Yudin calls Corzine's hiring of Maer 'desperation'

Bergen County Republican Organization (BCRO) Chairman Bob Yudin reads Gov. Jon Corzine's decision to hire Democratic strategist Bill Maer, a former spokesman for the Bergen County Democratic Organization (BCDO), as one more flailing sign from the incumbent governor.

"This shows the absolute desperate nature of Jon Corzine," said Yudin, referring to a report that the Corzine '09 team bringing Maer into the campaign fold. 

"Bill Maer is the ultimate political hachet man, and this clearly shows Corzine's people will have to do desperate things," the GOP chairman added. "By selecting the former spokesman for the Ferriero organization, they are willing to resort to politics at its filthiest in an attempt to reverse their fortunes. I can't be more emphatic about this. This shows desperation."

Maer's former boss, former BCDO Chairman Joe Ferriero, faces federal corruption charges in court this fall.

Chairman of a massive battleground county where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans, 159,771 to 104,084, but where 225,753 voters call themselves independents, Yudin said GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie's nine-point lead in this morning's Quinnipiac University poll is good news.

"Consider the fact that Corzine is spending a million per week," he said. "For Chris to maintain a lead of nine points shows the rock-hard support he has. As he is not relying on public financing, Corzine can spend tens of millions of dollars - and is. Chris is limited by public financing and can't do any advertising until after Labor Day but he's still up by nine points. It's outrageous that the governor in these ads can't talk about any accomplishments. It's clear that Corzine can't buy this one."