After a tough two years, Bergen Democrats align solidly behind Corzine's reelection
By Max Pizarro | February 27th, 2009 - 1:08am
Gov. Jon Corzine
HACKENSACK – It was a day of promise nearly two years ago that turned dismal fast, and in retrospect could be read as just one more stage in the unraveling of a party machine, whose new-look leader is now attempting to reverse months of bad news.
On Thursday night, the Bergen County Democratic Organization (BCDO) overwhelmingly endorsed Jon Corzine for another term as governor, thereby kicking into motion the organization’s own official low-drama contribution to Corzine’s inaugural reelection effort.
The governor appeared at the party's convention, and spoke in gratitude.
Bergen's unified front comes 23 months after Corzine attempted to make whole an organization at the brink of what was then yet another battle between state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) and BCDO Chairman Joseph Ferriero.
On April 12, 2007, the governor arrived at BCDO headquarters, and like a benevolent chief summoned to witness the repairing of two nations, sat between Weinberg and Ferriero as the Bergen boss swore the war was over and promised not to run his ally, Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes, against the independent senator.
That ceremony projected Bergen unity, with both sides indulging in metaphors to pacify a skeptical press corps and wary backers in the opposing camps. “Cinderella finally came to the ball,” Weinberg said of her arrival under a truce at the BCDO nerve center, after the organization’s repeated efforts to oust her. “Loretta, I feel like this is the time when we should step on the glass, like at the end of a Jewish wedding,” Ferriero gushed.
But the moment wouldn’t last, as a series of bad to worse headlines ensued.
Later that April day in south Jersey, Corzine’s SUV vehicle crashed and the governor nearly died.
Several weeks after that, the feds opened a probe into state Sen. Joe Coniglio -who had sat among Ferriero’s organization allies at the unity ceremony - who allegedly steered contracts to Hackensack University Medical Center in exchange for consulting fees. Unable to withstand the negativity vibe, Coniglio dropped his reelection bid.
Later came Ferriero’s own federal indictment on corruption charges.
Then, last fall, another Ferriero ally, state Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge), had his own near-death episode as paramedics rushed him to the hospital to treat him for exhaustion.
Ferriero clung to his chairmanship through months in which party leaders begged him tacitly and otherwise to let go before he gave in at last and relinquished his power to Paramus-based developer Michael Kasparian, an ally - who then weathered his own cold war with a cautious Weinberg before the pair forged peace – for this cycle anyway, as the new boss promised not to run a line against Weinberg’s running mates in the 37th District.
Tonight, both sides lined up behind Corzine, who two long and laborious years ago hoped his own pacification effort would work, but to no real avail, given the subsequent hard luck, convictions, fights and scandals.
Still, a source out of Bergen acknowledged that while the convention at the middle school was “dull,” the classically opposing sides embodied by Weinberg and now Kasparian were together with Corzine at least, in a county where Democrats know the GOP in this gubernatorial election year will seek to exploit every fissure.
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Thank you Gov. Corzine
Thank you Gov. Corzine for gracing our county. With dems at the helm in Bergen County they have kept taxes down and we will be there for you in November. Bergen and the state will be there for Jon S. Corzine.
The Dems in Bergen County are in touch with the working families of this great county!
Can't Democrats Do Better Than Corzine?
I'll only vote for a Democrat, but I am sure that the Democratic Party in NJ can do better than Corzine. If Corzine runs against Christie, polls have him losing 44 - 38. Gee, I wonder why this is.
Liberals remember that he wanted to close state parks, weaken housing and land-use rules, privatize toll roads and NJN TV, increased the tolls on the GSP, and toyed with the idea of introducing nuclear power to NJ.
Can't we find a better Democrat than this?
They gave him premature support
The BCDO needs a spine and to consider other candidates. Make Corzine run in a primary to remind him that New Jerseyans are unimpressed with mediocrity.
When Will The Check from Mother Corzine Arrive?
The Bergen Dems are bought and paid for...they're gonna go down tied to the anchor that is Corzine
Who Pays?
Who picks up the tab for fuel and protection when Gov. comes for his own political benefit not the peoples? Maybe he should have been up talking about how he will help people not himself.
Bergenoldtimer Mc Nerneys very own Baghdad BOB
what are you smoking ? what meds are you on.? We know that memory loss in oldtimess is bad. But its never ever this bad.
Bergen County Taxes are the highest in NJ. While Mc Nerney plays video poker all day long the Bergen taxpayers continue to suffer.
Are You Guys Kidding?
To the first two respondants to this article, are you guys kidding? Corzine and his Cem majorities in the legislature have killed the state with tax increase after tax increase. Oh, but "Rah, rah, go Corzine!"
"We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work!"
- FDR's Treasure Secretary, Henry Morgenthau, in 1939, on 8 years of New Deal spending as an attempt to end the Great Depression.
This article is a total joke.
Democrats in swing municipalities are running for cover and already making plans to separate themselves from the impending doom of the Corzine disaster.
Notice how almost no one showed up from District 36 and the battleground towns of Carlstadt, East Rutherford, Lyndhurst, Rutherford, No Arlington and alike?
For an insider web site, this sounds like a Bill Maer inspired press release posted word for word!
Of course the BCDO is going to endorse the sitting incumbent. And that's about it. The Democratic incumbents in 37 may embrace his liberal left ways, but legislative incumbents in 36 and 38 are very nervous with having the most unpopular incumbent heading the ticket since Jim Florio.
Many committee people were making that very comparison in small conversation all over the place. Compound that with no money for 39 and two extremely weak freeholder incumbents in O'Brien and Walton, and Kasparian certainly has his work cut out for him.
Vote Column "A"- All the way!
The fix is in
Jon Corzine has bought and paid for the county machines, the whole "county convention" process on the Democratic side is a sham, nothing more.
humbleservant
We all know you hold a grudge against McNerney because you got laid off when he cut the county workforce by 10%. You are not a HUMBLESERVANT, you are a disgruntled public servant.
Corzine endorsed by ... Bergen Democrats. It's a shocker!
Max, you could have done much better. Bergen County Democratic Organization is a bankrupt and demoralized outfit. As far as I can say, there is no opposition among Democrats in the State to incumbent Governor. All those attending, obviously live on the County handouts. BCDO will be waiting for those donations from Corzine’s campaign hoping that he will be able to help out all the local races.
Brainless Lemmings
Brainless Lemmings
Jerseyboy 32
unlike you and your SOPRANOSTATE Friends. I don't take from the NJ taxpayer. Mc Nerney is nothing more than a fraud and a common thief.
humbleservant
i have never been on the public payroll my friend, in 20 years of working. I am in marketing. The fact remains that your credibility has been diminished by your comments. You seem to make some accusation which would make me think you have information. That leads me to one of two conclusions. 1. You are a disgruntled former employee. 2. You are just making things up. Either way, your credibility is diminished. If you are joking, then please save your act for the stand-up circuit.
thank you
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