New Jersey Delegation On Day Three: A Breakfast Boycotted By Its Own Sponsor

by David Madden

ESSINGTON, PA (CBS) -- As New Jersey's Democratic Convention delegates gathered to talk strategy on day three, a bit of a political drama played out that had neither the name Clinton nor Sanders attached to it.

Rather, a state party leader boycotted a morning event he was sponsoring for delegates.

State Senate President Steve Sweeney had brought in House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer to talk to the faithful. But both were no shows. Hoyer couldn't fit it in his schedule. Sweeney told reporters afterward he couldn't appear at an event co-sponsored by PSE&G.

Why? The company's behind a North Jersey republican congressman believed by some to have an anti-gay record, and Sweeney can't stand for that. "Their support of Scott Garrett with the things that he has said forced me to boycott my own breakfast," Sweeney told KYW Newsradio after the event. "But it's great to hear that, finally, they got the message."

Word within the delegation was that the utility is now backing away from Garrett, at least financially. The utility, in a statement, didn't necessarily confirm that but said they are "very committed to supporting our LGBT employees and customers and believe our record in this area speaks for itself."

As for Hoyer's absence, it was left to members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation to fill the void. Three of them stepped up to speak: North Jersey's Frank Pallone, Trenton freshman Bonnie Watson-Coleman and South Jersey's Donald Norcross.

For his part, Norcross embraced the idea of open discussion of disagreements within the delegation. "We're not all vanilla. We're not all chocolate. We're a little bit of everything," he said. "So I think it was our shining moment that we had that ability to air our differences."

That would, of course, include the ongoing rift between delegates loyal to Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton and former opponent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. While the Sanders camp continues to express discontent, there does not appear to be the great divide in New Jersey that exists within other state delegations.

One Sanders delegate who videotaped Tuesday night's walkout says no one from New Jersey joined that demonstration. Another, Brett Pugach, agrees, although he sympathizes with those who did.

"The revolution does need to continue," he said. "I think they need to do it in a peaceful and respectful way but if that includes demonstrations, if that includes things to get media attention then I would certainly understand and I would support that."

There are continued suggestions that factions within the Sanders camp might show their discontent during speeches at the convention from candidate Clinton or her presumed running mate, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine.