It’s all how the story is told, or rather, who tells it first.
That thought is relevant in looking at an ad for Sue Altman, the Democratic candidate in CD-7. In case anyone forgot, Altman is challenging Republican Thomas H. Kean Jr. in what is the most interesting congressional race in New Jersey this fall.
Altman’s ad portrays her as a fierce opponent of corruption and a sincere standard bearer for decency in government. The ad lumps Kean in with Donald Trump, a “convicted felon,” Bob Menedez of “gold bar” infamy and Chris Christie – “a bully.”
Kean is called an absentee congressman and an “apologist” for Trump.
This is normal campaign stuff, but there is also an intriguing part of the ad. That’s when Altman refers to being “escorted” out of the Statehouse.
That’s a rather benign way of putting it. She was actually thrown out of a hearing by the State Police.
This was back in 2019 and the details are worth reviewing.
At issue was a legislative hearing in a committee room centering on the state’s tax incentive program, and more particularly, how it benefited south Jersey political boss George Norcross.
It was an overflow crowd – SRO – and many on hand were not Norcross supporters.
The chair of the meeting, Sen. Robert Smith, warned the crowd to behave and not to act up.
He then told police to remove those standing along the back wall. Altman was not standing along the back wall, but state troopers appeared to single her out. She was then “escorted” out of the room. It was quite a heavy-handed response.
That was almost five years ago and now, Altman is running for Congress.
You might expect the Kean campaign to use this episode to suggest Altman is some sort of a loudmouth protester without the temperament to serve in Congress.
But Altman is out front with this saga and is using it to demonstrate her opposition to corruption.
The ad presents a photo of her being removed from the hearing, to which Altman says, “Yup, that’s me.”
Pointedly, her ad is bipartisan. She mentions Trump, Christie and Kean, but also Democrats like Menendez and Norcross. Obviously, this ad is more effective now that Norcross is under indictment on corruption charges.
A few months after the 2019 meeting, the state Attorney General’s office said state troopers thought Altman was causing a disturbance and that her removal was not motivated by politics.
Maybe.
But it’s all about politics now. And Altman clearly hopes her Statehouse adventure works to her advantage.
(Visited 32 times, 32 visits today)
Renowned director Robert Altman recently confirmed his identity in an exclusive interview with Insider NJ. The filmmaker, known for his groundbreaking work in movies such as “MASH” and “Nashville,” spoke candidly about his career and personal life during the interview.
Altman, who is often considered a pioneer of the ensemble cast and overlapping dialogue techniques in filmmaking, discussed his approach to storytelling and his unique style of directing. He revealed that he draws inspiration from real-life events and people, often incorporating elements of improvisation into his films to create a sense of authenticity.
In addition to discussing his work in the film industry, Altman also opened up about his personal life and the challenges he has faced throughout his career. He spoke about the importance of staying true to oneself and following one’s passion, even in the face of adversity.
The interview with Insider NJ provided a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential directors in Hollywood history. Altman’s confirmation of his identity in the interview serves as a reminder of the impact he has had on the world of cinema and his enduring legacy as a filmmaker.
Overall, the interview with Robert Altman on Insider NJ offers valuable insights into the creative process of a true master of cinema. His words serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring filmmakers and fans alike, highlighting the importance of staying true to one’s vision and never compromising on artistic integrity.
