Cross-posted at Blue Jersey.

Josh Zeitz, the Democratic nominee for Congress in New Jersey's 4th Congressional district, today challenged Rep. Chris Smith to four public debates.

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates, Zeitz asked Smith to join him at one public debate in each of the fourth district's counties: Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean. During their campaign for the U.S. Senate from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debated in each of Illinois's nine congressional districts.

As a sign of respect, Zeitz mailed a personal debate invitation to Smith's home, along with a copy of a book on the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Here's what Josh had to say:

"The rising cost of food, gas, health care, and education is hurting many working families," wrote Zeitz. "People have a right to know how each of us proposes to address these grave problems, and they have a right to challenge us in a public forum."

"I can think of no better way for us to honor the anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas debates than by providing the residents of New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District a similar opportunity to see their candidates engage in a vigorous but respectful exchange of ideas."

"While neither of us would presume to walk in the footsteps of these two giants, let's agree to honor their memory --- and to honor our neighbors in Central Jersey - by debating in Ocean, Monmouth, Burlington, and Mercer Counties."

The campaign is entering a critical phase and we need your support. You can contribute at Josh's ActBlue page. If you'd like to volunteer, please contact ian_at_joshzeitz_dot_com. Please visit Josh's website to learn more about why we need to elect Josh to Congress.

If any of you, in particular those from the Garden State, have specific things you'd like to suggest Josh focus on in the debate, feel free to email ian_at_joshzeitz_dot_com and I'll pass them along. No guarantees of course, but Josh and the campaign want to hear your thoughts.

Cross-posted at Blue Jersey.

Josh Zeitz is the Democratic nominee in New Jersey's Fourth Congressional district. He is running against Republican Chris Smith, who has backed George Bush's economic and foreign policies and who serves as the chair of the anti-choice caucus in the House.

Chris Smith says that he wants to run on his record in Congress. Unfortunately, there are parts of his record that voters may find less than appealing. We are going to tell voters about some things Chris Smith doesn't want you to know about his record, like his opposition to ethics reform.

In 2006, Chris Smith voted against comprehensive ethics reform. The legislation would have banned travel on corporate jets, prohibit lobbyist gifts, and slow the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street. It would also require disclosure of earmarks so that special interest provisions receive public scrutiny. The measure applied to all special interest earmarks including the Alaska Bridge to Nowhere. It would force Members of Congress disclose if they had a financial interest in the earmark. (Vote 4448, 2006. Leadership Document, "Democrats Fight To Clean Up Culture Of Corruption; Republicans Fail To Change Washington," 9/14/06)

"Voters deserve to know why Chris Smith voted against banning corrupt lobbying practices and hidden earmarks," said Josh Zeitz campaign manager, Steve D'Amico.

If you'd like to volunteer, please contact ian_at_joshzeitz_dot_com. Please visit Josh's website to learn more about why we need to elect Josh to Congress.

Chris Smith says that he wants to run on his record in Congress. Unfortunately, there are parts of his record that voters may find less than appealing, namely his vote against clean water.

In 2005, Chris Smith voted against $342 Million in clean water funding. The votes were against restoring funding to the Clean Water Fund. The fund, established under the Clean Water Act, assists local communities with their water processing infrastructure to prevent sewage and waste from contaminating bodies of water. Communities nationwide face more than $300 billion in backlogged requirements to upgrade and repair clean up water systems. There are over 29,000 impaired rivers, lakes and steams nationwide. (2005 Votes # 198 and Vote #194; 2005 Statement by Rep. David Obey, 109th Congressional Record, pg. H.3642, 5/19/05; EPA, National Section and New Jersey Section 303(d) List, link here.)

The problem hits especially hard in New Jersey where 675 streams, creeks and rivers, 161 lakes and 134 other bodies of water need monitoring to ensure contamination is prevented. These waters are considered impaired and at risk.

Why did Chris Smith vote against restoring funding?

He certainly cannot use the Federal budget as an excuse, he voted to give himself a pay-raise nine times since 1999. (CRS: Salaries of Members of Congress Updated January 8, 2008; 1999 Vote #300; 2000 Vote #419; 2001 House Vote #267; 2002 House Vote #322; 2003 House Vote #463; 2004 House Vote #451; 2005 House Vote #327; 2006 vote #261; 2007 Vote #580)

"While Chris Smith was busy raising his own salary he was also voting against clean water protection for New Jersey. Voters deserve and explanation." said Josh Zeitz campaign manager Steve D'Amico.

If you'd like to volunteer, please contact ian_at_joshzeitz_dot_com. Please visit Josh's website to learn more about why we need to elect Josh to Congress.

Cross-posted at Blue Jersey.

Josh Zeitz is the Democratic nominee in New Jersey's Fourth Congressional district. He is running against Republican Chris Smith, who has backed George Bush's ecnonomic and foreign policies and who serves as the chair of the anti-choice caucus in the House.

Chris Smith says that he wants to run on his record in Congress. Unfortunately, there are parts of his record that voters may find less than appealing, namely his vote to deny our troops bankruptcy protection.

More after the jump.

Cross posted at Blue Jersey.

American families are hurting because our economy is hurting. Just in the past six months, we've seen almost half a million American jobs disappear. To take a longer view, George W. Bush's administration has seen the weakest job growth, less than half of one percent per year, of any President since Herbert Hoover. The Bush-Smith record on jobs is abysmal. By contrast, under Bill Clinton jobs grew at five times that rate (2.5% average growth per year). And no one can accuse Chris Smith of having supported Bill Clinton.

More after the jump.

Amazingly, Chris Smith Voted to Allow Unscreened Luggage and Cargo on Airplanes.

Chris Smith voted against airline security. In 2003, Chris Smith voted against stronger regulations that would have provided the highest possible level of funding for Homeland Security, preparedness and disaster response programs. The bill would have required screening of all air cargo that traveled on commercial passenger planes. In 2002, Smith even voted against enforcing faster deadlines for screening all passenger luggage for explosives. (2003 Vote# 514, 2002 Vote #362)

"Chris Smith has the wrong priorities. Why did he vote against the higher screening standards that are commonplace today? While Americans still wrestle with the economic impact of terrorism, Chris Smith tried to leave us more vulnerable." said Josh Zeitz Campaign Manager Steve D'Amico.

More after the break.

In today's Times of Trenton, Josh Zeitz published a powerful op-ed piece on the crisis of energy prices facing American families this summer. Josh is the Democratic candidate for the House in New Jersey's 4th district, and is challenging long-time Republican incumbent Chris Smith.

Josh rightly calls out Rep. Smith for a series of votes that have contributed to ridiculously high gas prices, in particular his vote to create the Enron loophole in 2000 and, even worse, against closing the loophole earlier this year.

More after the jump.

I'm very excited to announce that Swing State Project has upgraded Josh Zeitz's vigorous challenge to Republican and anti-choice House caucus chair Chris Smith. The NJ-04 race has now been dubbed a 'Race to Watch' by the well-respected site.

Blue Jersey has also reported on the upgrade.

In NJ-4, Josh Zeitz got some welcome news as his race has been added to the list of Races to watch. This will certainly be good for the Zeitz campaign as they try to keep up the momentum they've been building.  It's also good to see the continuing expansion of the playing field.

We at the campaign are hopeful that you'll join in the momentum (Josh-mentum?-just kidding). Please come to Josh's website and consider making a contribution. You can also contact ian_at_joshzeitz_dot_com if you want to volunteer.