Scott Garrett will not run unopposed

CONGRATULATIONS!!! (0.00 / 0)

Is it true that Garrett is actually getting a primary challenge from his right?

If so, you may want to try to take advantage of the fact that there is not going to be a contested primary on the Democratic side by encouraging registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters to register as Republicans and vote against Garrett in the Republican primary.

If a primary challenger could beat Garrett in the primary, he would most likely be more vulnerable in the general election than Garrett.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Fri Mar 12, 2010 at 17:20:26 PM UTC

thx--I knew about Tod for a while (0.00 / 0)

but he just announced the other day.....

I heard a rumor about the teabaggers looking to challenge him but didn't see anything other than one comment.

BTW - can you give me a contact for the Coffee Party folks in Bergen?  We'd like to get Tod in touch with them.

Scott Garrett - on the wrong side of, well, everything.

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by: Adam L @ Fri Mar 12, 2010 at 17:26:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Teabaggers? (4.00 / 1)

He's not radical enough for them?  Wow.

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by: cynicalgirl @ Fri Mar 12, 2010 at 20:40:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Bergen County Coffee Party (0.00 / 0)

Paul Roth, Coordinator

Event Info

Do you want Passaic County info as well?

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 00:46:04 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

cool, thx much. (0.00 / 0)

Scott Garrett - on the wrong side of, well, everything.

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by: Adam L @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 02:37:29 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Tod Theise (0.00 / 0)

When he's ready to, I'd like to invite Tod to post here. We'd like to get to know him, and hear more about the race he intends to run, and how he would voting differently if he was in Congress replacing Scott Garrett.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Fri Mar 12, 2010 at 17:22:49 PM UTC

Could be pleasantly surpirsed (4.00 / 1)

Keeping Dean's 50 State Strategy alive sometimes will give surprising results... good to have a contender and hopefully Theise will prove to be a worthy opponent to Garrett.  Anything to shed more light on his horrific record in the MSM.  Without an real opponent, he gets a free pass.

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by: avant1963 @ Fri Mar 12, 2010 at 17:24:16 PM UTC

I'm skeptical (4.00 / 1)

I realize that perhaps "anyone with a pulse" is better than anointing Garrett "Congressman for Life" (as I called Garrett in a letter to the Bergen Record which will probably appear today or tomorrow.  But I'm very skeptical of these "Republicans-turned-Democrats."  After the Eric Massa mess, I'm wondering if these recent converts are actually moles for the Republicans.

I'm also concerned about Theise's political instincts.  Painting Garrett a "friend of Wall Street" is NOT going to get him Bergen County votes, where a lot of people WORK on Wall Street.

The key to beating Garrett is exposing him as the worst kind of extreme right-wing ideologue.  When Matt Fretz ran as an independent in 2006, people asked him why he was running against Marge [Roukema].  I kid you not.  In Bergen, a sizable number of people have no idea that she isn't still in Congress.  A sizable number more have no idea what Garrett is, since he hides his slavish adherence to right-wing ideology behind carefully-worded mailings.

If Theise can't figure this out, he hasn't got a snowball's chance in hell.

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by: brilliantatbreakfast @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 13:43:48 PM UTC

I'll say this... (4.00 / 1)

you are right about republicans-turned-Democratic; however Reagan did the opposite and is held up as "THE" conservative - and there are others to varying degrees (Jim Webb is one).

However, as it relates to Tod, this is something that may have some appeal in Warren and Sussex without being too much of a negative in Bergen.  I found his positions to be pretty progressive in a number of ways, but that is something that he has to deal with and "prove" (for lack of a better word) when it comes to skeptical Democrats and progressives.  How well he does that will go a long way towards how much support he gets.

With respect to "Wall Street", I agree with both you and him on this - it has to be done right - for example, Garrett's conflict of interest in taking $500K from banks and insurance while sitting on the committee that is supposed to regulate them (and always pushing for less regulation and more favorable things for them).

Also, "Wall Street Hero" is going to turn off a number of voters that probably wouldn't vote for Tod anyway - but Garrett has to be painted as that extremist, but done in a way that doesn't piss off those who voted for him in the past and may regret it a bit or who are with him on some issues but not most.

The last part is what I have been trying to do as part of the "Retire Garrett" campaign for the past couple of years.

Hope that answers some of your points....


Scott Garrett - on the wrong side of, well, everything.

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by: Adam L @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 18:01:08 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Brilliantatbreakfast (0.00 / 0)

I am not suprised of your skeptism. Didn't you do the same with Dennis Shulman. Just double checking how supportive you are with anyone who comes forward to challenge Garrett.
Proof your own comments when Shulman was running

A question for Dr. Shulman (0.00 / 0)
I'd like to know where Dr. Shulman stands on telecom immunity.  I realize that he is not going to have an impact on this vote, but given that Rep. Steny Hoyer appeared with him on Monday, and Hoyer is one of the biggest apologists in Congress for the role the telecom industry paid in George W. Bush's illegal wiretapping of innocent Americans, I'd like to know if Dr. Shulman agrees with Hoyer that the Constitution is moot when campaign contributions from the telecom industry are at stake.
Of course this isn't Hoyer's official position.  But with Hoyer at the forefront of the move to exonerate Big Telecom, it's important to me to know that Dr. Shulman represents a shift from this kind of sellout thinking or if he  

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by: brilliantatbreakfast @ Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 07:20:24 AM CDT

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oops (4.00 / 1)
I hate when my PC thinks I'm ready to send.  The rest of this should read "...or if he, if faced with a similar vote, would vote with senior House members.
This is exactly the kind of issue where a "change" candidate needs to take a stand to restore the rule of law to the executive branch and to corporations.
by: brilliantatbreakfast @ Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 07:22:36 AM CDT

RE (0.00 / 0)
Glenn Greenwald at Salon.com, along with a coalition of bloggers, has gone after Hoyer.  He,  and others, have also gone after two Blue Dog Dems, Chris Carney (D-PA) and John Barrow (D-GA).
In addition, he has castigated Comcast for refusing to run an ad urging Carney to change his position.

Today, he noted that Obama, the candidate of change, has taped an ad for Barrow, who is being challenged by a progressive candidate.

Strange world we live in when a Congressional "compromise" gives Bush everything he wants and more.

Please Dr. Shulman, take our side on this one.  It's too important.

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by: SmartyJones @ Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 10:51:15 AM CDT
[ Parent ]

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Even if his position on your pet issue isn't perfect, (0.00 / 0)
then he would still be a hundred times better than Garrett.  This isn't some moderate Republican who will vote the right way a fair percentage of the time.  This is someone who delights in being on the far right edge.

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by: Creed Pogue @ Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 11:26:18 AM CDT
That's not my point at all (0.00 / 0)
My point isn't that if Shulman supports telecom immunity I'm voting for Garrett, and frankly, "Whatever, he's better than Garrett" isn't the issue.  Of course he's better than Garrett.  Richard Nixon would be better than Scott Garrett.  The issue is that Dr. Shulman has appeared with Steny Hoyer, Hoyer is one of the biggest sellouts in the House, and if I'm going to be voting for someone, I want to know where he stands.  Are you saying I don't have a right to know?

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by: brilliantatbreakfast @ Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 12:08:06 PM CDT
[ Parent ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now who's changing the argument? :-) (0.00 / 0)
You were saying you wanted Shulman's position on an issue because you're against Hoyer's position on it.  You didn't say anything about supporting or working for Shulman regardless of the answer or even whether you felt it would help win votes from anyone other than you.
Smarty then jumped on your bandwagon and also upped the ante with the Ringwood dump.  I didn't suggest that Smarty could do some more direct research since I know that she doesn't live in the state.

But, campaigns like Shulman's are underfunded insurgent efforts.  There are plenty of people who want to be "chiefs."  There are never enough people who are willing to be "grunts" to get the work done.  

If you truly want to help a candidate like Shulman, instead of throwing down a gauntlet, instead put together the information and communicate with the campaign in a manner that indicates a desire to help and work.

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by: Creed Pogue @ Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 12:36:00 PM CDT
[ Parent ]

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Creed (0.00 / 0)
I know you are the ultimate practical poilitical commenter on this blog.  But I have some questions.
Do you think Dr. Shulman's campaign people read Blue Jersey?  I do.

Do you think the Shulman campaign is interested in what its supporters think?  I do.

Do you think that doing the 'grunt work' is the only way to support a campaign?  I don't, although I would urge everyone who has the time and energy to do so.

I live in north Jersey about half the year.  Whether I'm there or not, I try to follow the political scene, both in the 5th CD and locally.

There are a lot of sophisticated people in the area.  Despite that, the main areas of political influence are the local fish wraps, local events and lawn signs.  People don't care for political phone calls, no matter who is doing it.  And not everyone owns a computer.

So, when I'm there, I do what I can.

As for the Ringwood "dump," as you call it, I know you don't care very much about because it does not affect Estelle Manor, but it is important to the folks living amid it.  It affects their lives and their health.  Dr. Shulman posits a green philosophy on his website.  By connecting with the people affected by the "dump," it would seem to be a useful way to win over Republican and/or independent voters in the area.

BTW, do you always have to be so scathing in your comments?  Is that your plan for winning friends and influencing voters?

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by: SmartyJones @ Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 14:35:40 PM CDT
That's exactly what I'm doing here (0.00 / 0)
As for "help and work", well, I vote for Democratic candidates even if I have to hold my nose to do it.  I only work for those I truly believe in.  There are only so many hours in the day, and things like a paid job take priority.
I'm not accusing Dr. Shulman of anything, I simply want to know whether he agrees with Steny Hoyer, who appeared with him here in NJ on Monday, that the telecommunication companies deserve immunity from prosecution for participating in George W. Bush's illegal spying.  

I know that representatives from the campaign read this site, and since the one time I sent e-mail to the campaign via the candidate's web site, I never received an answer, I thought I might get one on this issue here.

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by: brilliantatbreakfast @ Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 15:03:34 PM CDT
[ Parent ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I forgot. YOU'RE the victims. (0.00 / 0)
Oy!
"BAB":  It may be possible that Dr. Shulman has never thought about telecom immunity.  It may be that he thought the opportunity to get the race moved up the chain may have been more important than subjecting the Majority Leader to a litmus checklist (of course, if he winds up getting some more money then he may be able to have a few more people available to respond to inquiries such as yours).  I don't know the answers to those questions and I doubt that you do either.  Maybe we should focus on electing a Congress that wouldn't give a president a blank check to rummage around in our private lives and a President that won't ask for it.

"Smarty":  I care about lots of things in lots of places.  The dump (pardon me, hazardous waste disposal site) may be a good issue and a chance to help some people.  Again, Dr. Shulman may not be aware of the issue.  But, there is a difference between presenting the issue as one where he may help himself by doing some good versus calling on him to put himself on the right side of your pet issue.

Practical may be a dirty word to some, but "magic" has its limits in our mundane world.

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by: Creed Pogue @ Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 15:52:11 PM CDT
Why so defensive? (4.00 / 3)
Why are you getting on the defensive?  Do you work with Shulman's campaign?  And do you know what Dr. Shulman's stand on telecom immunity is (or whether he has one)?  If so, why not just spit it out?  All I asked was "What is his stand?"
Your attitude puzzles me.   It puzzles me because there's an attitude there of "Shut up and vote."

The issue is not whether I'll vote for Dr. Shulman, of course I will.  The issue is trying to get information about the candidate's stand on an issue that's important to me.  

You say in your latest screed that we should "focus on electing a Congress that wouldn't give a president a blank check to rummage around in our private lives."  I 100% agree.  But we do not have that Congress right now, and it's not because of numbers, because we have a decisive majority in the House.  No, it's because of sellouts like Steny Hoyer, who are either still afraid of President 24%, don't care about the Constitution, or else are so wedded to telecom cash that said cash trumps all.

I just want to know what I'm voting for.

But when I see posts like yours that indicate I don't have a right to know, that troubles me.  It's a kind of "creeping Ferrieroism" that I refuse to adhere to.

Oh, I'll vote, but I want to know what I'm voting for when I do.  I want to know if Hoyer's pound of flesh demanded for his appearance is going to be a reliable vote for putting the interests of telecom companies  ahead of the basic 4th Amendment rights of American citizens.  

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by: brilliantatbreakfast @ Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 04:44:08 AM CDT
Not "defensive" at all (0.00 / 0)
I live in Estell Manor in Atlantic County which is in the Second District.  So, I am about as far away from the Fifth District as you can get.
I have not, do not and probably won't wind up doing anything for Shulman's campaign.  I have no idea about Dr. Shulman's issue positions.

Getting information on issues is important.  But, for the last time, re-read what you have written.  You are presenting his position (if he even has one) on telecom immunity as a litmus test.  If that is your intention, that is fine.  Stupid and short-sighted, but fine.

You can work for (or not work for) whomever you want to.  You can vote for (or not vote for) whomever you want to.  But, if you now have a campaign that is nationally targeted and you stay out of it because of one secondary (at best) issue, then you lose the right to have anyone take seriously your complaints about Garrett in the future.

Amazing how you try to turn this discussion into being about Ferriero!

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by: Creed Pogue @ Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 10:46:49 AM CDT
[ Parent ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who said anything about a litmus test? (0.00 / 0)
What part of "I am voting for Dennis Shulman" don't you understand?  Or are you just choosing to ignore what I've said?
This is not a litmus test, but when a Congressional candidate sits next to, and takes money from, the very same House Majority Leader who just sold us, and the very U.S. Constitution out, to a megalomaniacal president with a 24% approval rating, I think it's relevant to know whether said candidate plans to pay said House Majority Leader back by marching in lockstep with him.

I'm going to be doing whatever I can to make sure that Steny Hoyer gets thrown out of Congress on his ear for betrayal of the rule of law and of the American people.  I just want to know if Shulman plans to be his BFF or if once he gets to Congress he'll work to restore the 4th Amendment -- the one Hoyer sold to the telecom companies, presumably for campaign cash
Another Question (0.00 / 0)
I read a different article about the EPA and the DEP's  poor efforts to clean up toxic sites in NJ.  It included 2 north jersey towns.
But it specifically excluded the Ringwood site, which after all these years is still a disaster.  What were these people smoking?

A number of Ramapough Indians have sued Ford.  I tried to find out the status of the litigation, but found nothing current, so I assume the suit is still floating around the courts.

So, Dr. Shulman, will you talk to the residents of Ringwood, especially the Ramapoughs, to determine the status of the toxic site, the status of the litigation and promise to do what you can to improve the situation?

Oh yeah, Ringwood is in upper Passaic County and part of the 5th CD.
by: brilliantatbreakfast @ Fri Jun 20, 2008 "
End Of Your Comments on Shulman.

Since you are always skeptical with every candidate who steps forward to challenge Scott Garrett, My question to you is, why didn't you come foreward and challenge Scott, since you know all the answers of how to take down Scott.
The other point is , I have a problem with your language of discrimination "Republicans-turned-Democrats" that sentence is not welcoming .
I can go on and on posting all your comments about Dennis Shulman and Tod.
I saw a similar comment on a different site different user name.

Does the  comment below sounds familiar to you? Anyway I am an internet guru. I can find anything relating to internet.

#Republican turned democrat"
Submitted by broy on March 12, 2010 - 10
"Just where did we hear that before ? The answer is blowing in the wind or was the answer in one of Treffingers no show jobs. What do we do with these spinless creeps who are still in our party, anyone?"
WOW Just WOW

My point is,if you have concerns about Theise, and if you care so much about what your party stands for, and its agenda, would'nt be nice to express your concerns, by picking up the phone or writing the candidate directly with the ideas that you think may take this party to victory than dicing every candidate that shows up every year, via your internet comments.

If you wanted to run or you have somebody in mind, do not wait until somebody comes forward, then start trashing the person, it does not take us to victory starting a candidate with negativity, especially if you have an uphill battle. You Dems need to be united and speak one launguage. Come guys, If GOPs can rally behind a person like Sarah palin, who we all know she is a nut job, why can't we do the same to few people who are stepping forward to Support our cause. This is so piceless.
Your doubts about Theise's candidancy because he switched parties is unacceptable. Tod left GOP years ago, he stayed independent for a long time. All his friends were Democrats. Ask West Orange Dems, they know Tod very well.

I hope you check yourself before you judge others. I am dissappointed. You negativity contributed to Shulman's down fall, just reading how you went after him.

Shame shame

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by: SKY @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 17:19:27 PM UTC

Wow... (4.00 / 1)

I wish I had the kind of spare time when I could go back and peruse blog archives.  I'm just taking a quick break from working, which I'm doing all weekend.

The issue is not, and has never been, whether I'm going to vote for a Democrat.  Of course I'm going to vote for a Democrat.  When did it happen that progressives are unable to string two thoughts together, i.e. "I have concerns" and "I'm going to vote regardless"?

After four elections of candidates who went nowhere and ran weak campaigns in the bargain, I don't think I can be blamed for being concerned early on that the most recent candidate may be barking up the wrong tree already.  And I have every intention of letting Mr. Theise know my opinion.  

I'm kind of amazed that you blame me for Dr. Shulman's downfall.  I'm truly just not that important.  I'm just one voter.  Yes, I'm a blogger, but I blog very little about local topics, and I get about 400 page views a day.  So to blame me for Dennis Shulman's downfall instead of no media outreach, a blurry message, and ineffective street theatre that may play well among college kids but not to the soccer moms and Little League dads and seniors who constitute most of the voters in the district is preposterous.

What troubles me, SKY, about responses like yours is that it is indicative of a kind of knee-jerk rah-rah-ism that refuses to acknowledge the weaknesses of past candidates and perhaps have our current and future candidates learn from them.  Blindly rah-rah-ing the candidates we've run in the past when not one of them has been able to crack Garrett's armor has done nothing but give Scott Garrett four terms.

What do they say about insanity?  That it is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results?

Of course I want a Democrat to replace Scott Garrett.  This is a "moderate Republican" district, which basically means what centrist Democrats are now.  I am not expecting a progressive dreamboat for this district, just someone who will not take the side of theocrats and Big Business every single time...someone who will put the needs of the residents of this district above ideological marching orders -- something Scott Garrett has never done.  If Mr. Theise turns out to be that candidate, and he can get the message out to the inattentive voters of this district, then I say woo-hoo!  

Peace out.

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by: brilliantatbreakfast @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 19:49:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I will give Mr Theise a benefit of doubt (0.00 / 0)

Congrats Mr Theise, I hope you are in this party to move it forward.

Sorry Mr Brilliantatbreakfast, if I soundend like a jerk. I may just be tired of watching Democrats going negative on each other before they get anywhere.
I support the vetting process. I have hope, and I think the retire Scott Garrett are doing a great job with their news letter. I thought this party was dead after we lost last year. Knowing that there is a group keeping an eye on Scott and are willing to hold him accountable is so refreshing.

We are the minority in this district, good or bad candidate, we still have a big challenge to convince the uninformed that Scott is a fake. Let us unite and fight, we can do it.

Alert... check your backyards,
http://www.teapartypatriots.or...

Tea bag parties flooding NJ.
For me that is scary. That is why I am willing to volunteer and support  Mr Theise.
That is why I cant not sit back and criticize ourselves.

Peace back to you Mr Brilliantatbreakfast. No hard feelings.

I am just a blogger. Netroot PA was great. I met some of you guys.

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by: SKY @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 23:16:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Negative? (0.00 / 0)

Criticism is hardly negative, especially when a candidate is running in a district like this one.  Remember how Republicans marched in lockstep to George W. Bush's tune?  Remember how they refused to acknowledge ANY mistakes on his part?  Is that what we want to be?

It is not negative to express concern about the way a new candidate is going about starting his campaign and about his themes, when you've worked for and watched candidate after candidate try to unseat this extreme right-wing ideologue and fail.  We do Mr. Theise no favor by sitting back and applauding.

SKY, I live in a town that is so Republican we hadn't had a contested election in almost 30 years.  It is run by Republican thugs who intimidate those who disagree with them and who do not account for where our tax dollars go.  Last November we finally had a contested election and people STILL voted for the same hacks who have been running things for 30 years.  

Here's how Mr. Theise is quoted in the Bergen Record yesterday:

"What I find lacking is that he gives the people on Wall Street a complete and utter pass," Theise said. "He is basically bought and sold by Wall Street."

You and I are on the same page in that we recognize that we have a big challenge to convince the uninformed that Scott is a fake.  But sloganeering isn't going to do it, especially sloganeering that isn't even true.  Broad brushstrokes like calling Scott Garrett the candidate of Wall Street when he voted AGAINST the 2008 $700 billion Wall Street bailout show either a certain laziness/ignorance  (uncharitable interpretation) or lack of understanding of what the challenge is going to be here (charitable interpretation).  

I don't want the illusion of choice anymore.  I want a candidate who understands what he's up against.  I want a candidate who can explain in language even an idiot can understand, just why Scott Garrett is BAD for the 5th district....and why HE is a better choice.

I don't know about Warren County, but Bergen is a party line district.  I've done canvassing, and people here vote blip-blip-blip right down the party line.  Getting them to choose a different line is going to be too big a challenge for our candidate to start just spouting horsepuckey  this early in the game.

Peace out.

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by: brilliantatbreakfast @ Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 00:19:09 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I still think Mr Theise is a strong Candidate (0.00 / 0)

Check:
http://www.lehighvalleylive.co...

Mr Theise showed us last year what he stands for. He is strong, aticulate, and he is no wimp.
Last year's election was not in our favor, but I think If the party can give full support, I see Tod as a strong candidate, and best suited for this district.

In my own opinion, he is more democrat, than some " blue dogs" I know in this party" Warren county is no exception.
This guy you are doubting was the only candidate I saw, going out to put out Road signs for all Dem Candidates including our ex governor and his RT Gov. I am sure he would not have done that if he was running as a fake. He stood by his party even when the governors's poll numbers slided,  risked his own campaign by standing by other candidates. According  to people who know him well, when our ex govenor's polls started to decline, he said, we stand together as a party and support our governor and for sure to the last day Mr Theise and others in warren county stood by their Governor, even when they were not supported.

To me that is a plus point from a candidate.

 It will be suicidal for the party not to let anybody run against Scott.
Tod needs our support. He joined us, he voted with us, I think that speaks louder where he stands.

if we decide not to give him 100% support, hoping for the batman candidate to surface from heaven to come and take on Scott. or somewhere from Bergen, we are killing ourselves as a party. We are one people, and I welcome Tod and his family in our party. He has conviced me that he is not a robot.
Looking at the way he did last year, I think he is a strong candidate.

 Just a funny story from my volunteer experience.

I went canavasing door to door last year, I met so may Republicans who told me they vote party no matter what, they are not going to vote for a democrat. So I asked, wether they would vote for Jesus if he came to ran as a democrat, they said never. LOL
It is sad to hear that, in Bergen they vote party. LOL, are they robots? no wonder Scott can do whatever he wants, people are Robots, they do not check  his record.
I think Mr Theise need our support, and I going to volunteer, to help in what ever way I can.

Although we lost last year, I still stand by my choice, Jon Corzine was better than Christie and our Warren freeholder candidates did a great job. Things were not just in our favor.
I still have hope.

I can't wait to get back to work. We gonna have some fun.

Woo Woo. Win or lose, I will support our ticket candidate.
I am not going to give Scott Garrett satisfaction, that he is a feared "god".
No way, No how, should we let Scott have a free pass.
The tea baggers need to know that we are not dead, and yes I also live in that type of community. But  I am not letting any tea bagger intimidate my voice.

Go Mr Theise, you have my support.

The way to win, is to smack Scott with his voting record. I am tired of his fake news letters.

Go Dems!!!!!!!

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by: SKY @ Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 04:02:01 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Best of luck to the candidate... (0.00 / 0)

...but I do have a request for any CD5 moderate Republicans who are considering joining the Democratic party and challenging Scott Garrett in the future:
Don't.  
Run against him in the Republican primary instead.  

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by: Bill W @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 18:55:27 PM UTC

Bill W (0.00 / 0)

Check your records, Tod is not a moderate Republican,  he is a Democrat. Period.
http://www.lehighvalleylive.co...

Are you from Bergen County or are you a Republican?

I met Mr Theise in person last year, and from my own research, Mr Theise was a former Republican way back. Became an independent and officially became a democrat in 2008.I do not like and understand your statement.

Here is what you said,
"but I do have a request for any CD5 moderate Republicans who are considering joining the Democratic party and challenging Scott Garrett in the future:
Don't.  
Run against him in the Republican primary instead"

Eraborate what you mean't please. That statement is very troubling. You sound like a republican trying to stire up.

Unless you are trying to kick him out indirectly, then you have to give good reasons as to why?  
I am sadened by your comment.
and you expect me to be excited and volunteer, when you come forward to run? or somebody from your own selection?

Peace be with you..... Time will tell.

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by: SKY @ Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 04:35:05 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I know you Bill W (0.00 / 0)

Never mind Bill I searched and found you. You are in Bergen County, I am sure in one of the committees.
I will talk to you when I meet you in person. Has any candidate won this race from your county?
Please make me understand.

You do post diaries here, but may be one who does not want to see any one running this year.

Ok here is my advise, Instead of sounding nasty and drawing lines on Tod, I am sure you can say it in person upfront looking straight in Tod 's eyes, and tell him, you are not supporting him because you think he is a Republican.
Do you really know what you said?
Wow.
So you are asking Mr Theise to run against Scott, because in your own vetting process, he is not one of us. You sound creepy for a democrat.

and you are in Bergen County reporting on this , last year right?

http://www.bluejersey.com/diar...

Stop attacking Tod just for the sake of attacking. If you want to attack, go attack Scott Garrett. He is the one who votes against you, not Tod.

Gee

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by: SKY @ Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 05:03:34 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think... (0.00 / 0)

I think you're reading too much into my statement.  
It's my opinion that unless the fifth district's makeup changes drastically in the next map, it is all but unwinnable for a Democrat.  I wish Tod all the luck in the world, but I do not really expect him to win this year.  I think the most realistic way to get rid of Scott Garrett is by having a moderate Republican, in the Marge Roukema mold, defeat him in a primary. My comment about Republicans switching parties was not specifically about Tod, who apparently left the GOP many years ago, but others, like Anne Sumers.  

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by: Bill W @ Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 13:16:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Revealing Scott Garrett for what he is (0.00 / 0)

Bill, that's why I stated early on that the key is not to hot-button Garrett on things you can't back up, but to use HIS VOTING RECORD to reveal to people that he is a wolf in sheep's clothing -- a social Darwinist right-wing ideologue.  The record is out there, it just has to be used.  

I agree with you that I doubt any Democrat can defeat Garrett this year.  I could be wrong, and certainly we have to do what we can.  But if nothing else, this election should lay the groundwork for the future by opening voters' eyes to just who it is that's representing them in Washington.  See my letter in the Record today for the kind of thing we need to get out there.  The point is that for Scott Garrett, right-wing ideology trumps EVERYTHING -- including serving his district.   THAT is what we have to get through people's heads.

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by: brilliantatbreakfast @ Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 14:04:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks for the support (0.00 / 0)

I genuinely appreciate the kind words and well wishes here on BlueJersey.

Please feel free to visit the temporary web site I'm putting together over the weekend.  It should provide an insight into who I am, what I stand for and why I'm running.
http://www.todtheiseforcongres...

I'm looking forward to posting here in the coming months.  I've been invited to appear on BlueJersey radio this Tuesday.  So you can hear me discuss things in greater detail than the Record article afforded (the interview was roughly 25 minutes, so what you read represented about 2% of our conversation).  

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by: Tod Theise @ Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 03:48:46 AM UTC