Did you miss last night's scintillating edition of BlueJerseyRadio? You know, the one where Jeff and I served up the pithiest political dish in the land? The one with chairman John Wisniewski rallying the troops to keep flogging Governor Christie whose latest hissy cost New Jersey students nearly a half billion dollars?
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls Number: (646) 652-2773.
Our guest, Assemblyman John S. Wisneiwski represents Sayreville in the NJ Assembly. He's also chairman of the NJ State Democratic Committee and that's the hat he'll be wearing tonight. After all, who better to discuss the ongoing SchundlerGate (tm) story than the party's partisan-in-chief, John Wisniewski?
Jeff and I welcome your calls -- especially if your name is Bret Schundler --as we unravel the complicated layers of Governor Christie's colossal $400,000,000 school-funding hissy fit. So if you're in the mood to pile on, won't you join us? at (646) 652-2773.
So, tune in tonight and every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. to laugh so hard you're friends will be jealous. Seriously. You won't want to miss an episode - and of course, you never have to. Listen to them all on Blogtalkradio, or download any show on iTunes.
We understand if you're left feeling a bit jilted which is why I'd love to invite you to come onto BlueJerseyRadio this Tuesday at 8pm. Consider this an open invitation to come to unburden yourself to an appreciative crowd. It's easy to be a guest, just call into the show (646) 652-2773 any time between 8-8:30pm this Tuesday.
Basically, we empathize with you. So if you're looking for a warm place to cultivate your hard-earned feelings of vengeance, just know this much: you'll always have a wide-open forum on Blue Jersey Radio.
What events in NJ attract a crowd of over 600,000 people? Izod Arena holds 23,000 and Meadowlands stadium holds over 60,000. One of the few event I can think of is a result of intensive training, winnowing of candidates, incredible guts, supreme determination, laser-like focus, and the highest level of professionalism. Unfortunately it's not our NJ politicians. It's the air force Thunderbirds and colleagues - a total of 80 pilots who flew in the Atlantic City Air Show on Wednesday dazzling us with their skills, death-defying aerobatics, and precision teamwork.
It's not that we haven't had great political leaders in New Jersey. Today a person like Senator Loretta Weinberg who started as Assistant Administrator to the County of Bergen, and then went on to become a Teaneck Councilwoman, Assemblywoman, Senator and LG candidate is an example to emulate. Our own Jeff Gardner first spent time learning the craft and then mobilized Democrats in his town to take over the Democratic committee.
Politics, above the introductory level, should be a vocation not an avocation. People with huge sums of money and zero political experience should not assume they are qualified for a high position. Those who are idolized only as a sports hero lack the training. Those who hold multiple positions lack the focus and are subject to conflicts of interest. They also need to understand what they do not know and avoid micromanagement, like thinking their office has the skills to direct the rewrite of a complex grant. As in all professions, politics requires training and ongoing education. Starting at a local level is an important step. Mastering new media is a virtual requirement today. Working smart and total immersion are necessary. A variety of groups including DFA provide the nuts and bolts for beginners. Garden State Equality recently offered a seminar to its constituency.
I don't particularly want a Thunderbird pilot as a NJ governor or legislator. But I sure would like politicians to receive more training and education before assuming midlevel or high positions and then to display more professionalism, focus, dedication and teamwork. If such were to happen maybe our leaders would have a higher voter approval, more voter turn out at the polls, and a level of enthusiasm, interest, and respect somewhat closer to what the Thunderbirds receive. And it's up to all of us to insist on higher standards.
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls.
This Week: don't believe the logo, because tonight, we'll be sporting the three-headed monster look, with me, Jay and Adam Lambert dissecting another week of summer madness in NJ politics.
This is supposed to be the off season, but it sure doesn't feel like it to me. How does it feel to you? Join us live at 8:00 p.m., and let us know what you're thinking. Or, drop your thoughts in the comments, and we'll discuss later.
Meantime, in case you missed it, check out last week's interview with Bob Ingle discussing Jersey politics, and the upcoming documentary based on his revelatory book, The Soprano State.
Then, tune in tonight and every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. for a little bit o' this, and a little bit o' that.
You won't want to miss an episode - and of course, you never have to. Listen to them all on Blogtalkradio, or download any show on iTunes. Talk to you later!
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls Number: (646) 652-2773.
Tonight's guest Bob Ingle is senior political reporter for Gannett NJ. He also wrote the bestselling book Soprano State which was made into a movie to premiere later this fall!
He'll update us on that plus share his thoughts on hot topics du jour like Sheriff Speziale's dramatic exit or the scandal-plagued DRPA.
It'll be hot hot hot.
So, tune in tonightand every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. to laugh so hard you'll get an ab workout. Seriously.
You won't want to miss an episode - and of course, you never have to. Listen to them all on Blogtalkradio, or download any show on iTunes.
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls.
This Week: after a long hiatus, Jay Lassiter returns to the stage, with his inimitable style, wit, and statehouse access. For Jay lovers, tonight's the night to join us live at 8:00 p.m., and remind yourselves what you've been missing.
For the uninitiated, the great thing about a show with Jay is that you never know what you're going to get - one week, you're interviewing a Presidential Candidate, and another week, it's Hamstermania. But every week, it's a blast!
So, tune in tonight and every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. for a little bit o' this, and a little bit o' that.
You won't want to miss an episode - and of course, you never have to. Listen to them all on Blogtalkradio, or download any show on iTunes. Talk to you later!
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls.
This Week: Jason and I recap the week in New Jersey's fastest half-hour of political talk. We'll have reports from today's marriage equality event at the statehouse in Trenton, as well as the latest in political goings-on.
Something special on your mind? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and maybe we can have some fun with them on air. Or, feel free to give us a call tonight, and share what's on your mind. Remember, it's all LIVE, so don't be afraid - join us!
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls.
This Week: America turns 234, and still looks good for her age (though I might recommend a little nip and tuck to keep things fresh). New Jersey, by contrast, is showing her age, with rising local needs, shrinking revenues and serious infrastructure and other needs. Solution? An arbitrary tax cap! Problem solved! (Ladies, get your healthcare, um, somewhere else. Oh, and avoid bridges if at all possible.)
But, it's not all bad - you still have us. So, join us for New Jersey's fastest half-hour of political talk. We'll see if we can keep up with the change-by-the-minute pace of news coming out of Trenton and elsewhere in the state.
Something special on your mind? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and maybe we can have some fun with them on air. Or, feel free to give us a call tonight, and share what's on your mind. Remember, it's all LIVE, so don't be afraid - join us!
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls.
This Week: After a few weeks' hiatus that some say was well-earned, I'm back on live with Jason for New Jersey's fastest half-hour of political talk. We'll see if we can keep up with the change-by-the-minute pace of news coming out of Trenton and elsewhere in the state. It's good to be back.
Something special on your mind? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and maybe we can have some fun with them on air. Or, feel free to give us a call tonight, and share what's on your mind. Remember, it's all LIVE, so don't be afraid - join us!
Here's how the DFA Campaign Training - which started just a few minutes ago in Ocean County - always begins: Somebody makes the observation that nobody in the room is the least bit normal.
The evidence? They're in a room with negligible air conditioning in a high school in a county where most of the people on the road are hauling kayaks, bikes and pleasure boats to the seashore. And they're doing electoral math at nine o'clock in the AM.
Yeah, I'm in a crowded room of complete weirdos. My peeps. More later.
Jeff Gardner's training book & coffee cup
NJDSC Chair John Wisniewski just spoke as everybody was wolfing down sandwiches and Fritos (awesome Fritos). Lunch at DFA Training is a working lunch. Wisniewski scarfed a couple sandwiches, too, although he confesses sub sandwiches are not on his diet. Wisniewski's speech was red meat about the Governor and the budget.
Wisniewski speaking at lunch
Rush Holt is here, and walked to the front of the room to tremendous applause. Perfect, perfect messaging for what the people in the room need to hear, and who they are and where they live. This training is in Ocean County, where Christie won big. Twelve years ago, when Holt won, Hunterdon County was his Ocean County. And he pulled votes there nobody expected him to because it was such a red area. Rumson too, where he was told he wouldn't get votes, but he got more than expected. Holt knows 50-State Strategy, which came from the mind of DFA Founder Howard Dean (DFA Chair Jim Dean's brother) when he was DNC Chair. And he made it clear that that means 21-County Strategy too. And he told an embarrassing story about the first time he met me and Joey Novick and how he knew just by looking at us we were Democrats.
Rush Holt talking 21-County Strategy (apologies for Fritos-smeared lens
Jeff Gardner is the new Democratic Municipal Chair in his hometown of Hawthorne, winning Monday over long-time Chair Sen. John Girgenti. How did that happen? It happened because Jeff & his team - key players from Passaic DFA and DFA-supported candidates - reached out to voters with better ideas and stronger progressive platform. And they won. Jeff is a graduate of Democracy for America (DFA) Campaign Training.
Ed Zipprich is the new Democratic Municipal Chair in his hometown of Red Bank. How? Ed's been a valuable asset to every progressive step forward in Monmouth County for years. And when it was time for the long-time Muni Chair to step down, he wanted to hand that job ... right to Ed. Ed's a graduate of DFA Campaign Training.
Chris & Jack & team
Chris Leitner & Jack McHugh won an election nobody expected them to win, the first straight-up Dems elected in Point Pleasant Boro in 30 years, restarting a defunct Democratic Club with Chris as Municipal Chair. How? Chris & Jack are graduates of DFA Campaign Training.
People, this is the new age of Gov. Chris Christie. Uphill battles. Deeply screwed-up priorities, sometimes in both parties. So DFA Campaign Training - intensive, fun-filled progressive action boot camp - is going where Christie slammed it: Ocean County. Are you running for office? Thinking about it? New, or just defeated county committee member? Working an important issue? Come train with the best allies you'll ever meet. Seriously, you'll grow muscle you never knew you had in you. I'm just sayin.
It all started with Jeff Jones in Paterson. Then Jeff Gardner struck in Hawthorne and Mayor Domenick Stampone in Haledon. Now we have a Passaic County Democratic Party wondering what this all means.
Each was a unique situation. All have the establishment wondering what it means to the status quo. Mayor-Elect Jeff Jones took a complacent incumbent and strong African-American turn out to win 43% of the vote in a non-partisan May municipal race. Jeff Gardner recruited 26 grassroots activists and out hustled, out messaged, and out classed Senator John Girgenti to take over the Hawthorne Democratic County Committee and provide fresh leadership to what was a lackluster under performing local party. Mayor Domenick Stampone used a combination of establishment support, a strong record of accomplishments, and a diverse ticket to gain over 55% of the vote in a Democratic Primary where he was challenged by a sitting Councilman running with the support of the local municipal leader.
All 3 races had different circumstances sharing a common thread: an injection of new faces and leadership into the Passaic County Democratic Organization. In the short term it is hard to tell how these races will affect the current party leadership.
Chairman John Currie is not reelected until June 2011. His record has been strong, going a decade without losing a countywide race. But after a lackluster 2009 cycle where all 4 of his candidates lost, his fate will surely be judged by the electoral outcome of Sheriff Jerry Speziale and Freeholders Terry Duffy and Pat Lepore in November. Losses in any of these races will surely spark a challenge to his Chairmanship. Regardless of November's outcome, the Chairman will be dealing with an energized County Committee looking to bring a fresh approach to the party apparatus.
But the biggest lesson we should all take from the events in Passaic County is if you want to make a difference, get off this site and start organizing. Start attending your local DFA-NJ meetings. Join the County Committee in your town or engage local leaders. You'd be amazed how quickly you can get intertwined in the local political scene. Writing on Blue Jersey, although a good start, is not enough. As Jeff proved, change starts at the bottom.
(Full Disclosure: I was a paid consultant for Haledon Mayor Domenick Stampone's primary campaign and will be working for him through the general election.)
I have some relatives in Hawthorne - some of whom happen to be Republican and others who happen to be Democrats. Most of them are pretty politically active, and (really, coincidentally) we are closer with those who are Democrats - but that really really isn't the reason why at all.
My wife's grandfather frequently gives me copies of the Mother Jones magazines or other politically "newsy" items, and I've seen the Hawthorne Press lying around at times (yes, he does read right leaning papers, especially since it is local news). They knew that our own Jeff Gardner was spearheading what turned out to be a phenomenally and overwhelming victory this past week as well.
In the Passaic County borough of Hawthorne, a major coup occurred. Democratic state Sen. John A. Girgenti was walloped in his home town. He was backing a 26-person slate for Hawthorne Democratic Committee; 19 of his people were defeated. The big winner was Jeff Gardner, a vice chairman of Garden State Equality. His slate won the 19 seats.
W00t!
But back to that Hawthorne Press I noted above. In it (or really, on the front page) was an article about the "Stunning upset" of Girgenti - with more choice comments below:
In a stunning upset, the Democrats for Hawthorne took a majority of the county committee seats in Tuesday's Primary Election, marking the end of Senator John Girgenti's reign as Democratic Municipal Leader. The Girgenti slate, running on the Passaic County Democratic Organization line, took only seven out of 26 votes.
Girgenti's likely successor, Jeff Gardner, was ecstatic about the results for the Democrats for Hawthorne team. "We're really excited for the future of the Democratic Party in Hawthorne," he said yesterday morning. Gardner said he was especially pleased "that almost 1000 Democrats came out to vote in a Primary Election. This is an unprecedented turnout for Democrats in Hawthorne." Gardner said, "We're looking forward to uniting the party for victory in November with our winning candidate, Paul Cantello."
...
The Democratic Municipal Committee will convene on Monday to elect a borough leader and Gardner, with 19 votes in his pocket, expects to be Girgenti's successor.
Just one more reason to give both Jeff Gardner and the entire "Democrats for Hawthorne" team - including Paul Cantello of course - another standing ovation.
Update 6/10/10 - The vote-by-mail results have been counted and have not altered Tuesday night's outcome of this election. Jeff has a majority of county committee members, and the party election for new municipal chair in Hawthorne must take place by Tuesday.
Update: Jeff Gardner is the new Democratic Municipal Chair of Hawthorne, NJ.
Jeff Gardner is now well-positioned to become the next Democratic Municipal Chair of his hometown of Hawthorne (Passaic), having just prevailed over longtime Municipal Chair Senator John Girgenti in a party contest for county committee seats. Voting machine results show Jeff's slate won 19 of 26 seats, to Girgenti's 7 seats. Still to be counted, however, are at least 79 vote-by-mail ballots, which could still change that equation. So, it's going to be a late night in Hawthorne, which may spill into tomorrow before the obvious trend is certified as a clear win.
During this campaign, Girgenti's team employed disreputable tactics against the upstart party reformers led by Jeff, including sending out a mailer with a snarling police dog, an ugly chain link fence and the headline: Beware of Fake Democrats, accusing Jeff's Democrats for Hawthorne team of being secret Republicans. In fact, something like the opposite was true, as GOP stalwarts in Hawthorne seemed uncomfortable enough at the idea of change that they inserted themselves into the Democratic primary as something quite more than mere bystanders.
But assumption of voter loyalty and contempt for challengers of your own party are no substitute for shoe leather and fresh ideas.
Jeff and the team behind him showed how it's done. His people - who include bluestatejoe - simply and plainly did their work. They were out weekends, and evenings meeting voters, laying out their plans to fellow Democrats and engaging them in the changes to come. Also a factor in Jeff's win was the Democracy for America group he leads in Passaic County, which meets in Hawthorne, enthusiastically supports the primary process, and contributed labor and ideas to the Hawthorne party reformers.
Congratulations, Jeff. Congratulations Democrats for Hawthorne. Next comes the reorganization meeting, and the election of a new Municipal Chair. You earned change. Can't wait to watch you make it. And I hope you have Glee Tivo'd.
Well this should be fun. Jeff is on the ballot today in his primary election (Good Luck), so Jack Bohrer (JRB) will join us once again this week as my co-host, but there's a twist. Jack is in Chicago now covering the Rod Blagojevich trial for Esquire magazine. You can see his first piece here.
In addition, we'll cover all the latest NJ news as we head toward the budget deadline and the Governor continues his power grabs.
Have questions or comments of your own, drop 'em in the comments, then tune in and join the conversation! And, of course - you can always give us a call and have your say. That number again is: 646-652-2773.
This attack piece landed today, accusing the Democrats for Hawthorne of secretly being Republicans. It's a bit of a ridiculous notion considering how well-known our slate is as longtime active democrats - they may as well accuse us of being from Mars. But, I guess when you're willing to spend anything on a county committee race, I suppose you'd be willing to say anything too.
My caption: If their team is as desperate as this dog is scary, we're looking pretty good.
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls.
This Week: It will be hard to follow up on last week's very nice interview with Deborah Howlett, but we'll do our best. Like most of the country, we've got primaries on our minds after last week's stunning outcomes by Joe Sestak and Bill Halter. Are there any primary upsets brewing here in New Jersey? We'll be finding out very soon, and tonight we'll be talking about some of the more notable ones. (Um, like this one.)
Plus - as a government shutdown is taken off the table faster than you can say "Hey, Jeff predicted that almost 2 months ago!" - we'll recap the latest in the Trenton budget wars.
Something special on your mind? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and maybe we can have some fun with them on air. Or, feel free to give us a call tonight, and share what's on your mind. Remember, it's all LIVE, so don't be afraid - join us!
Jeff Gardner makes his triumphant return to Blue Jersey Radio this week. Thanks to JRB, who admirably kept his seat warm as my co-host for the last two weeks, but something tells me now that Jeff has returned, he will have alot to say.
Not only is Jeff back, but we have a special guest in Deb Howlett, the newly named Executive Director for New Jersey Policy Perspective. Rosi gave us a little more information about her in the post announcing her new role:
Deborah was Director of Communications for Gov. Corzine, and was a player in his administration's efforts to pass Marriage Equality. She comes from the world of writing, and reporting, as an award-winning political reporter for the Star Ledger, and before that several roles at USA Today. And was nominated for a Pulitizer Prize in 1996.
We're looking forward to the conversation with Deb. It's all LIVE tonight at 8:00 p.m. Have questions or comments of your own, drop 'em in the comments, then tune in and join the conversation! And, of course - you can always give us a call and have your say. That number again is: 646-652-2773.
Zerlina blogs as Lady Z at The Urban Politico, a blog I like a lot. She's a founder, and the manager. And she just started blogging in September.
The Urban Politico's a 4-person team, in NJ, Philly & D.C. - one a lawyer, one in state government and the other working in D.C. Zerlina's works as a paralegal by day, and attends Rutgers Law School, Newark as a night student. She's "the most liberal" of the four, says they talk all day long, and often collaborate on diaries. And they weigh in on each other's posts with "2 cents" reactions that broaden the conversation. Some of those conversations go on for a days, like the question, Is Gay the New Black?
Zerlina's a fellow at New Leaders Council, and was an organizer posted in Virginia for the Obama campaign, but says her blog chops come from heavy on-line reading after college (Tufts, she's 28). Before she found blogging, she shipped op-eds she found to friends via facebook. She's always been the person "everybody goes to for news."
Best way to describe Netroots Nation is blogger heaven. A couple thousand extraordinarily smart and opinionated people under one roof all at the same time to confab and, uh, seriously party. Speakers lineup isn't out year, but Senator Al Franken (damn, that still sounds awesome) is closing, and last year's speakers included Bill Clinton, Howard Dean, and Valerie Jarrett. Anybody can go, but the DFA NN10 scholars get most of their expenses paid (want to help contribute to that?), an extraordinary thing DFA does. Want to see what a winning application looks like? Here are the Round One winners. May 23's the deadline for Round Two.
I'll be at Netroots Nation. So will Adam. And Lady Z. You coming?
