off the little conservative support he has, this is the 2nd commercial where he mentions this, the first one being with tom Kean. I would rather have him take the criminals who use guns illegally off the streets. Forrester probably feels that way too but did NOT say that.

[neverdem]

bump & a ping

[conservative in nyc]

It's one thing to quietly push the news stories that included the former Mrs. Corzine's comments. It's another to make it into a commercial.

There are many divorced people in New Jersey. I'm sure some of their divorces didn't end amicably. They're going to be really turned off by this commercial. Heck, they might not even believe anything an ex would say. And swing voters in New Jersey are already turned off by the negative campaigning from both sides. This won't help.

Forrester's internal polling must be really bad to launch this type of attack ad. It turns Corzine into a victim.

[conservative in nyc]

and if this is the same commercial, there are other points which I don't like, Doug's wife is on and states that he is: pro choice, pro stem cells and wants to take illegal guns off the street.

It's not the same commercial. I just saw the one you described. The ad described in the article played during the same commercial break, but not directly after the ad featuring Forrester's wife.

[johnmecainrino]

Corzine gave a huge loan to his union boss girlfriend when they broke.

Forrester should have highlighted that in his ads.

[peter the great]

Maybe not it depends how it is done. I would try to portray her as the loving, long suffering wife who did everything to make that marriage work and then as a result got screwed over by this guy. I would not go totally negative.

[peter the great]

The other day going to work Corzine's people had traffic all backed up on 287 putting up signs that is what I would bring up to the voters. Meaning something the voters actually care about getting to work and he impeded their progress.

[AGreatPer]

It's NJ. Anything goes.

[Pharmboy]

They were looking at the 12% deficit in the polls and believed they had to pull out all the stops. Doubt this will work.

[conservative in nyc]

Forrester has been running ads about his links to Katz. And Kushner, McGreevey and the Torch, among others.

I guess those ads haven't been effective.

[Question_Assumptions]

For every divorced person in New Jersey that identifies with Corzine, they'll be the person on the other side that identifies with his wife. I think that will be a wash. But it might appeal to the socially conservative people that might otherwise not show up to vote for Forrester if they think Corzine is a real slime. But we'll certainly find out next Tuesday how this all plays out.

[Rakkasan1]

wow. that's believable. if getting the ex to lie about you is the best you can do, you're screwed.