Presidential Primary Ballot for February 5, 2008

An eMail was sent out by Chairman Adam Puharic today announcing the ballot order for candidates in the February 5th Presidential Primary. Adam also reiterated his support for Gov. Mitt Romney for president, and pointed out that the Romney state campaign chairman was Sen. Joe Kyrillos of Monmouth County. (He didn't point out that Alan Moretti, a/k/a Monmouth RastaMan, is also a Romney supporter and is also from Monmouth County.)
Still no word yet on whether Adam required the Presidential candidates to undergo background checks.
From the eMail:
Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2008 Republican Presidential Primary Candidates in Ballot Order (Note: Click on candidate's name for link to their website -- H.A.):

John McCain
Fred Thompson
Mike Huckabee
Mitt Romney
Ron Paul
Rudy Giuliani

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MCRC

SATURDAY DECEMBER 15, 2007
Re-organization Day for the Monmouth County Government!

I'm inviting all good Republicans to please join us for the reorganization of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders on Thursday, Jauary 3, 2008. We will be swearing in our great County Clerk Claire French, and our new Sheriff Kim Guadagno!

It will be held at the Monmouth County Police Academy on Kozloski Road, Freehold at 4:00 pm. The real celebration will begin at 6:00 p.m. at SouthGate Manor (the old Van's), Rt. 79, Freehold. All are welcome!

If you have any questions please contact Kathleen at kddonohue@optonline.net or 732-431-6664.


--------------------------------------------------------------
Monmouth County Republican Party
www.MonmouthRepublican.org
info@MonmouthRepublican.org
732.431.6664

GANGSTA COPS A PLEA

Last week, we saw the guilty plea of gangsta developer Anthony Spalliero; he pled guilty to bribing former Marlboro Mayor Matt Scannapieco to the tune of $100,000.00. Other charges were dropped as part of the plea deal.
Spalliero is to be sentenced on March 17, 2008; he will remain on bail until that time.
Spalliero's bail arrangement is to continue, namely, he is to wear an ankle bracelet while living with his daughter.
He had been free on bail until two years ago, when he attempted to abduct a 22-year old Brookdale Community College student at gunpoint, after which he attempted to hide out at his ex-wife's Holmdel home. After a brief stay in the Passaic County Jail, he was deemed "too sick" to stay in jail and "near death" and the current arrangement was set up.
This blog has criticized Spalliero for "play acting"; we have criticized the judge and prosecutors for falling for it. Seemingly every time he was due for a court date, Spalliero would fall ill with some ailment, usually the day before court.
This continues to this day, as the Asbury Park Press reports, "But Spalliero has been stricken in recent years by a rash of ailments, which were detailed in a six-page memo his attorney submitted to Judge Thompson on Wednesday.
The memo reports that Spalliero suffered a heart attack six weeks ago and additionally suffers from diabetes, arthritis, gout and Parkinson's disease. Spalliero currently takes 25 medications, his attorney says, which are administered in 37 pills and five injections daily." (CUE: World's smallest violin.)
Spalliero was well enough to attempt to abduct the woman at Brookdale, but too sick to stand trial? Ask yourself: If you attempted the things he did, while already on bail, would you get the treatment he did??? Uh, huh, I thought so. Of course not.
Expect more of his shenannigans as his sentencing date approaches.

DEVINE BUSTED

James J. Devine, Union County's Democratic, goose-stepping, oompaloompaesque publisher, was arrested Tuesday for being $20,000 behind on his child support obligations. In 2005, Devine became infamous for the now-defunct Handlin-Thompson.org weBSite.

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. (That's what we call Schadenfreude.)

SILLY SEASON!

Well, "Silly Season" is now over, and now it's time for...
Silly Season???
Yes, campers, Election Season '08 is upon us faster than Santa can slither down a KY Jelly-slathered chimney. With the early Super Duper Tuesday Presidential Primary slated to go off on February 5th, there'll be no rest, as filing day is on December 10th. Other events will keep us Republicans very busy as 2008 draws near.

Freeholders Reorganization. Around the first week of January. Who will be the Director? Will the board follow the Harry Larrison tradition and choose Bill Barham for a third straight year? Or will they choose another freeholder to take the helm for 2008? Some have recommended Rob Clifton for the post, due to his recent reelection in a tough year and his conciliatory demeanor. However, Lillian Burry, the current deputy director, lobbied for the post at the last reorganization, and would have to be considered a tantalizing possibility this year. Barham, Clifton and Burry are the three remaining Republicans on the board; the other two members are Democrats Barbara McMorrow and John "Flippy" D'Amico. At this time it is unknown where their votes would fall.
Also, would the board vote to reappoint former Democratic Red Bank Mayor Ed McKenna's law firm as Assistant County Counsel? You know, under curmudgeonly County Counsel Malcolm Carton? If so, Red Bank Councilman John Curley is poised to throw his hat in the ring. More on that below.

Super Duper Tuesday. February 5th. The Presidential Primary. New Jersey has opted to move its presidential primary up from June so as to be more relevant in the presidential selection process. Here in Monmouth County, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney so far have a lot of support. We'll see who files next Monday and see where the support lines up.
So far, no information on whether Chairman Adam Puharic will require background checks on the presidential candidates.

Lincoln Day. Somewhere in the midst of all this will be Lincoln Day.

Primary No. 2. Yes, there will be two, count 'em, two primaries this year. The regular Jersey primary will go off as planned in June, with a filing date presumably in April. It is said that both Bill Barham and Lillian Burry are each looking for new running mates this year, and may oppose each other in a primary. A possible third ticket may be in the offing as well. If Democrat Ed McKenna is reappointed as an assistant county counsel, John Curley of Red Bank will run. It is not known which slate he will be on, though it's a safe bet that he will oppose Bill Barham. Presumably there will be some kind of a steering committee with the requisite background checks; so far no details on that.
Also no details as to whether or not there will be a Rasta-esque persona this year to trash opposition within the party.

Chairman's Election. Yes, the Chairman's Election. Adam's two-year term will be up in June, a week after Primary. Will he be challenged?

Welp, that gets us to the middle of 2008. More to come! And fasten your seatbelts folks - Howell will have a local election this year!