ATLANTIC COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN

RON RUFF ON REPUBLICAN

CHAIRMAN KEITH DAVIS'

REMARKS ABOUT GOVERNOR JON CORZINE

"On behalf of all Atlantic County Democrats, I want to extend our thoughts and prayers to Governor Jon Corzine and his family. We wish him a safe and speedy recovery," said Democratic Party Chairman Ron Ruff.

"Rather than simply expressing his best wishes to the governor, I was appalled to learn that Keith Davis, the Atlantic County Republican chairman, used his blog to joke about the serious injuries suffered by Gov. Corzine in Thursday night's car accident.

"To say that his message was in poor taste is an understatement. What would possess someone to even think about circulating a joke about the governor while he is still undergoing major surgery and is breathing with the help of a ventilator and faces months of painful rehabilitation.

"Politics is a very competitive and sometimes harsh business. But there are times when political adversaries step back and civility and simple human decency take over. With Gov. Corzine lying critically injured in a hospital, this is such a time. On behalf of Atlantic County Democrats, I would hope that Mr. Davis show Gov. Corzine and his family the respect they deserve and withdraw his tasteless joke.