REPUBLICAN GROUP SAYS REBUILDING STARTS NOW; CALLS ON RUMANA FOR POST MORTEM MEETING

By horatio

GOP STRONG

Fighting For Republican Victories

Mike Mecca -201-852-1067

Ramaglia 201-697-7699

PASSAIC COUNTY Nov.12, 2008 -- Following another disappointing election season for New Jersey Republicans, its time for conservatives to work on crafting a message that will help the Republican Party regain representation in municipal, county and state offices next year, say the leaders of GOP Strong, a Republican political action committee based in Passaic County.

“Our party needs to reinvigorated and re-energized. We don’t need cheerleading, we need ideas that represent sound alternatives to the Democrats’ continued spending and wasting taxpayer dollars, “ said GOP Strong co chair Michael Ramaglia.

“So far the GOP leadership in this state has been unimpressive and uninspiring and that is especially true in Passaic County,” added Ramaglia, a West Milford resident.

“There are issues such as affordable housing mandates, falling state revenue and the inequality of education aid that need to be addressed by Republicans – but its’ not being done.”

Ramaglia noted that GOP Strong has been the only organization offering alternatives on the state’s affordable housing mandates.

“The Republican Party can’t be afraid to be bold in embracing new ideas or condemning the failing policies of the Democrats. We have to give voters something to rally around. GOP Strong is willing to help develop those ideas that inspire voters,” said Ramaglia

GOP Strong Co-Chairman Michael Mecca said the Passaic County Republican Chairman Scott Rumana should call for a post-mortem meeting to discuss the party’s poor performance on Election Day

“Certainly, a lot of the problem on Election Day was due to the lackluster performance at the top of the ticket, but there is a great benefit to calling a meeting to discuss what went wrong, what went right and how we can prepare for better results next year,” said Mecca.

“2009 is a crucial year for New Jersey Republicans. We have a chance to elect a governor and strong conservative Assembly. But to achieve those goals, we must be better prepared on the issues, better organized better funded,” said Mecca.

"To be competitive next year we need to start now examining the failings of the county organization and how we can call on resources – from both inside and outside Passaic County – to make the party stronger,” said Mecca

GOP Strong co chair Robert Fass of Wayne, said economic and business concerns must be paramount for the GOP.

“We need a pro business agenda. We can’t sit back and wait for the Democrats to do it and then take potshots at it. Business is horrible in New Jersey. How do we make it better?"

Ann Marie Pusterla the fourth GOP Strong co chair said the Party has to start addressing issues that appeal to middle class woman struggling to run households in these tough economic times.

“With so much of the media and government focus on failing businesses or the problems of cities; suburban families are getting lost. But people in the suburbs are struggling and fearful and the Republican Party has to recognize that and develop a way to help those families too.

“The party needs to address the way the state has been directing less aid to suburban towns while pouring billions into urban areas. Someone in the Republican Party must have the courage to tackle that inequity.”

HORATIO can be reached via email at thom55@verizon.net.

Related topics: GOP STRONG, Ramaglia, MECCA, Rumana

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