Most of us have heard of the Whig Party, a U. S. political party of the 19th Century, but not many know much about it. Some even believe it was an early name for the Republican Party, but that's wrong.
The Whigs began about 1833 as a successor to the National Republican Party and other forces opposed to Democratic President Andrew Jackson's policies. Their primary focus was a strong Congress, but this was mainly due to their opposition to Jackson. Other aims of the Whigs included the building of an industrial base in what was then an agrarian United States economy.
Towards the end, however, the Whigs' campaigns were mainly that they were not the Democrats. What finally did them in was the party's lack of a united stand on the divisive slavery issue; many abolitionist Whigs left to join first the Liberty Party, then the Free Soil Party, and the Whigs evaporated as a national organization in 1856, after only about 23 years in existence. In the 1850's the Free Soil Party was absorbed into the fledgeling G. O. P.
The early Republican Party's success was due largely to its strong stands on abolishing slavery and preserving the Union, just as more recently our great party has been most successful when it took strong stands on issues, as in the Reagan Revolution of the 1980's and the Gingrich Revolution of the 1990's.
In the post-Gingrich era, congressional Republicans moved away from conservative principles, and unprecedented spending resulted in the loss of congressional majorities to the Democrats in 2006.
The 2008 Presidential election opened with no clear conservative to take up the Republican cause. Fred Thompson never really gained traction, and Mitt Romney's conservative stands at times contrasted with his record as Governor of Massachusetts. This resulted in the nomination of moderate John McCain, who's biggest asset would appear to have been conservative Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin.
Since the election, it would appear that the G. O. P. has come to the proverbial crossroads. Some, like former National Chairman Rich Bond, propose a more moderate course: “Not everybody comes from the same constituency as a majority-white homogenous district in the South where all people care about is keeping their guns and taxes.” Others, like writer Larrey Anderson, believe that conservatism is the heart and soul of the G. O. P. : "The GOP needs to understand, and it needs to understand this soon, that there is no Republican Party without conservatives -- and conservatives need to start acting on this fact." (Hat tippo to Art Gallagher.)
Where will this debate lead? Time will tell. I know one thing, though. If the Republican Party moves away from basic conservative principles and fails to differentiate itself from the Democrats in bold contrast, we're done. The Democrats won't mind a one-party government, in fact they would relish it.
We can start with the upcoming state elections for Governor and Assembly. Steve Lonegan has already begun that in his campaign for governor; hopefully Chris Christie, Rick Merkt and the other gubernatorial candidates will also stand in bright contrast to the Bozo-coiffed Governor Corzine. One of these men will be our nominee. A clear message is key. The Republican Assembly candidates, both incumbent and challengers, should also leave no doubt as to what will happen should our party regain the majority in Trenton.
If we go in with no message, if there is no clear difference between Republicans and Democrats, we lose.
Then we're the Whigs.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
ON THE CUTTING OF COUNTY EXPENSES
Monmouth County's Democratic County Commissioners (neé Freeholders) claim to want to cut waste in government. That's debateable, but we'll reserve that battle for another day.
I believe their reduction of board member salaries is an excellent start.
In the spirit of reduction, I would like to help them, and I offer this proposal. Monmouth County has an "at-large" board, meaning that they each represent the county as a whole, as opposed to individual towns or districts. As such, having five is redundant. Indeed, it is arbitrary, as Mercer, a smaller county, has seven. So it has nothing to do with population.
I propose a three-member board. This would result in an instant 40% reduction in board salaries, not to mention less secretaries, printing agendas, etc.
But Abe, but Abe, you say, who would be let go? I've already figured that out, campers. In a bi-partisan way, of course.
Director Barbara McMorrow gets to stay. She runs by herself, and to eliminate her position would disrupt the election cycle of board members. So she stays.
The other four members run two at a time, so one of each pair would have to go. Amy "Hammerhead" Mallet goes. She's the "most recent hire", she got in by the skin of her shark teeth, and doesn't appear to offer anything to the organization. So she goes.
Rob Clifton is the senior member of the board. If seniority counts, he stays. That leaves John D'Amico, affectionately known as "Flippy". Although he served before, that was way back in the 80's, and he's been out of touch since then. He didn't have an original idea then, and nothing seems to have changed since then. Like Amy Mallet, Flippy squeaked in back in '07. So he, too gets laid off.
That leaves two Republicans and one Democrat. How 'bout that. We're back!
The above is a work of satire.
I believe their reduction of board member salaries is an excellent start.
In the spirit of reduction, I would like to help them, and I offer this proposal. Monmouth County has an "at-large" board, meaning that they each represent the county as a whole, as opposed to individual towns or districts. As such, having five is redundant. Indeed, it is arbitrary, as Mercer, a smaller county, has seven. So it has nothing to do with population.
I propose a three-member board. This would result in an instant 40% reduction in board salaries, not to mention less secretaries, printing agendas, etc.
But Abe, but Abe, you say, who would be let go? I've already figured that out, campers. In a bi-partisan way, of course.
Director Barbara McMorrow gets to stay. She runs by herself, and to eliminate her position would disrupt the election cycle of board members. So she stays.
The other four members run two at a time, so one of each pair would have to go. Amy "Hammerhead" Mallet goes. She's the "most recent hire", she got in by the skin of her shark teeth, and doesn't appear to offer anything to the organization. So she goes.
Rob Clifton is the senior member of the board. If seniority counts, he stays. That leaves John D'Amico, affectionately known as "Flippy". Although he served before, that was way back in the 80's, and he's been out of touch since then. He didn't have an original idea then, and nothing seems to have changed since then. Like Amy Mallet, Flippy squeaked in back in '07. So he, too gets laid off.
That leaves two Republicans and one Democrat. How 'bout that. We're back!
The above is a work of satire.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
The FIGUREHEAD, HAMMERHEAD and FLIPPY
Sounds like a child's fairy tale, doesn't it. It isn't.
The Democrats are now in charge of Monmouth County. Bergen County with beaches. Cherry Hill Shores. Whatever. Let's take a look at the players here.
The Figurehead. That's Director Barbara McMorrow. A nice lady by anyone's opinion. That's why she's the director. It's good politics on their part. She's popular, likeable and puts a human face on their operation. She's their only real vote-getter and she's up for reelection this year. The Party needs to reelect her in order to stay in power. At this point she's really more window dressing than anything else, because it doesn't look like she's really calling the shots. We'll see if Republicans still ♥ Barbara McMorrow after a few months of her being the face of Union County South.
Flippy. We all know this guy. County Commissioner John D'Amico. We probably should start calling him "The Prime Minister", because it appears that he's really the director in everything but running the meetings. An old-time politician, he took care of his cronies while at the State Parole Board and is well known for chamaelaeonic changes on issues, hence his moniker, Flippy. He continues to flip-flop. From the Asbury Park Press editorial of January 3: Democratic Freeholder John D'Amico, about to start his second year on the board, campaigned in 2007 with a promise to oppose paying fees to lobbyists. He said, quite rightly, that it's the job of the freeholders and the county's federal representatives to lobby for federal funding. But he voted along with the majority last year to reappoint one of two transportation consulting firms.
Last month, he and fellow Democrat Barbara McMorrow approved spending $220,000 to reappoint both firms. The one D'Amico voted against last year, Gibbons P.C., will get an 11 percent pay boost this year.
And the Press actually endorsed this guy!
His latest proposal is to renovate the County Court House. It is telling that D'Amico was a Superior Court Judge and would want to take care of his former co-workers, like he did when he got Democratic Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson's wife Valeria a job on the Parole Board. And back in '06 I wrote about all the contributions to the County Dems from construction trades unions. Guess this is their bonanza. Basically Flippy's lost in the 80's, out of touch from all those years in the ivory tower of the judiciary.
Hammerhead. That's Amy Mallet. Amy is like a shark and a shark is fishy and so is Amy. As shallow as a mud flat at low tide. An empty suit. We wrote here and here about her longtime connections to out-of-county operators like George E. Norcross III. She touted herself as a "businesswoman", but was very secretive about just what her business was. A look at what commentary she has made would reveal her as somewhat of a gaffer, kind of a "Biden with boobs". She's basically there to do what she's told.
Rasputin (Распутин). A new character. Democratic party mouthpiece, Michael Mangan. He seems to be well-involved in calling the shots, and may actually be the conduit between County Democratic Boss Victor Scudiery and Prime Minister Flippy. Or he may be a conduit between the out-of-county bosses and Flippy, in which case Scudiery becomes a second Figurehead.
This saga will continue. We don't know where or if The Curmudgeon will figure into this. Other characters will emerge as these people make their appointments. It could well become a veritable Jerry Springer Show of stars here.
The Democrats are now in charge of Monmouth County. Bergen County with beaches. Cherry Hill Shores. Whatever. Let's take a look at the players here.
The Figurehead. That's Director Barbara McMorrow. A nice lady by anyone's opinion. That's why she's the director. It's good politics on their part. She's popular, likeable and puts a human face on their operation. She's their only real vote-getter and she's up for reelection this year. The Party needs to reelect her in order to stay in power. At this point she's really more window dressing than anything else, because it doesn't look like she's really calling the shots. We'll see if Republicans still ♥ Barbara McMorrow after a few months of her being the face of Union County South.
Flippy. We all know this guy. County Commissioner John D'Amico. We probably should start calling him "The Prime Minister", because it appears that he's really the director in everything but running the meetings. An old-time politician, he took care of his cronies while at the State Parole Board and is well known for chamaelaeonic changes on issues, hence his moniker, Flippy. He continues to flip-flop. From the Asbury Park Press editorial of January 3: Democratic Freeholder John D'Amico, about to start his second year on the board, campaigned in 2007 with a promise to oppose paying fees to lobbyists. He said, quite rightly, that it's the job of the freeholders and the county's federal representatives to lobby for federal funding. But he voted along with the majority last year to reappoint one of two transportation consulting firms.
Last month, he and fellow Democrat Barbara McMorrow approved spending $220,000 to reappoint both firms. The one D'Amico voted against last year, Gibbons P.C., will get an 11 percent pay boost this year.
And the Press actually endorsed this guy!
His latest proposal is to renovate the County Court House. It is telling that D'Amico was a Superior Court Judge and would want to take care of his former co-workers, like he did when he got Democratic Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson's wife Valeria a job on the Parole Board. And back in '06 I wrote about all the contributions to the County Dems from construction trades unions. Guess this is their bonanza. Basically Flippy's lost in the 80's, out of touch from all those years in the ivory tower of the judiciary.
Hammerhead. That's Amy Mallet. Amy is like a shark and a shark is fishy and so is Amy. As shallow as a mud flat at low tide. An empty suit. We wrote here and here about her longtime connections to out-of-county operators like George E. Norcross III. She touted herself as a "businesswoman", but was very secretive about just what her business was. A look at what commentary she has made would reveal her as somewhat of a gaffer, kind of a "Biden with boobs". She's basically there to do what she's told.
Rasputin (Распутин). A new character. Democratic party mouthpiece, Michael Mangan. He seems to be well-involved in calling the shots, and may actually be the conduit between County Democratic Boss Victor Scudiery and Prime Minister Flippy. Or he may be a conduit between the out-of-county bosses and Flippy, in which case Scudiery becomes a second Figurehead.
This saga will continue. We don't know where or if The Curmudgeon will figure into this. Other characters will emerge as these people make their appointments. It could well become a veritable Jerry Springer Show of stars here.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
DON"T FORGET!
Of course we're participating! Blogging out Hunger was begun several weeks ago by Deb Smith at Jersey Bites, and heartily promoted by Art Gallagher at More Monmouth Musings.
Help out the Community Food Bank of New Jersey any way you can. You can log on to their website and donate, or make a contribution at your favorite store, including A&P, Food Basics, Foodtown, Genuardi’s, Kings, Pathmark, ShopRite, Super Fresh and Wegman's.
You can donate to local food pantries. Many Monmouth County houses of worship run these. Check yours out.
Remember that Christmas is about giving. And remember that this goes on all year. There are always those who will need some help. Let not the days after Christmas become bleak for those less fortunate. Always feel free to lend a hand. Food, clothing, whatever.
Thank you.
SITYS
"You heard it right: If you want to work in Monmouth County, you have to ask Union County first."
...Freeholder Robert D. Clifton
SITYS. See, I Told You So.
Readers of this blog will know that for the last few years I have been writing about the Monmouth County Democrats' connections with Camden and Union Counties.
It's come full circle.
In my last post I revealed how County Commissioner-elect Amy Mallet, a George Norcross acolyte, had received a contribution of thousands of dollars from a Camden County assemblyman. Now it comes out that they have asked Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-Union), a wheeling supporter of theirs, to help them in filling at least four top appointments in county government.
Let's take a look at the county. Back in the days of Director Harry Larrison, positions were filled based upon party loyalty, as well as personal fealty to Harry. Often a job would go to members of a local governing body so as to augment their pension. We had people like Ray O'Grady (Middletown Township Committee), Tom Broderick (Marlboro Township Committee), and Tony Palughi (Long Branch City Council), as well as others. County Commissioner John "Flippy" D'Amico voted for Palughi based on a blank application.
Since the Bid Rig days, with new Republican freeholders, the county has attempted to get away from that. Department heads are now chosen based on their resumé. Often people who have worked their way up from entry level are now promoted from within, as in the HIghway and Bridge departments.
Recently, the Republican freeholders were criticized for turning over hiring authority to County Administrator Robert Czech. Democrats, with the assistance of the Asbury Park Press, accused them of attempting to "burrow in" GOP loyalists. It now looks as if the freeholders were more interested in preserving the reforms of the past four years and protect the Monmouth County taxpayer from outside Democratic interests.
As Freeholder Clifton said: "That tells us that not only are the Democrats eager to begin instituting an expensive and outdated patronage system here in Monmouth County, it appears they are looking in to burrow in these loyalists with civil service titles as quickly as possible."
Get ready for a long, bumpy ride, campers. This could get ugly. Fast.
...Freeholder Robert D. Clifton
SITYS. See, I Told You So.
Readers of this blog will know that for the last few years I have been writing about the Monmouth County Democrats' connections with Camden and Union Counties.
It's come full circle.
In my last post I revealed how County Commissioner-elect Amy Mallet, a George Norcross acolyte, had received a contribution of thousands of dollars from a Camden County assemblyman. Now it comes out that they have asked Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-Union), a wheeling supporter of theirs, to help them in filling at least four top appointments in county government.
Let's take a look at the county. Back in the days of Director Harry Larrison, positions were filled based upon party loyalty, as well as personal fealty to Harry. Often a job would go to members of a local governing body so as to augment their pension. We had people like Ray O'Grady (Middletown Township Committee), Tom Broderick (Marlboro Township Committee), and Tony Palughi (Long Branch City Council), as well as others. County Commissioner John "Flippy" D'Amico voted for Palughi based on a blank application.
Since the Bid Rig days, with new Republican freeholders, the county has attempted to get away from that. Department heads are now chosen based on their resumé. Often people who have worked their way up from entry level are now promoted from within, as in the HIghway and Bridge departments.
Recently, the Republican freeholders were criticized for turning over hiring authority to County Administrator Robert Czech. Democrats, with the assistance of the Asbury Park Press, accused them of attempting to "burrow in" GOP loyalists. It now looks as if the freeholders were more interested in preserving the reforms of the past four years and protect the Monmouth County taxpayer from outside Democratic interests.
As Freeholder Clifton said: "That tells us that not only are the Democrats eager to begin instituting an expensive and outdated patronage system here in Monmouth County, it appears they are looking in to burrow in these loyalists with civil service titles as quickly as possible."
Get ready for a long, bumpy ride, campers. This could get ugly. Fast.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
CAMDEN. IT'S CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
A look at County Commissioner-elect Amy "Hammerhead" Mallet's November 24 ELEC report shows a November 3 contribution of $3,000.00 from the Election Fund of Assemblyman Louis Greenwald. That's Greenwald, D-Camden.
So, we were correct about her George Norcross ties.
She also got $350.00 from Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman's fund. Carteret's in Middlesex County, and then there's $2,000.00 a mysterious PAC, the Coalition for Government Efficiency, based in Eatontown.
And the wheel goes round.
So, we were correct about her George Norcross ties.
She also got $350.00 from Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman's fund. Carteret's in Middlesex County, and then there's $2,000.00 a mysterious PAC, the Coalition for Government Efficiency, based in Eatontown.
And the wheel goes round.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
MALLET WINS
The Asbury Park Press has declared county commissioner candidate Amy Mallet the unofficial winner by 328 over freeholder candidate John Curley. The results are expected to be certified on Thursday.This hands control of the county to the Democrats, and can be considered a victory for county democratic boss Victor Scudiery, as well as George Norcross III and other out-of-county Democrats.
We are hearing that County Commish John "Flippy" D'Amico will be named as Director.
No word yet as to whether Curley will go for a recount.
FREDERICK von NIEDA
Eric Sedler guessed right!
Frederick von Nieda (1868 - 1950) was the last Republican Mayor of Camden. That's right, Camden had a Republican Mayor. And not just one, either. Mayor von Nieda was no fluke, rather, he was the last of a long line of Republicans to hold the mayor's office in the former GOP stronghold of Camden, NJ.
Republicans controlled Camden more often than not from the Civil War era up till 1936, when von Nieda was defeated by Democrat George E. Brunner, who would hold office until 1959. (Between 1863 and 1936, there were only six Democratic mayors to 13 Republicans.) Democrats continue to hold a monopoly on Camden's City Hall to this day.
Camden, unlike other urban centers, was run by the GOP. It is notable that during its Republican era, Camden was a bustling center of commerce and prosperity. Industry was booming, the city's inhabitants lived in solid, safe neighborhoods with leafy parks. Its mayors were not serially perp-walked from office. Indeed, someone may once have asked, where in New Jersey are Democrats doing a better job governing than Republicans are doing in Camden and Camden County? It is also notable that during its Democratic era, Camden has declined into a teeming slum, a place to escape from. Not only white flight, black flight too. And three out of the six most recent mayors were convicted of corruption.
The Republican Party remained strong in suburban Camden County after the decline of the city. Two Republican governors, Alfred E. Driscoll and William T. Cahill, both hailed from Camden County. Cahill, a former congressman, held the 1st District House seat now held by Democrat Rob Andrews. Cahill's successor in the House, John Hunt, would lose his seat in the 1974 election to Democrat Jim Florio.
Today, the Democratic Party is all-pervasive in Camden County; its leaders seek to export their influence statewide.
Monday, November 17, 2008
G-MAN CHRISTIE RESIGNS
The Asbury Park Press reports that U. S. Attorney Christopher Christie has resigned his federal post effective December 1.
A former Morris County Freeholder, Christie has served as U. S. Attorney for New Jersey since 2002. Among other achievements, Christie has convicted over 130 corrupt politicians of both parties, notably those caught in the big Bid Rig sting. His office is also prosecuting the Fort Dix Six.
Some Democrats have criticized Christie as partisan, saying he unfairly targeted Democratic officials for prosecution. That criticism would appear, however, to be nothing more than an attempt to discredit Christie should he seek the Republican nomination for Governor. Too, the Democrats have a nasty habit of circling the wagons when one of their own gets caught doing wrong.
Many (Not all) of the Bid Rig felons were Republicans, as was Mayor Matt Scannapieco of Marlboro. And need I mention that both Paterson Mayor Martin G. Barnes and Essex County Executive Jim Treffinger were Republicans.
Maybe Christie indicts and prosecutes Democrats because there are simply more of them. Maybe there are simply more of them who are corrupt. Maybe the Democrats should be careful of their whiny criticism of Christie, lest they bring attention to the corruption in their party. Maybe Christie indicts and prosecutes Democrats because no one else will.
It has long been suspected that Christie is interested in a run for Governor. (He would join former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan in that category) So far, he has made no announcement. He is somewhat of an enigma politically, as his Federal post has limited his ability to take public stands on issues. Those blanks should soon be filled should he run.
It is uncertain who the Obama Administration would appoint to replace Christie. As U. S. Attorney is a political appointment we would expect it to go to a Democrat. At publishing time we have no ionformation as to whether Peter Harvey, Zulima Farber or Hamlet Goore are interested.
A former Morris County Freeholder, Christie has served as U. S. Attorney for New Jersey since 2002. Among other achievements, Christie has convicted over 130 corrupt politicians of both parties, notably those caught in the big Bid Rig sting. His office is also prosecuting the Fort Dix Six.
Some Democrats have criticized Christie as partisan, saying he unfairly targeted Democratic officials for prosecution. That criticism would appear, however, to be nothing more than an attempt to discredit Christie should he seek the Republican nomination for Governor. Too, the Democrats have a nasty habit of circling the wagons when one of their own gets caught doing wrong.
Many (Not all) of the Bid Rig felons were Republicans, as was Mayor Matt Scannapieco of Marlboro. And need I mention that both Paterson Mayor Martin G. Barnes and Essex County Executive Jim Treffinger were Republicans.
Maybe Christie indicts and prosecutes Democrats because there are simply more of them. Maybe there are simply more of them who are corrupt. Maybe the Democrats should be careful of their whiny criticism of Christie, lest they bring attention to the corruption in their party. Maybe Christie indicts and prosecutes Democrats because no one else will.
It has long been suspected that Christie is interested in a run for Governor. (He would join former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan in that category) So far, he has made no announcement. He is somewhat of an enigma politically, as his Federal post has limited his ability to take public stands on issues. Those blanks should soon be filled should he run.
It is uncertain who the Obama Administration would appoint to replace Christie. As U. S. Attorney is a political appointment we would expect it to go to a Democrat. At publishing time we have no ionformation as to whether Peter Harvey, Zulima Farber or Hamlet Goore are interested.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
DON'T IT MAKE MY RED STATE BLUE, OR, WHO LOST NEW JERSEY?
Our State of New Jersey is often characterized as a "blue", or Democratic state. And, to be truthful, the Democratic Party has dominated the state in recent presidential elections, most recently with President-elect Barack Hussein Obama's carrying the state over Sen. John Sidney McCain III. Many pundits speak of this as if it were a foregone conclusion, like it had always been that way.
That is where they are so very wrong.
A look at presidential elections shows that New Jersey was quite a "red" state, for a long time, and recently. Let's look:
1948-Dewey over Truman.
1952-Eisenhower over Stevenson.
1956-Eisenhower over Stevenson.
1960-Kennedy over Nixon.
1964-Johnson over Goldwater.
1968-Nixon over Humphrey.
1972-Nixon over McGovern.
1976-Ford over Carter.
1980-Reagan over Carter.
1984-Reagan over Mondale.
1988-Bush over Dukakis.
1992-Clinton over Bush.
1996-Clinton over Dole.
2000-Gore over Bush.
2004-Kèrry over Bush.
2008-Obama over McCain.
What we see is, since the end of World War II, Republican presidential nominees carried New Jersey in all but two contests (1960 and '64) up until 1988. Nine out of 11 races, even where the G. O. P. nominee lost nationally. (Dewey and Ford)
That changed in 1992, when William Jefferson Davis Clinton narrowly carried New Jersey over President George H. W. Bush. Many at the time believed that the independent candidacy of H. Ross Perot was the spoiler, indeed, Perot's total vote far exceeded Clinton's plurality over Bush. Many Republicans believed that had Perot not been in the race, a large slice of his votes would have gone to Bush, handing him New Jersey's 15 electoral votes.
In '96, however, Clinton beat Dole outright. Perot ran that year, but his total was much smaller and would not have helped Dole had Perot not been in the race. No Republican has carried the state since then.
So what happened? We might have blamed 92 on Perot, but nothing else. Let's analyze this.
Changing Demographics: The population of New Jersey has changed over the past twenty years. Many who voted Republican in the past have left the state for more hospitable locations. A sizeable percentage of the new residents are immigrants and first-generation Americans, many of whom vote Democratic. That some illegal aliens may also be voting only compounds this.
Changing Democrats: I believe it to be no coincidence that this political shift has coincided with the rise of such political mega-bosses like George Norcross., as well as hyper-rich power-brokers like the Bozo-coiffed Governor Corzine. Where once their activity remained confined to the cities, these operators spread Democratic money and influence around the state through a process called wheeling.* That this effort has borne fruit for the Democrats can be seen in their taking over such formerly red counties as Bergen and Passaic.
A Weak State GOP Organization: Has Nero been fiddling while Rome burned here? Possibly. There hasn't really been much effort on the state level to build the party. Playing defense and retreat only gets you one thing: Defeat.
What is to be done? Well, by the time the next Presidential election rolls around it will be too late. We can't wish and hope that the next one will win Jersey. It's time to start now. Party building. If the state GOP leadership isn't up to the task, maybe it's time we got someone who is.
*Of course, with the Democrats, down is up and up is down and wheeling isn't wheeling, so I guess the money isn't really wheeled. Or something.
That is where they are so very wrong.
A look at presidential elections shows that New Jersey was quite a "red" state, for a long time, and recently. Let's look:
1948-Dewey over Truman.
1952-Eisenhower over Stevenson.
1956-Eisenhower over Stevenson.
1960-Kennedy over Nixon.
1964-Johnson over Goldwater.
1968-Nixon over Humphrey.
1972-Nixon over McGovern.
1976-Ford over Carter.
1980-Reagan over Carter.
1984-Reagan over Mondale.
1988-Bush over Dukakis.
1992-Clinton over Bush.
1996-Clinton over Dole.
2000-Gore over Bush.
2004-Kèrry over Bush.
2008-Obama over McCain.
What we see is, since the end of World War II, Republican presidential nominees carried New Jersey in all but two contests (1960 and '64) up until 1988. Nine out of 11 races, even where the G. O. P. nominee lost nationally. (Dewey and Ford)
That changed in 1992, when William Jefferson Davis Clinton narrowly carried New Jersey over President George H. W. Bush. Many at the time believed that the independent candidacy of H. Ross Perot was the spoiler, indeed, Perot's total vote far exceeded Clinton's plurality over Bush. Many Republicans believed that had Perot not been in the race, a large slice of his votes would have gone to Bush, handing him New Jersey's 15 electoral votes.
In '96, however, Clinton beat Dole outright. Perot ran that year, but his total was much smaller and would not have helped Dole had Perot not been in the race. No Republican has carried the state since then.
So what happened? We might have blamed 92 on Perot, but nothing else. Let's analyze this.
Changing Demographics: The population of New Jersey has changed over the past twenty years. Many who voted Republican in the past have left the state for more hospitable locations. A sizeable percentage of the new residents are immigrants and first-generation Americans, many of whom vote Democratic. That some illegal aliens may also be voting only compounds this.
Changing Democrats: I believe it to be no coincidence that this political shift has coincided with the rise of such political mega-bosses like George Norcross., as well as hyper-rich power-brokers like the Bozo-coiffed Governor Corzine. Where once their activity remained confined to the cities, these operators spread Democratic money and influence around the state through a process called wheeling.* That this effort has borne fruit for the Democrats can be seen in their taking over such formerly red counties as Bergen and Passaic.
A Weak State GOP Organization: Has Nero been fiddling while Rome burned here? Possibly. There hasn't really been much effort on the state level to build the party. Playing defense and retreat only gets you one thing: Defeat.
What is to be done? Well, by the time the next Presidential election rolls around it will be too late. We can't wish and hope that the next one will win Jersey. It's time to start now. Party building. If the state GOP leadership isn't up to the task, maybe it's time we got someone who is.
*Of course, with the Democrats, down is up and up is down and wheeling isn't wheeling, so I guess the money isn't really wheeled. Or something.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
WHY McCAIN LOST
By Michael Reagan
Barack Obama is president-elect of the United States because the Republican Party and John McCain handed him the presidential election on a silver platter.
The Republican Party and the Bush White House walked away from Republican ideals and they walked away from Republican values.
George Bush allowed the Republican Congress to overspend in the first six years of his administration without once using the veto pen, blindsided the conservative Republican members of Congress on many occasions, and walked away from the base of his party on immigration reform and other issues such as Medicare and No Child Left Behind.
He refused to sit down and break bread with the conservative members of his own party on Capitol Hill, yet believed that he could break bread with the liberal Democrats in Washington the way he did with the Democrats in Austin, Texas. And when he discovered it didn't work in Washington, it failed to stop him from trying and trying and trying over again what was obviously impossible.
Finally, the coup de grace was Dick Cheney's endorsement of John McCain in the waning days of the campaign, which gave Barack Obama the final nail to put in the coffin of McCain's campaign, which was striving mightily to distance him from the Bush administration.
Then there was McCain's campaign itself. It was the worst campaign since Bob Dole's on the Republican side, and the best campaign since Ronald Reagan’s on the Democrat side.
The McCain campaign was a campaign out of the 20th century, while the Democrats were running a campaign in the 21st century.
We need to understand that this was not a referendum on Reaganomics and Ronald Reagan. This was a referendum on George Bush, and Bush-ism, and Bush’s lack of leadership.
John McCain wouldn't stand up against the Democrats in Washington D.C. on the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac scandals, against expanding government, a $700 billion bailout, and going against the traditional values of conservative Republicans.
The economic collapse was the Democrats’ fault. Yet John McCain never bothered going after them on that. He let the burglars walk away with the loot because those were his friends, and with George Bush failed to point the finger of blame at the people who caused the financial collapse that has plunged the nation into a certain recession. Bush had the bully pulpit but failed to use it, and the Democrats walked away scot-free.
Shockingly, John McCain failed to use the most potent weapon in his arsenal -- the culpability of Barack Obama and his friends in the wholesale looting of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that led to the current debacle. McCain had the goods, but wouldn't exploit them.
The McCain campaign made inadequate use of Gov. Sarah Palin, who had enormous crowd appeal. A lot of people voted for John McCain because of Sarah Palin. There were bigger a crowds because of Sarah Palin. Yet some of the functionaries in the McCain campaign are trying to point the finger at her for McCain's defeat.
John McCain lost because of his lack of a clear message. He needed more than the fact that he is a maverick. His answer to the economic crisis was a $300 billion bailout for delinquent mortgagees. He was offering welfarism, while Barack Obama was offering socialism.
People laugh at me when I tell them the difference between Republicans and Democrats is that Republicans take a week longer to embrace communism.
This was not a referendum on Ronald Reagan. As a matter of fact, my dad might well have voted for Barak Obama just based on what he was seeing his party doing.
Finally, I hope that when Barack Obama was making elaborate and extravagant promises about what he was going to do, he was flat-out lying.
I hope Barack Obama will not be what he has promised to be. I hope he doesn't have a civilian security force. I hope he doesn't raise my taxes. I hope he doesn't spread the wealth. I hope he doesn't raise taxes on corporate America. I hope he looks at nuclear power. I hope he allows us to drill. I hope that there will be no revival of the fairness doctrine.
Conservative commentator Michael Reagan is the eldest son of the late President Ronald Wilson Reagan. His website is The Reagan Exchange.
Barack Obama is president-elect of the United States because the Republican Party and John McCain handed him the presidential election on a silver platter.
The Republican Party and the Bush White House walked away from Republican ideals and they walked away from Republican values.
George Bush allowed the Republican Congress to overspend in the first six years of his administration without once using the veto pen, blindsided the conservative Republican members of Congress on many occasions, and walked away from the base of his party on immigration reform and other issues such as Medicare and No Child Left Behind.
He refused to sit down and break bread with the conservative members of his own party on Capitol Hill, yet believed that he could break bread with the liberal Democrats in Washington the way he did with the Democrats in Austin, Texas. And when he discovered it didn't work in Washington, it failed to stop him from trying and trying and trying over again what was obviously impossible.
Finally, the coup de grace was Dick Cheney's endorsement of John McCain in the waning days of the campaign, which gave Barack Obama the final nail to put in the coffin of McCain's campaign, which was striving mightily to distance him from the Bush administration.
Then there was McCain's campaign itself. It was the worst campaign since Bob Dole's on the Republican side, and the best campaign since Ronald Reagan’s on the Democrat side.
The McCain campaign was a campaign out of the 20th century, while the Democrats were running a campaign in the 21st century.
We need to understand that this was not a referendum on Reaganomics and Ronald Reagan. This was a referendum on George Bush, and Bush-ism, and Bush’s lack of leadership.
John McCain wouldn't stand up against the Democrats in Washington D.C. on the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac scandals, against expanding government, a $700 billion bailout, and going against the traditional values of conservative Republicans.
The economic collapse was the Democrats’ fault. Yet John McCain never bothered going after them on that. He let the burglars walk away with the loot because those were his friends, and with George Bush failed to point the finger of blame at the people who caused the financial collapse that has plunged the nation into a certain recession. Bush had the bully pulpit but failed to use it, and the Democrats walked away scot-free.
Shockingly, John McCain failed to use the most potent weapon in his arsenal -- the culpability of Barack Obama and his friends in the wholesale looting of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that led to the current debacle. McCain had the goods, but wouldn't exploit them.
The McCain campaign made inadequate use of Gov. Sarah Palin, who had enormous crowd appeal. A lot of people voted for John McCain because of Sarah Palin. There were bigger a crowds because of Sarah Palin. Yet some of the functionaries in the McCain campaign are trying to point the finger at her for McCain's defeat.
John McCain lost because of his lack of a clear message. He needed more than the fact that he is a maverick. His answer to the economic crisis was a $300 billion bailout for delinquent mortgagees. He was offering welfarism, while Barack Obama was offering socialism.
People laugh at me when I tell them the difference between Republicans and Democrats is that Republicans take a week longer to embrace communism.
This was not a referendum on Ronald Reagan. As a matter of fact, my dad might well have voted for Barak Obama just based on what he was seeing his party doing.
Finally, I hope that when Barack Obama was making elaborate and extravagant promises about what he was going to do, he was flat-out lying.
I hope Barack Obama will not be what he has promised to be. I hope he doesn't have a civilian security force. I hope he doesn't raise my taxes. I hope he doesn't spread the wealth. I hope he doesn't raise taxes on corporate America. I hope he looks at nuclear power. I hope he allows us to drill. I hope that there will be no revival of the fairness doctrine.
Conservative commentator Michael Reagan is the eldest son of the late President Ronald Wilson Reagan. His website is The Reagan Exchange.
Friday, November 07, 2008
WAITING...
The sharks are circling.
Since election night, both Republicans and Democrats have been awaiting the answer. Will John Curley take a seat on as part of a GOP majority on the Board of Chosen Freeholders in January, or will Amy "Hammerhead" Mallet form a part of a new Democratic majority on the Board of County Commissioners?
Right now Hammerhead is 18 votes ahead of Curley, but provisional ballots haven't been counted yet.
At stake: The future of Monmouth County.
Since election night, both Republicans and Democrats have been awaiting the answer. Will John Curley take a seat on as part of a GOP majority on the Board of Chosen Freeholders in January, or will Amy "Hammerhead" Mallet form a part of a new Democratic majority on the Board of County Commissioners?
Right now Hammerhead is 18 votes ahead of Curley, but provisional ballots haven't been counted yet.
At stake: The future of Monmouth County.
BEST OF LUCK, SENATOR
Barry Goldwater, of The Voice of Reason, joins Monmouth Bull Moose's Teddy Roosevelt in retiring from the Monmouth GOP Blogosphere.
Sen. Goldwater appeared on the scene about a year and a half ago, and has run a very effective blog, credited with exposing Sen. Ellen Kärcher as just another political hack. That's former Sen. Ellen Kärcher. Sen. Goldwater had a lot to do with sending Kärcher back to the Christmas tree farm.
Barry's most recent target was the Democratic administration in Matawan, who made a mess of that town's finances and will now be going home.
Sen. Goldwater has indicated that he will still be lurking. We hope he remains an active participant.
Best of luck in whatever you do, Senator Goldwater.
Sen. Goldwater appeared on the scene about a year and a half ago, and has run a very effective blog, credited with exposing Sen. Ellen Kärcher as just another political hack. That's former Sen. Ellen Kärcher. Sen. Goldwater had a lot to do with sending Kärcher back to the Christmas tree farm.
Barry's most recent target was the Democratic administration in Matawan, who made a mess of that town's finances and will now be going home.
Sen. Goldwater has indicated that he will still be lurking. We hope he remains an active participant.
Best of luck in whatever you do, Senator Goldwater.
Monday, November 03, 2008
IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER
Most of us Republicans don't have much time for blogging right now. We're busy walking, or calling, hoping to get in that one more block or one more call before it gets too late and people start getting pissed off.
The major GOP blogs here in Monmouth County have all run posts promoting our great candidates and exposing the Democratic Party and its candidates' unsavory connections. We're partisan blogs, after all; it's what we do. We have attempted to cover the pertinent issues of the campaign.
We now find ourselves on the eve of the quadrennial Presidential election. Sadly, here in New Jersey it seems that a Republican carrying our state is a distant memory. (More on that in a subsequent post.) Still, John McCain and Sarah Palin should carry Monmouth County. With the exception of Chris Smith's Fourth Congressional District, the congressional districts are gerrymandered to the point of extreme difficulty for Republicans.
But still we work.
Make no mistake. On the County level, our party faces an existential challenge. The Democrats may be running a pair of stiffs for county commissioner, but that makes them all the more dangerous if they are elected, as they will be mere handmaidens of the big, urban Democrat bosses like George Norcross. Scumbags.
So, we must neither grow discouraged nor too comfortable. We must work till the polls close to ensure that every Republican has gotten out to vote. Friendly D's and I's, too. The Democrats may be playing games in certain towns, we must overwhelm that with our numbers.
This isn't over till the polls close. It's up to all of us to make sure that tomorrow night's party at Southgate Manor isn't a wake.
Now, let's all get back to work.
The major GOP blogs here in Monmouth County have all run posts promoting our great candidates and exposing the Democratic Party and its candidates' unsavory connections. We're partisan blogs, after all; it's what we do. We have attempted to cover the pertinent issues of the campaign.
We now find ourselves on the eve of the quadrennial Presidential election. Sadly, here in New Jersey it seems that a Republican carrying our state is a distant memory. (More on that in a subsequent post.) Still, John McCain and Sarah Palin should carry Monmouth County. With the exception of Chris Smith's Fourth Congressional District, the congressional districts are gerrymandered to the point of extreme difficulty for Republicans.
But still we work.
Make no mistake. On the County level, our party faces an existential challenge. The Democrats may be running a pair of stiffs for county commissioner, but that makes them all the more dangerous if they are elected, as they will be mere handmaidens of the big, urban Democrat bosses like George Norcross. Scumbags.
So, we must neither grow discouraged nor too comfortable. We must work till the polls close to ensure that every Republican has gotten out to vote. Friendly D's and I's, too. The Democrats may be playing games in certain towns, we must overwhelm that with our numbers.
This isn't over till the polls close. It's up to all of us to make sure that tomorrow night's party at Southgate Manor isn't a wake.
Now, let's all get back to work.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
HAMMERHEAD and VERY SILENT GLENN
Is Camden County Amy Mallet's idea of "where Democrats are doing a better job governing than Republicans?" Gloucester? Middlesex?
Last month Barry Goldwater wrote about county commissioner candidate Amy "Hammerhead" Mallet and her campaign finances. The good senator raised some issues that should be of concern to all Republicans of good will.
So we directed the Honest Abe Research Foundation to look into this matter in Hammerhead's ELEC reports. It's scary enough to think it's still Halloween.
Amy is like a shark and a shark is fishy and so is Amy.
Going back to the 2003 primary campaign, when Mallet was running with Senate candidate Gordon Gemma, we find a number of out-of-county contributions, and not just any out-of-county contributions. Amongst the usual pack of labor unions and trial lawyers are several wheeled* contributions from other county Democratic organizations.
Here they are:
Burlington County Democratic Committee: A $7,200.00 contribution dated June 2, 2003.
Camden County Democratic Committee: This is The Big One, the home base of George Norcross himself. If Norcross is Brezhnev, Camden is Moscow. A $14,400.00 contribution, also dated June 2, 2003.
The Leaders Fund: A Democratic PAC based in Cherry Hill Township and led by former Camden County Democratic Chairman David A. Luthman. Luthman is an attorney with the Parker McCay Law Firm, which ios headed by Philip Norcross, a brother of George Norcross.. Cherry Hill Township is in Camden County. A $14,400.00 contribution, again dated June 2, 2003. Among contributors to The Leaders Fund are developer Jack Morris with a February 24, 2003 contribution of $6,000.00 and his business partner Steve Goldin, who contributed $1,000.00 on the same day.
New Directions Through Responsible Leadership: Former Senate President John Lynch's PAC. A $14,400.00 contribution, dated June 10, 2003. Lynch will become eligible for release from federal prison on November 13, 2009. Contributors to New Directions include Willard of Jenkintown, PA, who apparently goes by only one name and contributed $2,500.00 on March 7, 2003. On that same date New Directions also received $7,200.00 from the Columbia Group, $7,200.00 from Edgewood Properties Inc., and $7,200.00 from Smith Street Properties Inc.
Monmouth Council of Democratic Leaders: A PAC connected to former Red Bank Mayor Edward McKenna and his sycophants, toadies and lackies. A $2,200.00 contribution dated June 15, 2003. Amy Mallet herself personally contributed $250.00 to this PAC on September 16, 2003, as did County Commissioner John "Flippy" D'Amico. That means that they support this PAC and think it's a good idea, campers.
Middlesex County Democratic Organization: These guys provided the Gemma-Mallet team with three in-kind contributions totaling $6,607.00, specifically they footed the bill for $515.00 in bus transportation, $342.00 for lunches (Lynch Lunch?☺), and $5,750.00 for GOTV walkers.
Gloucester County Democratic Executive Committee: If Camden is Moscow, Gloucester is St. Petersburg. Gloucester is the home base of State Senator Freeholder Director Steve Sweeney, a cog in the Norcross Machine. A $14,400.00 contribution, dated October 24, 2003.
Red Bank Democratic Municipal Committee: Surprisingly, this is actually within Monmouth County, but the Red Bank Dems are a vehicle for wheeling. The people that John Curley has been fighting. Three contributions totaling $59,900.00, including $19,400.00 on June 15, 2003, $26,100.00 undated and $14,400.00 on November 23, 2003. Imagine if your local GOP organization had that kind of bucks!
One would ask why would Hammerhead and Very Silent Glenn would run such a lightweight campaign. Where are their stands on the issues? I mean, it would appear that their platform is to ban the Colts Neck Historic House Tour, rename the Board of Chosen Freeholders and enact reforms already enacted by the Republican majority.
Looking at Amy Mallet's campaign finances, it's obvious. When politicians are light on ideas and heavy on dirty contributors, it's plain what they would do if elected: Exactly what they're told. Amy Mallet was financed in 2003 by urban political bosses who's political agendas are diametrically opposite to the interests of the good people of Monmouth County. They invested megamegamegabucks into her campaign, and only a primary at that. They would not do that if they didn't believe she was a dutiful soldier. And Very Silent Glenn? Well, he's just been, well, very silent.
Something else to think about. There are people out there who would vote for fire ants if they were running on the Democratic ticket. Fortunately not a lot here in Monmouth County, but this year there are ACORN - type groups (if not ACORN itself) working in several Monmouth County communities to register as many voters like that as possible. Possibly more than once, and possibly illegal aliens. With a Democrat in the Commissioner of Registration's office, we cannot count on these dubious registrations being culled. All these voters need to know is that a candidate is a Democrat.
It is important, then, to get out our vote to prevent a Democratic takeover of the Board of Chosen Freeholders. Tell your friends. Bring a friend or more than one friend to the polls with you on Tuesday.
*Of course, with the Democrats, like in a Lewis Carroll story, down is up and up is down and wheeling isn't wheeling, so I guess the money isn't really wheeled. Also like Lewis Carroll, when John Kennedy's presidential campaign was in 1960, Middletown Democratic Boss Joseph "King" Caliendo campaigned in the 1961 Kennedy campaign.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FIASCO V
"I don't know how you can put a price tag on the lives on Monmouth County residents."
...Sheriff Kim Guadagno
Illegal aliens are not in the shadows, they're in our face.
Nowhere in Monmouth County was that more evident than in front of the Sheriff's office yesterday, where illegals and their enablers held a protest march opposing Sheriff Kim Guadagno's application to participate in the federal 287 (g) program. Sometimes you know you are doing the right thing by virtue of the critics you attract, and Guadagno has flushed out such enabling groups as the National Day Laborer Organizing Network and Casa Freehold.
The Sheriff promised to participate in this program during her campaign last year; it would essentially deputize several of her officers to investigate the immigration status of prisoners at the County Jail, and provide training to perform these duties. Inmates found to be here illegally would then be subject to a federal detainer at the completion of their County time.
Illegal immigration advocates stridently oppose such a program. If an inmate's immigration status slips through the cracks, they can be released at the end of their term, or bail out if awating trial. Then they're in the wind.
The Sheriff's Department already investigates inmates' criminal status. There is no point in releasing an offender if they are wanted by other jurisdictions. Even visitors to the institution are checked for active warrants.
Too, there are already inmates with immigration holds. Just check out http://www.datauniverse.com/ for more information. So this program would just close a loophole in the system. Guadagno has stated that this program would only be in place in the jail, so only those incarcerated would be investigated. The County Jail should not become a "Sanctuary City", even if some municipalities do.
Many of those attending yesterday's protest were members of the Latino community. Many feel that Latinos would be targeted by this program. While many currently in jail on immigration violations are Latino, many are not. A sampling of those non-Latino inmates includes Abass AbuBakar, Malek Afzal Adal, Deborah Allen, Kuan Chun Han, Gazi Hossain, Mohammed Hossain, Sergei Konduktorov, Mohammed Qureshi. So it's not just a case of going after the "lawnmower man".
Sheriff Guadagno deserves our support in her endeavor.
...Sheriff Kim Guadagno
Illegal aliens are not in the shadows, they're in our face.
Nowhere in Monmouth County was that more evident than in front of the Sheriff's office yesterday, where illegals and their enablers held a protest march opposing Sheriff Kim Guadagno's application to participate in the federal 287 (g) program. Sometimes you know you are doing the right thing by virtue of the critics you attract, and Guadagno has flushed out such enabling groups as the National Day Laborer Organizing Network and Casa Freehold.
The Sheriff promised to participate in this program during her campaign last year; it would essentially deputize several of her officers to investigate the immigration status of prisoners at the County Jail, and provide training to perform these duties. Inmates found to be here illegally would then be subject to a federal detainer at the completion of their County time.
Illegal immigration advocates stridently oppose such a program. If an inmate's immigration status slips through the cracks, they can be released at the end of their term, or bail out if awating trial. Then they're in the wind.
The Sheriff's Department already investigates inmates' criminal status. There is no point in releasing an offender if they are wanted by other jurisdictions. Even visitors to the institution are checked for active warrants.
Too, there are already inmates with immigration holds. Just check out http://www.datauniverse.com/ for more information. So this program would just close a loophole in the system. Guadagno has stated that this program would only be in place in the jail, so only those incarcerated would be investigated. The County Jail should not become a "Sanctuary City", even if some municipalities do.
Many of those attending yesterday's protest were members of the Latino community. Many feel that Latinos would be targeted by this program. While many currently in jail on immigration violations are Latino, many are not. A sampling of those non-Latino inmates includes Abass AbuBakar, Malek Afzal Adal, Deborah Allen, Kuan Chun Han, Gazi Hossain, Mohammed Hossain, Sergei Konduktorov, Mohammed Qureshi. So it's not just a case of going after the "lawnmower man".
Sheriff Guadagno deserves our support in her endeavor.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
WHEELING IN MIDDLETOWN
Art Gallagher posts a press release by
Middletown Township Committee candidate Tony Fiore exposing wheeling* by Middlesex County based engineering firm CME Associates through a bogus Ocean County PAC (OC-PAC) into the Middletown Democratic Executive Committee, led by party boss Joseph "King" Caliendo.
So, I guess we know now that CME will be township engineer if the Dems take control in Middletown. I wonder if all the papers will pick this up?
Other recipients of OC-PAC's generosity include the Democratic sheriff of Mercer County and the Democratic mayor of Los Angeles, California.
*Of course, with the Democrats, down is up and up is down and wheeling isn't wheeling, so I guess the money isn't really wheeled. Or something.
Middletown Township Committee candidate Tony Fiore exposing wheeling* by Middlesex County based engineering firm CME Associates through a bogus Ocean County PAC (OC-PAC) into the Middletown Democratic Executive Committee, led by party boss Joseph "King" Caliendo.So, I guess we know now that CME will be township engineer if the Dems take control in Middletown. I wonder if all the papers will pick this up?
Other recipients of OC-PAC's generosity include the Democratic sheriff of Mercer County and the Democratic mayor of Los Angeles, California.
*Of course, with the Democrats, down is up and up is down and wheeling isn't wheeling, so I guess the money isn't really wheeled. Or something.
Friday, October 24, 2008
ANOTHER UNION COUNTY CONNECTION
Is Union County the Democrats' idea of "where Democrats are doing a better job governing than Republicans?"
Apparently the Matawan Democrats believe so.
Recently the Voice of Reason has run a series on the fiasco that the Democratic council majority has transformed that borough into. Read it here, here and here. The behavior of their governing body seemed odd, even for Democrats, so we directed the Honest Abe Research Foundation to look into this.
Wow.
The Matawan Democrats' ELEC Report shows the usual contributions from the seemingly bottomless pit of money that the unions have. The very generous Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 9 from Manalapan is there with $4,500.00; indeed labor unions make up a clear majority of the funds reported. We still don't get what these unions' interest in these campaigns is.
But what really stuck out was a $1,000.00 contribution from the Election Fund of J. Christian Bollwage, dated September 17th. Abe, you ask, who is J. Christian Bollwage? He is the Democratic Mayor of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is in Union County.
And the wheel goes round.
Union County democrats have stuck their nose into Monmouth County campaigns before. They are just one of County Democratic Boss Victor Scudiery's many sources statewide. But what is their interest in a diminutive borough like Matawan?
Is it because they are extraordinarily civic-minded Americans who have a deep, abiding interest in local pols doing their jobs of serving their constituency? Might it be that they just love participating in the political process?
Is Union County the Democrats' idea of "where Democrats are doing a better job governing than Republicans?"
Well?
Apparently the Matawan Democrats believe so.
Recently the Voice of Reason has run a series on the fiasco that the Democratic council majority has transformed that borough into. Read it here, here and here. The behavior of their governing body seemed odd, even for Democrats, so we directed the Honest Abe Research Foundation to look into this.
Wow.
The Matawan Democrats' ELEC Report shows the usual contributions from the seemingly bottomless pit of money that the unions have. The very generous Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 9 from Manalapan is there with $4,500.00; indeed labor unions make up a clear majority of the funds reported. We still don't get what these unions' interest in these campaigns is.
But what really stuck out was a $1,000.00 contribution from the Election Fund of J. Christian Bollwage, dated September 17th. Abe, you ask, who is J. Christian Bollwage? He is the Democratic Mayor of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is in Union County.
And the wheel goes round.
Union County democrats have stuck their nose into Monmouth County campaigns before. They are just one of County Democratic Boss Victor Scudiery's many sources statewide. But what is their interest in a diminutive borough like Matawan?
Is it because they are extraordinarily civic-minded Americans who have a deep, abiding interest in local pols doing their jobs of serving their constituency? Might it be that they just love participating in the political process?
Is Union County the Democrats' idea of "where Democrats are doing a better job governing than Republicans?"
Well?
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