News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: And now... James O'Keefe

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: And now... James O'Keefe

Oct 26, 2021

Presented by the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association

Project Veritas, the right-wing organization headed by New Jersey native James O'Keefe, released what it called a "bombshell" video last night.

It includes hidden camera video clips of Wendy Martinez, Gov. Murphy's senior adviser for Hispanic outreach, and Matthew Urquijo, digital organizing manager for the state Democrats' coordinated campaign committee, saying that Murphy is waiting until after the election to implement a California or New York City-style vaccine passport system for businesses.

"He [Murphy] is going to do it, but he couldn't do it before the elections. Because of the independents and the undecided," Martinez says during the conversation, which is a mix of Spanish and English. She also dismisses vaccine mandate opponents' talk about "my rights, my sh*t."

The Murphy campaign, in turn, released a video of O'Keefe and several others in a parking garage ambushing Martinez, saying she was lured there after being falsely told someone had crashed into her car. "It is absolutely outrageous for the safety of our team to be compromised by luring women into a dark parking garage and ambushing them, causing serious distress and trauma at a time when people working on all campaigns should be allowed to do their jobs without fearing for their safety," reads a joint statement by Murphy Campaign Manager Mollie Binotto and Democratic State Committee E.D. Saily Avelenda. "This is criminal harassment, plain and simple." The Murphy campaign declined to comment on the video itself.

Raj Parikh, an attorney for the Democratic State Committee, sent a letter to Project Veritas late last night saying they're "currently evaluating its claims for causes of action against Project Veritas and other individuals or entities who may have assisted in the conduct mentioned above."

Project Veritas has a history of trouble with veracity. In 2020 it heavily promoted a "whistleblower" postal worker alleging election fraud who then recanted his allegations, then un-recanted them. (The Postal Service found no evidence of his claim). They're a partisan advocacy group — one that a judge said it's fair to describe as engaging in "political spying." But if they caught Murphy purposefully hiding a health care policy from voters until after the election, that's newsworthy. Let's examine.

Martinez sounds confident about what she's saying, but the original question she was asked is not included in the clip of the exchange, which includes several cuts. Was Martinez initially asked her opinion or about something she knows for a fact? Because in the second clip, Urquijo was asked "Do you think he [Murphy] will do something about that? Like the [Covid] vaccine mandates and stuff?" and his answer began with "I think so."

But Project Veritas isn't sharing the unedited clip. "We stand by our reporting," O'Keefe told me in a phone call last night. And I'm curious why Murphy's senior adviser for Hispanic outreach would be privy to inside information on his administration's decision-making on health policy.

If you've read Murphy's remarks about vaccine passports being "on the table," you could easily surmise that he plans to do it some time after the election. "I'd say not inconceivable by any means," Murphy told The Star-Ledger editorial board. The board subsequently called Murphy's excuse — that he wanted "equity" between white and minority vaccine rates — "flimsy."

Do some Murphy/DSC staffers believe the governor will enact a vaccine passport policy after the election because he doesn't want the blow back? It looks like at least a couple do. Do I think this is a smoking gun? No.

WHERE'S MURPHY? At the Statewide Traffic Management Center in Fords for a 10 a.m. press conference on the storm.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Murphy wants to be a national leader and this is a good way to get in the good graces of an incumbent in the White House… This is the kind of thing that Joe Biden will not forget. This is a show of loyalty." — Monmouth University pollster Patrick Murray on the president's visit

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — CRDA's Mike Beson, Merchantville Mayor Ted Brennan, journalist Taffy Brodesser-Akner, Anbaric/Dem redistricting chair Janice Fuller, Nassau's Michael Pock, Rabbi Eitan Webb

TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com

A message from the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association:

The New Jersey Alternative Treatment Centers (ATC) – the majority of which comprise the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association -- have been working non-stop to prepare for adult-use cannabis sales in NJ. The ATCs have invested substantial time, money and resources into expanding their operations: hiring more staff, securing supply chains, and expanding cultivation sites. Our ATCs have ample supply to service adult-use consumers now without harming access for medical cannabis patients, who always come first.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

DID HE BEAT PENNSYLVANIA THIS TIME? — Murphy, after promising to sharpen storm warnings, declares state of emergency ahead of nor'easter, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: In a move that suggests he is acting on his promise to "sharpen" his storm warnings, Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency late Monday afternoon ahead of a storm that's expected to dump several inches of rain and bring heavy winds to New Jersey. In September, critics questioned why Murphy hadn't declared a state of emergency before the remnants of Hurricane Ida triggered massive flooding that killed dozens of people statewide. His emergency declaration came only after the storm's damage was clear and contrasted with a state of emergency declared by Pennsylvania's governor the night before. Murphy, a Democrat who is up for reelection next week, continues to face criticism from Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli for that response.

STATEHOUSE VACCINE REQUIREMENT — As reported Friday, the State Capitol Joint Management Commission will vote on a vaccine or test requirement for entry to the Statehouse today at 10 a.m. — one that would apply to visitors, staff and all 120 lawmakers. Senate Republicans don't like it and wrote a lengthy letter to Senate President Sweeney and Speaker Coughlin protesting it. Among their concerns: "We are deeply concerned that this policy, if enacted, will prevent public participation in the legislative process. For example, committee agendas often are not issued in a timely manner which could make it impossible for unvaccinated individuals to comply with the testing alternative to enter the State House and testify at public hearings, as is their right. Further, agendas are frequently modified at the last minute with the addition of important bills that may have a substantial public interest." More on this coming today.

INFLUENCE PEDDLING? THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT — "Just how powerful — and influential — is the NJEA this election cycle? We'll see," by The Record's Charles Stile: "The New Jersey Education Association's campaign literature promoting Gov. Phil Murphy is not your ordinary, glossy get-out-the-vote mailer. Pasted on the back of the pamphlet, next to a smiling Murphy, is a QR code for the union's 200,000 teachers and other personnel to scan on their smartphones. Up pops a "voters guide" that lists the NJEA-endorsed candidates for the Legislature. Their names and photos are listed below Murphy. It's the GOTV palm card for the digital age. The NJEA had little to share about this tactic, other than to say it was communicating information about its endorsed candidates — most of whom are Democrats. In the 120 contests on Nov. 2, only 13 Republicans earned the union's backing. The literature reveals how Murphy and his tenuous Democratic Party coalition are bonded together by the union's power and largess. It also helps explain why Murphy has resisted pressure to impose a stricter, blanket vaccine mandate, as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio did last week."

AFT DOES NOT HAVE THE INFLUENCE OF THE NJEA — Rutgers gives employees until Dec. 8 to get vaccinated against Covid-19, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton : Rutgers University is giving its employees until Dec. 8 to get fully vaccinated against Covid-19, warning that any unvaccinated worker who hasn't obtained a religious or medical exemption could face termination. Unlike Gov. Phil Murphy's series of executive orders requiring that health care, child care and K-12 workers get shots, the new Rutgers policy does not allow employees at the university's campuses in New Brunswick, Newark and Camden to opt out by getting tested for the virus once or twice a week.

JUSTICE — " Cutting sentences for non-violent drug crimes on hold after judge objects. N.J. fighting decision," by NJ Advance Media's Blake Nelson: "A coalition of prosecutors and public defenders are trying to revive a plan to reduce sentences for hundreds of people currently in New Jersey prisons, part of a years-long effort to ease racial disparities behind bars. Over the summer, a New Jersey judge partially objected to a plan to speed up when some prisoners convicted of non-violent drug crimes are eligible for parole. Superior Court Judge Susan J. Steele wrote that she 'lauds' efforts to eliminate certain mandatory minimum sentences, but the judge said New Jersey's attorney general overstepped earlier this year when he unilaterally moved to speed up parole eligibility. The state attorney general's and public defender's offices appealed that decision this month."

IT'S A RACE — National Democrats and Republicans boost spending on New Jersey gubernatorial race, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: The Democratic and Republican Governors Associations have substantially increased their spending on New Jersey's gubernatorial race in recent weeks, according to an analysis by the state Election Law Enforcement Commission. Our New Jersey, a group tied to and partly funded by the Democratic Governors Association, has spent almost $5.6 million to boost Gov. Phil Murphy — up from $3.4 million on Oct. 6. The Republican Governors Association has poured nearly $2.2 million into the race — up from just $410,000 three weeks ago — for Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli. Both groups have been running television ads in support of the respective candidates.

NURSING HOME NUANCE — "Nursing home order central in Murphy reelection fight," by NJ Spotlight News' Lilo Stainton: "By the end of March, New Jersey's acute-care hospitals were nearly overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients; ventilators, nursing staff and protective clothing were also at a premium and hundreds of new patients were being admitted daily. Come April, something had to give. Hospitals were desperate to discharge stable patients to facilities that could continue to care for them until they were strong enough to go home. But nursing homes — which traditionally played this role — had been closed for weeks to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 entering facilities and spreading among the frail elders who also call them home. Murphy faced what would become one of his most controversial pandemic decisions — to require New Jersey's nursing homes to accept hospital patients for rehabilitation, even if they were COVID-19-positive. When announcing the order, state health commissioner Judy Persichilli stressed that these facilities — which were also eager for the new revenue that came with hospital patients — must be able to safely separate infected individuals from residents who were COVID-19-free. Republicans were quick to blame Murphy for the high death toll in long-term care, where 8,600 residents and staff lost their lives to COVID-19. It's a view shared by some members of the industry, including one nursing home operator who warned Persichilli on a conference call that the decision would mean 'patients will die.' … Public health officials claim the Murphy administration had no legitimate alternative, given that hospitals were perhaps days away from being forced to ration care, and point to studies indicating the virus was also introduced by staff infected in their communities."

—"At early vote rallies, Ciattarelli and Murphy each warn of disaster"

—Lassiter: "Five reasons Democrats should vote for Don Guardian"

—"For the first time, New Jersey's Black churches take congregants to the polls early"

—Turnout light on first day of in-person early voting

—"Hugin slams Murphy for rallying with national Democrats"

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down and who really has the president's ear in West Wing Playbook, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

BIDEN TIME

INFRASTRUCTURE DAY — Biden, during visit to New Jersey, champions infrastructure plan — and Phil Murphy, by POLITICO's Katherine Landergan : President Joe Biden visited New Jersey on Monday to drum up support for his massive spending proposals that include billions of dollars for infrastructure in the state, while at the same time praising the work of his "pal," Gov. Phil Murphy, who's seeking reelection. "This initiative is about betting on America, about believing in America," said Biden, who is nearing an agreement with Congress on the spending plans . "Let's get this done. Let's move." Though Biden's visit was not listed as an official campaign event for Murphy, a fellow Democrat, the timing just a week before Election Day was not lost on the state's political observers. Biden praised Murphy for leading the way on progressive policies like those he is championing in Washington.

—"Haitian immigrants rally against deportations"

A message from the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association:

LOCAL

DISASTRO TURF — "400-year-old N.J. forest cut down for fake turf field may be to blame for rock slide after Ida," by NJ Advance Media's Steve Strunsky: "Arnold Castro moved into the Ron Jolyn Apartments a decade ago, and while heavy rains had always sent water rushing down the steep slope behind the building, he said the runoff seemed to get worse following completion of a major expansion of Seton Hall Prep's Kelly Athletic Complex in 2017, which included construction of artificial turf football and baseball fields, parking lots, buildings and other impervious surface on the hilltop overlooking the slope … One of the questions now eating at Castro and others is whether that runoff contributed to a rockslide near the base of the slope behind his old Northfield Avenue apartment building during a downpour as the remnants of Hurricane Ida swept across New Jersey the night of Sept. 1 into the next morning. Castro, his wife, and their kids, ages 5-12, were among the 45 families abruptly and permanently evacuated as a result of the slide. The township has been paying for their accommodations, and most of the evacuees are back to work or school, but few have found permanent places to live."

MIDNIGHT MURADER — "The Somerset journey of Amber Murad," by InsiderNJ's Max PIzarro : "The parents of Amber Murad embarked on a 12-year journey to bring their whole family to the United States of America. Her father, a military officer, envisioned a better life for his children and took the onerous, painstaking steps to legal citizenship for all of his children. The parents came first. Amber Murad was born here, a native of New York. But her siblings took over a decade to finally join the retired soldier and his wife. The path for the Murads led to Queens, and ultimately to Watchung, where Amber Murad, now a local School Board member and married mother of two young children, hears the continuing call of family and country, the values she wants to embody as a member of the Somerset County Commission. Running on a Republican ticket with Bridgewater Councilman Michael Kirsh, Murad faces a stern first countywide test against incumbent Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson and Commissioner Sarah Sooy, both Democrats seeking to maintain control of a county they wrested from the GOP in 2019."

—"[Joshi's] uncle charged with stealing opponent's lawn sign"

—"Ridgefield suspends teacher accused of telling student 'we don't negotiate with terrorists"

—"Does Red Bank's government still work? Voters asked to choose charter commission"

—"Monroe mayor race centers on taxes, overdevelopment, public safety"

—"In Middletown Township Committee race, GOP veterans face Dem neophytes for two seats"

—" In suddenly erupting Sussex, Scott Paul goes toe to toe with Dawn Fantasia"

BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now.

EVERYTHING ELSE

ISN'T THAT WHERE THIS HAPPENED? — "St. Joseph's policy restricts police access to crime victims — prompting praise and criticism," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "St. Joseph's Health is restricting police officers' access to crime victims at its emergency rooms, under a new hospital policy that has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters of the new policy said it protects victims' civil rights and prevents them from being mistreated by the police. But critics say the new practices may hamper investigations and make it harder for police to solve violent crimes in a city that endured a 30-year high in homicides last year. Community leaders, public officials and law enforcement say the relationship between police officers and crime victims in Paterson has become increasingly complicated. The challenges include a street code that discourages cooperation with authorities, the fact that some victims have had prior arrests and the distrust sown by the series of recent arrests of Paterson cops accused of abusing members of the public. Under the policy that St. Joseph's adopted in August, police officers must wait outside patient care areas and let hospital staff members know they would like to talk with victims. The hospital employees then are supposed to relay the request to the patients, who have the option of whether to speak with the officers. The hospital also has begun barring detectives from taking victims' possessions — everything from bloody clothing to cellphones — unless the investigators get a court-issued subpoena, under the policy."

—"NJ Transit bringing electric buses, new transit center to South Jersey"

—"Water to six towns exceeds new limit for a 'forever chemical'"

A message from the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association:

Last November, 67% of New Jerseyans voted in favor of a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis, paving the way for adult-use sales. Current medical cannabis dispensaries would be the first to offer cannabis for adult use, with new licensees to follow.

The August passing of CRC regulations for adult-use cannabis sales signaled progress; however, as of today, New Jersey citizens still do not have a safe and lawful place to purchase cannabis.

The Alternative Treatment Centers (ATC) – the majority of which comprise the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association -- have been working non-stop to prepare for adult-use cannabis sales. The ATCs have invested substantial time, money and resources into expanding their operations: hiring more staff, securing supply chains, and expanding cultivation sites.

It cannot be emphasized enough that New Jersey's ATCs have ample supply now to service adult-use consumers without harming access for medical cannabis patients, who always come first.