TEANECK, NJ — During his introductory remarks at a McCain Garden State fundraiser tonight Sen. Joe Lieberman ripped Barack Obama for exhibiting “inexperience” when it comes to the conflict in Georgia.

“The last few days, four or five days, we’ve seen one of the most unexpected crises in the world as the Russians moved into Georgia as aggressors. And if you read the statements from the beginning, Senator McCain and Senator Obama, one had kind of moral neutrality to it that comes I think from inexperience,” Lieberman said. “The other, Senator McCain, was strong and clear and principled and put America where America always wants to be.”

Lieberman was referring to Obama’s first statement about the conflict Friday in which the IL Senator called on both the Russians and Georgians to “show restraint.”

“I strongly condemn the outbreak of violence in Georgia, and urge an immediate end to armed conflict. Now is the time for Georgia and Russia to show restraint, and to avoid an escalation to full scale war. Georgia’s territorial integrity must be respected,” Obama said in a written statement. “All sides should enter into direct talks on behalf of stability in Georgia, and the United States, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community should fully support a peaceful resolution to this crisis.”

The Lieberman criticism, which echoed his remarks in Pennsylvania earlier today, is noteworthy because McCain has not made Georgia political issue and even told Carl Carmeron today during his FNC interview that, “I respect Senator Obama’s views and I believe that it’s important that we act in a bipartisan fashion now. There’s no room for partisanship now.”

Additionally, it should be noted that Obama’s initial statement was actually very similar in tone to Dana Perino’s White House statement Friday in which she said, “we urge restraint on all sides - that violence would be curtailed and that direct dialogue could ensue in order to help resolve their differences.”  Obama has since ratcheted up his criticism of the Russians and his multiple statements since Friday have grown similar in substance and tone to McCain’s.

Lieberman made the Georgia criticism as part an attack on Obama’s readiness for Oval Office.

“You got a real clear choice to make, and I say it respectfully to Senator Obama cause he is a gifted young man, but he is not ready to be President,” Lieberman told McCain donors Tuesday night. “(Sen. McCain) is ready to be commander in chief on day one. Tested in war and peace. He has passed both tests with honor that shows not only his ability but his character.”

The Clinton campaign made up some of the ground she’s been losing in the race for superdelegates since she finished third in Iowa in January today — adding three more to Senator Clinton’s total and, at least temporarily, stemming the tide of delegates who have been announcing their support for Barack Obama.

First off was Representative Betty Sutton, whose Ohio district voted for Hillary on March 4th. Ex-New Jersey Governors Jim Florio and Brendan Byrne followed suit later today. Both men had been long-time Clinton supporters, but were just named as add-on superdelegates by their state on Friday.

Clinton’s 100 superdelegate lead in January has shrunk to less than 30 today - and has continued to shrink even after wins in Ohio and Texas in March, and Barack Obama’s “bitter” comments that Clinton officials hoped would cause superdelegates to think twice about his ability to take on the GOP in November.

In a statement, Clinton said “I am grateful for the support of both former New Jersey governors Byrne and Florio, as well as Rep. Sutton. Together, with their support and millions of others, we will deliver health care to every American, jumpstart the economy, and turn our great country around.”

“Our campaign is experiencing great momentum,” she added — a statement that will be better judged after the PA primary on Tuesday.

The Obama campaign has invited several celebrities speak at events across the country, including Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Usher, and Chris Rock. But today actor Robert DeNiro surprised supporters and members of the press alike by appearing on stage to help introduce Senator Barack Obama at a rally in Newark, NJ.

The campaign didn’t event hint there would be an A-list Hollywood actor alongside Senators Kennedy and Obama at the home of the New Jersey Nets. The reason per traveling press secretary, Jen Psaki - celebrity appearances aren’t always certain and should the actor have had a change of plans, bad press might have followed.

The normally politically inactive actor made the trek across the Hudson River from his home in New York City to explain why he was speaking out on behalf of Obama. “I’m here because finally one person has inspired me, one person has given me hope, one person has made me believe that we can make a change - that person is Barack Obama.”

DeNiro began his remarks by mocking Hillary Clinton’s argument that Obama doesn’t have enough experience to be president. “Barack Obama does not have the experience to be President of the United States and I can prove that. Remember, he wasn’t experienced enough to vote to authorize the invasion of Iraq,” he said sarcastically. “Instead, even then he voted against the war he said would lead to a war of undetermined length and undetermined costs and undetermined consequences. He just didn’t get it!” DeNiro said as the crowd laughed in response.

“You know, that’s the kind of inexperience I can get used to. That’s the kind of inexperience our country deserves. But if this election were just to be decided on the quantity of experience, Dick Cheney would be our next president. I prefer the quality of Barack Obama’s experience,” DeNiro said to applause.

DeNiro watched Obama’s speech behind security barricades and did not talk to the press corps about his decision. Watch it here:

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Over the course of the last two days, a slew of polls were released showing Sen. John McCain nearly tied with or now edging out Rudy Giuliani in Feb 5 primary states the former NYC mayor’s campaign had considered guaranteed winners (New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Delaware.)

Additionally, the  McCain campaign has issued the following press releases in the last two days:

01.23.08         Delaware Leaders Join Supporters Of John McCain
01.22.08         John McCain Announces Connecticut Leadership Team
01.22.08         John McCain 2008 Announces New York Leadership Team
01.22.08         John McCain 2008 Announces New Jersey Leadership Team
01.22.08         Connecticut State Senator Anthony Guglielmo Endorses John McCain For President
01.22.08         John McCain 2008 Announces New Jersey Legislative Endorsements
01.22.08         Senator Alfonse D’Amato Endorses John McCain For President

Message to Rudy:  McCain is ready for battle on your home turf on February 5th.

Money is still pouring into the Obama campaign - despite the candidate’s New Hampshire loss. According to campaign manager David Plouffe, the campaign has raised $500,000 online since midnight. This is in addition to the $8 million the Obama campaign has raised so far this 8-day long year.

The candidate also hit Boston and New York today for a pair of fundraisers - according to Communications Director Robert Gibbs, the campaign had to cut off admission at the high dollar New York event because there were too many interested attendees.

Senator Obama hit February 5th (aka Tsunami Tuesday) state New Jersey today in between his two East Coast fundraisers, where he was greeted by a couple thousand voters inside the gymnasium at Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City. There were long lines of people who were turned away when the gym hit capacity - Obama told the crowd that some 2,000 were not able to get into the door.

The loud crowd treated the second place New Hampshire finisher with a hero’s welcome. Obama made the best of the disappointing loss. “I have to tell you that one of the useful things - and I told this to my staff yesterday - about yesterday was it reminds us that change isn’t easy,” he told the New Jersey crowd. “Change is always met by resistance by the status quo.” A young man in the crowd bellowed out, “Hillary Clinton is the status quo!”

Obama continued, “You know, there are people who are in power who don’t want to give it up. There are folks who are making money on the way things are working right now. It doesn’t make them bad people - it just means they don’t want a change.”