by KYW's David Madden
The U.S. Education Secretary came to Cherry Hill, NJ on Tuesday, flanked by governor Jon Corzine, to honor one local school, tout New Jersey’s education record and boost the Governor’s re-election effort.
This was an official government event, politics supposedly checked at the front door of Rosa International Middle School -- which was the recipient of an award under the No Child Left Behind Act.
And there was the obligatory tour and sit down with 17 parents and teachers. But when it was over, secretary Arne Duncan made it clear that, in his view, educational gains in the state were attributable to Corzine’s leadership.
"Not every governor gets how critically important this is. And when you’ve seen New Jersey’s NAEP (National Assessment for Educational Progress) results, guess what? You saw New Jersey’s 8th graders improving at a much faster rate than the rest of the country."
Corzine said while progress has been made in improving education statewide, more work lies ahead.
On the other side:
New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie kicks off a cross state bus tour with dozens of stops in the last six days of a campaign that’s turned into a real horse race.
That tour will include several stops in South Jersey on Wednesday down the shore and on Thursday in locations from Elmer to Mount Laurel.
He’s due to make a second swing to the South on Monday. Christie not only has to counter Democrat Jon Corzine’s surge in the polls, but the surprise showing of Independent Chris Daggett. State Senator Joe Kryllos is Christie’s campaign chairman:
"This is a vanity candidacy of sorts and I think that people understand that they have to choose someone who can win this race."
Corzine has brought in some high profile help in recent weeks, topped by President Obama who will be in Camden on Sunday. Christie is now enlisting some veteran star power of his own with former Governors Kean and Whitman due to join him for part of the tour, along with former New York mayor Rudy Guiliani.
(photo by KYW's David Madden)
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