Take Back the Brand - Vote Column 1
June 03, 2007 |
Bob's Corner
Like the national Republican Party, the Bergen County
Democratic Party has been illserved by the Party
Machine dedicated to winning without principle. In
Washington, the Machine is made up of special
interests, cronies ("loyalists"), ideologues,
manipulators and well-connected contractors. In
Bergen County, Boss Ferriero's BCDO Machine
has its political cronies, dirty tricksters, blatant self-seekers and
pay-to-player contractors.
When the 37th District incumbents (Senator Weinberg, Assemblyman Johnson and Assemblywoman Huttle) split with the Bergen County Democratic Organization's pay-to-play machine, they were facing a slate of candidates selected by Boss Joe Ferriero. The Weinberg team, calling itself “The Real Bergen Democrats,” headed a complete slate of candidates dedicated to the proposition that the County Democratic Party brand had to be reclaimed by those who believed in public service, not blatant self-service.
Early polling indicated that the Boss’s slate of legislative candidates was going to be trounced at the polls. Democratic voters knew and trusted Weinberg, not Ferriero or his substitute candidate. So there was a situation -- the Boss had the money and “The Real Bergen Democrats” had the stars.
So, in a tactical move, THE DEAL was somehow made: “The Real Bergen Democrat” team of Weinberg, Johnson and Huttle would be the supermodels heading the BCDO line and Weinberg, Johnson and Huttle would avoid the agita of raising money and pounding the pavement to win their spots in a contested primary. THE DEAL was spun as the resolution to a “family squabble.” The BCDO pay-to-play machine was safe…for now.
Yet, THE DEAL now leaves courageous Real Bergen Democrats like Sheriff candidate Allen Gailes and reform municipal candidates like those in Bergenfield and Englewood appearing abandoned by the leaders who encouraged them to run.
As Senator Weinberg and her legislative team are now running unopposed in the June 5 Democratic primary, it is my opinion that the important votes to be cast are straight down the Real Bergen Democrats line in Column 1.
By casting votes in The Real Bergen Democrat column, the voters will be sending a message: Democrats want to reclaim their brand, their principles and their honor from the political manipulators who have hijacked the party.
When the 37th District incumbents (Senator Weinberg, Assemblyman Johnson and Assemblywoman Huttle) split with the Bergen County Democratic Organization's pay-to-play machine, they were facing a slate of candidates selected by Boss Joe Ferriero. The Weinberg team, calling itself “The Real Bergen Democrats,” headed a complete slate of candidates dedicated to the proposition that the County Democratic Party brand had to be reclaimed by those who believed in public service, not blatant self-service.
Early polling indicated that the Boss’s slate of legislative candidates was going to be trounced at the polls. Democratic voters knew and trusted Weinberg, not Ferriero or his substitute candidate. So there was a situation -- the Boss had the money and “The Real Bergen Democrats” had the stars.
So, in a tactical move, THE DEAL was somehow made: “The Real Bergen Democrat” team of Weinberg, Johnson and Huttle would be the supermodels heading the BCDO line and Weinberg, Johnson and Huttle would avoid the agita of raising money and pounding the pavement to win their spots in a contested primary. THE DEAL was spun as the resolution to a “family squabble.” The BCDO pay-to-play machine was safe…for now.
Yet, THE DEAL now leaves courageous Real Bergen Democrats like Sheriff candidate Allen Gailes and reform municipal candidates like those in Bergenfield and Englewood appearing abandoned by the leaders who encouraged them to run.
As Senator Weinberg and her legislative team are now running unopposed in the June 5 Democratic primary, it is my opinion that the important votes to be cast are straight down the Real Bergen Democrats line in Column 1.
By casting votes in The Real Bergen Democrat column, the voters will be sending a message: Democrats want to reclaim their brand, their principles and their honor from the political manipulators who have hijacked the party.
