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Whos Really Viable in the Fifth?

by: Lincoln7

Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 01:37:52 PM EDT

Clearly the BCDO doesn't care whatsoever what happens this year in NJ's 5th district congressional race. The endorsement of Dennis Shulman most clearly supports that fact. Shulman is a perfectly nice and intelligent man, however a viable congressional candidate he is not. He comes from exactly the same mold that Paul Arhonson did in 06'(in fact Aronhson has openly endorsed Shulman and continues to work on his campaign) and we all saw how that turned out. If ever there was a year to beat a reactionary extremist like Scott Garrett it was 06'. However yet another centrus democrat ran for the seat, and yet another democrat had the floor wiped with him in the general election.

We have an even bigger chance to take Garrett out in 08', but not with a candidate like Dennis Shulman who has no political experience and no firm stand on any issue. Despite only being in the race for 12 weeks in 06' and only spending $29,000 Camille Abate managed to net 34% of the vote against the party line. You would think that with that result and with her starting a year in advance for the 08' election that she would be the clear cut candidate that the party endorsed. However that is not the case, Shulman has only raised $50,000 more dollars then Abate in this race and though $50,000 have come right from his own pocket. Abate has had 35 years of political experience compared to Shulman's 0 years of being active in politics. The clear reason for this according to the Municipal Chair was party loyalty (Abate stated on the BCDO candidate application that she would not support a BCDO candidate other than herself). According to several other BCDO officials and Dennis Shulman, Abate cost Aronhson the election in 2006 because he had to spend too much money on the primary. That idea is completely preposterous (seeing as Aronhson raised only $700,000 in a district where it was clear you would need to raise about 2 million to win this seat). The fact of the matter is the BCDO picked against Camille Abate based on prejudices in 06' and because she believed that she was the right candidate and would continue to run even if shulman got the BCDO endorsement because she didn't think he was capable of winning.

The fact of the matter is that BCDO officials and Shulman's own campaign have publicly stated that his campaign is like a hail mary pass to the endzone. Is that really the best that our all knowing Bergen County Democrats can come up with? A feel good story? How about we put a real candidate up who has been a fighter for her entire life and knows what it takes to win this election. A candidate who actually has a REAL stance on issues like Iraq and the economy and on getting a universal healthcare plan that everyone can rely on.

Garrett is not going to be beaten by a typical centrus democrat like Shulman. Simply pointing out Garrett's flaws just will not be enough(as evidenced by the last 3 elections). You actually must have a definite and clear stance on issues like Abate has. And you must be willing to get down and dirty on the republican's level just like they always do. If Shulman wins the primary and runs a campaign anywhere near similar to Aronhson's then there is still no hope for the fifth. That is why we must nominate a candidate like Camille Abate who has extremely strong union support, has a strong message that people can believe in, and will go out there and rally democrats behind fixing republican attacks on the constitution and restoring civil liberties to the people of this great country.

Lincoln7 :: Whos Really Viable in the Fifth?

Tags: Dennis Shulman, Camille Abate, Scott Garrett, NJ5, (All Tags)

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Whos Really Viable in the Fifth? | 12 comments

Your asking is the answer (0.00 / 0)

Abate stated on the BCDO candidate application that she would not support a BCDO candidate other than herself)

Pretty dumb politics to say that you are just going to take your marbles and go home if you lose. Bad enough to do that, but pretty dumb to announce it ahead of time.

by: Creed Pogue @ Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 18:11:49 PM UTC

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your wrong (0.00 / 0)

you have to state your intent on the BCDO application and if she said she would drop out if Shulman got the BCDO nomination and then went back on her pledge she could be charged with perjury...what she signed was a legal affidavit, she never took her marbles and went home she is still in the race and we will see what happens

by: Lincoln7 @ Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 18:22:52 PM UTC

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Responding only to your comment (0.00 / 0)

Why would it be "bad enough" to seek the endorsement of a county organization, but to continue to the primary even if you don't win that endorsement?

by: Jeff Gardner @ Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 18:24:52 PM UTC

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No county organization would allow you to play that game (0.00 / 0)

Otherwise, there is nothing that discourages someone from trying for the endorsement, but if they don't get it, they just go on to fight in the primary anyway.

If you want the endorsement, then you have to be willing to play by the rules.

If you are going to run anyway, then fine. Don't bother asking for the county party endorsement from any county in New Jersey of either party.

by: Creed Pogue @ Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 20:27:57 PM UTC

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Bad rules. (4.00 / 1)

I don't see anything wrong with trying for an endorsement, and if you don't get it, going on to fight in the primary anyway. Why is that bad?

Most of our Congressional districts are made up of multiple counties (the 5th District has 4). What if one candidate wins the endorsement of one county org, and another candidate wins the endorsement of another county org? Under your theory they would both have to drop out.

by: Jeff Gardner @ Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 20:58:11 PM UTC

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For congressional and above, it is a little different (0.00 / 0)

Organizations usually enforce the rule for county and state legislative seats, not congressional or statewides.

Still, Abate gives off a strange vibe anyway.

by: Creed Pogue @ Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 22:11:00 PM UTC

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slimy (4.00 / 3)

This should be categorized under "how to write a counter-productive post".

The only new thing I learned about your candidate is that her supporters enjoy anonymously demonizing good people.

by: Juan Melli @ Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 18:33:56 PM UTC

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Worst...diary...ever (0.00 / 0)

How come it seems like all of the Abate supporters who ever post on BlueJersey come off as abrasive, self-important and whiny? It simply doesn't reflect well on Camille at all.

by: PocketAces @ Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 19:08:16 PM UTC

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you are all misunderstanding (0.00 / 0)

this article is not meant to "demonize" anyone, i agree that both shulman and aronhson are good people, it has nothing to do with their personal character. It has to do with running a good campaign and being aq candidate that can beat garrett. And if Abate loses in the primary i'll be the first person to support Shulman and vote for him, it is just my personal opinion that he cannot beat scott garrett. Hopefully I'm wrong

by: Lincoln7 @ Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 20:22:21 PM UTC

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Centrus (4.00 / 4)

To be certain, I do not agree with anything in this post. But that is not what this comment is about.

I find it fascinating that not once, but twice do you use the word "centrus" to describe the type of Democrat Rabbi Shulman is. I know what you are trying to say. You obviously mean to say "centrist." Again, I disagree, but that is still not what this post is about.

By fundamentally misspelling the word "centrist" twice, it occurs to me that you likely do not understand its meaning. Centrist is a simple word meaning, "one who is of the center," or "center-ist." That is just simple English.

So if you do not understand the meaning of the word, why use it? The most likely explanation is that the word was dictated to you, either while you wrote the post, or at some point in the course of listening to anti-Shulman, pro-Abate talking points. Judging by the fact that you present detailed facts about the 2006 and 2008 campaigns in your blog, the former seems the more likely explanation.

Just an observation.

by: Somewhere In The Swamps @ Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 02:22:36 AM UTC

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Beating Garrett... (0.00 / 0)

...will require a unified and energized Democratic Party in the whole of the 5th district.

This diary doesn't serve that purpose. Let's not rehash 2006. That's a waste of everyone's time and a disruptive distraction.

I know Camille Abate. I have spoken with he at length in past years and have walked with her knocking on doors and have heard how well she connects with just about anyone who opens those doors.

Camille Abate is a smart, gritty, sharp and wonderful woman of profoundly high character who would make a fine member of congress.

She also happens to be a kick ass civil rights attorney who would be instrumental in repairing the damage done to our Constitution by Scott Garrett's hero, George Bush.

I don't know Dennis Shulman personally; but, from everything I've read about him; I like him. His personal story is inspiring and empowering. He's clearly a smart competent and knowledgeable fellow who would also make a fine member of congress.

Either one of these two good people would be a thousand times better than Garrett; who makes George Bush look like a liberal.

The BCDO "endorsement" has great value in that it provides the party line on the ballot, and, obviously many Democrats will vote the party line out of sheer habit.

That's a good thing in general. Sadly, in the case of the BCDO we have a (legally) corrupt and ethically challenged machine that has hijacked the county Democratic party and is using it to serve the interests of a small number of well connected individuals and interests.

If Boss Joe actually had a candidate who he could count on to be "loyal" to him; there is no doubt that he would find a way for that candidate to be very well "funded". Two million bucks would be just for starters and Garrett would be history.

If a few things go right; this year could be truly transformational. We could have a presidential candidate with real coat tails; and an inspired, motivated/energized electorate ready to move mountains.

If we register 25,000 newly activated and inspired Democrats in the 5th district....and run a smart, aggressive and well financed campaign; Scott Garrett's political career is dead.

I look forward to meeting Dennis Shulman and hearing him debate the issues with Camille Abate.

We need to put aside the past and ALL come out and support the strongest candidate; whoever that may be.

I feel a personal loyalty to Abate; but if Dennis Schulman can clearly demonstrate that he's a stronger/better candidate...then I would be a fool not to support him.

The converse is true for some of you folks out there who may bear some prejudice toward Camille Abate; if she can clearly demonstrate that she's a stronger/better candidate then you would fools not to support her.

I would love to see these two smart articulate Democrats engage in a series of, say three, 90 minute unstructured (but gently moderated; I nominate Juan Melli) public discussions where they can share their own views with each other and, yes, debate where they may differ.

Also, they should spend at least an hour taking questions from those in attendance.....and then committing to answering (on the web) all written questions submitted that couldn't be addressed live.

The full content/video and text of such a series of events should be posted here on BJ for all to see and to discuss in a civil and reasoned manner.

Let us turn this county/district/state/country around!

Let us all find a way to put loyalty to the genuinely high principles of our party ahead of loyalty to any single person (or machine).

In not saying it will be easy to bring sane and sound representation to the 5th district. I am saying that it is possible given the national dynamic that may unfold by November; and I am saying that, with a truly united/committed Democratic party it is highly probable!

Garrett's votes/ideology can't stand the light of day. Let's turn on the lights folks!

by: Nick Lento @ Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 18:55:40 PM UTC

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Dean has a 50 state strategy (0.00 / 0)

& Jersey Dems can't put together a 13 District strategy. Pathetic.

by: Wesleylake @ Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 01:33:16 AM UTC

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Whos Really Viable in the Fifth? | 12 comments