April 6, 2008 - 11:16am
The GOP mess: Crowley won't run; Unanue is reconsidering
By EditorJohn Crowley will not seek the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, and Andy Unanue is now reconsidering his decision to drop out of the race, as Republicans continue their quest to find a candidate to face off against the winner of the Frank Lautenberg vs. Rob Andrews primary.
Crowley, who wanted to run, has been unable to transition out of his role as President and CEO of Amicus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. He had announced last Monday that he would not run, and then reconsidered after GOP presidential candidate John McCain and NRSC Chairman John Ensign called and encouraged his candidacy.
Unanue, the millionaire heir to the Goya Foods fortune, appeared to be the leading candidate two weeks ago when, at the urging of several top party leaders, he entered the race on Easter Sunday. But his Senate bid suffered a series of setbacks: news that he lived in New York City, allegations associated with his firing at Goya, a drunk driving conviction, and his refusal to shorten his Vail ski trip to introduce himself to party leaders and voters. Unanue is still in Colorado.
The likely front runner now is State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio, a Morris County Republican who has won organization support in Bergen, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, Salem and Somerset counties. But national Republicans and several key state GOP leaders have been reluctant to back Pennacchio because of his perceived inability to raise the millions of dollars needed to mount a credible general election campaign, and because of issues relating to a controversial 94-page manifesto he wrote in 1991 that, among other things, suggested government camps for the homeless and the elimination of Medicaid.
A fourth candidate, Ramapo College Professor Murray Sabrin, the leader of the New Jersey Ron Paul for President campaign, has the organization line in Gloucester County. But Sabrin, the 1997 Libertarian candidate for Governor, is not considered a viable choice by establishment Republicans. Yesterday, conservative leader Steve Lonegan cancelled his appearance at a Sabrin fundraiser in protest of the negative tone the Sabrin campaign has taken.
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May 9, 2008
"In television, it's called 'jumping the shark.' A plot device designed to bolster declining ratings, the phrase refers to an episode of the sitcom 'Happy Days.'The sitcom's popularity was waning, so the character Fonzie jumps over killer fish in his motorcycle. Republican Murray Sabrin is running for U.S. Senate. His self-determined moniker is 'Maverick Murray.' If that's a stretch, calling Sabrin 'The Fonz' is practically Gumby-esque. But Sabrin, sans 'hog' and leather jacket, is jumping the shark." -- The Record's Alfred Doblin
-The Record, 05/09/08
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In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Republican candidates differ on abortion― Star-Ledger
Zimmer puts emphasis on fiscal stance― Courier-Post
Andrews complains about lack of debating time with Lautenberg― PolitickerNJ.com
Tax water, don't hike tolls, lawmakers say― The Record
Cresitello's campaign must offer a chockful― The Daily Record
Lautenberg accepts 101.5 debate with Andrews and Cresitello― PolitickerNJ.com
Jersey Democrats call for party unity― Star-Ledger
Lautenberg agrees to debate Andrews on public television― The Inquirer
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Syndicate
Manifestos...
What the heck is it with these guys writing manifestos all of the time? Isn't this like the second or third one to come back and bite a candidate this year?
I'm waiting for the State Republican Party to have what alcoholics call a 'moment of clarity' and realie what the heck it is that they are doing wrong.
Political Meteorology
Have Baroni, O'Toole and Ortiz figured out which way the wind is blowing?
complete and utter failure.
This is beyond embarassing. I wonder how Unanue is going to submit the 1,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot? Or is the GOP going to pull a fast one, take whatever signatures they got for Crowley, and change the cover sheet on the petition to say Unanue?
I can see the Republicans trying to beat the system in this manner, though I tell you what, If I signed for John Crowley, and found out my signature was used to get Unanue on the ballot, I would IMMIDIATELY withdraw from the Republican Party, and perhaps file a lawsuit against the circulator who lied to the Notary, claiming they secured my signature.
That would be fraud, on one of the highest levels, and surely a sign that the Republican's are just as morally bankrupt as the Democrats, not to mention Lautenburg would own the race and the issue, especially in the court of public opinion.
J.
Check Out: http://jdouglasfisher.blogspot.com
A.J. Sparxx for US Senate
'The Commish', A.J. Sparxx, once Pro-Wrestling's Law & Order is now the Republican Party's Law & Order candidate, as he announces his candidacy for the US Senate race.
http://www.gopusanj.com/wordpress/?p=1685
Stick to Your Intention
Unanue: stick with what you were going to do and drop out. Please. For the sake of the GOP, stick to beans.
Come back to us, Andy!
Oh, please let us run against a fraudulent voter whose own family kicked him our of his company. It'll make things so much easier at all levels of the party!
Stupidity beyond recognition
Smart move Crawley, but your future chances are rather gone after this week of I am running - I am not running - I am running again - I am not running again. Ask me some more, ask me some more. Next time get your act together months ahead of the primaries.
Andy "the bean" Unanune wants to come back from his vacations. Do not count on it. Have you ever seen anybody taking such a long vacations (since March 24th)? Doesn't this guy has a business to run? Please, make us happy and drop out of this pathetic campaign.
That leaves us with two guys we started with: Jersey Joke and Dr. Sabrin. Jersey Joke is just a joke at this point. That leaves Dr. Sabrin alone. Apparently, he "is not considered a viable choice by establishment Republicans." Therefore, the establishment Republicans such as Tom Wilson, back in the USSR Chairmen, and others unnamed are willing to drive the NJ GOP off the cliff to satisfy their egos. However, maybe that was the deal with NJ Democrats in return for jobs and contracts. However, even NJ Democrats have their own plans versus Frank. So do not count on Democrats anymore. They do not care about GOP anymore.
Let's move on with Dr. Sabrin. Shall we?
In response to Wiel
No thank you.
Murray
the only one who will help get us out of Iraq and the economic mess. He can be way more credible on these issues than either Democrat, the provincial Pennachio, or Unanue who still takes no stands. The GOP could grow by leaps and bounds by putting forward someone with Sabrin's ideas.
Bad Ideas + Crazy Methods = Bad Candidate
Murray is too out of control to be considered a serious candidate. He has some good ideas, but the bad ones are just too way out there.
Nothing wrong with being tough on an opponent (especially if it was "Louse"nBerg" , but showing some class is also important.
The antics shown by him and his followers are reason enough to move on to another candidate.
Joe Pennachio will win the primary by working hard , he will win over the voters, who ultimately decide everything, not the bosses.
A Mess Now and a Mess Later..unless
Sabrins so called "crazy" ideas were once part of the Republican platform.
Read "Conscience of a Conservative" by Goldwater. Reagan in his memoirs revealed he was inspired to run for office because of this book.
The Republican party held dear the idea of small limited government, free markets, strong borders, strong national defense, balanced budgets, personal responsibilty and self reliance.
The "Crazy" part is we have left all that behind and let the party lean much more to the left.
Know what would be a "Bad" idea? Not taking the courage to vote for a true conservative and take back the Republican party.
With the economy going from bad to worse and mark my words it will get worse. Sabrins message will resonate much stronger and the over taxed, over regulated NJ voter will say good by to Lautenburg.