Dividing Bergen County

by: Thurman Hart

Wed May 31, 2006 at 07:07:26 AM EDT

Answer: Neither, if you're talking about Bergen County.

Scott Fallon, staff writer for the Bergen Record notes:
The most hotly contested political race this spring in Bergen County has featured charges of cronyism, treason and outright incompetence.

But this contest won't be coming to a ballot box anytime soon, unless you happen to be a Republican insider.

The battle for the chairmanship of the Bergen County Republican Organization -- pitting incumbent Guy Talarico against public relations executive Alan Marcus -- has relegated the June 6 primary race for the county executive nomination to almost undercard status among the GOP faithful.

To many Bergen Republicans, the future of the party is at stake in the clash between two men at opposite ends of the party's political spectrum.

Talarico wants to take the party in a more socially conservative direction whereas Marcus, who is socially liberal, preaches a pragmatic approach that is low on ideology.

Talarico, who is currently serving as the County Chair, is right to point out that the Bergen GOP was already sliding when he took over.  However, Marcus is quick to point out that nothing has been done to stop that slide.  Despite the moderate to liberal ideology that is widespread in most of Bergen County, Talarico has tried to move his party to the right - away from the mythical "average voter".

The key to turning around the party, Talarico said, is to establish a conservative platform that clearly separates Republicans from Democrats.

"We can't be the party of pay-to-play so we have to be the party of values," he said. "There is a core [of Republicans] devoted to a liberal agenda. They've done everything they could to impede the growth and vitality of this organization."

Marcus advocates a pure power-politics approach.  "Just win, baby!" is his motto:

"When you act like a loser, you'll be a loser," he said recently. "You got to act like a winner to win, and they don't know how to win."

*snip*

Marcus said he would apply no litmus test for candidates other than "Can they win?"

Which side is "right"?  I tell my students that there is no right or wrong in politics, there is only win or lose.  Noble losers don't get to enact any policies.  They get to sit on the sidelines and grumble about how they would do things differently.

John Podesta once remarked, "Everyone comes to Congress to save the world.  You find out quickly that before you can save the world, you have to save your seat."  There is a place for ideology in politics.  However, that place is not always to be the lead sled dog.  Of course, I'm not a Republican, so I think it would be more beneficial for my personal political views if Talarico wins and manages to continue losing races for the GOP.  Nobility always looks good on your opponents when they give their concession speech.