With apologies: IT WAS the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way
So is the comparison between the supporters of Hillary Clinton in Hudson and Bergen Counties. Click on through to the other page. You'll be glad you did. |
We start in Bergen County where Hillary-love reached a fevered pitch yesterday as Boss Moe County Party chair Joe Ferriero rolled out the red carpet for the former First Lady/Senator from New York/Presidential candidate: "I think it's both significant and historic," said Bergen County Democratic chairman Joseph Ferriero of Clinton's visit. "It's not often that you have a presidential candidate come to Bergen County before the primary."
Let it never be said that Joe Ferriero can't be redundant with the best of them. I mean, when was the last historic even that wasn't significant? And how often do Presidential candidates come to Bergen County after the primary? (I only kid because I love - oh yeah!)
Not to be outdone is the "say-something-that-might-sound-astute" department, we have this gem: "It goes to the fact that we're really relevant in the state now in the primary season," said Democratic state chairman, Sen. Joseph Cryan, D-Union. Color me confused. Is he saying Bergen County is relevant in the state now - because it always is (has the largest population of NJ's counties). And is he talking about Union - which is in Union County - or Bergen? I dunno. Joe Cryan is kind of an enigma wrapped in a mystery smothered in a plate of pasta. Or something.
But Hillary showed that she could outdo them both: "I was told if you say thanks to Joe in New Jersey, a lot of people will be thanked," she said. Oh, I get it - because New Jersey's the only place where people name their kid "Joseph", right? Not like in New York! Ah, I guess it's only fair when the Two Joe's (Ferriero and Cryan) have been astut-ing up the place.
But seriously, Clinton worked both sides of her mouth: She discussed policy, pledging universal health care, an overhaul of the student loan industry and promising to "responsibly" remove troops from Iraq within the first months of her administration.
"Within 60 days of my becoming president, we are leaving!" she said of Iraq.
Ok - first, it's just kind of an irritant to me to hear of people "responsibly" removing troops. That would indicate that there is an irresponsible way to do that - which I suppose simply telling them to get home on their own would be. But short of that, what exactly is she telling us? In the CNN debate just a few nights ago, she told Wolf Blitzer that she wouldn't commit to doing anything with troops because there's no way to know what Chimpy (my term - not one she used) will do between now and then. I hate to say it (and I'm being honest about that) but I get the feeling that she's getting ready to launch a "homeward bound surge" if she gets the chance - bring a few thousand home and say, "Well, that's the best we can do. It would be irresponsible to do more."
"I touched her!" said an excited Marjorie Santoro, a math teacher at a Hackensack Middle School who wore a Clinton t-shirt for the occasion. "She has such soft, beautiful hands." Well, that's a reason to vote for her! Convinced me! You were expecting claws maybe (I suppose, if you watch Fox News, you would be)?
Mrs. Clinton did not indicate how she felt about being touched. But it appears she did some touching of her own: "I came here expecting to be a supporter of her, but she just touched my soul" said Linda Flynn, a Hackensack middle school teacher, who wore a Hillary t-shirt and squealed when Clinton, took notice during the rally. What power - to touch the soul by noticing a tshirt with Clinton's name on it. Not that it has ever happened, but I think I would notice someone walking around with my name on their shirt - though that would probably mean someone stole it from me.
I know I'm making light of things, but it would appear that the news of the day is that politicians aren't the only ones who say silly things. It's understandable for someone to be a little squishy when they meet the potential next President. It's the inane rhetoric from politicians that bothers me - and it works because people suspend their common sense and get swept up in the spectacle of Presidential politics. It's the emotionality that leads to hero-worship and that, in turn, leads to allowing leaders to escape accountability for their actions (I mean this in a general sense, not as any swipe at Hillary). Over-emotionality makes empty rhetoric work. And politicians return to it again and again like a wino digging through the garbage for another bottle of Thunder-chicken.
On then to Hudson County, where Clinton's visit was kept under wraps so as not to embarrass Mayor Jerramiah Healy. In the home of Gov. Corzine and Sen. Menendez, the Democratic operations have been blunted by - really? Concern for hurting Mayor Healy's feelings? Wow. This is the guy who fought with the Bradley Beach police (literally) and then drug the fight through the front-pages of the newspapers for weeks. And we're going to hurt his feelings with anything short of a two-by-four to the forehead?
Huh. Go figure.
But Hudson County has a reputation as being "dependable". Also for paying people to vote. Also for letting dead people vote. Our county motto is "Vote early. Vote often. Vote from beyond the grave." I'm not sure how you put that in Latin, but I'm sure it sounds more impressive that way.
I can say that I've seen the same Obama commercial about seven times on CNN and even got a call from Hillary's organization yesterday. I've decided not to answer my phone unless I recognize the number on caller-ID (I hate political phone-calls).
Two counties. Two stories of Presidential politics. One opinionated former Texan saying, "As long as you participate, it's good. But it's better if you do what I say." |
