Rothman Raises, Ferriero Folds

History repeats itself (4.00 / 1)

This is pretty much the same scenario that happened in 2000 during "The Twelve Days of Torricelli" except that Ray Lesniak was the one who put the squeeze on Ferriero to stay with McGreevey.  One of the disadvantages of playing this game solely based on power and personal advantage is that there is always a better offer or a worse threat on the horizon.

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by: Creed Pogue @ Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 14:15:51 PM UTC

I always liked Rothman - now I know why (4.00 / 1)

Rothman knows Ferriero and what he is capable of.  Rothman was there at the contested election of Valerie Huttle where nearly the entire county committee members from Teaneck and Tenafly were challenged.  Rothman was there and saw how bad things could get.  He helped our members get their vote counted - TWICE when Ferriero tried to disenfranchise us.  Ferriero not supporting Lautenberg - who I believe to be the finest Senator our state has ever had must have been the absolute last straw for Rothman.  Congressman Rothman, you have earned my undying respect.

One Vote.  Yours.  It really does matter.

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by: carolh @ Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 14:36:30 PM UTC

I agree with you both, Creed and Carol (4.00 / 3)

I've agreed with all your postings on this subject, Creed - woo hoo!  Carol, you are right, Frank Lautenberg is the finest U.S. Senator New Jersey has ever had.  Frank's list of legislative accomplishments in changing people's lives for the better is unmatched.  People talk about his age, but the irony is, so much of what he's achieved has been in legislating ideas well ahead of their time.  He was also the most honorable, least corruptable person for whom I have ever worked.

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by: Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality chair @ Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 15:16:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Boss Joe Blows it Again... (0.00 / 0)

....the temptation to "go for the (April Fool's) gold" was just too tempting for this already filthy rich and filthy powerful political monstrosity.

So yes, Boss Joe has once again tactically retreated (perhaps scurried away might be a better term) when the lights were turned on.

Lest we crow too much; Boss Joe and the other bosses behind this power grab aren't going anywhere...and they still dominate the political world of NJ.   It's just that this move was a little too blatantly outrageous to stand.

The price of maintaining whatever shreds of democracy we have is eternal vigilance.  The scoundrels will never give up, or ease off.

Most of the people of the state will, likely, never understand what almost happened here.

And that's a shame.  

Why?   Because if they did there would be an uprising within the Democratic party that would change things from the grass roots on up.....and that would be a good thing!

Let's see if Andrews has the poor judgment to continue to squander his political capital in a fools mission...or if he's smart enough to limit the damage and withdraw gracefully.  

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by: Nick Lento @ Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 16:45:12 PM UTC

Why Wildes Will Not Run (0.00 / 0)

(cross posted from politikernj.com)

He's not that stupid.

Though, I must confess I would enjoy seeing his balls get the better of his brains. It would certainly "make my day". :-)

At this point, I don't even think Boss Joe would back him with the machine line.

I would love to be wrong and see Boss Joe and Wildes actually "sticking to their guns" and backing Andrews as they both tried to pull off this coup. In that scenario the Democrats of NJ and of Bergen County would have some really serious choices to make.....and the lights would actually be turned on (for a change).

When the lights are on; the Boses lose. Most people really are decent and good, when they see what's going on.

Again, it's far more likely that Boss Joe and Wildman Wilde will lower their eyes, bow thier heads in shame and slink away with their tails between their legs.

Sadly, most NJ Democrats will never have understood the dirty dynamic that was at play here.

From Frederick Douglass

   If there is no struggle there is no progress......Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

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by: Nick Lento @ Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 17:09:40 PM UTC

Pity (0.00 / 0)

that Wildes won't be able to supply the comic relief yet again.  Valerie was running against Wildes when Rothman stepped in to enforce democracy at that special election.   Wildes probably thinks he is owed higher office like Ken Zisa expected Loretta Weinberg's senate seat.  Neither Bergen Boy will rest until they have exacted their revenge - if not on Ferriero who failed for them, then on the entire State of NJ - by trying to unseat very popular and well respected incumbents like Weinberg, Johnson, Huttle, Rothman, and Lautenberg.  Folks who garner respect of NJ voters of ALL political persuasions.

Wildes was probably hoping to to do for the State what he did for the Englewood Planning Board - (nearly destroy it).  Boy we did have fun poking fun at his narcissim, didn't we?  Those were the days.......

One Vote.  Yours.  It really does matter.

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by: carolh @ Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 19:30:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Wildes didn't 'nearly' destroy (0.00 / 0)

the Englewood Planning Board. He totally destroyed it.

Interesting, Wildes didn't show up at last night's City Council meeting.

I'm surprised that Ferriero still takes Wildes' calls. The man is poison. Spent over a half million dollars to get re-elected as Wnglewood mayor against a challenger who spent about fifty thousand.

He could have handed out $100 bills that said "vote for me" on them and bought the election cheaper than he actually did.

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by: NJ Liberal @ Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 05:31:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

It's nice to know (0.00 / 0)

our Real Bergen Democrats brand name is known for high quality candidates :)


One Vote.  Yours.  It really does matter.

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by: carolh @ Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 19:36:11 PM UTC