NJN News; Wednesday, August 2, 2000 5:30 p.m.

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George W. Bush collects a Whitman Kiss as he arrives in Philadelphia to collect the Republican presidential nomination. We continue our team coverage on the convention. While the convention crowd spends freely and filly, shore merchants are registering disappointment. The State Party Chairman and 16 Democratic County leaders join the Jim McGrevy for Governor Movement. And tired of waiting on those inspection lines, you can now make appointments at some DMV stations. NJN News for Wednesday, August 2nd. From NJN Public Television, New Jersey's only statewide television newscast. NJN News with Kent Manahan. George W. Bush arrived in Philadelphia today as Republicans get ready to formally nominate the Texas Governor as their choice for president. He arrived at an Northeast Philadelphia airport telling the crowd, quote, if all goes well, you're looking at the next president of the United States.

Governor Whitman was among those who graded Bush this morning. Tonight, Bush will formally gain the GOP prize when the roll call of the States hits the mark of 1,034 delegates. For the latest, let's go to Kent Manahan live at the first union center. Hi Kent. Hi Rich. And I can tell you that George W. Bush arrived here at the convention center just a short time ago up on the stage. He looked around and cased out the place, perhaps in anticipation of his speech tomorrow night. Of course, tonight belongs to Dick Cheney. He will address the delegates here at convention hall later on this evening. Earlier today, Michael Aaron, my colleague and JN News senior political correspondent was out checking out the Bush strategy. Michael? Kent, tomorrow night, the Republicans will hear from a Democrat, the widow of a Texas lieutenant governor whom Bush worked with and liked the Bush campaign is trying to reach out not just to minorities and women, but to also reach out across the aisle. It's part of the Bush campaign's attempt at a positive image. Bush is trying to project that, and that positive image was on display this morning when he

arrived at the Philadelphia airport. The plane says Bush Cheney, to the strains of Yankee Doodle, Bush and his wife stepped on to fill it off your ground. My Whitman was one of four party leaders asked by the Bush campaign to greet the soon-to-be nominee, got a kiss and a big hug. With colonial soldiers arrayed everywhere, Bush greeted supporters and a Benjamin Franklin figure before some brief remarks. This campaign is going to take a campaign that has positive and hopeful and optimistic to the people. We're a campaign of ideas and the American people are going to respond. If all goes well, you're looking at the next president of the United States. You're having a replica of the Liberty Bell and moved on to a rally with Hispanic voters at the Philadelphia Art Museum. I am very happy to be part of the Bush team today. In Cherry Hill, the Bush campaign sent surrogates, like the governor of Virginia, to rally

the New Jersey delegation at its hotel. The truth of the matter is that we are expressing republicanism and the ideas and concerns of the people of the United States far better than the Democrats are doing. That is why we're running ahead in the polls, why we have a commanding lead in the Electoral College. We're continuing to go up in all states, including in New Jersey. A fiscally conservative Kentucky Congresswoman condemned the culture of spending in Washington. George W. Bush is going to change that. He has changed it in Texas, and I can't tell you what a relief it will be for the Republican Congress to have somebody down at the other end of Pennsylvania that will work with us. Bush is trying to be an inspirational leader who talks optimistically and presents a positive and upbeat front, putting an end to partisan bickering in Washington seems to be part of what he's trying to do.

It's very much a part of what he's doing. He understands from having been a governor that you have to bring both sides together. Whitman says you can't solve tough problems when partisans are quick to pounce on a vote as ammunition for the next election. Bush understands that. In his first inaugural address, Bill Clinton vowed to end partisan bickering in Washington. And so today we pledge an end to the era of deadlock and drift. Bill Clinton issued a inaugural address in 1993. He promised an end to partisan bickering in Washington. It looks impossible. I don't think anything's impossible, and we've seen what George Bush was able to do in Texas. He had a Democrat legislature. He was able to bring it together and he was able to work with them successfully. In terms of the important issues, Medicare, Social Security, you know, there's been a fear factor attached to them whenever somebody has gone to try to address them and improve them or correct some of the deficiencies in those systems which need to be done. And that fear factor prevents you from governing.

And so I am hopeful that we can avoid that. I think the campaign, the Bush campaign to date, has made very great attempts to avoid the partisan type politics. Every time I've been with him from when I first met him in January of 99, he exudes, the government is important. And what we have to do is accomplish things in government and then the partisan stuff will fall into place. So I think he can do it. You do? Yes, sir. And partisan bickering? I think they can create an environment that would reduce the level of partisan bickering. I think the style of the leadership of a president can go a long way toward setting the tenor for the discussions and the Congress. But beyond that, there's no magic stroke available that will allow us to wholly eradicate that kind of behavior. You know, Bush, Washington, Dick Arming, Tom Belay, Trent Lott would be less partisan. I believe that you will see them work together with an administration that is committed to bringing everybody to the table.

It's a full order, especially when you throw in the Gaphart, David Bonnier and Barney Frank, whether it can be done is one thing. It's probably good politics, however. People are said to be fed up with the way politics works or doesn't work in Washington. Michael, as we listen to the music here at Convention Hall, let me tell you that for those who are politically interested, Convention Halls and television sets aren't the only place to follow the goings on and all of the activities. One Republican with designs on the governor's office, back home in New Jersey, is holding his own convention off site, and anybody who's interested is invited to attend. Jim Hooker has that story. It's got all the trappings of a Super Bowl party. Probably this one would be for political junkies. Several hundred politically active New Jerseyans are gathering over three nights at a North Philadelphia Synagogue to watch the convention going on across town from a basement decked out like a convention hall.

Instead of, say, Missouri, Oklahoma or California being represented here on the familiar floor signs, the revelers had the likes of Cape May, Essex, Hudson and Warren counties. Jersey City Mayor Brett Schundler, a likely Republican gubernatorial candidate in next year's primary, is serving as host and chief underwriter of the $30,000 affair, along with a Hudson County Republican party that Schundler himself heads. There's only a few who are fortunate to be delegates, but with everyone here, if we could have gone to the floor, I thought maybe we could get some of our stars off the floor to say hello to so many of the people who ring the doorbells or make the phone calls, and I think the folks here have had a blast tonight. Schundler has already attracted some national Republican luminaries here to his convention party on the first night, including Newt Gingrich and Jack Kemp, who says there are still others lined up for tonight and tomorrow night. Political insiders say the big three-day affair is really a Brett Schundler for Governor Rally, so we asked him about that.

Is this about Brett Schundler running for governor? I am planning to run for governor. I have not declared yet that is something I'm expecting to do. But what we're trying to do right now is get people involved in this November's election which has to come first. Clearly, Schundler himself isn't ducking any of the line light that might shine his way out of the Republican national convention. Those that attended the party included some Jersey City municipal workers, stalwart Republicans, and a number of Democrats. Some count themselves as strong Schundler supporters. A number of others we spoke with were undecided. And that's all fine for Schundler, who's using the three nights to better get to know those who come to his party. Jim Hooker and J.N. News, Philadelphia. Well Dick Cheney's speech will certainly be the highlight tonight here at the first union center when the delegates gather. I'm joined now by our political insiders, Republican Roger Bodman and Democrat Julie Reginski.

Thanks again for being with us. Let me ask you above the tones of the music here, Roger. First of all, what will you be looking for from Dick Cheney tonight as he addresses the delegates? Well, I assume that Dick Cheney will essentially be reintroducing himself to the American people Kent. As you know, he was a prominent member of the world stage 10 years ago, his defense secretary and the Gulf War. And I think he will be reintroducing himself and come across, I think, as a quiet man of integrity and competence. People say that he is not exactly an exciting speaker, doesn't really invigorate his audience. What do you think that he'll do tonight? Well I said the other night, I would think exciting is a word that I would apply to Dick Cheney, but competence certainly is. And I don't, I think that there is a place in American politics and certainly on this ticket for a man of his integrity and competence that will come forward and prove the American people that God forbid, if something ever were to happen to President George W. Bush, he could step into the presidency and handle the job properly and with proper integrity. Julie, what will the Democrats be looking for tonight and will they be watching? They definitely will be watching and I think we'll be looking to see whether Dick Cheney

will come across as the extremist that he wasn't, he was in Congress, whether he'll pander to the right wing that some Republicans feel they need to pander to, or whether he'll try to moderate his image and come across it more as a mainstream person, which really would belive his record. But I feel that he really needs to come across that image in order to win a state like New Jersey. How, if at all, does the selection of Dick Cheney, do you think affect what Al Gore might do in his selection of a vice presidential candidate, which we're supposed to learn about next week? Well, I'm not really sure that it'll affect Al Gore, but I think what it does do is really expose the Bush-Cheney ticket for what it is, which is basically a right wing ticket with a right wing agenda. And this is just another reason why Democrats have been saying all along that both George Bush and Dick Cheney aren't right for New Jersey and for the country. Well, is Dick Cheney going to sound the kinds of things tonight that the Republican delegation from New Jersey will want to hear a more moderate, perhaps, type of Republican from New Jersey? I think what you're going to see is a very forward-looking agenda, just as this convention

has been. This convention has been essentially devoid of any criticism of the Democrats. I don't believe I've heard President Clinton's name once off the podium or vice president Gore for that matter. We're a forward-looking party, and I think you'll see Dick Cheney talking about his agenda and that of George W. Bush for the future. All right. Well, we'll look forward to talking to you later on about what you think he said and how it all turned out. Thank you, Roger and Julie. And with that, I'm Kat Madaghan for Michael Aaron, sending it back to our NJN Studios in Trenton to Rich. Okay, Ken. Thank you very much. Well, the Republican National Convention is closer to its high point with the arrival of George Bush today, but so far, South Jersey has not reaped any economic benefits from the thousands of delegates who were expected to visit the area. Ken St. John has details. Atlantic City is known as America's favorite playground, but it seems someone forgot to tell that to the delegates from the Republican National Convention. Today, the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority unveiled its latest event designed to attract delegates from Philadelphia, the world's largest craft table.

What are you from? You're a delegate. What's their sitting? But no matter how they roll, the dice very few R&C delegates showed up. Have you seen any delegates down here? We actually ran into, we ran across three delegates. I think two of them were from Michigan and one was from Maryland. We were hoping to see a lot more. Absolutely, but unfortunately, they must have had better plans or other plans. You wouldn't happen to be a delegate, would you? No. No, where are you from? From Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. I don't know. You're from Pennsylvania, but you're not at the Republican National Convention, no. And you're not a delegate. Not a delegate. It's all right, three, right? The new head of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority says there are a number of reasons for the delegate no shows. The fact that getting delegates out of the major convention city to do a more regional tour is new to any kind of a national convention, be it political or otherwise. And I think we have to educate the delegate nationally that when you go to an area, there's more opportunities.

Officials say 25 of 27 events were canceled over the weekend due to lack of participation by Republican delegates. But you would think that they would be flocking to Margate to get a shot with the world's largest elephant, Lucy. Why they're not here is really a stain on the Republicans. They're probably looking at some other elephants in the Philadelphia Zoo, and this is a much better example here. Meanwhile, authority officials say the week isn't over yet. Kent St. John and JN News, Margate and Lenny County. And when we come back, get ready to make appointments to have your car inspected. And the State Democratic Party chairman and county leaders throw their way behind Jim Egrini in his run for governor, stay tuned. If you have a comment, call 1-800-Jersey-1, or our email address, NJN News at NJN.org.

Two days after U.S. Senator Bob Tourselli dropped out of the governor's race, Woodbridge Mayor Jim McGreevy is quickly emerging as the frontrunner. Democrats from all over the state were entrenched in today throwing their support behind McGreevy. Zachary Fink has more. Extended applause, greeted McGreevy as he entered the room this afternoon. Democratic leaders say county chairs representing 75 percent of the Democratic vote in New Jersey were on hand to rally behind one candidate. And now that the dust is settling, I think what has been evident that Jim McGreevy has emerged from this stronger than ever.

McGreevy nearly defeated Governor Whitman in the last election, falling short by approximately 25,000 votes. He's been running ever since. For months, there was no clear challenge to McGreevy, but the political landscape was thrown into chaos three weeks ago when Senator Bob Tourselli announced that he wanted to be the state's chief executive. The announcement caught many party leaders by surprise. But when McGreevy picked up key Essex and Hudson County endorsements this week, Tourselli realized he could not garner the necessary majority to avoid a primary and he withdrew from the race. He placed this party's interest, this state's interest ahead of his own in his decision to reconsider his candidacy. Publicly I'd like to express my gratitude and thanks for this difficult, yes, noble decision by Senator Tourselli. In an interview yesterday, Tourselli declined to endorse McGreevy. He even named other candidates who made challenge McGreevy for the nomination. Today, the Woodbridge Mayor said he will ask those other candidates to step aside. That includes Congressman Frank Pallone, who has been dropping hints for weeks that he's

interested in running. Democratic chairs from 16 of the state's 21 counties were here today to show their support for McGreevy, missing were chairs from Morris, Paseg, Burlington, Monmouth, and Camden counties. They've long been concerned about the split between Northern and Southern party leaders. First Tourselli said he could unite them and now McGreevy is saying the same, but Southern Democrats say the split is really confined to one county. They're not talking about Cape May, they're not talking about Atlanta County, they're not talking about Comberland County. I always thought that the big North South split was a work of fiction, something that was done by a couple of power brokers in Camden County, has an attempt to make trouble. Zachary Fink, NJN News, Trenton. Well, U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg is calling Bob Tourselli's decision to drop out of the gubernatorial primary, good judgment on his part. He says the party can now concentrate on getting Democrats elected. We have a good candidate in Jim McGreevy, we've got an excellent Senate candidate, we've got a presidential race, we're looking at some House seats that we would like to capture

if we can. Lautenberg was one of those who worked behind the scenes, urging Essex and Hudson County officials not to abandon Jim McGreevy. Seven of the state's DMV inspection stations are now open by appointment, the start of the new service this week to help the state meet its deadline for the new Tupper emissions test. Bolinda Morton reports the new program is also good news for motorists. Do you have an appointment? Yes. Motorists arriving at the Montclair inspection station welcome the new DMV appointment system that got underway yesterday. Seven of the state's 32 facilities are now taking appointments for vehicle inspections. I was here at 715, they took me immediately, it was great, I couldn't believe it. The worst thing they did was change the inspection way, but the best thing they did was make an appointment because we pulled up and we were in within two seconds. So far it appears to be alright to me, you know, because I slept better than I'm leading a line around the corner, which you have often done. We're getting about 80 to 85 percent of the people showing up, we're accommodating most

of the drop-ins that we've had the first couple days of the month and it's just been a very smooth, almost seamless operation for us. The new program even made it easier for those who showed up without an appointment. So a couple of cars came in with appointments, I'm still sitting there, so then they let me in. So far the operation has been a dramatic contrast to the long lines and long weights that resulted last winter when the state launched its new emissions testing program. Parsons has been scheduling eight appointments an hour for each lane at all seven stations. Officials intend to increase that amount in a couple of weeks. Motor is wishing to schedule an appointment, can call 1-8-8-NJ Motor. Belinda Morton, NJN News, one clear. Investigators are looking at new evidence in the case of two state troopers charged with attempted murder. A defense lawyer says two eyewitnesses have come forward, and their testimony could help the case of troopers John Hogan and James Kenner. The troopers claim they fired in self-defense on a van carrying four minorities during a

traffic stop on the term pike in 1998. There was supposed to be a court hearing tomorrow on the matter, it's been rescheduled until later this month. New Jersey, death row inmate Ambrose Harris has exhausted his state appeals and a four two vote the state Supreme Court today upheld Harris's death sentence. Harris raped a murderer woman in 1992, the justice is found, there was no racial bias in the verdict. Harris can still appeal to the federal courts, the death row inmate must still answer charges, that he killed fellow death row inmate Robert Mudman Simon last year. And when we come back we'll look at the Wall Street numbers to stay with us. In business news Verizon is a step closer into getting into the long distance business.

The federal appeals court today upheld the government's decision to allow Verizon to offer long distance service in New York. The decision marks the first time a so-called baby bell has been allowed to sell long distance the breakup of AT&T. The company says it's also seeking permission to offer long distance service in New Jersey and two other states. Meantime the union representing more than 7,000 customer service workers in several states including New Jersey has authorized its president to call a strike if a contract settlement is not reached. The union says a strike could come as soon as 1201 Sunday morning. Another telephone-related news AT&T has added yet another toll-free number. AT&T has added 866 to its bank of toll-free exchanges.

The new area code joins 888 and 877 on the growing list. The company says there's been a huge demand for toll-free numbers. They expect to add another number in November. Exxon mobile plans to cut more jobs from its workforce. The oil giant has been planning to slash about 15% of its workforce by 2002. Now the company says it plans to cut another 3,000 jobs. When Exxon and mobile merge last year, Exxon announced it would close its World Head Quoters and Morris County as well as a mobile research lab in Edison. News on the nation's economy, rising work-or-trades are being blamed for falling new home sales. The Commerce Department reports sales dropped 3.7% in June to the slowest pace in more than two years. It's the third straight monthly decline, analysts blame mortgage rates, which hit a five-year high in bid bay. On Wall Street signs of a cooling economy, boosted hopes that the Fed may hold off on raising interest rates later this month, that put the blue chips in positive territory. At the close, the Dow industrials gained 80 points, ending the session at the 10,0687

level. Among the broad markets, the IMX added nearly a point. The NASDAQ dropped 27. The S&P 500 is up a half point. Among the Treasuries, the 10-year note is off 2.30 seconds, it's yielded at 5.98%. And still ahead, a check with the forecast, stay with us. As for the weather, it was a partly sunny day across New Jersey with increasing humidity, temperatures climbed to the 80s throughout the region.

And here's a good way to beat the heat. People were in Margate, were enjoying a nice splash in the ocean to cool off and have some fun. With lots of rain during the month of July, we haven't seen much of this lately, great day to be out there today. As far as our ozone watch for tomorrow, expect a good level statewide, and here's the New Jersey forecast. In North Jersey tonight, cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, lows of around 70 degrees, tomorrow, partly sunny, and very hot with a chance of a late-day shower or thunderstorm, highs around 90. In South Jersey tonight, cloudy with a chance of rain or thunderstorms, lows in the mid-60s. Tomorrow, sunny and humid with a chance of showers or thunderstorms, highs in the upper 80s, and that's the news.