David Von Savage

GOP presidential candidate John McCain campaigns in New Jersey last February with Sen. Joe Lieberman: Getty Images Photo
Two pro-choice names floated as potential vice-president picks for presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain have caused a lot of grumbling among conservatives nationwide, but some of the most ardently pro-life members of the delegation representing New Jersey at next month's Republican National Convention were circumspect on the prospects.

While McCain has pledged to run a "pro-life administration" if elected, his campaign has floated trial balloons about U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) and former Pennsylvania Governor and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Thomas Ridge as possible Veep picks, both of whom are pro-choice.

While some pro-life delegation members would prefer to see a fully anti-abortion ticket, none were committed to casting a protest vote against a pro-choice McCain pick. Still, some of them cautiously suggested that McCain would be wise not to alienate the socially conservative wing of the party, including the evangelical voters who he's had trouble courting in the past.

"I don't from a tactical standpoint see the gain other than maybe he's trying to reach moderate Democrat voters and take them from Barack by putting Lieberman there," said Assemblywoman Allison Littell McHose (R-Franklin), a delegate who sits on the convention's platform committee. "But I think when you have a Republican base that would probably not traditionally vote for a guy like Lieberman, I don't know why McCain would need to do that."

Cape May Republicans became the first county party to award the party line to Senate candidate Andy Unanue.

“As of today, Cape May County formally endorsed Andy for United States Senate, and we’re giving him the line,” said local GOP Chairman David Von Savage. 

Add another name to the growing list of potential new candidates for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination: James Plousis, the former Cape May County Sheriff and the current United States Marshal for New Jersey. “Jim Plousis has the integrity, leadership skills, and fiscally conservative views to represent the Garden State as a U.S. Senator,” said David Von Savage, the Cape May County GOP Chairman.

The vast majority of Rudy Giuliani’s New Jersey supporters are expected to endorse John McCain today, and pundits on both sides appear certain that McCain is the heavy favorite to win New Jersey’s winner-take-all primary on Tuesday. McCain will be in New Jersey on Monday, holding a rally at the Colonial Fire House in Hamilton; Rudy Giuliani is expected to accompany him.

The Monmouth University/Gannet New Jersey poll released this morning seems to have turned the conventional wisdom of New Jersey presidential politics on its head, especially on the Republican side, where John McCain has pulled even with Rudy Giuliani. But none of the state’s most prominent presidential candidate backers expressed much surprise today.

The most shocking number in the poll put John McCain leading 29-25% -- within the 4.5% margin of error. Just one month ago, according to a Quinnipiac poll, Giuliani had a 22 point lead over McCain, while three months ago that lead was 36 points. And in a Bergen Record poll published Sunday, Giuliani led McCain by 16 points.

GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani will visit Cape May County on October 1 to campaign for Republican legislative and county candidates.  He'll be at Congress Hall, which was the Summer White House when Benjamin Harrison was President from 1889 to 1893.  Giuliani's decision to visit Cape May, which features one of the most competitive State Senate and Assembly races of the cycle, is a feather in the cap of GOP County Chairman David Von Savage, an early Giuliani supporter and a driving force in the state GOP's decision to make New Jersey a winner-take-all county -- something that appears to strongly benefit Giuliani.

The PoliticsNJ.com Power List of the 100 Most Powerful People in New Jersey Politics will be released on Thursday.  This year, our readers get to pick the person who gets the final slot -- #100 --  from our last ten candidates.  Vote Tuesday and Wednesday to decide who gets on the Power List -- and who doesn't!

Cape May County GOP Chairman David Von Savage's letter in opposition to Republican State Chairman Tom Wilson's re-election:

During the past couple of weeks, you have no doubt heard a considerable amount of information regarding the vote for chairman of the NJGOP. As one of 42 members of the state committee, you have the responsibility to decide for yourself by electing the next NJGOP chairman who will serve a two (2) year term.

I am certain that you will agree with me that this is a critical year for the NJGOP if we are ever to take back the Statehouse. Given the urgency of the matter, I would appreciate it if you would allow me the opportunity to communicate what I believe to be relevant information that is critical to your making an informed vote come this Thursday.

Republican State Chairman Tom Wilson's response to Cape May County GOP Chairman David Von Savage's letter:

Over the past month I’ve had the opportunity to speak with you about my desire to serve another term as Chairman of the State Republican Party. I am grateful for your willingness to spend time discussing the future of our party and for the support you’ve given me. This has been an awesome experience and I have enjoyed the opportunity to spend every day working to grow and strengthen our party.

Throughout this process I have adhered to the principle that our party is a family. Like every family we have disagreements. But what makes families different is that disagreements are resolved in the family living room, not on the front lawn for all to see. Unfortunately, others have chosen a different course. That is their right, but it does not make it right.

At the urging of Cape May County Republican Chairman David Von Savage, state GOP leaders are considering a proposal to make the February 5, 2008 New Jersey Republican presidential primary a winner-take-all contest.  In the past, New Jersey delegate selection rules had provided for the direct election of slates of delegates both statewide (At-Large) and in each of the thirteen congressional districts.