Reply #4: It was both (at least from what I saw locally)

[karynnj]

Our assembly candidates, who were great but lost (in a very Rpublican area) were DFA. I also know personally 3 people who volunteered in my area, motivated by Kerry's effort. (I knew only a small number of the volunteers) I also know many of the local people came into politics because Dean motivated them.

I think the rallies that B. Clinton, Kerry, Obama and Dean had did get people excited and interested. The canned phone calls were good. I rarely compliment Hillary, but her phone call, that in it's first sentence mentioned the number of NJ Supreme Court judges would be appointed by the governor and that Forrester is pro-life. There was concern that woman might not vote for Corzine because of the ex-wife stuff.

Also, Corzine himself was the biggest factor in the election. His experience did impress people.

I support Kerry, but I really wish he would have simply celebrated the win, talked about the improved party and mentioned his own role in a more low key manner. He really helped as did others.