by
NARR:
Bergen is New Jersey's wealthiest and most populous county just
across the Hudson
River from New York City. The area was a republican stronghold for
thirty years until democrats seized the county executive office two
years ago.
NARR: BRIAN HAGUE IS the leader of a LOCAL DEMOCRATIC campaign
group. HE SAYS during the final days of the race - campaigning
efforts in the COUNTY are CRUCIAL. (AMBI DEMOCRATIC HQ)
AX: ITS VERY CLOSE. AS GOES BERGEN GOES THE REST OF THE STATE SO
BOTH CANDIDATES TOM KAIN AND BOB MENENDEZ HAVE BEEN SPENDING A
TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME UP IN HERE.
NARR:
MENENDEZ ADRESSED A CROWD IN FRONT OF THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE ON
SUNDAY. HE PROMISED TO PULL TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ AND LOWER TAXES.
AX:
"BERGEN COUNTY ARE YOU READY TO JOIN ME AND HELP CHANGE THE
DIRECTION OF AMERICA?" CROWD CHEERS
> NARR:
MENENDEZ ALSO BROUGHT OUT BIG NAME ENDORSERS. Reverend Jesse
Jackson was there and Former President Bill Clinton addressed the
crowd of over seven hundred.
AMBI SOUND CLINTON: (PLEASE PLUG IN SOUND OF THE CROWD CHEERING)
"YOUR GOING TO BE GIVEN A BIG CHANCE ON TUESDAY. YOU CAN SAY YES
FOR A NEW DIRECTION OF AMERICA"
Narr: Menendez volunteer Richard Garcia worked the crowd, handing
out fliers and free hot dogs. He said he'd risked his own health to
Get out the vote.'
AMBI OF RALLY OR HOTDOG STAND PLEASE
AX:
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN GO TO BED? WE DON'T SLEEP. I WENT TO SLEEP LAST
NIGHT AT 3 AM AND WAS UP AT 8 AND THE DAY BEFORE WAS IT LIKE 4 IN
THE MORNING AND BACK HERE AGAIN AT 8"
> NARR: While Menendez relied on hard work and big names his
republican opponent Tom KAIN junior got a last-minute infusion of
big money: three and a half million dollars from the republican
party.'
NARR: On Monday, the candidate stopped at his headquarters in
Mountainside New Jersey where twenty volunteers waived signs and
waited to appear live on fox news.
AMBI CAR BEEPS- CROWD CHEERS
> AMB:
> CROWD SCREAMS… KEAN KEAN KEAN
>
> NARR:
> KAINS CAMPAIGN USED THE MONEY TO FLY IN VOLUNTEERS FROM VIRGINA,
CALIFORNIA AND EVEN HAWAII.
NARR: Campaign volunteer Tony Benegas says the
volunteers came to New Jersey to combat low voter turnout.'
AX:
THIS IS AN OFF YEAR ELECTION THIS IS NOT A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND
THAT'S WHY WE'RE WORKING SO HARD KNOCKING ON DOORS AND MAKING
PHONE CALLS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED.
NARR: KAIN AGREES- HE SAYS EFFORTS MADE BY VOLUNTEERS WILL PAY OFF
AX:
THIS CAMPAIGN HAS REACHED OUT TO HALF A MILLION PEOPLE OVER THE
COURSE OF THE LAST COUPLE DAYS ALONE. PEOPLE ARE VERY EXCITED
ABOUT CHANGING THE DIRECTION IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
NARR: THE REPUBLICANS SEE NEW JERSEY AS THEIR BEST SHOT TO TAKE A
DEMOCRATIC SEAT IN THE US SENATE. IF THEY DO IT WILL BE THE FIRST
TIME NEW JERSEY HAS A REPUBLICAN SENATOR SINCE 1972.
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