Currie: time to re-engage the suburbs
By Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter
The stunner of the night in North Jersey for Democrats was the loss of their county ticket, the Kazmark-Way-Gomez-Stampone team that suffered the downside of a squeaker to the Corrado-Marratoa-O'Connell-Ciambrone team.
Democratic Party Chairman John Currie takes solace in the fact that incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine defeated Chris Christie here by a vote of 51 to 44% - solace that was shattered by evening's end when Corzine lost statewide.
But of most pressing concern to veteran county man Currie was the win by Republican clerk candidate Kristin Corrado over Democrat Keith Kazmark, 51.91% to 48.09% and the fall of three freeholder candidates, including incumbent rising star (and potential LG candidate) Freeholder Director Tahesha Way.
With provisionals not yet in, Way is losing to Ciambrone by 1400 votes.
"We knew it was going to be tough," said Currie. "My candidates were not complacent and I am proud of the campaign I ran for them. Passaic is always the battleground when you consider that it is made up of cities and suburbs, and we did lose ground in the suburbs. We still control county government, but it's clear we must work on rebuilding in the suburbs."
The economy beat the incumbents, from Corzine down, in Currie's view.
"I just think people took the effects of the economy out on incumbents," said the county party chair. "Tahesha did a fantastic job as freeholder and director; I bet we outspent the Republicans 5-1, but people are upset. I would have liked better turnout in Paterson, but it wasn't bad. We just need to improve in the suburbs."
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Finally
I was thrilled and in total disbelief that the Republican won in Passaic cty. The county has been horribly managed for years and years. We have endured double digit tax increases year after year only to have the public re-elect the 7-0 Democratic freeholder board. It was if the county residents never held them accountable. I guess that changed yesterday. I just hope that the GOP factions put their petty disagreements aside and do this again next year!!!!
Currie is tired...
....and his leadership skills are iffy. maybe it's time for someone who's younger and more vigorous and tech savvy to lead the charge for a while?
No one's at the top of their game forever.
Time to pay attention to the people who are paying
for all this welfare...It just goes to show that in NJ we will throw you out if you forget what you are doing. By focusing on the cities and forgetting the suburbs, you basically make the 'paying class' in NJ very mad as the urban areas are on life support and could not support themselves without taking tax monies from all over the state. In NJ, people dont realize so much that you are not just paying for Newark, and Camden, but also for Trenton, Paterson, Passaic, Plainfield, Vineland, etc...It all comes out of your pocket. So let the politicians forget who foots the bill, and we will show them a new career path...TAKE NOTICE...
Republicans
Because of the Republican win in Passaic I would not expect changes there. Surely the constant increase of taxes there would still be present and carried by the public. Many individuals have fallen in big debts because of these taxes, taxes that are much more high than they are earning. I think the place and the community must make future repair in their debts. If you're looking to get rid of debt- good for you, and how a lot of people do that is through debt consolidation loans. Debt consolidation loans make it so that people can bring all of their loans under one payment. One payment a month – whether its secured loans or not, or if you have collateral, whatever, it's a good way to get creditors off your back and make an effort to get free of all debt; to no longer have to worry about the credit cards, student loans or other debts that are weighing you down. Be cautious when applying for debt consolidation loans, as with any other tool it's to be used responsibly.
Car Salesman...
I think that the Passaic Democratic Chairman will have fewer and fewer successes in the suburbs...I recently saw an ugly situation at a parade in Pompton Lakes with Mr Currie, Sheriff Speziale and their goons. It didn't make for such a positive suburban image improver!
Currie should stick to selling cars.