1 00:00:01,866 --> 00:00:04,700 >>> THE FUTURE OF ATLANTIC CITY AND THE GOVERNOR'S RACE TOP OUR 2 00:00:04,700 --> 00:00:06,700 AGENDA. 3 00:00:06,700 --> 00:00:09,266 >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" WITH MICHAEL ARON IS 4 00:00:09,266 --> 00:00:12,966 PROVIDED BY -- PSE&G. 5 00:00:12,966 --> 00:00:15,533 SERVING CUSTOMERS, STRENGTHENING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND 6 00:00:15,533 --> 00:00:18,933 INVESTING IN NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE. 7 00:00:18,933 --> 00:00:20,333 ATLANTIC CITY. 8 00:00:20,333 --> 00:00:21,500 DO ANYTHING. 9 00:00:21,500 --> 00:00:23,466 DO EVERYTHING. 10 00:00:23,466 --> 00:00:25,166 VISIT DO ATLANTIC CITY.COM. 11 00:00:25,166 --> 00:00:27,466 AND DO AC. 12 00:00:27,466 --> 00:00:32,233 PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY "NEW JERSEY BUSINESS MAGAZINE." 13 00:00:32,233 --> 00:00:37,066 THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY 14 00:00:37,066 --> 00:00:39,066 ASSOCIATION, REPORTING TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE 15 00:00:39,066 --> 00:00:54,000 LEADERS IN ALL 21 COUNTIES OF THE GARDEN STATE SINCE 1954. 16 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:57,133 >>> WELCOME TO A SPECIAL EDITION OF "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE." 17 00:00:57,133 --> 00:01:00,833 WE'RE COMING TO YOU THIS WEEK FROM HARRAH'S HOTEL AND CASINO 18 00:01:00,833 --> 00:01:04,033 IN ATLANTIC CITY WHERE THE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT 19 00:01:04,033 --> 00:01:07,733 COUNCIL HAS BEEN HOSTING A DAY OF PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON POLICY 20 00:01:07,733 --> 00:01:09,433 ISSUES. 21 00:01:09,433 --> 00:01:12,000 WE HAVE FOUR REPORTERS HERE THIS WEEK. 22 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:15,400 TWO OF WHOM COVER ATLANTIC CITY ALL THE TIME. 23 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:17,966 TWO OF WHOM MADE THE LONG DRIVE DOWN FROM NORTH JERSEY TO BE 24 00:01:17,966 --> 00:01:21,400 WITH US. 25 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:24,800 STARTING WITH NICK ACOCELLA OF POLITIFAX. 26 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:26,266 THE WEEKLY POLITICAL NEWSLETTER. 27 00:01:26,266 --> 00:01:28,266 SUZETTE PARMLEY OF THE "PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" WHO WAS 28 00:01:28,266 --> 00:01:31,033 AT THE STATEHOUSE YEARS AGO AND NOW COVERS ATLANTIC CITY. 29 00:01:31,033 --> 00:01:33,600 DEREK HARPER OF THE "ATLANTIC CITY PRESS." 30 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:37,000 ALSO AT THE STATEHOUSE A FEW YEARS AGO AND NOW FOCUSING ON 31 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:38,433 ATLANTIC CITY. 32 00:01:38,433 --> 00:01:41,833 AND MY FRIEND JOHN MOONEY FROM NJSPOTLIGHT.COM. 33 00:01:41,833 --> 00:01:44,966 THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. 34 00:01:44,966 --> 00:01:49,233 LET'S START WITH ATLANTIC CITY SINCE WE'RE IN ATLANTIC CITY. 35 00:01:49,233 --> 00:01:53,233 AND THERE WAS BIG NEWS IN ATLANTIC CITY THIS WEEK, NAMELY, 36 00:01:53,233 --> 00:01:56,933 THAT REVEL CASINO, THE PROJECT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE 37 00:01:56,933 --> 00:01:58,633 HANGING THE FUTURE OF THIS CITY ON, ANNOUNCED IT WAS DECLARING 38 00:01:58,633 --> 00:02:03,433 CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY. 39 00:02:03,433 --> 00:02:06,666 MIDWEEK THIS WEEK. 40 00:02:06,666 --> 00:02:08,933 SUZETTE, IS THAT A TERRIBLE THING? 41 00:02:08,933 --> 00:02:10,100 MAYBE A BAD THING? 42 00:02:10,100 --> 00:02:11,433 MAYBE A GOOD THING? 43 00:02:11,433 --> 00:02:12,566 HOW SHOULD WE VIEW THAT? 44 00:02:12,566 --> 00:02:15,300 >> THERE'S NO WAY TO SAY IT'S A GOOD THING, ESPECIALLY FOR 45 00:02:15,300 --> 00:02:16,366 ATLANTIC CITY. 46 00:02:16,366 --> 00:02:20,366 AND GOVERNOR CHRISTIE PEGGED THIS PROJECT, $2.4 BILLION, THE 47 00:02:20,366 --> 00:02:23,766 MOST EXPENSIVE EVER BUILT IN THE STATE'S HISTORY, AS A 48 00:02:23,766 --> 00:02:28,933 GAME-CHANGER FOR THE CITY TO MAKE IT AN OVERNIGHT 49 00:02:28,933 --> 00:02:28,666 AND AS THOSE PLANS TANK THERE'S A FIVE-YEAR OVERHAUL, AND, OF 50 00:02:28,666 --> 00:02:37,266 DESTINATION. 51 00:02:37,266 --> 00:02:38,533 COURSE, THE ADMINISTRATION THAT STARTED LAST YEAR. 52 00:02:38,533 --> 00:02:41,433 AND REVEL'S PROBLEMS ARE DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE FUTURE OF 53 00:02:41,433 --> 00:02:44,633 THAT OVERHAUL AND THE DIRECTION IT'S GOING TO GO FOR THE CITY. 54 00:02:44,633 --> 00:02:46,500 >> DEREK, HOW DO YOU SEE IT? 55 00:02:46,500 --> 00:02:51,466 >> MORE OR LESS THE SAME WAY. 56 00:02:51,466 --> 00:02:53,100 IT'S SUCH A HUGE PROJECT. 57 00:02:53,100 --> 00:02:59,666 SO CENTRAL TO THE DIRECTION THAT ATLANTIC CITY PEOPLE WANT TO GO 58 00:02:59,666 --> 00:03:04,400 IN THAT TO SEE A BANKRUPTCY OF THIS SIZE IS JUST -- ALTHOUGH A 59 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:09,333 LOT OF THIS IS STILL GOING TO COME OUT WHEN THE PAPERS ARE 60 00:03:09,333 --> 00:03:11,333 ACTUALLY FILED NEXT MONTH. 61 00:03:11,333 --> 00:03:16,166 ALL THE DETAILS AND SEE ALL THE NITTY-GRITTY OF WHO IS GETTING 62 00:03:16,166 --> 00:03:18,866 PAID, WHO IS NOT GETTING PAID AND WHO IS GOING TO HAVE 63 00:03:18,866 --> 00:03:20,300 PROBLEMS AND WHO IS NOT. 64 00:03:20,300 --> 00:03:21,933 BUT I AGREE WITH SUZETTE. 65 00:03:21,933 --> 00:03:28,433 A LOT OF THIS IS KIND OF HARD FOR THE GOVERNOR TO SAY IT'S A 66 00:03:28,433 --> 00:03:29,566 GOOD THING. 67 00:03:29,566 --> 00:03:32,733 >> THERE WAS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE GOVERNOR THAT DAY 68 00:03:32,733 --> 00:03:36,633 SAYING THIS IS GOOD THAT THE INVESTORS ARE WILLING TO 69 00:03:36,633 --> 00:03:40,800 BASICALLY DOUBLE DOWN ON ATLANTIC CITY INSTEAD OF SHUT 70 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:41,800 THE DOORS. 71 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:46,833 THAT WAS PUTTING A BEST FACE ON A NEGATIVE SET OF FACTS, WOULD 72 00:03:46,833 --> 00:03:50,300 YOU SAY? 73 00:03:50,300 --> 00:03:49,466 I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE EVER THOUGHT THEY WOULD JUST SHUT THE 74 00:03:49,466 --> 00:03:54,866 >> OF COURSE. 75 00:03:54,866 --> 00:03:56,466 DOORS ENTIRELY. 76 00:03:56,466 --> 00:03:58,233 THERE'S STILL A LOT OF MONEY COMING IN. 77 00:03:58,233 --> 00:04:04,066 EVEN WITH ALL THE DEBT THAT IT HAD, IT STILL HAD -- STILL IS A 78 00:04:04,066 --> 00:04:04,800 GREAT PLACE. 79 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:05,933 IT'S STILL BRAND NEW. 80 00:04:05,933 --> 00:04:10,866 IT'S STILL HAS A LOT OF THINGS GOING FOR IT. 81 00:04:10,866 --> 00:04:16,800 IT STILL HAS $261 MILLION IN POTENTIAL TAX CREDITS THAT WILL 82 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:21,400 BE COMING OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS, SHOULD IT PROCEED. 83 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:27,233 SO IT'S NOT AS IF IT'S JUST -- IT COMPLETELY IS WITHOUT ANY 84 00:04:27,233 --> 00:04:28,133 OPTIONS GOING FORWARD. 85 00:04:28,133 --> 00:04:31,700 >> LET ME STAY WITH THOSE OF YOU WHO COVER ATLANTIC CITY FOR A 86 00:04:31,700 --> 00:04:32,900 MINUTE. 87 00:04:32,900 --> 00:04:38,000 WAS THERE SOMETHING CONCEPTUALLY WRONG WITH HOW REVEL PRESENTED 88 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:39,500 ITSELF IN THIS MARKET? 89 00:04:39,500 --> 00:04:44,900 I'VE HEARD SAID THAT MAYBE IT WAS TOO BIG AND SET A BAR TOO 90 00:04:44,900 --> 00:04:48,366 HIGH IN TERMS OF PRICING. 91 00:04:48,366 --> 00:04:49,633 THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES. 92 00:04:49,633 --> 00:04:50,600 WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? 93 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:52,200 >> THREE THINGS. 94 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:53,066 WRONG PLACE. 95 00:04:53,066 --> 00:04:53,733 WRONG TIME. 96 00:04:53,733 --> 00:04:54,533 WRONG CONCEPT. 97 00:04:54,533 --> 00:04:55,900 >> WRONG PLACE? 98 00:04:55,900 --> 00:04:56,933 >> WRONG PLACE? 99 00:04:56,933 --> 00:04:58,833 WRONG PART OF THE CITY OR WRONG CITY? 100 00:04:58,833 --> 00:05:03,300 >> ATLANTIC CITY RIGHT NOW IS BASICALLY SATURATED BY 101 00:05:03,300 --> 00:05:05,400 COMPETITION FROM SURROUNDING STATES. 102 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:10,100 I THINK REVEL WOULD HAVE DONE SPECTACULAR ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO. 103 00:05:10,100 --> 00:05:12,966 2002, VERSUS 2012. 104 00:05:12,966 --> 00:05:16,966 THE BIGGEST REASON PROBABLY IS MY STATE, PENNSYLVANIA, NOW HAS 105 00:05:16,966 --> 00:05:18,100 11 CASINOS. 106 00:05:18,100 --> 00:05:21,933 IT BUILT 11 CASINOS IN SIX YEARS, NEXT TO ATLANTIC CITY'S 107 00:05:21,933 --> 00:05:25,600 12 CASINOS THAT HAVE BUILT UP THIS INDUSTRY OVER 30 YEARS. 108 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:28,800 AND LAST MONTH, THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA BECAME THE SECOND 109 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:32,466 LARGEST GAMBLING REVENUE IN THE COUNTRY NEXT TO LAS VEGAS, 110 00:05:32,466 --> 00:05:33,566 SURPASSING ATLANTIC CITY. 111 00:05:33,566 --> 00:05:35,466 WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME. 112 00:05:35,466 --> 00:05:36,666 TOO MUCH COMPETITION. 113 00:05:36,666 --> 00:05:37,700 TOO MUCH SUPPLY. 114 00:05:37,700 --> 00:05:39,100 NOT ENOUGH DEMAND. 115 00:05:39,100 --> 00:05:45,300 AND THE CONCEPT, IT'S INFINITELY FLAWED ACCORDING TO -- YOU TALK 116 00:05:45,300 --> 00:05:47,566 TO GAMBLERS. 117 00:05:47,566 --> 00:05:49,800 THEY DON'T ALLOW SMOKING. 118 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:52,500 IT'S COMPLETELY NONSMOKING, THE FIRST IN THE CITY OF ATLANTIC 119 00:05:52,500 --> 00:05:55,166 CITY TO SAY WE'RE 100% NONSMOKING. 120 00:05:55,166 --> 00:05:56,033 IT'S NONUNION. 121 00:05:56,033 --> 00:05:56,966 IT'S SPRAWLING. 122 00:05:56,966 --> 00:06:02,033 IT'S 6.3 MILLION SQUARE FEET AND RIGHT NOW WHEN YOU HAVE 11 123 00:06:02,033 --> 00:06:04,600 CASINOS IN PENNSYLVANIA, YOU HAVE THEM IN MARYLAND IN 124 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:07,700 DELAWARE, THE BIGGEST QUESTION TO PEOPLE IS, DO YOU NEED ALL 125 00:06:07,700 --> 00:06:08,633 THIS OTHER STUFF? 126 00:06:08,633 --> 00:06:13,300 WHEN I CAN DRIVE, YOU KNOW, TEN MILES DOWN THE ROAD AND PLAY A 127 00:06:13,300 --> 00:06:14,166 SLOT MACHINE? 128 00:06:14,166 --> 00:06:17,033 THAT'S BEEN THE BIGGEST IMPEDIMENT TO ATLANTIC CITY 129 00:06:17,033 --> 00:06:16,533 >> SO, DEREK IS THERE A HUGE SENSE OF PESSIMISM HANGING OVER 130 00:06:16,533 --> 00:06:20,533 RIGHT NOW. 131 00:06:20,533 --> 00:06:22,500 THIS CITY RIGHT NOW OR NOT? 132 00:06:22,500 --> 00:06:24,900 >> OH, IT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU TALK TO. 133 00:06:24,900 --> 00:06:29,400 THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CLOSER TO THE PROJECT OR THE WALL STREET 134 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:32,866 PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PESSIMISTIC ABOUT ATLANTIC CITY 135 00:06:32,866 --> 00:06:36,066 AND THE FUTURE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AT LEAST. 136 00:06:36,066 --> 00:06:40,633 >> DIDN'T THEY PUT UP MOST OF THE MONEY FOR REVEL? 137 00:06:40,633 --> 00:06:47,533 >> THE ANALYSTS, THEY HAVE BEEN VERY -- WHAT SUZETTE SAID ABOUT 138 00:06:47,533 --> 00:06:50,466 THE OVERSUPPLY. 139 00:06:50,466 --> 00:06:56,666 BUT, ALSO, ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT ATLANTIC CITY'S -- IT HAS 140 00:06:56,666 --> 00:07:01,200 HOPED TO BE A DESTINATION MARKET FOR YEARS. 141 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:05,566 I REMEMBER READING STORIES IN THE PRESS FROM THE '80s WHERE IT 142 00:07:05,566 --> 00:07:09,466 REALIZED IT NEEDED TO BECOME THIS DESTINATION RESORT INSTEAD 143 00:07:09,466 --> 00:07:13,700 OF BEING A COLLECTION OF CASINOS THAT ARE MORE ALONG THE LINES OF 144 00:07:13,700 --> 00:07:15,366 THE LAS VEGAS LOCAL CASINOS. 145 00:07:15,366 --> 00:07:16,633 >> HAS IT EVER DONE THAT? 146 00:07:16,633 --> 00:07:20,200 HAS IT BECOME THAT DESTINATION RESORT OR IT NEVER MADE IT? 147 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:25,866 >> REVEL IS THE -- IS THE STRONGEST PUSH OR THE BORGATA TO 148 00:07:25,866 --> 00:07:26,866 A CERTAIN EXTENT AS WELL. 149 00:07:26,866 --> 00:07:30,366 BUT THE REVEL IS -- THE STRONGEST PUSH TOWARDS THAT 150 00:07:30,366 --> 00:07:30,300 THEY REBRANDED THEIR WHOLE SECTION OF THE CITY. 151 00:07:30,300 --> 00:07:32,933 GOAL. 152 00:07:32,933 --> 00:07:37,333 IT USED TO BE CALLED THE SOUTH INLET. 153 00:07:37,333 --> 00:07:41,100 YOU DRIVE INTO ATLANTIC CITY AND THE SIGNS DON'T SAY SOUTH INLET. 154 00:07:41,100 --> 00:07:42,166 THEY SAY REVEL BEACH. 155 00:07:42,166 --> 00:07:45,166 THEY SAY -- THEY GOT ROADS WIDENED. 156 00:07:45,166 --> 00:07:46,600 THEY GOT PATHWAYS CLEARED. 157 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:48,933 THEY GOT ALL THIS STUFF DONE FOR THEM. 158 00:07:48,933 --> 00:07:50,833 YOU HAD HUGE UTILITY UPGRADES. 159 00:07:50,833 --> 00:07:54,133 ALL THIS STUFF NEEDED TO BRING TO THIS. 160 00:07:54,133 --> 00:07:58,633 THIS IS AN AREA THAT HAD BEEN LARGELY DEMOLISHED IN THE LATE 161 00:07:58,633 --> 00:08:00,000 '60s. 162 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:05,500 AND A BANKRUPTCY OF THAT -- AFTER ALL THAT HOPE AND ALL THAT 163 00:08:05,500 --> 00:08:07,300 DREAM IT DOESN'T HAVE VERY GOOD CONCLUSIONS. 164 00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:12,300 >> THERE WERE A BUNCH OF PANEL DISCUSSIONS HERE THIS MORNING AT 165 00:08:12,300 --> 00:08:17,200 THIS CONFERENCE IN WHICH LEGISLATORS FROM THIS AREA 166 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:22,666 EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT INTERNET WAGERING, SPORTS BETTING AND 167 00:08:22,666 --> 00:08:29,433 MOBILE PHONE WAGERING AND IN THE CASE OF BORGATA, IN-ROOM 168 00:08:29,433 --> 00:08:33,566 GAMBLING WOULD BE A LIFE LINE FOR THIS INDUSTRY IN THIS CITY. 169 00:08:33,566 --> 00:08:38,733 NICK, YOU COVERED THE SPORTS BETTING TRIAL COURT HEARING UP 170 00:08:38,733 --> 00:08:39,566 IN TRENTON? 171 00:08:39,566 --> 00:08:40,800 WAS IT IN TRENTON? 172 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:42,066 >> FEDERAL COURT IN TRENTON. 173 00:08:42,066 --> 00:08:43,866 >> A WEEK AGO. 174 00:08:43,866 --> 00:08:48,233 SOME HEAVY HITTERS REPRESENTING BOTH SIDES. 175 00:08:48,233 --> 00:08:51,633 WHAT'S YOUR VIEW ON SPORTS BETTING, WHETHER IT'S GOING TO 176 00:08:51,633 --> 00:08:50,900 >> ASIDE FROM THE SHOW OF THE TRIAL COURT, WHICH IS NOT GOING 177 00:08:50,900 --> 00:08:56,466 SUCCEED OR NOT? 178 00:08:56,466 --> 00:08:57,700 TO MEAN MUCH -- 179 00:08:57,700 --> 00:09:00,333 >> LET ME FLESH IT OUT. 180 00:09:00,333 --> 00:09:02,666 ARGUING FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S BAN ON SPORTS 181 00:09:02,666 --> 00:09:03,100 BETTING WAS -- 182 00:09:03,100 --> 00:09:05,300 >> THE STATE IS CHALLENGE -- 183 00:09:05,300 --> 00:09:07,966 >> ATTORNEY PAUL FISHMAN OF NEW JERSEY AND ARGUING FOR THE STATE 184 00:09:07,966 --> 00:09:12,033 OF NEW JERSEY WAS OLSON, THE FORMER SOLICITOR GENERAL WHO HAS 185 00:09:12,033 --> 00:09:14,500 BEEN INVOLVED IN NATIONAL POLITICAL STORIES. 186 00:09:14,500 --> 00:09:16,866 >> WHO WAS REALLY INCREDIBLE TO WATCH UP THERE. 187 00:09:16,866 --> 00:09:21,466 BUT MY IMPRESSION WAS THAT -- HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO LAST? 188 00:09:21,466 --> 00:09:25,300 EVEN IF WE WIN AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO WIN FOR SEVERAL YEARS 189 00:09:25,300 --> 00:09:27,100 BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO THE SUPREME COURT. 190 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:30,733 EVEN IF WE WIN IT'S NOT GOING TO SAY, WELL, ENGINE IS ALLOWED TO 191 00:09:30,733 --> 00:09:31,300 DO IT. 192 00:09:31,300 --> 00:09:32,466 EVERYONE IS ALLOWED TO DO IT. 193 00:09:32,466 --> 00:09:35,166 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE DELAWARE AND PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW YORK TO 194 00:09:35,166 --> 00:09:36,033 SAY, WE'RE IN, TOO. 195 00:09:36,033 --> 00:09:40,333 SO THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED WITH CASINOS IS GOING TO HAPPEN 196 00:09:40,333 --> 00:09:42,800 WITH SPORTS BETTING, ONLY QUICKER. 197 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:44,600 >> JOHN, YOU COVER THE STATE. 198 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:51,233 YOU HAVE A HANDLE ON THE STATEWIDE ISSUES AND THE 199 00:09:51,233 --> 00:09:50,966 WHAT'S YOUR VIEW OF WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN HERE THESE DAYS? 200 00:09:50,966 --> 00:09:54,300 LANDSCAPE. 201 00:09:54,300 --> 00:09:58,066 >> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK -- I VIEW A LOT OF THE POLITICS OF 202 00:09:58,066 --> 00:10:01,200 IT, AND WE ARE GOING INTO A -- I KNOW WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS. 203 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:05,466 WE'RE GOING INTO AN ELECTION WHERE THE GOVERNOR IS PRETTY 204 00:10:05,466 --> 00:10:09,666 AGGRESSIVE AGENDA ON A BUNCH OF THINGS IS GOING TO BE UP FOR THE 205 00:10:09,666 --> 00:10:09,566 AND THIS WAS A BIG PUSH HE MADE. 206 00:10:09,566 --> 00:10:12,933 VOTERS. 207 00:10:12,933 --> 00:10:19,633 CLEARLY TRYING TO SAVE A CITY THAT, YOU KNOW, FROM DEMISE AND 208 00:10:19,633 --> 00:10:25,800 THROWING SANDY IN THERE AS WELL HAS CERTAINLY A BIG TWIST TO HIS 209 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:25,533 BUT -- AND THIS ISN'T GOING WELL. 210 00:10:25,533 --> 00:10:28,900 STORY. 211 00:10:28,900 --> 00:10:30,500 HE ALSO HAS THIS ISSUE. 212 00:10:30,500 --> 00:10:34,433 UP IN THE NORTH -- NORTH COUNTRY, WE HAVE THE 213 00:10:34,433 --> 00:10:34,300 AND THAT, YOU KNOW, WHICH HE IS VOWING TO PUT A LOT OF MONEY 214 00:10:34,300 --> 00:10:38,666 MEADOWLANDS. 215 00:10:38,666 --> 00:10:39,100 INTO. 216 00:10:39,100 --> 00:10:42,000 AND, OBVIOUSLY, NOT A CASINO. 217 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,233 BUT THIS WAY OF SPURRING DEVELOPMENT AND SPURRING, YOU 218 00:10:45,233 --> 00:10:48,600 KNOW, ECONOMIC GROWTH, AT LEAST HIS WAYS OF DOING IT, THESE ARE 219 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:50,733 PROBABLY THE TWO BIGGEST TROPHIES. 220 00:10:50,733 --> 00:10:53,866 AND I WOULDN'T SAY THEY HAVE MUCH OF A SHINE ON THEM RIGHT 221 00:10:53,866 --> 00:10:53,633 >> AUTHORIZE MAYOR'S RACE HERE IN ATLANTIC CITY THIS YEAR, I 222 00:10:53,633 --> 00:10:57,166 NOW. 223 00:10:57,166 --> 00:10:57,966 BELIEVE, CORRECT? 224 00:10:57,966 --> 00:11:03,666 THE INCUMBENT, LORENZO LANGFORD IS BEING CHALLENGED BY 225 00:11:03,666 --> 00:11:08,066 FREEHOLDER CHARLES GARRETT WHO WAS AT THIS CONFERENCE LAST 226 00:11:08,066 --> 00:11:07,933 AND MAKING THE ROUNDS AND TRYING TO GET HIMSELF KNOWN AND HAD A 227 00:11:07,933 --> 00:11:11,200 NIGHT. 228 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:14,233 GOOD LINE. 229 00:11:14,233 --> 00:11:16,733 HE SAID ATLANTIC CITY HAS A TOURISM DISTRICT. 230 00:11:16,733 --> 00:11:19,133 IT DOESN'T NEED A TERRORISM DISTRICT. 231 00:11:19,133 --> 00:11:21,400 I GUESS THAT WAS A COMMENT ON CRIME IN THE CITY. 232 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:26,700 DOES HE HAVE A CHANCE AGAINST LANGFORD? 233 00:11:26,700 --> 00:11:30,266 >> UH -- 234 00:11:30,266 --> 00:11:33,900 >> I THINK YOUR COMMENT ANSWERS THE QUESTION. 235 00:11:33,900 --> 00:11:37,500 >> LANGFORD WON HIS LAST ELECTION WITH 60% OF THE VOTE 236 00:11:37,500 --> 00:11:39,433 WITH TWO OTHER OPPONENTS. 237 00:11:39,433 --> 00:11:42,766 AND THEY WERE TWO CREDIBLE OPPONENTS. 238 00:11:42,766 --> 00:11:48,933 THIS YEAR, HE FACES CHARLES GARRETT WHO THE ATLANTIC COUNTY 239 00:11:48,933 --> 00:11:52,266 DEMOCRATS ARE UNHAPPY WITH MAYOR LANGFORD BECAUSE SOME OF THE 240 00:11:52,266 --> 00:11:54,300 THINGS HE'S DONE IN THE PAST. 241 00:11:54,300 --> 00:12:00,133 HE'S MORE OR LESS -- SENATOR WHALEN'S SWORN MORTAL ENEMY FOR 242 00:12:00,133 --> 00:12:01,566 FIGHTS THAT GO BACK 20 YEARS. 243 00:12:01,566 --> 00:12:07,200 BUT AT THIS POINT, HE IN THE LAST RACE, HE SIDED WITH THE 244 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:14,633 REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLYMAN VINCE PAULISTINA AGAINST DEMOCRAT JIM 245 00:12:14,633 --> 00:12:14,500 HE INITIALLY EVEN JUMPED IN THE RACE AS AN INDEPENDENT, JUMPING 246 00:12:14,500 --> 00:12:17,266 WHALEN. 247 00:12:17,266 --> 00:12:22,266 OUT IN SEPTEMBER AND THEN SUPPORTING PAULISTINA. 248 00:12:22,266 --> 00:12:26,700 EVEN GOING SO FAR AS TO HOLD FUND-RAISERS AN EVENT FOR HIM IN 249 00:12:26,700 --> 00:12:29,600 ATLANTIC CITY JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION. 250 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:32,100 PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO SAY HE MAY NOT GET THE ENDORSEMENT. 251 00:12:32,100 --> 00:12:37,400 AND THE LAST TIME THAT HAPPENED IN 2005, HE DIDN'T GET THE 252 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:42,233 ENDORSEMENT AND HE LOST THE PRIMARY WHICH IN ATLANTIC CITY 253 00:12:42,233 --> 00:12:44,700 WITH THE HEAVY DEMOCRATIC REGISTRATION, IS ESSENTIALLY THE 254 00:12:44,700 --> 00:12:44,500 BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW MUCH OF A PUSH CHARLES GARRETT 255 00:12:44,500 --> 00:12:48,466 RACE. 256 00:12:48,466 --> 00:12:50,466 CAN PUSH AROUND THE CITY. 257 00:12:50,466 --> 00:12:53,000 HIS SON WORKED WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. 258 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,766 THERE'S ANOTHER CANDIDATE IN THE RACE, DAVIDSON. 259 00:12:55,766 --> 00:13:00,200 A RETIRED ATLANTIC CITY POLICE OFFICER AND FORMER HEAD OF THE 260 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:04,900 PBA, BUT I'M NOT SURE -- WELL IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW MUCH 261 00:13:04,900 --> 00:13:06,033 CITYWIDE PULL HE HAS. 262 00:13:06,033 --> 00:13:09,766 LAST TIME I CHECKED, HE DIDN'T HAVE -- HE WASN'T RUNNING WITH 263 00:13:09,766 --> 00:13:11,666 ANY OTHER CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES. 264 00:13:11,666 --> 00:13:13,033 IT WAS JUST HIM, HIMSELF. 265 00:13:13,033 --> 00:13:15,566 >> IS IT SAFE TO SAY THE MORE CANDIDATES THERE ARE, THE BETTER 266 00:13:15,566 --> 00:13:16,466 FOR LANGFORD. 267 00:13:16,466 --> 00:13:19,000 IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, HE'S -- 268 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:20,666 >> YOU COULD ABSOLUTELY SAY THAT. 269 00:13:20,666 --> 00:13:24,266 >> YOU ARE SAYING LANGFORD WON EVEN WITHOUT THE ENDORSEMENT OF 270 00:13:24,266 --> 00:13:24,800 THE -- 271 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:28,066 >> IN '05, HE DIDN'T GET IT. 272 00:13:28,066 --> 00:13:27,933 HE RETURNED AFTER BOB LEVY FLED AND ALL THAT CRAZINESS HAPPENED. 273 00:13:27,933 --> 00:13:33,766 HE LOST. 274 00:13:33,766 --> 00:13:39,266 AND THEN IN '09, HE -- LANGFORD RAN AND WON AGAIN AND THIS YEAR, 275 00:13:39,266 --> 00:13:41,433 HE'S UP AGAIN. 276 00:13:41,433 --> 00:13:45,800 THERE'S NO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE AT THIS POINT, BUT THERE HASN'T 277 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:49,266 BEEN IN THE PARTISAN ERA OVER THE LAST 10, 15 YEARS, THERE'S 278 00:13:49,266 --> 00:13:53,300 NEVER BEEN A SIGNIFICANT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE THAT I'M 279 00:13:53,300 --> 00:13:52,666 MIGHT HAVE BEEN A COUNCIL CANDIDATE BUT NO ONE MAYORAL. 280 00:13:52,666 --> 00:13:58,133 AWARE OF. 281 00:13:58,133 --> 00:13:59,266 >> ARE YOU FOLLOWING THIS ELECTION? 282 00:13:59,266 --> 00:14:00,666 >> I AM TO AN EXTENT. 283 00:14:00,666 --> 00:14:05,666 EVERYTHING IS ALMOST GOING TO BE TIED TO REVEL'S SUCCESS OR 284 00:14:05,666 --> 00:14:07,366 FAILURE ON THE POLITICAL LEVEL, I BELIEVE. 285 00:14:07,366 --> 00:14:12,433 WHEN I CALLED LANGFORD'S OFFICE ON WEDNESDAY FOR A COMMENT ABOUT 286 00:14:12,433 --> 00:14:16,266 HIS REACTION TO REVEL, HE SURPRISE LEAGUE DIDN'T RETURN 287 00:14:16,266 --> 00:14:15,866 >> SURPRISINGLY OR NOT SURPRISINGLY? 288 00:14:15,866 --> 00:14:18,400 THE CALL. 289 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:22,466 >> WELL, YOU KNOW, WHEN THIS THING OPENED APRIL 2nd, HE WAS 290 00:14:22,466 --> 00:14:21,800 LANGFORD WAS AT REVEL, AS WAS I AT 6:00 A.M. 291 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:28,033 THERE. 292 00:14:28,033 --> 00:14:29,833 THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WAS ALL THERE. 293 00:14:29,833 --> 00:14:33,800 THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WAS VERY COMPLIMENTARY OF GOVERNOR 294 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:36,000 CHRISTIE MAKING REVEL HAPPEN. 295 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:40,066 PUTTING THAT $261 MILLION FINANCING GAP TO BUILD THIS 296 00:14:40,066 --> 00:14:45,233 THING TO PROVIDE THOUSANDS OF JOBS, 5,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS, 297 00:14:45,233 --> 00:14:47,433 UPWARDS OF 5,000 CASINO JOBS. 298 00:14:47,433 --> 00:14:49,966 THERE ARE NOWHERE NEAR THAT ON THE CASINO JOBS. 299 00:14:49,966 --> 00:14:53,100 BUT THE THING IS A LOT OF CREDIT IS BEING GIVEN -- WAS GIVEN TO 300 00:14:53,100 --> 00:14:55,300 CHRISTIE EIGHT MONTHS AGO FOR MAKING REVEL HAPPEN. 301 00:14:55,300 --> 00:15:00,633 AND NOW, I CAN'T GET ANYBODY TO RETURN A CALL ON WHAT'S GOING ON 302 00:15:00,633 --> 00:15:00,066 SO A LOT OF ITS FAIL SURGOING TO BE POLITICAL AND IT'S GOING TO 303 00:15:00,066 --> 00:15:03,866 WITH REVEL. 304 00:15:03,866 --> 00:15:06,100 HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FALL, I BELIEVE. 305 00:15:06,100 --> 00:15:07,600 >> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FALL. 306 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:11,566 LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNORS RACE. 307 00:15:11,566 --> 00:15:15,100 QUINNIPIAC POLL CAME OUT THIS WEEK THAT SHOWED CHRIS CHRISTIE 308 00:15:15,100 --> 00:15:19,833 WITH AN APPROVAL RATING, I BELIEVE IT WAS 73% AND SOMETHING 309 00:15:19,833 --> 00:15:24,533 LIKE 77% SAID HE DESERVES RE-ELECTION. 310 00:15:24,533 --> 00:15:29,333 BARBARA BUONO, IN A HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP WITH BARBARA BUONO, IT'S 311 00:15:29,333 --> 00:15:32,466 STILL LIKE 63-20, CHRISTIE. 312 00:15:32,466 --> 00:15:38,533 AND I THINK I READ 83% OF THOSE POLLED DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT 313 00:15:38,533 --> 00:15:41,533 BARBARA BUONO TO FORM AN OPINION. 314 00:15:41,533 --> 00:15:42,900 SO THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE, RIGHT? 315 00:15:42,900 --> 00:15:44,633 OR NOT. 316 00:15:44,633 --> 00:15:45,366 >> ABSOLUTELY. 317 00:15:45,366 --> 00:15:46,833 CAN'T GO UP ANY FURTHER. 318 00:15:46,833 --> 00:15:51,566 >> THE LAST TIME A GOVERNOR HAD THOSE KIND OF NUMBERS WAS 319 00:15:51,566 --> 00:15:52,433 CHRISTY WHITMAN. 320 00:15:52,433 --> 00:15:53,933 >> DID SHE HAVE NUMBERS THAT HIGH? 321 00:15:53,933 --> 00:15:56,300 >> SHE HAD NUMBERS IN THE 70s. 322 00:15:56,300 --> 00:15:59,466 JUST BEFORE SHE NARROWLY BEAT JIM McGREEVEY. 323 00:15:59,466 --> 00:16:00,366 SO THINGS CHANGE. 324 00:16:00,366 --> 00:16:05,333 >> THE DIFFICULTY OF IT IS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CITE THOSE 325 00:16:05,333 --> 00:16:08,833 NUMBERS IN TERMS OF NAME RECOGNITION FOR BARBARA BUONO, 326 00:16:08,833 --> 00:16:10,800 SHE'S GOING TO NEED SOME MONEY TO GET OUT THERE. 327 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:13,866 AND THOSE KINDS OF NUMBERS ARE GOING TO SCARE OFF MONEY FOR 328 00:16:13,866 --> 00:16:13,766 THIS IS -- THIS IS WHAT SHE NEEDS TO DO RIGHT NOW IS RAISE 329 00:16:13,766 --> 00:16:18,466 HER. 330 00:16:18,466 --> 00:16:18,166 BECAUSE THE ELECTION SEASON IS A PRETTY LONG ONE. 331 00:16:18,166 --> 00:16:21,400 MONEY. 332 00:16:21,400 --> 00:16:25,766 SO SHE'S GOT TO HUNKER DOWN AND GET OUT THERE AND BRING SOME 333 00:16:25,766 --> 00:16:26,966 CASH INTO HER CAMPAIGN. 334 00:16:26,966 --> 00:16:30,400 THOSE NUMBERS OUT THERE ARE GOING TO SCARE OFF A LOT OF 335 00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:29,666 >> THERE WAS A STORY ON THE WEBSITE "THE DAILY BEAST," WHICH 336 00:16:29,666 --> 00:16:34,100 POTENTIAL FUNDERS. 337 00:16:34,100 --> 00:16:38,133 I DON'T READ, BUT IT'S GOT PICKED UP BY POLITICKERNJ.COM, 338 00:16:38,133 --> 00:16:43,766 WHICH I DO READ, WHICH MANY OF YOU PROBABLY READ AS WELL, IN 339 00:16:43,766 --> 00:16:51,066 WHICH SEVERAL DEMOCRATS, UNNAMED, WERE SAYING BACK-BITING 340 00:16:51,066 --> 00:16:52,566 THINGS ABOUT BUONO. 341 00:16:52,566 --> 00:16:57,000 ONE OF THEM WAS, WELL, WHEN THE BAR CLOSES AT 2:00 A.M. AND 342 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,300 THERE'S ONLY ONE WOMAN LEFT, SHE LOOKS PRETTY GOOD, TO WHICH A 343 00:17:00,300 --> 00:17:01,033 WOMAN'S GROUP -- 344 00:17:01,033 --> 00:17:04,333 >> YOU DIDN'T READ THAT? 345 00:17:04,333 --> 00:17:05,800 >> I DIDN'T SEE THAT. 346 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:10,300 >> I THINK NEW JERSEY WOMEN'S POLITICAL CAUCUS TOOK -- 347 00:17:10,300 --> 00:17:12,866 >> I WOULD SAY THAT'S OFF THE CHARTS. 348 00:17:12,866 --> 00:17:16,866 >> BUT WHAT THE ARTICLE WAS TRYING TO SIGNAL WAS THAT THERE 349 00:17:16,866 --> 00:17:18,800 IS SORT OF NONUNITY WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC RANKS OVER THIS 350 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:21,933 NOMINEE. 351 00:17:21,933 --> 00:17:23,966 TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU THINK THAT'S THE CASE? 352 00:17:23,966 --> 00:17:27,700 >> AS JOHN WAS SAYING, I'M NOT -- I AM OBVIOUSLY NOT 353 00:17:27,700 --> 00:17:28,600 FOLLOWING HER CLOSELY. 354 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:30,700 MY COLLEAGUES IN THE STATEHOUSE ARE. 355 00:17:30,700 --> 00:17:34,000 BUT I THINK HER TWO BIGGEST ISSUES ARE GOING TO BE TIME AND 356 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:37,033 LACK OF NAME RECOGNITION. 357 00:17:37,033 --> 00:17:39,633 I THINK OUTSIDE HER DISTRICT, NOBODY KNOWS HER. 358 00:17:39,633 --> 00:17:41,333 ESPECIALLY IN SOUTH JERSEY. 359 00:17:41,333 --> 00:17:45,833 WHEN YOU CAN'T GET THE FEATURE RALLY AROUND YOU, SOON ENOUGH OR 360 00:17:45,833 --> 00:17:49,666 FAST ENOUGH, AS TIME TICKS AWAY, YOU HAVE TWO OF THE MOST 361 00:17:49,666 --> 00:17:51,466 EXPLOSIVE MEDIA MARKETS IN THE COUNTRY. 362 00:17:51,466 --> 00:17:52,366 NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA. 363 00:17:52,366 --> 00:17:54,500 THAT'S WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING TO COME IN. 364 00:17:54,500 --> 00:17:57,266 THE CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE WAS $25 MILLION TO $30 MILLION TO 365 00:17:57,266 --> 00:17:59,333 RUN A SOLID RACE. 366 00:17:59,333 --> 00:18:00,533 THAT'S WHAT SHE'S GOING TO NEED. 367 00:18:00,533 --> 00:18:05,933 AND THE MORE TIME THAT PASSES, YOU KNOW, THE DONORS AND THE 368 00:18:05,933 --> 00:18:08,433 PARTY BOSSES HEDGE ON WHETHER THEY ARE GOING TO SUPPORT HER, 369 00:18:08,433 --> 00:18:10,066 TIME IS TICKING AWAY. 370 00:18:10,066 --> 00:18:13,366 >> SHE CAN GET $12 MILLION IF SHE QUALIFIED FOR FEDERAL 371 00:18:13,366 --> 00:18:13,933 MATCHING FUNDS. 372 00:18:13,933 --> 00:18:15,400 I BELIEVE IT'S ABOUT $12 MILLION. 373 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:17,300 BUT THAT'S NOT 25 OR 30. 374 00:18:17,300 --> 00:18:20,100 >> AND HE'S GOING TO -- AND GOVERNOR CHRISTIE IS GOING TO 375 00:18:20,100 --> 00:18:21,233 HAVE GOBS OF MONEY. 376 00:18:21,233 --> 00:18:25,166 HE ALREADY, YOU KNOW, HE'S -- HE DOESN'T EVEN NEED IT BUT HE'S 377 00:18:25,166 --> 00:18:31,100 GOING TO BE ABLE TO REALLY -- ANYTHING HE NEEDS IS GOING TO BE 378 00:18:31,100 --> 00:18:34,766 THERE AND THE ISSUES OF PAY TO PLAY AND SOME NEWS ON HOW SOME 379 00:18:34,766 --> 00:18:39,600 OF THE STATE'S CONTRACTORS ARE GOING THROUGH THE NATIONAL 380 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:43,633 REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION IN TERMS OF GIVING MONEY TOWARDS 381 00:18:43,633 --> 00:18:44,566 HIS CAMPAIGN. 382 00:18:44,566 --> 00:18:48,233 AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST GOING TO BE VERY EASY FOR HIM TO RAISE 383 00:18:48,233 --> 00:18:49,333 MONEY AND SPEND MONEY. 384 00:18:49,333 --> 00:18:53,933 AND IT'S JUST -- IT LOOKS -- I'M NOT GOING TO INVOKE THE NAME OF 385 00:18:53,933 --> 00:18:58,866 PETER SHAPIRO QUITE YET, BUT WHAT HAPPENED, YOU KNOW -- 386 00:18:58,866 --> 00:18:59,800 >> '85. 387 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:01,066 >> WAS THAT '85? 388 00:19:01,066 --> 00:19:01,833 >> YES. 389 00:19:01,833 --> 00:19:03,600 >> A BLOWOUT. 390 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:10,733 TOM KEANE GOT 69 SOMETHING OF THE VOTE TO SHAPIRO'S 29% OF THE 391 00:19:10,733 --> 00:19:13,433 VOTE AND BROUGHT A REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY IN WITH HIM. 392 00:19:13,433 --> 00:19:16,533 >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT NEW JERSEY 2013 IS 393 00:19:16,533 --> 00:19:18,366 NOT NEW JERSEY 1985. 394 00:19:18,366 --> 00:19:19,900 IT'S JUST NOT THE SAME PLACE. 395 00:19:19,900 --> 00:19:22,333 IT'S A MUCH MORE DEMOCRATIC STATE. 396 00:19:22,333 --> 00:19:25,733 BUONO IS GOING TO RUN, I BELIEVE, A MORE SAVVY CAMPAIGN. 397 00:19:25,733 --> 00:19:30,100 SHE RECOGNIZES THAT SHE CAN'T OUTSPEND HIM AND SHE'S GOING TO 398 00:19:30,100 --> 00:19:32,933 RUN A LOWER LEVEL GRASSROOTS KIND OF CAMPAIGN. 399 00:19:32,933 --> 00:19:34,766 SHE'S GOT SOME ISSUES ON HER SIDE. 400 00:19:34,766 --> 00:19:44,400 >> SHE WAS ENDORSED THIS WEEK BY GARDEN STATE EQUALITY, THE 401 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:46,266 SAME-SEX MARRIAGE PROPONENT. 402 00:19:46,266 --> 00:19:48,766 SHE WAS ENDORSED BY THE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF NEW 403 00:19:48,766 --> 00:19:52,333 JERSEY, WHICH IS NOT THE SAME AS THE FIREMANS MUTUAL BENEVOLENT 404 00:19:52,333 --> 00:19:56,800 ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS LARGER, BUT WHICH STILL HAS 3500 405 00:19:56,800 --> 00:19:56,600 HOW DO YOU FROM DOWN HERE SEE THIS RACE STACKING UP? 406 00:19:56,600 --> 00:20:00,100 MEMBERS. 407 00:20:00,100 --> 00:20:02,466 >> WELL, I'M INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT THE EFFECT WILL BE 408 00:20:02,466 --> 00:20:04,300 ON SOME OF THE LOCAL RACES DOWN HERE. 409 00:20:04,300 --> 00:20:09,833 THE FIRST AND THE SECOND DISTRICT ARE TWO OF THE CLOSEST 410 00:20:09,833 --> 00:20:10,800 IN THE STATE. 411 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:13,766 JIM WHALEN IS RUNNING IN THE 2nd DISTRICT AND THEY THREW 412 00:20:13,766 --> 00:20:16,100 EVERYTHING AT HIM THE LAST TIME AROUND. 413 00:20:16,100 --> 00:20:19,333 >> AGAINST TWO REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY COLLEAGUES AND HE'S A 414 00:20:19,333 --> 00:20:20,133 DEMOCRAT IN THE SENATE. 415 00:20:20,133 --> 00:20:20,700 GO AHEAD. 416 00:20:20,700 --> 00:20:21,933 >> IT'S A SPLIT DISTRICT. 417 00:20:21,933 --> 00:20:23,600 I THINK BOTH ARE TRYING TO PICK IT UP. 418 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:28,633 I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GAMBLE ON THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND 419 00:20:28,633 --> 00:20:32,833 IF EARLY SIGNS ARE GOING TO BEAR THEMSELVES OUT, ONE OF THE 420 00:20:32,833 --> 00:20:35,833 NASTIEST RACES IN THE RACE. 421 00:20:35,833 --> 00:20:36,533 >> GO AHEAD. 422 00:20:36,533 --> 00:20:37,666 THIS IS FOR YOU. 423 00:20:37,666 --> 00:20:41,266 >> I THINK IT'S ONE OF ONLY TWO SPLIT DISTRICTS IN THE STATE. 424 00:20:41,266 --> 00:20:42,733 I THINK DIANE ALLEN'S. 425 00:20:42,733 --> 00:20:45,533 I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANOTHER ONE. 426 00:20:45,533 --> 00:20:52,666 >> SOME PRESS ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO THE JOE DIVANCENZO 427 00:20:52,666 --> 00:20:55,233 STATE OF THE COUNTY SPEECH. 428 00:20:55,233 --> 00:21:00,400 HE THOUGHT TO BE ONE OF THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT POLITICAL FORCES 429 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:03,466 IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE STATE. 430 00:21:03,466 --> 00:21:08,900 HE HAD GOVERNOR CHRISTIE AT HIS SPEECH ALONG WITH SENATE 431 00:21:08,900 --> 00:21:13,033 PRESIDENT SWEENEY, SPEAKER OLIVER AND I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER 432 00:21:13,033 --> 00:21:16,133 WHO ELSE BUT ONE OR TWO OTHER IMPORTANT PEOPLE. 433 00:21:16,133 --> 00:21:17,500 >> CORY BOOKER. 434 00:21:17,500 --> 00:21:19,066 >> CORY BOOKER, THANK YOU. 435 00:21:19,066 --> 00:21:22,333 BUT HE DID NOT HAVE BARBARA BUONO AND THAT LED TO 436 00:21:22,333 --> 00:21:25,400 SPECULATION THAT HE'S REALLY FOR CHRISTIE AND NOT FOR HIS OWN 437 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:28,300 FELLOW DEMOCRAT, WHICH I THINK HE DISPUTES. 438 00:21:28,300 --> 00:21:29,800 DOES THIS AMOUNT TO ANYTHING? 439 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:32,100 >> WELL IN THE LONG RUN IT MAY VERY WELL. 440 00:21:32,100 --> 00:21:35,333 IT DEPENDS ON WHAT DIVICENZO DOES. 441 00:21:35,333 --> 00:21:39,466 HE HAS SAID, YOU KNOW, CHRIS CHRISTIE IS THE GRAEFRT THING 442 00:21:39,466 --> 00:21:41,766 SINCE SLICED BREAD BUT HE'S STILL A DEMOCRAT. 443 00:21:41,766 --> 00:21:44,733 LET'S SEE HOW HE FOLLOWS UP ON THAT. 444 00:21:44,733 --> 00:21:50,433 IT IS ALTOGETHER POSSIBLE THAT SUPPRESSING THE NUMBERS AND -- A 445 00:21:50,433 --> 00:21:53,733 REPUBLICAN CAN'T WIN IN ESSEX COUNTY, BUT SUPPRESSING THE 446 00:21:53,733 --> 00:21:56,633 NUMBERS CAN HELP YOU STATEWIDE, AND THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE 447 00:21:56,633 --> 00:21:57,533 THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. 448 00:21:57,533 --> 00:22:01,200 >> ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT? 449 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:05,500 >> WHEN SWEENEY IS UP THERE, YOU KNOW, ALL THE BIG, YOU KNOW 450 00:22:05,500 --> 00:22:09,066 THERE WAS ONE CAMDEN-BASED DEMOCRAT WHO WASN'T UP THERE, 451 00:22:09,066 --> 00:22:10,833 BUT EVERYONE ELSE WAS THERE AND CHRISTIE. 452 00:22:10,833 --> 00:22:14,900 AND THE FACT THAT BUONO IS NOT THERE, I THINK IT SPEAKS TO -- 453 00:22:14,900 --> 00:22:18,633 YES, THEY ARE GOING TO ENDORSE HER AND THEY ALL HAVE, BUT I 454 00:22:18,633 --> 00:22:19,566 DON'T THINK -- 455 00:22:19,566 --> 00:22:23,300 >> THEY ARE ALL TRYING TO PRETEND IT MATTERS. 456 00:22:23,300 --> 00:22:26,600 BUT IT WOULD NOT HAVE MELTED IN ANY OF THEIR MOUTHS IF HE'S UP 457 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:29,966 THERE SAYING, WELL, SENATOR BUONO HAD A CONFLICT. 458 00:22:29,966 --> 00:22:31,233 THAT'S WHY SHE WASN'T HERE. 459 00:22:31,233 --> 00:22:33,333 AND THIS IS A GOVERNMENT EVENT. 460 00:22:33,333 --> 00:22:35,666 THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL EVENT. 461 00:22:35,666 --> 00:22:37,100 AND YOU HAD TO LAUGH. 462 00:22:37,100 --> 00:22:38,066 >> YEAH. 463 00:22:38,066 --> 00:22:45,166 >> ON TUESDAY, GOVERNOR CHRISTIE DELIVERS HIS BUDGET MESSAGE. 464 00:22:45,166 --> 00:22:47,966 WHAT IS EACH OF YOU LOOKING FOR IN THAT SPEECH? 465 00:22:47,966 --> 00:22:49,700 IS THERE AN ISSUE THAT HANGS OUT? 466 00:22:49,700 --> 00:22:53,033 IS THERE A QUESTION THAT REMAINS TO BE FILLED IN? 467 00:22:53,033 --> 00:22:53,800 ANYBODY? 468 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:56,166 >> IT'S SANDY, STUPID. 469 00:22:56,166 --> 00:22:57,866 >> AGAIN? 470 00:22:57,866 --> 00:22:58,966 >> NO, STILL. 471 00:22:58,966 --> 00:23:02,566 AND FROM NOW UNTIL NOVEMBER. 472 00:23:02,566 --> 00:23:02,100 >> I'D BE INTERESTED IF HE SAYS ANYTHING ABOUT ATLANTIC CITY. 473 00:23:02,100 --> 00:23:05,566 >> DEREK? 474 00:23:05,566 --> 00:23:09,900 I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF HE WOULD. 475 00:23:09,900 --> 00:23:13,700 BECAUSE IN THE GREATER SCHEME OF THINGS, ON A BUDGETARY BASIS, 476 00:23:13,700 --> 00:23:18,300 ATLANTIC CITY ONLY MATTERS TO THE EXTENT THAT IT PROVIDES 477 00:23:18,300 --> 00:23:21,466 MONEY FOR PAD AND SENIOR TRANSPORTATION. 478 00:23:21,466 --> 00:23:24,966 BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THAT COMES UP. 479 00:23:24,966 --> 00:23:26,100 >> SUZETTE? 480 00:23:26,100 --> 00:23:30,300 >> AS YOU RECALL, HIS STATE OF THE STATE, 99.9% OF IT WAS ON 481 00:23:30,300 --> 00:23:30,166 HE'S GOING TO BE RIDING THE -- SORRY FOR THE PUN, THE SANDY 482 00:23:30,166 --> 00:23:33,700 SANDY. 483 00:23:33,700 --> 00:23:35,133 WAVE THROUGH ELECTION DAY. 484 00:23:35,133 --> 00:23:39,933 AND THAT'S WHY HIS APPROVAL RATINGS RIGHT NOW ARE THROUGH 485 00:23:39,933 --> 00:23:40,933 THE ROOF. 486 00:23:40,933 --> 00:23:44,166 HE WANTS TO -- HE HAS SAID HE WANTS HIS LEGACY TO BE AS THE 487 00:23:44,166 --> 00:23:46,700 GOVERNOR WHO HELPED NEW JERSEY RECOVER FROM SANDY. 488 00:23:46,700 --> 00:23:49,766 SO HE'S GOT A FOUR-YEAR PROJECT IN HIS HANDS. 489 00:23:49,766 --> 00:23:54,466 BUT I THINK WITH THE BUDGET ADDRESS IN TERMS OF THE 490 00:23:54,466 --> 00:23:57,433 GOVERNOR'S RACE AND HOW THAT'S GOING TO PLAY OUT, I THINK BUONO 491 00:23:57,433 --> 00:24:02,600 IS GOING TO HIT HIM HARD ON THE STATE'S STILL HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT 492 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:03,600 RATE, MINIMUM WAGE. 493 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:06,833 YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE ISSUE WITH PROPERTY TAXES. 494 00:24:06,833 --> 00:24:11,000 SO FOR HIM TO -- I DON'T THINK HE CAN BE A ONE-TRICK PONY NOW 495 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:11,900 FOR THE BUDGET ADDRESS. 496 00:24:11,900 --> 00:24:13,100 IT CAN'T BE ALL SANDY. 497 00:24:13,100 --> 00:24:16,066 THERE'S OTHER THINGS GOING ON ON PEOPLE'S MINDS. 498 00:24:16,066 --> 00:24:18,733 YOU STILL HAVE THE EFFECTS OF THE RECESSION. 499 00:24:18,733 --> 00:24:21,266 PEOPLE ARE -- A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL OUT OF WORK. 500 00:24:21,266 --> 00:24:24,366 AND I THINK SHE'S GOING TO COME UP WITH A THEME. 501 00:24:24,366 --> 00:24:28,900 JOBS, MINIMUM WAGE, TO SOLIDIFY THE DEMOCRATIC BASE OF LABOR 502 00:24:28,900 --> 00:24:30,466 UNIONS WHO CARE ABOUT STUFF LIKE THAT. 503 00:24:30,466 --> 00:24:32,433 SO I THINK HE HAS TO BRANCH OUT. 504 00:24:32,433 --> 00:24:38,366 AND HE DOES HAVE TO, I THINK, ADDRESS ATLANTIC CITY IN SOME 505 00:24:38,366 --> 00:24:41,233 CAPACITY, GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK, TO SOLIDIFY HIS SOUTH 506 00:24:41,233 --> 00:24:42,400 JERSEY BASE GOING INTO NOVEMBER. 507 00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:44,866 >> JOHN? 508 00:24:44,866 --> 00:24:48,633 >> YEAH, I THINK THE BUDGETS -- HE DOESN'T HAVE MANY, BUT IT'S A 509 00:24:48,633 --> 00:24:49,766 WEAK SPOT FOR HIM. 510 00:24:49,766 --> 00:24:54,400 WE ARE GOING INTO THIS BUDGET WITH A FAIRLY SIZABLE HOLE, 511 00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:53,833 HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURING OUT HOW TO FILL IT IF HE'S GOING 512 00:24:53,833 --> 00:24:58,233 FINANCIAL HOLE. 513 00:24:58,233 --> 00:25:00,500 TO LIVE UP TO PAYING -- CONTRIBUTING TO PENSION AND ALL 514 00:25:00,500 --> 00:25:01,933 THE THINGS HE NEEDS TO DO. 515 00:25:01,933 --> 00:25:05,833 THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY BUDGET. 516 00:25:05,833 --> 00:25:08,366 HE MAY WANT TO TALK ABOUT SANDY, BUT HE HAS SOME HARD DECISIONS 517 00:25:08,366 --> 00:25:09,733 TO MAKE. 518 00:25:09,733 --> 00:25:11,266 A BIG ONE IS SCHOOL FUNDING. 519 00:25:11,266 --> 00:25:12,700 THAT'S ONE-THIRD OF THE BUDGET. 520 00:25:12,700 --> 00:25:13,966 THE STATE'S CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOLS. 521 00:25:13,966 --> 00:25:17,933 AND HE TOOK A BIG HIT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN HE HAD TO CUT 522 00:25:17,933 --> 00:25:18,866 THAT AID TO SCHOOLS. 523 00:25:18,866 --> 00:25:21,866 AND I DON'T THINK -- I THINK FOR AN ELECTION YEAR, THAT WOULD BE 524 00:25:21,866 --> 00:25:24,100 SOMETHING HE WOULDN'T WANT TO DO. 525 00:25:24,100 --> 00:25:27,766 BUT HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DOLE OUT THAT 526 00:25:27,766 --> 00:25:27,233 >> SCHOOLS IS YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE AND I'M SEEING THERE'S 527 00:25:27,233 --> 00:25:31,733 $9 BILLION. 528 00:25:31,733 --> 00:25:35,666 JOCKEYING GOING ON AROUND SCHOOL FUNDING RIGHT NOW. 529 00:25:35,666 --> 00:25:38,433 IT'S BACK AGAIN, THE ARGUMENT ABOUT WHETHER WE'RE -- WHETHER 530 00:25:38,433 --> 00:25:42,033 HE'S PLANNING TO CUT FROM THE AT-RISK DISTRICTS OR NOT. 531 00:25:42,033 --> 00:25:42,600 IS THAT RIGHT? 532 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:44,466 >> IT'S NOT QUITE CUTTING FROM THEM. 533 00:25:44,466 --> 00:25:49,900 IT'S GIVING THEM LESS -- IT'S QUITE COMPLICATED IN TERMS OF 534 00:25:49,900 --> 00:25:51,300 HOW THE FUNDING FORMULA WORKS. 535 00:25:51,300 --> 00:25:54,833 IT'S GIVING THEM A LITTLE LESS EXTRA MONEY THAT IS AIMED FOR 536 00:25:54,833 --> 00:25:57,800 THOSE KIDS WITH THE GREATEST NEEDS. 537 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:00,900 AND YES, HE CERTAINLY HAS SIGNALED THROUGH HIS 538 00:26:00,900 --> 00:26:04,433 COMMISSIONER THAT HE WANTS TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE THESE CHANGES IN 539 00:26:04,433 --> 00:26:05,333 THE FORMULA. 540 00:26:05,333 --> 00:26:10,233 THERE'S BEEN PUSHBACK FROM ADVOCATES FOR THESE DISTRICTS, 541 00:26:10,233 --> 00:26:13,800 AND AVID VERSUS BERKS IS THE LONGEST RUNNING SCHOOL EQUITY 542 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:15,000 CASE IN THE COUNTRY. 543 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:16,866 WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE LAST OF IT AGAIN. 544 00:26:16,866 --> 00:26:17,700 SO THIS IS -- AND THIS FEEDS INTO THE SUPREME COURT AND WHAT 545 00:26:17,700 --> 00:26:18,800 HE WANTS TO DO THERE. 546 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:20,033 IT'S A BIG ISSUE. 547 00:26:20,033 --> 00:26:20,733 THIS WILL NOT BE AN EASY ONE. 548 00:26:20,733 --> 00:26:22,533 >> WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME. 549 00:26:22,533 --> 00:26:25,900 ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS WANT SUBPOENA POWER TO GET THE STATE TREASURER 550 00:26:25,900 --> 00:26:30,900 TO COME BEFORE THEM WHEN THEY WANT HIM TO DO SO TO TALK BUDGET 551 00:26:30,900 --> 00:26:32,166 STUFF. 552 00:26:32,166 --> 00:26:35,200 SOMETHING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS RESISTED. 553 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:41,300 IS THIS A REAL GAME OR IS THIS SOME KIND OF POLITICAL -- WE 554 00:26:41,300 --> 00:26:43,566 ALWAYS USE THE PHRASE KABUKI THEATER. 555 00:26:43,566 --> 00:26:46,566 >> THE TREASURER HAS BEEN TOO BUSY WITH OTHER MEETINGS TO 556 00:26:46,566 --> 00:26:46,300 THAT'S NOT RESISTANCE, IS IT? 557 00:26:46,300 --> 00:26:48,800 ATTEND. 558 00:26:48,800 --> 00:26:49,866 LOOK -- 559 00:26:49,866 --> 00:26:54,166 >> I LIKE THE CHAIRMAN'S LINE IN THE PAPER, I GUESS IT WAS TODAY, 560 00:26:54,166 --> 00:26:58,433 THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BUSY SCHEDULES, TOO. 561 00:26:58,433 --> 00:27:00,000 >> RIGHT, RIGHT. 562 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:05,566 >> YEAH, I MEAN, THERE'S -- YOU KNOW, IN MY YEARS COVERING, 563 00:27:05,566 --> 00:27:09,166 THERE'S CERTAINLY BEEN LESS GOING INTO THIS BUDGET, LESS 564 00:27:09,166 --> 00:27:10,633 COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO BRANCHES. 565 00:27:10,633 --> 00:27:14,300 THEY ARE NOT EVEN SHOWING UP AT THESE MEETINGS. 566 00:27:14,300 --> 00:27:17,600 AND IF YOU ASK DEMOCRATIC LEADERS, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT, 567 00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:18,533 THEY REALLY DON'T -- 568 00:27:18,533 --> 00:27:21,233 >> FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, I'VE BEEN COVERING THEM LONGER THAN 569 00:27:21,233 --> 00:27:23,833 YOU AND THEY ONLY SHOW UP AFTER THE BUDGET SPEECH. 570 00:27:23,833 --> 00:27:25,900 THEY DON'T GENERALLY SHOW UP WHEN SUMMONED. 571 00:27:25,900 --> 00:27:27,900 WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE. 572 00:27:27,900 --> 00:27:30,800 JOHN, SUZETTE, NICK, DEREK, THANKS VERY MUCH. 573 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:34,733 WE'LL BE BACK WITH ANOTHER "ROUNDTABLE" NEXT SATURDAY AT 574 00:27:34,733 --> 00:27:39,766 5:30 AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:00. 575 00:27:39,766 --> 00:27:43,566 ON "ON THE RECORD" FOUR LEGISLATORS TALK SOUTH JERSEY 576 00:27:43,566 --> 00:27:45,966 AND LIFTING ISSUES. 577 00:27:45,966 --> 00:27:48,533 NJ TV WILL CARRY GOVERNOR CHRISTIE'S BUDGET ADDRESS LIVE 578 00:27:48,533 --> 00:27:49,500 ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON. 579 00:27:49,500 --> 00:27:51,700 THANKS TO THE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR 580 00:27:51,700 --> 00:27:54,400 HOSTING US. 581 00:27:54,400 --> 00:27:56,233 SEE YOU NEXT WEEK. 582 00:27:56,233 --> 00:27:57,933 >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" WITH MICHAEL ARON IS 583 00:27:57,933 --> 00:28:01,066 PROVIDED BY -- PSE&G. 584 00:28:01,066 --> 00:28:05,700 SERVING CUSTOMERS, STRENGTHENING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND 585 00:28:05,700 --> 00:28:09,966 INVESTING IN NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE. 586 00:28:09,966 --> 00:28:10,800 ATLANTIC CITY. 587 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:13,066 DO ANYTHING. 588 00:28:13,066 --> 00:28:13,633 DO EVERYTHING. 589 00:28:13,633 --> 00:28:14,233 VISIT DO ATLANTIC CITY.COM. 590 00:28:14,233 --> 00:28:16,500 AND DO AC. 591 00:28:16,500 --> 00:28:20,466 PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY "NEW JERSEY BUSINESS MAGAZINE." 592 00:28:20,466 --> 00:28:23,600 THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY 593 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:28,166 ASSOCIATION, REPORTING TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE 594 00:28:28,166 --> 00:28:32,166 LEADERS IN ALL 21 COUNTIES OF THE GARDEN STATE SINCE 1954.