Puharic hopes for Bush visit

By Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- While many pundits say President Bush’s absence from the Republican National Convention is a political blessing, former Monmouth County Republican Chairman Adam Puharic remains hopeful that he’ll still make an appearance.

“I was born into leadership under George W. Bush. His presidency invigorated me,” said Puharic, a 37-year-old insurance broker who describes himself as the “youngest senior stateman in Monmouth County.

“I hope he stops by,” he said.

Puharic has been enjoying some down time with his family since stepping down in June to be replaced by former sheriff Joseph Oxley. This is the first major political event he’s attended since then, although he’s stayed involved in Monmouth politics.

“I’m being respectful of the new chairman. I’m allowing him to make decisions, and I’m not going to look over his shoulder and second-guess him.”

Like most Republicans here, Puharic said he’s “charged up” about John McCain’s pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for Vice President.

“My wife called me. She was genuinely excited and rattled off my bio. My wife is a loyal Republican but not overtly political, so I knew that something had happened, and I think that for us in New Jersey and especially New Jersey,” said Puharic.

MATT FRIEDMAN is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at matt@politicsnj.com.

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