Bergen GOP strategy: Caligure & Reagan, good; Donovan and Whitman, bad
By Wally EdgeThe Bergen County Republican Organization has an unusual strategy in the race for County Executive: in an effort to cast County Executive candidate Kathleen Donovan as a liberal, they are attacking the record of another Republican, former Governor Christine Todd Whitman. This week, the BCRO sent out an e-mail that uses images of Whitman and accusations that the ex-Governor was responsible for huge tax hikes and overspending, in an effort to help their candidate, Todd Caliguire, appeal to conservative primary voters. "Of course we expect Donovan and her merry band of Whitman RINOs to attack us for going negative," the e-mail stated. "Nothing could be further from the truth. All we are doing is informing our fellow Republicans as to which candidate represents the failed Whitman wing of the party." In contrast, the BCRO has taken to using photographs of the late Ronald Reagan in their campaign press releases.
The BCRO strategy is not without irony. The last time Whitman ran, in 1997, she carried Bergen County by 30,100 votes -- substantially better than other GOP candidates have fared. As State Assemblyman from 1997 to 2001, Bergen County Republican Chairman Guy Talarico supported much of Whitman's agenda. And votes for certain tax increases made by Donovan came during her one term as a State Assemblywoman from 1986 to 1988, when Republican Thomas Kean was Governor.
The Civil War in Bergen County will not be helpful to the GOP candidate for United States Senator, Thomas Kean, Jr., who said last week that he was siding with Talarico and running on the BCRO line. No Republican has ever won a statewide election in New Jersey without carrying Bergen, where Democrats have dominated in recent statewide elections. Jon Corzine beat Douglas Forrester by 34,302 votes in 2005, John Kerry won Bergen by 17,833 votes in 2004, Frank Lautenberg carried the county by 28,969 votes in 2002, James E. McGreveey led Bret Schundler by 29,004 votes in 2001. The last Republican statewide candidate to win Bergen was Bob Franks, who carried Bergen by 3,932 votes over Corzine in 2000.
In the last four elections, only two Republicans have won Bergen: Donovan, who was re-elected County Clerk by 14,686 votes against former Freeholder Linda Baer in 2003, and Elizabeth Randall, who defeated incumbent Freeholder Tomas Padilla that year. Democratic Freeholder candidates won by more than 20,000 votes in 2005 and by more than 35,000 in 2004.
Contributors
Wally Edge
There is some speculation that Barack Obama's choice to serve as Democratic National Chairman is Tim Kaine, the Governor of Virginia and a ... >
Bob Torricelli
It's hard to not be concerned these days. We've all witnessed frustration with our institutions before but I never remember anything of this ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Instead of borrowing trillions to waste on make-work governmental projects, stimulate the economy with tax cuts. >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
Michael P. Riccards
In December 2008, the Holy See released a new document dealing with bioethics called “Dignitas Personae.” This “instruction” from the ... >
Joey Novick
Hard to believe we have arrived at the last year of the first decade of the 21st century. Boy, seems like it was just yesterday that Bush was handed ... >
Juan Melli
It's actually come to this: A panel convened by the legislature of the State of New Jersey has concluded that discrimination is not good. Maybe ... >
Carla Katz
As it tends to, history seems to be repeating itself as 240 laid-off workers at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago revive a decades old tactic -- ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
This week former Assemblyman Neil Cohen was indicted for viewing child pornography on state owned computers located in the legislative office he had ... >
Murray Sabrin
Five Democrat governors including New Jersey’s Jon Corzine and New York’s David Paterson have called upon the incoming Obama administration to ... >
Hot Topics
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Most Active Stories
- Healy and Stack and the late Glenn Cunningham
- Lance to resign state senate seat tomorrow, to be sworn in to Congress Tuesday
- In familiar setting, Christie tells Raritan, 'I look forward to working with all of you'
- Karrow wins key Hunterdon organization endorsement
- Bateman stays neutral in Doherty-Karrow 23rd District scrum
- Kyrillos: 'We need a leader like Chris Christie'
- Merkt fights perceived Christie canonization in Passaic County
- This weekend on TV: Leonard Lance and John Adler
- Manzo to unveil slate next week
- Lonegan camp says they qualify for matching funds
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
- Weinberg loses life savings in Madoff Ponzi scheme
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
Quote of the Day
"Everybody is afraid of getting another Joe in there." -- Richard "Buzz" Dressel,a labor leader who is a possible candidate for Bergen County Democratic Chairman if Joe Ferriero resigns or is ousted.
Recent Press Releases
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
The City Boss Becomes the Country Boss ― DICK BENFIELD...MUST READ
Ferriero's support a curse for Kasparian? ― CHARLES STILE...MUST READ
Trenton must stop thinking outside box― DOUG FORRESTER
Three's a crowd, but one man isn't a party― ALFRED DOBLIN
Newspaper Shuns Web, and Thrives― DAN JACOBSON
Murder charge for Prisco― ANGELO PRISCO
Healy: Have yourself a merry little Christmas with my CD― JERSEY JOURNAL
Time for BCDO to clean up its act ― CHARLES STILE
Madoff investors will have trouble getting money back― FRANK LAUTENBERG
OBAMA'S ELECTOR ― ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Syndicate
It seems like there is so much about the factions within the Ber
It seems like there is so much about the factions within the Bergen GOP and we are hardly hearing anything from candidates themselves. Do either Caliguire or Donovan have campaign web-sites yet?
>Todd Caliguire, appeal to conservative primary voters. "Of cour
>Todd Caliguire, appeal to conservative primary voters. "Of course we expect Donovan and her merry band of Whitman RINOs to attack us for going negative," the e-mail stated.<
OK am I the only one who is sick and tired of this stupid RINO term? GROW UP! Now even the Caliguire is using it! That just shows the class of some in the Bergen GOP!
The truth hurts, eh?
The truth hurts, eh?
Not really. I have worked hard on many campaigns. Donated my h
Not really. I have worked hard on many campaigns. Donated my hard earned money to many good GOP candidates. I know where I stand and am proud of the work I have done. What I find amusing is that the leadership has lowered themselves to schoolyard name calling.
self-de·struc·tion (slfd-strkshn) n. The act or process of de
self-de·struc·tion (slfd-strkshn)
n.
The act or process of destroying oneself or itself.
Suicide.
[Download Now or Buy the Book]
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Main Entry: self–de·struc·tion
Pronunciation: -di-'str&k-sh&n
Function: noun
: destruction of oneself; especially : SUICIDE
Source: Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
self-destruction
n 1: the act of killing yourself; "it is a crime to commit suicide" [syn: suicide, self-annihilation] 2: the act of destroying yourself; "his insistence was pure self-destruction"
Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University
As Weird as Jim McGreevey Getting Married Let me get this strai
As Weird as Jim McGreevey Getting Married
Let me get this straight, Todd Caliguire, who worked for Tom Kean, helped sheppard Kean's tax increases through the Legislature, then went on to work for Cary Edwards' unsuccessful campaigns for governor - a candidate who didn't have the guts to say Florio's tax increases were anathema -- is attacking Christie Whitman for causing tax increases.
Todd, you looked like a total idiot running for Governor. Clearly, all you were doing was taking taxpayer money and using it to show off your bleached white teeth. Your candidacy made us all suspect that you were a phoney.
You've now removed all doubt.
Walt Hollenbeck
Todd is a good guy, but he's definitely not the conservative his
Todd is a good guy, but he's definitely not the conservative his faction is trying to make him out to be.
Conservatives can win statewide and I doubt in Bergen either. And please, stop using Reagan's name.....it's just silly.
CIVICS 101 thinks that the Word RINO is passe.? What about Demo
CIVICS 101 thinks that the Word RINO is passe.?
What about Democrat Light, better still what about Gin & Tonic Republicans or better still what about DISHONEST, SELFISH, ELITIST BACKSTABBERS>???????
How about the PLAIN TRUTH...Just ask one question
WHO DISRUPTED THE HARMONY AFTER THE FIESTA SHOW CASE OF CANDIDATES??
WHO STOOD ON THE PODIUM AND CHEERED TODD CALIGUIRE..?? .ANSWER IS Ms Randall ET AL
CASE CLOSED !!!!!
I think that it makes the entire GOP look stupid. Like kids in
I think that it makes the entire GOP look stupid. Like kids in a schoolyard. What will Talarico say that Donovan has cooties next?
Who will win in November is the question to ask. It’s not Caliguire and a bunch of unknown candidates. And from what I have seen from the strategy so far from the BCRO… we are in sad shape if they are our ticket in November. If calling people RINOs is all you have… yikes!
SPEDKAUFMANN, REALLY HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS!?!? SO MANY OF
SPEDKAUFMANN, REALLY HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS!?!? SO MANY OF US ARE CONFUSED!!!!!!!1111
How do I feel ?? Like a bride left at the alter Like a guy dump
How do I feel ??
Like a bride left at the alter
Like a guy dumped on a date
slapped in the face
taken for granted and treated like an IDIOT
We were all singing KUMBIYA at the Fiesta and I felt good
a sigh of relief....No Primary.... less money to spend on tight races.
Then we got kicked in the CROTCH with this nonsense
The Party has neither the Money nor the stomach for self inflicted wounds.
The danger here is regardless who prevails the Harmony of the Party has suffered needlessly.
Its the same crap about ILLEGAL ALIENS
" WHAT PART OF THE WORD ILLEGAL DOES THE GIN & TONIC WING OF OUR PARTY NOT UNDERSTAND....????