Rumana had not one, but two public employee's running for Freeholder... This was the press release that Alan put out before the primary... "Freeholder candidate Mike Marotta is employed as the Manager of Construction with the Passaic Valley Water Commission and he is a former Shop Steward and Executive Committee Member of CWA Local # 1032." Seems the GOP has two union officials one with NJEA and one with CWA. Make me feel like my tax dollars would be in good hands. What makes this group any different from the Democrats? NOTHING!

How about loyalty to your principles fool! This is what is wrong with NJ politicians!

First of all, alienating unions is not smart and if that what GOP strong took away from Christie's decision, you missed the message and the intent.

Chris Chistie was not slighting the union, he simply wanted to send the message that he is not seeking union endorsements because at the State's governor, aka the CEO of the State, he will be addressing issues which will affect taxpayers. He has decided that he cannot, on one hand gripe about the weak hand Corzine has in the negotiations with unions and then seek their endorsements.

As usual, the GOP Wrong crowd tries to glom off of other people's ideas or policies and gets it all wrong.

I swear, you guys could crap up a Reagan speech. Thom please, just stick to the PR campaign for the housewife from Wayne.

And before the parade of pinheads who cannot do anything but bash rumana begin their attack, rumana is not a singular decision maker and I don't believe that he actively sought their endorsement.

and why are we interested in the losing candidates' musings and their spokesman's spin? They take credit for every republican policy platform from the birth of conservativism to Lincoln freeing the slaves. Come on, what's next, GOP Strong invents the wheel!?

..to join Republicans Against School Vouchers and Merit Pay ?

Somewhere in Wayne I'd suppose.

You people in Passaic had other choices on June 2nd and elected to nominate liberals to run on the Republican ticket.  Now you complain that one of the nominees will be more loyal to her Union then to what is the neccessary thing to do, eliminate the Union that is destroying the school systems?

LOL machine party hack liberals, you get what you deserve.  In Passaic county and anywhere else you did this.

I am proud to be a part of one of the finest professions there is, a public school teacher. I am just as proud to be the president of the 12000 strong members who are part of the Passaic County Education Associations. To read Mr. Ammirato's comment that would exclude a citizen of this great nation the opportunity to run for office because they are a union member borders on nauseating. Perhaps he would take the vote away from woman or go back to the good old days when only wealthy white men could vote. I would humbly submit that our organization has endorsed qualified candidates from both sides of the aisle, and our members not only pay taxes just like everyone else, but we are also your neighbors, coaches and are as much as the fabric of our towns as anyone else. I would also suggest that our members are a proud and intregal part in the Democratic,Republican,Independents other parties that make up the political landscape of America. If Thom is the best the GOP can do for a political consultant then I fear they are doomed to go the way of the dinosaur.

That's precisely the point. Educators have to live here too, scattered amongst the rest of us non-pensioned civilians. Surely some of you must notice the precarious financial position of the State around you, and the strain your unsustainable current system adds.

I believe we must keep our promises to those in the system that have planned their lives around the contracts that were extended - but phasing out pensions for new hires (perhaps over a 5 year plan to allow those already in the pipeline, who made calculations based on the current arrangements, a smooth transition) is a no-brainer.

From that point on, people choosing to embrace what you correctly term a fine profession, will do so fully aware of the need to factor in the same pensionless future that the vast majority of us face.  Certainly, there are still many rewards, both intrinsic and career-wise, to warrant the profession.

But that aside, the real question is how any self-respecting teacher can be opposed to merit-based considerations? Who does not want to stand proudly behind their work, in the knowledge that they've met or exceeded their professional duties and obligations?

With vouchers, while I am strongly in favor, at least I can see the logic in a fear of sudden competition. But do the majority of teachers really feel that they themselves are beneath the median proficiency at their roles?

I find that hard to believe.