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Bus Tour Diary
Schundler Campaign Hits The
Schundler took his message of returning power to the people, truly reforming our system of education, providing honest tax relief, and improving the quality of life for all New Jerseyans to citizens in every corner of the state. Here is a brief look at the three-day bus tour, which took place aboard the same bus made famous last year by U.S. Senator John McCain as "The Straight Talk Express" - renamed by the Schundler campaign "The Empowerment Express."
DAY ONE
He told his supporters that Don DiFrancesco seems more concerned with serving the desires of the special interests than he is with serving the people. The Mayor said of his opponent's close relationship with these special interest groups, "I believe he is their man. I want to be your man," and said of DiFrancesco's well-known willingness to compromise principle in pursuit of a deal that "Donnie's never met a towel he didn't want to throw in."
After launching his campaign in Trenton, Mayor Schundler traveled to the home of Audrey Cornish, the Republican Chairwoman in Monroe, Middlesex County. There he spoke to a gathering of local homeowners about his plans to reduce property taxes. The bus then rolled out of Monroe and proceeded to the Freehold Hall of Records, where Schundler addressed a rally of supporters and reiterated his commitment to changing the way business is done in Trenton.
After visiting the historic Southern Mansion in Cape May, Schundler closed the first day of his tour by touring a faith-based rescue mission in Atlantic City. "We should all be thankful for these types of private organizations that provide valuable services to those of our citizens in need of a helping hand." Schundler said that as Governor, he would work closely with President Bush to advance initiatives such as President Bush's proposal to provide support for faith-based programs.
DAY TWO
During this second day South Jersey swing, Schundler visited a Vineland diner and restaurant, the Salem County Sportsmen's Club, a library in Clementon and the Burlington County Courthouse. Schundler's personal appearance at the Burlington County Courthouse was one of the more triumphal moments of the tour. He won the release of documents the campaign had fought for months to obtain from the county, whose Republican power-brokers seemed to be stacking the deck against him. When the Mayor, 40 of his supporters, and members of the news media arrived at the Courthouse, the County Clerk's office was finally forced to stop stonewalling.
Schundler closed his second day by speaking about revitalization at the Falls Municipal Park in Passaic County and then addressing a Wednesday evening rally of his supporters on the steps of the Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack. Despite the cold temperatures, a large crowd of Schundler supporters gathered at the steps of the Courthouse to show their support for the Mayor.
DAY THREE
Schundler visited several shops and a local tavern in Hackettstown where he spoke with supporters, shop owners and patrons about his vision for improving education and lowering taxes. Schundler then stopped at a medical center in Hunterdon, where he talked about his reputation for promoting innovative ideas such as Medical Savings Accounts, and he toured a sporting goods store in Bound Brook to talk with the owners there about the concerns of small businesses.
The three-day bus tour reached its conclusion Thursday evening at the Atrium Waterfront in Jersey City. The three-time elected mayor of one of America's most diverse cities was treated to a hero's welcome by more than 1,500 supporters who packed the facility to hear Schundler speak about his accomplishments in Jersey City and why he has decided to run for Governor.
Empowerment Express Marks The Beginning
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Early on the morning of February 13, before a crowd of enthusiastic supporters, Jersey City Mayor 
Schundler started his campaign at the State House in Trenton, by offering his vision of a better New Jersey - where property taxes are cut, where parents are given more choices and more control over their children's education, where urban areas are revitalized and open spaces are preserved - and declared that he is the only candidate "with the courage to lead and win."
The next stop on The Empowerment Express was a visit to the boardwalk in Asbury Park, and a stop by The Stone Pony, the rock-and-roll club where Bruce Springsteen honed his craft before hitting the big time. Once a thriving summer-time vacation spot, most of the hotels and businesses along the Asbury Park boardwalk are now closed and boarded-up. The man who is widely praised for leading a remarkable renaissance in Jersey City said that as Governor he would work to revitalize towns like Asbury Park, just as he has in his own city. Following that stop he proceeded south to an Ocean County rest stop on the Garden State Parkway, where he addressed a gathering of anti-toll activists and talked about eliminating the tolls from that road. "Tolls are taxes, and this is one form of tax that we have the ability to eliminate completely," he told cheering supporters.
Mayor Schundler started the second day of his tour by touring the Galloway Community Charter School. Schundler was a leader in the movement to bring charter schools to New Jersey - he actually drafted New Jersey's charter schools legislation, and lobbied the legislature hard for its adoption - and has supported expanding the number of charter schools. Schundler would visit a home-schooling family in Gloucester County later in the day - all part of his continued focus on providing more educational options for parents in New Jersey. Schundler spoke about the importance of empowering parents to choose the schools that best fit the needs of their children, and he pledged to increase academic standards and achievement measures in the public school system.
On the third and final day of Schundler's whirlwind statewide tour he began the day by speaking with patrons at the Sussex Queen Diner, before heading to High Point State Park - the northernmost point in New Jersey. "An area of natural beauty, such as this state park, really brings home the importance of controlling sprawl and preserving open space in New Jersey," he declared. Schundler said that efforts to revitalize and attract development to New Jersey's urban areas will relieve the pressures of suburban sprawl that have threatened precious open space.
In one of the more emotional stops on the tour, Schundler returned to the town where he grew up, speaking with friends, family and supporters at Westfield Presbyterian Church. He spoke about the values he learned from his parents and from the community, and how he developed a sense that each of us has an obligation to serve those less fortunate. After this stop Schundler spoke to a crowd of supporters in Morristown where he reiterated his commitment to taking on the tough battles and doing what is right for the citizens of New Jersey.
The three-day statewide bus tour clearly demonstrated Mayor Schundler's commitment to serving all of the people in every part of New Jersey. In the coming months Mayor Schundler intends to revisit these counties and spend even more time speaking with local residents about his vision for New Jersey's future. The tour was a great success, but is only the beginning of what promises to be a successful campaign to fundamentally change the direction of our state government. While the bus tour has ended, the spirit behind the "Empowerment Express" keeps moving forward.
