Max Pizarro's blog

A riverboat welcome.: Politicker photo 

MINNEAPOLIS - If the Democratic National Convention provided a simple conflict-resolution storyline, the Republican counterpart took the shape of a Quentin Tarentino script in comparison, with a hurricane threatening to throw everything off and the New Jersey delegation heading out on a river boat cruise anyway and doing relief work in the morning, and protest actions punctuating the streets.

All against the backdrop of McCain/Palin.

Despite a gaffe-filled Tuesday production, with Jo Ann Davidson, co chair of the Republican National Committee, referring to Alaska Gov. Sarah "Pawlenty," and a trio of gray or white-haired prime time speech-makers, including an unpopular sitting president and a former Democrat, hardly igniting the New Jersey delegates.

Tear gas cartridges hit the pavement outside the Xcel Center

"The protesters are all in here fighting with police," said the cabby on the way out of the downtown.

Former Gov. Thomas Kean and Scott Morrison of Camden County at the Hilton: Politicker photo

MINNEAPOLIS - From Hurricaine Gustav, to the Labor Day late night cruise with the Crowleys, to Bush cringe, to the Sarah Palin story, to the Blue Grille Bar in the Hilton, to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) and back to the Blue Grille, and back to the East, New Jersey Republicans led by State Chairman Tom Wilson forged a convention of small but diehard members. 

MINNEAPOLIS - The names stand out from recent years - Connors and Littell - Republican families who fielded a father and son, or father and daughter, in the same legislative district.

Now the Buccos hope to join that crowd, as 46-year old Tony, Jr., son of Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) announced this week his intentions to pursue the 25th legislative seat, which Assemblyman Richard Merkt (D-Randolph) will vacate next year when he retires to run for governor.

Bucco will have to go through at least one fellow Republican, Morris County Freeholder Doug Cabana, who also announced that he will run for the same seat next year.

For his part, Bucco’s eager early to get around the nepotism charge.

"I’ve always been my own person," said Bucco, Jr., who for 20 years has served as an attorney representing local governments.

Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex).: Politicker file photo 

MINNEAPOLIS - It’s several hours until Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) takes the stage downtown at the Xcel Center and one of his supporters sits in a hotel where the New Jersey delegation is housed, and he reflects on the years he’s spent in support of this man who would be president.

Soon he will again observe McCain in person.

State Sen. Kevin O’Toole (R-Essex), a state campaign co-chair for McCain, goes back to 2000 in his support. But it was during the 2008 Republican presidential primary that he deepened his respect for the Arizona senator and recognized up close what he sees as McCain’s particular leadership qualities.

"He came into Hamilton - and look, I’ve been in politics going back to 1984, I’ve been around presidents and the rest of it, it’s heady stuff - but we were sitting in the back of a bus that day in Hamilton: Baroni, and Sean Kean and others who have long supported McCain," O’Toole says. "Lindsay Graham and Joe Lieberman were there, and so was John McCain."

The presidential candidate talked strategy, and seated with him, O’Toole, the Essex County political insider who came up in politics the hard way, says unabashedly that he felt he was in the presence of greatness.

MINNEAPOLIS - Already the subject of an FBI probe into his party activities, Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero is now being investigated by prosecutors for allegedly assaulting a woman who was a guest at a barbecue at his house, according to the Star-Ledger.

The Ledger reports that the incident is alleged to have occurred on Labor Day at Ferriero's home in Old Tappan, according to the Ledger’s sources, "who requested anonymity because of an ongoing investigation by prosecutors."

Ferreiro's lawyer denies it happened.

"There is absolutely no truth to the allegation that Joseph Ferriero engaged in any inappropriate conduct towards a guest at a family barbecue over the Labor Day weekend at his home," attorney Joseph Hayden, told the Ledger. "This was a family event hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Ferriero and their children, which was attended by friends of all members of the family. The Ferriero's host this event for friends and family every year."

According to The Record, a Superior Court clerk in Bergen County described the allegation as a "sexual charge."

MINNEAPOLIS - Tom Bruno, candidate for CWA Local 1040, plans to appeal a decision today by the local’s election committee, which rejected his candidacy based on the fact that three of his petitions did not display the date.

"I’m three names shy of the necessary number of names," Bruno told PolitickerNJ.com. "They just called me to notify me. Every three years for the last 27 years, they’ve not required names. That’s a bylaws issue. They can’t arbitrarily change the bylaws."

Bruno plans to appeal to the election committee, then to the executive board and to the national organization, if necessary.

MINNEAPOLIS - The governor’s office issued a brief statement today shortly after U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) officially declared his intention to run again for U.S. Congress in the First Congressional District.

"The governor fully supports Congressman Andrews’s decision to run for re-election," said Corzine spokesman Robert Corrales. "Congressman Andrews has an exceptional understanding of public policy and has a long and distinguished record serving his district and the State. The governor values his leadership and looks forward to continue working with the congressman on issues that will improve the quality of life for all New Jerseyans."

**UPDATED

MINNEAPOLIS - Three more Republican county chairs today affirmed their support for Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Parsippany-Troy Hills), who announced this week that he intends to pursue another term next year as party leader.

Rick Wright, executive director of the Assembly Republicans, said the following chairs indicated they want the 72-year old DeCroce to remain as minority leader: Essex Chairman\Sen. Kevin O’Toole (R-Essex), Monmouth Chairman Joe Oxley, and Passaic Chairman\Assemblyman Scott Rumana (R-Wayne).

Somerset County Chairman Dale Florio told PolitickerNJ.com that he wants to talk to conference leader Assemblyman Pete Biondi (R-Somerville).

"Whatever Pete decides to do, I'm going to support him," says Florio.

MINNEAPOLIS - Newarkers will welcome New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to the North Ward on Sept. 6, to campaign for presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

Set to appear at the Flamboyan Manor on Saturday afternoon, Richardson will be joined by U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-West New York), state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, and other elected officials, according to Andrews Poag, spokesman for the Obama campaign.

MINNEAPOLIS - Challenging the sitting president of CWA Local 1040, Tom Bruno says he is confident that the local’s election committee will rule in his favor either today or tomorrow in a case concerning the validity of his petition signatures.

The local requires 200 signatures to get on the ballot. On Tuesday, self-styled reform candidate Bruno turned in his petitions to challenge long-serving President Carolyn Wade.

Three of his petitions don’t have dates on them, and the committee is presently reviewing the situation.

"I’ve been with the union 27 years and I’ve never known about the date requirement," said Bruno. "I’d be glad to add the requirement to the bylaws, but at present our bylaws don’t require a date. The bottom line is that any change to the bylaws requires a vote by the delegates."