Sat Aug 04, 2007 at 11:51:54 AM EDT
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 I wish i could take credit for that title, but it's actually the 1st line of an editorial in the Burlington County Times today ripping the 3 Burlington County Mayors who shamefully attacked Assembly Candidate Tracy Riley because her husband is doing his constitutional duty serving as a public defender in the high profile Fort Dix Case. The editorial continues...During an election in which Republicans here are being seriously challenged for the first time in decades, the mayors' missive smacks of fear and desperation.
We don't think voters are dumb. They will see through the innuendo and recognize this ploy for what it is: political maneuvering at its basest. Ah, but the story gets better because not only was it political maneuvering, but public tax dollars paid for it...Mayor Lou DeLorenzo of North Hanover said he sent the letter to Riley and area newspapers from a fax machine at the North Hanover Municipal Building. That means it went out on the taxpayers' dime. Apparently however, they didn't have all the mayors in the area participate in this exercise to save Burlington County residents...A fourth area mayor whose town is near Fort Dix was left out of the loop when it came to drafting the letter,That would be Mayor David Patriarca of Pemberton Township. He's a Democrat.
The exclusion was an oversight, Mayor DeLorenzo said. Pretty convenient one, we say. I'm shocked, actually I'm not but I'm really glad the paper is calling them on all of their bullshit. They conclude the story reminding the Mayors and the Burlington County GOP as a whole of some basic civics lessons to help them better represent the people they say they are trying to protect with this political stunt...Two points to remember in the fog of political war are the Constitution guarantees legal representation to every accused, no matter how heinous the crime, and a defense attorney has the absolute right to defend any client. Trying to smear Tracy Riley because her husband is carrying out his country's constitutional mandate is a foolhardy tactic on the part of the mayors - and the Republican organization backing them.
"Quite frankly, these mayors need a civics lesson on what the Constitution provides," said Joe Pinto, president of the Burlington County Bar Association.
They could also use a refresher in campaigning with integrity. It's a shame that these constitutional cowards attacked Mr. Riley's wife because she is a convenient political target for them. Candidate Riley said it best, "A woman shouldn't be made an appendage of their husband. He's his own person with his own views, and so am I." I look forward to seeing her fight back more against these pathetic attacks and I hope the local media continues to call it for what it is. Shameful. |
| Jason Springer :: The Republicans must think Burlington County voters are stupid |
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