bobbi's pals.jpg

Ok, boy and girls. Remember this song from Sesame Street? Try to guess which two of these guys are going to get people to reach into their pockets and pull out $2,100 to stand around Bobbi Brown’s back yard? And which one, um, couldn’t inspire anybody to pay a library fine?

To help secure the seat for the Democrats in the U.S. Senate for our
neighborhing state of New Jersey in support of U.S. Senator Bob
Menendez….
Steven Plofker and Bobbi Brown
&
Jeh and Susan Johnson
With Co-Chairs (committee in formation)
Ann and Clive Cummis *Angelo and Donna Genova *
John and Janet Graham *Tim Carden and Amy Rosen *
Elnardo J. Webster II * Maureen White
Cordially Invite You to a Private Reception
Celebrating the Leadership of
United States Senator Bob Menendez
With Special Guests
United States Senator Barack Obama
&
Mayor-Elect Cory Booker
Friday, June 2, 2006
Home of Steven Plofker & Bobbi Brown
Montclair, NJ
VIP Reception
5:30pm to 6:30pm – $2,100/per person
Cocktail Reception
6:30pm to 8:00pm – $1,000/per person

Bobbi’s a big fan of Cory Booker going way back. From the Barista’s 2003 profile of her in The New York Times (Times Select required):

Another person Ms. Brown is in awe of is Cory Booker, the Newark mayoral candidate, who lost to the incumbent, Sharpe James, in the Democratic primary last May. Ms. Brown and her husband became campaign contributors after hearing Mr. Booker speak at a small gathering here.
”I’ve never been so blown away by another human being in my life,” she said though she did not elaborate on any particular idea that Mr. Booker had endorsed ”He’s honest and smart and incredible. Some day he’ll probably be president.”

Sshhh. Please folks, don’t tell Steve Barack she said that.

94 replies on “One of These Things is Not Like the Others (La la la)”

  1. The “leadership” of Menendez? I get the distinct impression he’s more or less a boob. Well, yes, maybe he is a “leader” when compared to Lautenberg…..
    Perhaps those most outraged by the Wellmont and CrisCo situations could chip in, send an infiltrator or two?
    And if you spring for the $2100 (an oddly unrounded sum), does it then cost the extra thou for the next 90 minutes of the party?

  3. Looks like they have a good size backyard for such an event. Say “hi!” …
    (LINK TO SATELLITE IMAGE OF THEIR BACKYARD DELETED. It may be public record and available on the internet, but it’s not right to publish. The Management.)

  4. “To help secure the seat for the Democrats in the U.S. Senate for our neighborhing [sic] state of New Jersey in support of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez…. “
    My comment is not on the mispelling of “neighboring;” but wait – don’t Bob & Bobbi (and the other sponsors) live in New Jersey? Is this invitation only for New Yorkers (all of whom have secret plans to move to Bloomfield)? Or do those who travel in the rarefied air of the NJ Democratic Party inner circles truly live in an alternative (or altered) state?
    — Flummoxed in Fairfield

  6. cathar,
    $2100 is the 2006 limit of every American’s free speech. (ie contribution limit).

  8. How fortuitous then, ROC, that I only have about $11 myself. (Columbia football has no such limits, of course, as the Athletics Dept. keeps reminding me.)
    Does that mean $2100 per event? Or total? If the former, one might want to choose a few cheaper events to spread the support around.

  9. It is the aggregate total allowable contribution from any individual to any campaign for the 2006 cycle.
    So, if you wanted to erect a billboard saying “Bush is a Crook, Vote Menendez” and it cost you $2101.00 you’d be a felon.

  11. ROC: can you say “skim?” Only forwarding the $2K to the politician allows for credible deniability on the part of the donor. We use the vig to fund our other social programs such as gambling, prostitution, and “Bobbing for Jimmy Hoffa” contests.

  12. I have no idea what you are on about CNT, but $2100 is the limit and why that is the amount for the event.

  13. ”I’ve never been so blown away by another human being in my life,” she said
    what could she have meant? Does Steve “blow here awaY”?

  14. Cathar,
    Keep your name calling and smear to yourself. I am proud to have Robert Menendez as my senator and I can’t wait to vote for him in the next election. I’m sure the rest of New Jersey agrees.

  15. oh dear typo
    ”I’ve never been so blown away by another human being in my life,” she said
    what could she have meant? Doesn’t Steve “blow her awaY”?

  18. So I guess this is how these politicians side step the states pay to play contribution limit of $300.
    I for one have better ways to spend $2100 then on this event.

  19. oak,
    The $2100 limit on free speech is for nationl offices. Local limits of free speech may differ.

  20. (LINK TO SATELLITE IMAGE OF THEIR BACKYARD DELETED. It may be public record and available on the internet, but it’s not right to publish. The Management.)
    Wow. When did the Barista turn into the Watercooler/BD?

  21. “Smear,” mikey? While I am indeed relieved to hear to that the august likes of thee is proud to have Menendez as our senator, I retain the right under the Constitution (the very same one that serves you) to call him a boob. I’ll even add “cliched hack” and ” self-serving and verbally incompetent” to the file, if only to exercise my right of free speech to you.

  22. So, you can publish their home address but not a public domain satellite image of that address? Smells like censorship, and its stinks.

  23. What’s wrong with a link to google maps. You published the address up there Barista?
    What gives?

  24. Jim,
    When did the Barista turned into the Watercooler/BD?
    It’s about privacy – not about expression. The right of people not to have satellite images of their yards posted on the internet for all to see.

  25. Really. Menendez was smart enough NOT to vote for the war in Iraq. I guess that would make Menendez a very smart man. That’s more that I can say for your retarded president George Walker Bush.

  26. Shouldn’t you take that up with Google, Barista?

  28. Shouldn’t you take that up with Google, Barista?
    you didn’t delete my link to the Duryea house, why the double standard?

  30. barista,
    you should have deleted his link so that he could have started yelling censorship in advance.

  31. Barista: I see no difference in privacy between the two. Both reveal location, one is verbal/text, the other is visual/image. You revealed the street name and house number, but censor an image of it. Are you creating policy? Where is it written that all commentors accept such policy?

  32. Jim,
    would you like to recommend
    a plumber is piscataway
    a drywaller in dumont
    a BMW dealership in Butler
    a gynecologist in Glennmont

  33. do you “own” this site jim?
    do you have a contract with the barista?

  34. “Are you creating policy?”
    She can, she pays the bills.
    “Where is it written that all commentors accept such policy?”
    No need to, see above.

  36. no you don’t jimbo you’re responding to it.
    ignore means to refuse to take notice of
    how were you taunted?

  37. “ignore the taunting commentary”
    it’s just pissant anyway, Jim.
    I think Barista is now being judicious and consistent, I applaud her for it. (with the address now removed).

  39. Mikeypoo, even the use of the word “retarded,” which you used in regard to President Bush (who is probably better degreed than you, I might add) is considered a slur these days. Still, you were exercising your right of free speech. However foolishly, as is your wont.
    But why do I never quite feel the love from you? And will you even be at the benefit? At least at the cheaper shank of the evening to tell the Hudson machine hack who currently is Senator how proud you personally are of him? Oh but I’ll bet there’d be some squirming were that to happen.

  41. hey jim, by posting here on the barista’s site you agree to her moderation- her site- her opinion- her power- get it
    would you like her to post your address and a map to your house?
    i bet you’d threaten to sue wouldn’t you

  45. “Mikeypoo”… I don’t even know what to do with that.
    Senator Menendez has come to Montclair to hear the concerns of the citizens he represents. I was very impressed with what he had to say and he answered questions directly. His foreign policy views are very refreshing and a sensible departure from the failed foreign policy of the republican house, senate, and white house.

  46. I think I read in “The Nation” many examples of how watered down Barak Obama has become, pandering to the GOP, etc. Has Colbert skewered him yet? There are plenty of other people whose company I’d rather be in. (Forgive my ending the sentence w/a preposition!)

  47. Glee, your post is music to my ears. May your wing of the Democratic Party ever remain ascendant!

  48. I have no problem with removal of either the Plofkers’ address or the photo of their back yard, but may I suggest an addition? Contact info for the garden party, in case some readers and posters might actually wish to attend but aren’t on a circulating “moguls list” and thus don’t automatically get invited?
    You know, like lasermikey.

  49. I’m sure that mikeypoo got his invite
    and if he didn’t i’m sure he knows who to call

  50. “His foreign policy views are very refreshing and a sensible departure from the failed foreign policy of the republican house, senate, and white house.”
    And he is striking a chord!

  51. “His foreign policy views are very refreshing and a sensible departure from the failed foreign policy of the republican house, senate, and white house.”
    And he is striking a chord!

  53. “Further proof that the Democratic party is for the very rich and the very poor.”
    Right, because Republicans don’t have rubber-chicken fundraisers.
    Ha!
    I’d actually love to attend something like this but I ain’t got $2,100 to give to anyone except Mastercard.

  54. Posting of a private citizen’s residence address in a public forum is in utter bad taste. Lady Barista’s admission of an oversight and the subsequent removal coupled with her coconscious removal of the link to the satellite image redeems her in my view. This is not only within the rights of the site owner but also shows immaculate judgment.
    However, not withstanding any political affiliation or lack thereof, I do believe that not providing at least some information as to who is in fact the organizer of this “shindig” and how to reach the organizers, at best depicts poor journalistic ability and at worst a sub rosa censorship.

  55. The “neighboring state” bit and the ellipsis do suggest some missing info.
    Wouldn’t this be public record someplace?

  56. I think it’s hilarious how Cory Booker is now the darling of the Essex and NJ Democratic party after they did everything they could to crush him in 2002. Political expediency does make fast friends, but I had to chuckle at seeing Joe DiVincenzo hug Booker after he won…Frankly, I think that he would be a superior candidate for the Democratic nomination than Menendez (and a better senator than Kean), but I’m happy he’s here in Newark.
    That said, however, I think Menendez will win by the skin of his teeth. Kean isn’t a bad guy by any means, but I don’t think he has the charisma or the message to beat the Dems’ fundraising juggernaut or the Menendez bastions of Hudson and eastern Middlesex.
    I do hope, for Booker and Obama’s sake, that they both keep a healthy skepticism towards the hordes of sycophants (yes, even to the ones in Baristaville) surrounding them now.

  58. LOC,
    Yes, but the chicken is much more rubbery:
    “That task is proving easier for the Republicans because they have a much larger base of small donors, built up over the decades they were out of power in Washington. Democrats, on the other hand, had become more reliant on the now-banned big donations, which they reaped from labor unions and Hollywood liberals.”
    https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2003-08-20-hard-money-usat_x.htm

  59. Gabe,
    What’s wrong with the poor having political representation? If one party didn’t try to co-opt them, the other would. (And no matter what, somebody from the other party will claim that they were being exploited.) In the South, poor whites vote overwhelmingly Republican. So I don’t know if it’s even as simple as you may believe it is. Culture and religion often are social cleavages that transcend class.

  61. some how I get the feeling that Sen M.s main job in the Senate is to wipe the oatmeal off of Frank’s lips when he falls asleep during votes.
    Out of all of the people in NJ we have those 2 as our distinguished Senators…miss m, pass the pitchfork

  62. The organizer’s are not public?
    Isn’t this the party screaming about a “culture of corruption”?
    This is somehow better?

  64. Everone here should calm down. It’s a political fundraiser, not a Skull and Bones meeting. That said, I would rather write a check to my favorite candidate rather than have cocktails with people I think I would find nauseating. I wish people would get this worked up about committee hearings in Congress! The ways in which the public can be systematically excluded from those is a scandal.

  67. Anyone who has $2100 to spend on this shindig, send ME a note…I want to marry you.

  69. The Quinnipiac poll is very well respected and these poll numbers are more up to date.

  70. Squidgirl (aka mikey),
    Please remove your lips off of my bubble butt. I need to invent the internet, stop global warming, spread anti-american sentiment and socialism.
    Vive le France

  72. mikey,
    Leave your lips as they are now, attached to your face.
    I do not have nor have I ever had a bubble butt. I have the usual white boy flat ass.
    I invented the internet ages ago, it’s global warming that I’m working on now.

  73. Hey, you can go & get blasted after the VIP Reception for a mere $1000.
    Not clear what kind of face time that buys you tho. Do Barack & Cory leave before they in let the Cocktail Reception Rabble?

  74. Wow! I recall Iceman extolling the virtue of public discourse on this site, and then I read this mess. Menendez may not be the brightest bulb in the pack, but he is our Junior Senator, and if it is wrong for Laser to call Bush retarded, then the wacks many of you are taking on Menendez are equally wrong.

  76. Mikey, you write above that “I can’t make this stuff up.”
    Yet you so frequently do. (Or is this, too, acceptable within the “code of conduct?”)
    At any rate, President Bush is a bona fide, certified jet pilot. Whereas Dukakis’s famously wide tanker’s helmet was way too big for bis small brain. And the orders for both Kerry and Gore’s planned-on baseball caps reading POTUS had to be cancelled.

  78. Thanks Veronica, Yes, much more comprehensive, awful, isn’t he?

  79. Plopfker,Menendez,Essex County machine, Hudsen County machine, Torricelli, Lausenberg, Corzine…. perfect together

  82. I don’t understand the problem, it’s a private fundraiser. Of course it isn’t public information who is organizing it! It isn’t corruption, that’s just absurd, it’s a fund raiser for political candidates. We see it at the national conventions, we see it all the time. These people aren’t allowed to fundraise in Montclair? would people be so upset if the event were at Mayfair farms or Highlawn Pavillion?

  83. If you don’t like Bob Menendez, don’t worry, you aren’t obligated to come. If you don’t like Obama, you don’t have to come either. What was posted was an invitation directed towards people who most likely DO want to to be there. And to whoever posted the comment about bypassing the “$300 limit based on pay to play” i’m pretty sure the invited guests understand that the pay-to-play law limits contributions ONLY to people who plan to do contract business with the state of NJ in the future, and doesn’t limit federally regulated contribution limits on private individuals.

  84. yes i agree!
    bush is a war hero.
    which bush?
    now i’m confused, which war are we talking about?

  87. Heard on the radio that there’s a Stop The Shootings march in Newark today. Takin’ it to the streets, that’s what I like to see.

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