Dennis Shulman for U.S. Congress: Sensible Leadership for New Jersey’s 5th District

August 20th, 2008

Several interns with Democratic Congressional candidate Dennis Shulman’s campaign took the fight Tuesday for New Jersey’s 5th District right to Republicans’ doorsteps.

Outside what was once the Allamuchy Township office of former Congresswoman Marge Roukema, the group posted as oil tycoons in cowboy hats and mocked U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett, R-Warren/Hunterdon, by thanking him for supporting the oil industry.

The posse then drove north to the incumbent’s campaign headquarters in Newton, delivering several bottles of Texas-style barbeque sauce as a token of their gratitude.

It is a strategy that Aaron Ament, deputy campaign manager for the Democrat Shulman, said is getting attention. It also provides some fun for campaign staff along the way.

“It’s a really good time for our interns and volunteers,” Ament said. “It sure beats sitting in the office stuffing envelopes all day.”

Garrett’s campaign manager, Amanda Gasperino, said she is not amused.

“We’re taking this a little more seriously,” Gasperino said. “The energy crisis shouldn’t be used as a political football. Instead of using it as a political ploy for games, you need to address the issues.”

Garrett was among the Republican legislators who protested the House’s five-week adjournment before voting on offshore drilling.

Shulman’s interns, calling themselves “Oilmen for Garrett,” also took advantage of the Internet. The group recently posted a video on YouTube.com styled after the NBC sitcom “The Office.” In the video, they pretend to be an oil company executive board that decides to fund Garrett’s campaign.

Posted Monday, the video had more than 4,500 views as of Tuesday afternoon.

“This may be a keeper. It’s a good way to get our message out,” Ament said. The “Oilmen for Garrett” might join Shulman himself on trips to Warren and Sussex counties in the next few weeks, he said, and perhaps release a few more Internet videos.

The Bergen County resident’s campaign has received national attention. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has labeled the 5th District one of 20 races where the party is hoping for upsets.

Garrett, of Wantage, Sussex County, has been in Congress since 2002. Roukema, his Republican predecessor, held the seat for 11 terms.

The 5th Congressional District covers all of Warren County, most of Sussex County and parts of Passaic and Bergen counties.

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