At a Thursday afternoon press conference, Boss Joe Ferriero announced he was calling off his primary challenge against incumbents Loretta Weinberg, Valerie Huttle and Gordon Johnson.  Poll results were said to have Senator Weinberg with an overwhelming 44% lead over Michael Wildes. Boss Joe Ferriero apparently saw the handwriting on the wall and dumped his loser for the imminent winner.  The Senator and her two Assembly running mates accepted Ferriero's capitulation and endorsement, signalling an end (or temporary truce) to what PoliticsNJ.com dubbed "A Civil War in Bergen County." 

At least, in the short term, this appears to be a political victory for the Weinberg team, who got to embarrass the Boss by having him reverse himself and ditch his substitute candidates.  As well, the victorious legislative team rid themselves of their immediate BCDO opposition without having to raise money or empty their pocketbooks.

But, with the details and arrangements of "The Deal" still sparse, we at The Englewood Report are not sure how these latest developments will play out for our City and Bergen County. 

According to Tom Moran of The Star Ledger, "the spat could prompt Democrats to purge pay-to-play bosses."

According to the Teaneck Blog, "This tactical retreat by the party will probably do little to dampen its growing local influence and weaken the vise grip in which it holds much of the area. With all the money saved and favors not yet called in, the BCDO lives to fight another day."

Below we've included some of our lingering questions and the latest quotes from the players involved and the commentators on the sidelines. 


Was this "Civil War" Really Just a "Family Spat" between loyal Democrats?

Boss Joseph Ferriero:   "The Democratic Party is very much a family.  And from time to time, we have family fights."

Assemblyman Gordon Johnson: "We are going to go forward as a team. Maybe a dysfunctional family. But a family."

Senator Loretta Weinberg:  "If in fact we are a dysfunctional family that fights from time to time, we need an authority figure (Governor Corzine)."

Mayor Michael Wildes: "Nothing more than a family squabble."

The Bergen Record:  "Max Prager, a prominent member of the Englewood Jewish community, sent a letter to about 75 Republican friends, stamped by the Democratic Organization's postage meter, urging them to re-register as Democrats, if only for a day, to support Wildes.

'Obviously, there's something not right,' said Elaine Yaffe, an Englewood Republican who received a call urging her to become a temporary Democrat. 'Going to ask someone to change their affiliation? For one day? Too outrageous for me.'"


Is this Deal the Beginning of a "Budding Romance"?

Boss Joseph Ferriero: "If we had a rabbi, one of us would be stepping on the glass right now."

Senator Loretta Weinberg: "Cinderella did come to the ball finally."

Mayor Michael Wildes: "I look forward to having that first dance, Cinderella."

Boss Joseph Ferriero: "It took me four months to convince [Senator Weinberg to accept the party endorsement], which is about as long as it took me to convince my wife for a first date."


Is this Deal Just a Temporary Cease Fire?

Senator Dick Codey:  "I felt a deal was to be had.  I thought both of them were looking for a way to avoid [a primary battle]."

Star Ledger Columnist Tom Moran:  "Ferriero said he sees no reason to change the way he does business.  Which means he's learned nothing from this defeat.  And Weinberg hinted that Ferriero may face a challenge when he seeks re-election as chairman in June 2008."

Record Columnist Alfred P. Doblin:  "Ferriero is pragmatic. He wasn't going to easily win. Why waste political and financial capital in the reassembly of a former assemblyman? Ferriero and Weinberg may not like each other, but who cares? Certainly not Democrats who want to retain control in Trenton. It's about winning."


Is this Deal a Blow to Ferriero's Pay-to-Play Machine?

Star Ledger Columnist Tom Moran: "Who knows? Maybe Democrats are ready for a civil war to purge their ranks of bosses like [Ferriero]."

Teaneck Blog: "No, only a resounding defeat at the polls in full view of the public, the kind of loss that would completely demoralize the BCDO from the leadership on down, would really shake things up enough to give real systemic reform a chance of working. This tactical retreat by the party will probably do little to dampen its growing local influence and weaken the vise grip in which it holds much of the area. With all the money saved and favors not yet called in, the BCDO lives to fight another day."

A Coalition of Progressive Groups:  "This victory clearly demonstrates that business as usual in Bergen County Democratic insider politics must change.  That it is time to open the back room door to let in some fresh air."


What Will Happen to The Remaining Candidates on the "Real Bergen Democrats" line, such as Englewood Councilwoman Charlotte Bennett Schoen and Allen Gailes?

Juan Melli of BlueJersey.com: "While Loretta Weinberg, Gordon Johnson and Valerie Huttle are expected to move to the BCDO line, unresolved questions remain about the fate of the rest of the Real Bergen Democrats slate.  Several sources have indicated that unless other candidates on the Real Bergen Democrats' ticket withdraw from their respective races, they will run without any legislative candidates at the top of the ticket."


The Englewood Report will do its best to sort through these questions over the coming weeks.