Statement From Labor and Progressive Grassroots on the 37th

Nobody likes a sore winner (4.00 / 2)

This is not a dig against Juan, because I know he would have worded this differently if given the chance,  but this is utter tripe.  It's embarrassing, petty and betrays the class with which Loretta represents herself and her constituents.

When primaries end, either through election results or agreements like today's, it should be a time for the party to celebrate our ability to disagree and then come to a resolution as a whole, not a time to crow about winners and losers.

Let me propose a better way to word this message:

Over the last week, Chairman Ferriero came to the same conclusion that some many members of the progressive community came to long ago - that Loretta Weinberg, Valeria Huttle and Gordon Johnson are one-of-a-kind (or three-of-a-kind) legislators who have shown constant leadership while representing their constituents in Trenton. 

The announcement today that Mayor Wildes and his running mates are dropping out of the race acknowledges that the Weinberg team enjoys incredible support from the Democratic faithful and that a primary race would be unnecessarily divisive and take away resources from taking on Republican incumbents throughout Bergen County.

We hope that two things come out of this agreement to come together as Democrats.  First, we hope that in future years, the process by which candidates are selected is more open, honest and democratic.

Second, we hope that we can all now focus our time, effort and passion on defeating Gerry Cardinale in the 39th Legislative District in order to strengthen the Democrats' lead in Trenton and provide the people of the 39th District with effective representation in Washington.

The Democratic Party is a big family, and all families have their squabbles.  We are glad today that we were able to resolve this conflict without it becoming a full out war and hope that we can all be better Democrats because of it.

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by: PocketAces @ Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 19:10:47 PM UTC

I must've missed your point (0.00 / 0)

I saw nothing wrong with the statement on the 37th.  It was not "tripe".  It was accurate and honest.  I agreed with it. 
 

One Vote.  Yours.  It really does matter.

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by: carolh @ Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 19:48:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Devil's Advocate (0.00 / 0)

I'm the first to admit that many BlueJerseyians (including the signers above) know far more about Bergen County politics than I do.  But my gut tells me that Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero's forfeit is hardly a "victory" for Loretta Weinberg.  Nick Lento posted this comment on PoliticsNJ.com:

I'll give Ferierro "credit" for being smart enough to cut his losses.  Allowing the race to run its course would have exposed the would be "emperor" of the BCDO as a failure.

You guys posted a poll showing Loretta Weinberg with a 44% lead over her challenger.  Now, in a smart move, Joseph Ferriero can avoid the embarrassment of a huge electoral loss.  The Chair has effectively switched over to the winning horse mid-race.  And as the head of the Bergen Democrats, he can now take credit when they're reelected.

This victory clearly demonstrates that ...it is time to open the back room door to let in some fresh air.

Well, it seems to me that the way to "open the back room" would have been to let Bergen County's primary voters decide.  It's hard to imagine that the Bergen County Democrat Organization's ambitious challengers bowed out without something in return.

We welcome the leadership of the Bergen County Democratic Organization to recognize those lessons so that we can move forward to concentrate on the issues and causes that can change people's lives for the better.

Bergen County Democratic Organization didn't have a conversion, it hasn't "seen the light."  This was just a tactical move.  As far as I can tell, Joseph Ferriero took lemons and made lemonade while the Loretta Weinberg slate took its lemonade and poured it down the drain.

I think it would be prudent for Loretta Weinberg to answer the concerns of some of her supporters.  For instance, this poster at PoliticsNJ.com:

Just cause Ferriero is endorsing and pulling it's slate against Loretta & Co. doesn't mean she has to accept it. For weeks I've noted her standing up to Boss Ferriero and the culture of corruption, bossism and pay to play - now she is embracing it?

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by: Moxie Sebright @ Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 19:52:32 PM UTC

Liberal Myopia. (0.00 / 1)

Senator Loretta Weinberg won for several reasons:

1. She has been a liberal her whole life. She was never at risk. She was going to win no matter what Ferriero pulled.

2. District 37 is the most liberal leaning district in the state.

3. Joe Ferriero and BCDO had no compelling nor persuasive reasoning to dump three qualified incumbents with three newcomers who would have voted EXACTLY THE SAME WAY.

The reality here is that you can't be a somebody with nobody especially when the nobody has no message.

Ferriero has no organizational base in primaries. Local municipalities have that strength. That's the lesson Ferriero probably won't comprehend.

At the same time, left leaning fringe groups didn't sway this election one bit. Mr. Goldstein can try to take credit, but that's just political window dressing.

Loretta had her ducks in order. It just conclusive poll results and hard data for the BCDO to realize there bark is much louder than the bite.

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by: BigDaddyDem @ Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 20:55:02 PM UTC

Fringe Groups? (0.00 / 0)

As a union member who lives in the 37th District, and a labor activist, I take exception to being referred to as a "fringe group" (I'm ok with the "left-leaning" though ;-) ). Labor union membership in the 37th District is greater than even the highest turnout projections for this primary. Factor in union household voters, and labor's influence becomes even greater. True, Loretta had her ducks in order, but I believe that is precisely because she had the support of many of these membership organizations that actually represent constituencies.

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by: Christopher @ Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 21:39:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I apologize (0.00 / 1)

That was very "Imus" like....unions are hardly fringe....

My apology.

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by: BigDaddyDem @ Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 23:16:08 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Why is LD-37 the most liberal in the state? (0.00 / 0)

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by: Scott Weingart @ Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 22:13:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The demographics. (0.00 / 1)

Large number of minority groups such as African-Americans, Jewish Americans, Hispanics and traditional liberals.

Very high concentration of Democrats as opposed to the rest of Bergen County.

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by: BigDaddyDem @ Thu Apr 12, 2007 at 23:17:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

What about the 15th? (0.00 / 0)

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by: Scott Weingart @ Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 02:39:17 AM UTC

[ Parent ]