This basically puts Loretta Weinberg in the Cooperstown of New Jersey politics. Already a hero to progressives, she demonstrated (again) that she has the street smarts & loyal following to take down an organization as well. Even her enemies have to tip their hats. Loretta will go down as one of the best Trenton legislators AND politicians of this decade.

So the poll about box turtles is right out?

Did Ferriero drop his challenge b/c 37th was designated for Clean Elections, or was it already going to happen regardless? what the heck happenned up there?

I'm sure the ambitious Michael Wildes is thrilled about the Chairman's decisions.

Loretta Weinberg wins again....unbelievable. That's two straight where she's stared Ferriero down and he's blinked.

What,  no comment from Natty and Bennie about Wildes having had an epiphany over hanging around with his new buds in Hackensack? What an interesting footnote this will make. Congratulations to Sen. Weinberg, Asm. Johnson, and Asw. Huttle and the Democratic party. 

 ...

"And I keep on fighting for the things I want

'Cause I know that when you're dead you can't

But I'd rather be a free man in my grave

Than living as a puppet or a slave

The harder they come

The harder they fall

One and all"

[c Jimmy Cliff]

Regardless of your politics, those of you who edit this site are very funny. Billy Joel? LOL! Meanwhile, it looks like Loretta "Above a Deal" Weinberg, cut a deal...

Crystal...too many Billys...

what a kick in the teeth to Wildes. At least he can sit in his office and look through his photo album to cheer himself up. After all, he did get his picture taken with former CIA Director George Tenent - that's gotta feel good!

CONGRATULATIONS TO WEINBERG, JOHNSON & HUTTLE for fighting the good fight for all of us "real Democrats"! ! ! I applaud your courage and perseverance in your efforts to restore integrity to government in our area. What will the future hold? Hopefully, more of the same.

I'll give Ferierro "credit" for being smart enough to cut his losses.

Allowing the race to run its course would have exposed the would be "emperor" of the BCDO as a failure.

What intrigues me is that Boss Joe has managed to get Corzine to give him political cover. Maybe the Governor thinks this was his own idea and that he is, somehow, maintaining "party unity"?

The bold faced fact is that Ferierro-ism has no real popular support from ordinary rank and file Democrats. His "victories" are contingent on small turnouts from bought off and/or intimidated "loyalists" who know which side their bread is buttered on AND from good folks who come out to vote the "party line" on auto pilot.

The moment any REAL light or scrutiny is applied to political bossism/pay to play; most rank and fle citizens (of either party) are rightly DISGUSTED by what is revealed.

What's immediately needed is serious "root to branch" reform of the way we finance our campaigns. For starters; ALL pay to play needs to be criminalized and the penalties need to have sharp teeth.

What's needed asap is public financing of all campaigns.  There are ways to do this within the context of the "Buckley vs Vallejo" SC decision.

The practice of legalized bribery can, and must, be criminalized. New Jersey can turn it's reputation from being the most corrupt State in the nation to being the cleanest.

We can do it. The problem isn't really Joe Ferierro. he's just an "opportunistic infection" that is feeding off of a body politic in which the spirit of democracy has been weakened.

If Corzine has any sense at all he will align himself with the PEOPLE of New Jersey as opposed to with the remnants of the old politics of bossism and legalized bribery. 

This little clip from Loretta's kickoff event says it all...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMIGJW9lRWo

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what is Joe doing to Corzine in that picture ???

A. Wispering sweet nothings.......about who knows who

B. Doing a "Mike Tyson bite"

C. About to kiss or lick the ear

Today's charade for Ferriero & friends to save face is just that, and attempt to save face on a badly bungled miscalculation that could have long-term consequences. First, there was no reason to challenge Weinberg. This was her last term and she would have sailed into the sunset had Ferriero not forced the issue and simply waited for her to retire. Second, Ferriero's could not mask his dislike for Huttle who was always the real target in this scenario. All he did was make her a martyr with liberals and position her as the heir apparent to the seat upon Weinberg's departure from elected office. Third, by aligning himself with Mayor Wildes he only antagonized his relationship with Rep. Steve Rothman who has no love for the uber ambitious Wildes. It became very apparent Rothman would take a side against Wildes and Ferriero which would have further damaged the BCDO when the county's highest ranking Democrat was not with them. Fourth, the polling was awful. Nobody knows who Michael Wildes is beyond Englewood and it's no fun going negative on a 74-year old widow and icon of the progressive movement. The BCDO's relationship with Wildes is less than perfect. He was the choice because he could raise money. Period. Now Wildes has lost a convention battle for Assembly and was forced to pull out of a Senate Primary. Hardly the resume that gets you into the Halls of Congress. Just who is advising this guy? Ferriero and BCDO are successfully attempting to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. With Coniglio's political woes, an adversarial relationship with the county newspaper, and an overall feeling of bossism clouding his accomplishments, Ferriero should really reconsider his political advisors who to date are making him look just dumb. The BCDO doesn't have the workers, skill set or talent to beat anyone they choose. They could hardly secure county committee seats last year, what made think they could knock off Weinberg is beyond me.

Wow, what a place. Certainly in the running for the county with the two worst chairs! On one side total incompetentce. On the other side, a degree of competence but total lack of ideals and values. If the BCRO was not so inept, I believe Joe would be revealed as the bullying boob he really is.

Just cause Ferriero is endorsing and pulling it's slate against Loretta & Co. doesn't mean she has to accept it. For weeks I've noted her standing up to Boss Ferriero and the culture of corruption, bossism and pay to play - now she is embracing it? What is she getting out of it? What happens to all those local town people who joined the Loretta column? Are they abandened or are they being asked to walk away. Time to get rid of them all.

Highest elected official? Give me a break. Are they writing this stuff on government time? No one cares what Steve "Empty Suit, How's My Hair?" Rothman thinks about anyone...that is unless you count Steve...he of course cares very much about what he thinks.

Now that Wildes has imploded politically, I guess the talk of running against Rothman will cease and desist. Rothman would have crushed him like a bug. While Ferriero tries to take all credit for Bergen's electoral success, note that when Rothman is on the ballot (98,00,02, 04 and 06), county Democrats also won. That's a far better track record than Torricelli when county Democrats never won with him on or off the ballot. Yeah, I guess Rothman is the "highest ranking Democrat" since he is a congressman. Who do you think is the highest ranking Democrat? Dennis McNerney? Those who have a brain and can thinks for themselves were against the BCDO. Those are 100% dependent upon Ferriero to walk and chew gum were with the BCDO. Which begs the question, why did Wildes run against Weinberg? He gained nothing and only hurt himself politically.

I am proud of my mother. She has endless energy, smarts, and plenty of heart to always fight the good fight. And she loves what she does. Don't "the boys" all realize that? I'm going to encourage her to keep on running...election after election until she is ready to retire on her own terms.

Who keeps records of Rothman's election performance if not Rothman's staff? Man, this is what our taxes pay for, massaging Rothman's massive ego on politicsnj? Anyway, people said Rothman was finished when he was Mayor of Englewood and lost a sure to win race for County Freeholder over ten years ago. Even Rothman believed it, retiring from politics. But then Rothman came back (oh, well). Now Rothman's people spend their time posting that Wildes (who has not even lost at the polls) is imploding...LOL... Rothman can't wait to write an obit. I guess I would too if someone like Wildes with a million to spend was breathing down my neck. And Steve, you're no Loretta Weinberg...many imagine someone with enough to spend (and the right Party connections) would run you down. Guys you're being transparent...get it together or Steve will never move up…like we all wish he would…take our Congressman, please. 

I think your Mom ought to run against Steve Rothman! In fact, politicsnj should run a poll...see what the people think.

Michael Wildes must really be upset.

Ran for Assembly and lost. Runs for the Senate and has to pull out because he was about to get clobbered.

But he still thinks he can beat Steve Rothman who has lost one (1) race in his whole political career while Wildes is now 0-2 for higher office?

Yeah, Rothman lost for freeholder 18 years ago. Since then he's won seven straight elections at the countywide and congressional levels.

Memo to Mike: Wait your turn and stop wearing your ambition on your sleeve.

Nobody knows who you are in 37, much less the 9th....

No one likes a NY carpet bagger. You may be able to out finess the people of Englewood, but outside Englewood is a different world. Michael, put away the camera and celebrity photos and welcome to the REAL WORLD.