O'Toole aide suggests Wilson resignation
By EditorThe spokesman for two Republican County Chairman running for the Legislature says that GOP State Chairman Tom Wilson should either "demand" the resignation of Bergen County Republican Chairman Guy Talarico, or "someone should be calling on Wilson to step aside."
Thom Ammirato, who works for Assemblyman Kevin O'Toole, the Essex GOP Chairman running for State Senate, and Wayne Mayor Scott Rumana, the Passaic GOP Chairman seeking an Assemby seat, says that "Rome in is buring and Tom Wilson, aka Nero, is fiddling."
"The BCRO has completely disintegrated and its ego-driven chairman is investing party money in a primary battle in District 40, while an ethically compromised Democrat senator in District 36 gets a free ride to victory in November, the BCRO is paying no attention to District 38, where we have Democrat Senator under subpoena," said Ammirato. "We know the BCRO leadership is inept; why must the state GOP leadership be equally incapable of exercising leadership."
Assemblyman David Russo is seeking re-election to a tenth term on a slate with O'Toole and Rumana.
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Syndicate
Bergen County is a Must
Guy Talarico should resign and let someone else work to build up the BCRO. If Republicans are to ever win a statewide election, Bergen must be won.
The Republican State Committee also needs to back a strong candidate that can resonate and gain the support of both the moderate AND conservative wings of the Republican Party. The conservative wing is large and strong, and is largely being ignored by Tom Wilson.
Case in point: In the last primary, Tom Kean, Jr. began running years prior to the primary election. John Ginty, a conservative candidate, was hardly able to get his name on all of the ballots throughout the state. The results? Kean won, but Ginty received 40% of the vote statewide. Can a Republican actually win a statewide election without pleasing the conservative voters?
The answer is no.
Statement Not From O'Toole's Camp
Your readers should be advised that any notion that Kevin O'Toole is calling for Tom Wilson to resign is erroneous. The statements attributed to me in the above story are not reflective of Kevin O'Toole's position on the state Chairman or on Mr. Talarico. There is no official position from the O'Toole camp on Mr. Wilson. And I have offered no official statement on Mr. Wilson. It is however, the belief by some Republicans in Bergen County that there is a need for state leaders to step forward and help redirect the local organizations' efforts away from needless, debilitating and unproductive primary battles and toward more effective campaigns -- especially in District 36 and 38, where Democrats may be vulnerable.  Bergen County is very important to the fortunes of Republicans throughout the state and particularly to the GOP's efforts to regain a state Senate majority. Much could be gained by a successful effort to bring unity to the party.
Thom Ammirato
Editor's Note: Thom Ammirato sent PoliticsNJ.com a written statement on Wilson and Talarico, which he signed. We posted his statement. PoliticsNJ.com never said the statements came from his clients -- we simply identified Ammirato's current employer. Frankly, when an operative signs on as a spokesman for a candidate, and speaks to an issue that relates directly to the race he is in, spin that he was only speaking for himself begins to lack credibility.
A Wilson Fan Speaks Out
As a Wilson supporter, I must admit that I echo these thoughts. I've been wondering where he has been this whole time. This is when we need NJGOP leadership to intervene when a chairman is throwing the game on purpose. Seriously Tom, get involved here.
For the record
In my continuing role as fact-checker.. John Ginty received 24% of the statewide vote in last year's primary.
Give it up
With all the talk of Democratic corruption in NJ, has anyone paused to ask the question as to why Republicans can't even keep their headquarters open. Could it be that once you get past the venom, they have no answers?
Bush's numbers are lower than Nixon's, Tom Wilson for the most part has been AWOL, Jim Whelan is going to win in the 2nd, and the Bergen GOP can't pay rent or keep their phone on.
I seriously doubt that Democratic corruption is the source of the GOP's sad state. It's because there lips are moving, but they say nothing. At this rate, they will lose the 40th as well!
Fact is, regardless who the GOP Chair is, they have no message. That compounded with the intolerance and hate message of the Conservative movement, the Republicans have no chance for success on any level of government--not even school board!
Walkdown dont talk down
Do not mistake BCRO infighting as a sign that Republicans have no message. Have you read the Bergen Record lately ? Where do you want me to start.? Your basic philosophy what's the name again ? got it now " Progressive socialism " ( nowhere to be found in the history of our Republic). This is nothing but corruption, duel office holding, double dipping, lining the pockets of contractors . Your Chairman is the poster child of unethical politics and hypocrisy. Oh and as to intolerance and hate ? there is no room on your side of the isle towards folk who believe that male sodomite marriage is not their cup of tea. Let alone any folk who want to show fidelity to the constitution.
WOW
Where do I start? Correct me if I'm wrong, the only paper that may be more slanted than the Bergen Record is the Trentonian. Your comments prove my point. While people are worried about their property taxes, education,the war and social security, all you mention is the democratic corruption. Lets see now--I did hear about a situation in Monmouth County, Your state chair had an ethical mis-step as well. And oh yeah,Mr. Christie tried to swing the election in Tom Kean's direction. If Democrats are so bad, it should be easy for you guys to elect Republicans, yet here we are. I would call you to talk about all this, but you don't have a phone.
I Stand Corrected
You are correct.
John Ginty received exactly 24.84% of the vote in last years primary. However, my point is still valid...receiving just about 25% of the Republican Primary Vote when you are really a no name candidate running against a candidate who campaigned for a year is still a pretty good showing.
To put it in different perspective, take out 25% of the Republican vote for Tom Kean in the general election and he has a real hard time winning.
Thank you for keeping me honest and accurate in my statistics.
IS THIS WEBSITE CREATING CONFLICTS?
Isn't Kushner's son the new owner of this site?Â
It seems that the big stories now are frequently centered on one R making statements about another R.
Divide and conquer?
Last time I checked Kushner was a D.
This site seems more and more to just be a rumor mill to cause trouble for Republicans and to keep them busy fighting themselves instead of the Democrats.. Pretty smart, but people are starting to notice the bias.
Maybe one R should call another R to see if the claims posted here are really true before each gets out their club and beats the other up.
This isn't PoliticsNJ's fault
Leaving this site as the culprit is a bit misleading; it was covering the infighting before the purchase, as was the Record. I wrote about these problems on my blog yesterday, and really they seem to have kicked into high gear back with the Republicans for Conservative Leadership insurrection in 2003, but it was starting back in '96 when I interned for the BCRO, if not before then.
People told me what types of folks were working toward leadership, what they thought would happen if they got it, and I didn't believe them until I moved home back home and saw what had happened. They were right.
When people place personal and philosophical loyalty, especially when it's a philosophy that doesn't fly in the general, above the ability to win an election you're going to lose elections and donors. If the BCRO gets back to its roots, it will be just fine and property taxpayers from Bergen will be better off. But when it's chaired by the only "Mountain Man" outside of the northwest part of the state, and keeps running candidates giving voters the choice between no service and paying more for service than they have to because of pay-to-play, voters are going to pick the service. When that happens enough times, by wide enough margins, the donation flywheel comes to a halt.Â
From everything I've read about Papa Joe's fundraising seminars, lists, etc., that was all stuff the BCRO had ten years ago. It was more advanced than the one I dealt with at another internship out in Michigan, and that database was considered the best in the Midwest. If it's not still there, somebody really has some explaining to do.
Walkdown has some points....
Walkdown- I am a committed Republican but u are right that often the GOP message is muddled and invokes no emotional response, whereas the populist message most NJ Democrats run on does. Here's a few issues that I as a conservative believe the NJGOP needs to endorse: 1) Urban Renewal: Boost police protection in cities to protect working-class families. Create a well-known PR program and tax incentives for investment. Go to ethnic neighborhoods and promote choice. 2) Road construction. Most NJers are sick of traffic, so call on a state-federal partnership for new highways in areas where speeds are maximum 40 miles per hour, as well as tax incentives for smart growth in these areas. 3) Crime. Crime is going up under the Democrats, so call for a real crackdown and challenge Democrats for not using the death penalty which most people will back if sold right. 4)Taxes. Not in the class warfare since which Democrats will exploit to their advantage, but create credits that will help the state and be appealing to swing voters. These are just some to start.
WALK DOWN THE CORRUPT LANE
Hey
 Lets see Corruption?
Coniglio (Funnelled money to Hackensack Med Center for a Plumbing Contract? Bryant (No Show UMD NJ Camnden)? Sarlo (ENCAP)? McGreesy (Macchavelli)?
We are talking about NJ State Politics not the Bush Administration and the WAR or SS.
Our taxes are out of control!!
Oh winning elections? Lets see? your guys, Move a ton of money from Camden to take Bergen and (SUPER) out spend the R's? OR take a look at the ELEC contributions and see the contracts D contributors get. Go on take a look WALKDOWN??
 So keep talking about lofty national issues and get people of NJ to see whats going on in our own backyard. I wonder if you have a county job?
Why dont you tell us what you do?
WHAT I DO
I work at a private equity firm. No public job here! U guys don't pay enough. Last time I checked, education and property taxes r very much a local & state issues.
I notice u did not reference 1 successful GOP statewide effort. Oh wait--u can't. It's a bit disingenuous 2 blame Democratric corruption on Republican failures. Grow up and develope a plattform. Blaming Dems 4 everything just does not work. Don't take my word 4 it, ask Tom Kean
Oh, by the way--I c u r not claiming our distiguished president. I do understand your anger--it's going 2 take years 4 u guys 2 rebuild.
Great
So now that we somewhat agree on issues, especially taxation.
But can you explain the vast amount of issues with NJ candiates?
Your not answering the question do you support your State party
leaders?
Mr. SPEEDEY Seatbelt Corzine,
Mr. Real Estate Scandal Mcgreedy,
Mr Coniglio,
Mr. BryantÂ
Oh how is Sharpe James doing?
Explain the mess in Camden?
TELL ME WHY ENCAP IS SO GOOD FOR SOUTHERN BERGEN, NICE FLOODS WE HAD RECENTLY. NICE PUT 4,000 HOMES ONTOP OF A CONTAMINATED DUMP AND BLOCK THE WATER DRAINAGE ON MORE LAND.Â
Tell me WHY THE HELL OUR STATE BUDGET WENT OUT OF CONTROL UNDER YOUR PARTIES LEADERSHIP!
TELL ME WHY SENATOR MENENDEZ AND LOUSYBERG SUPPORTED CENSORSHIP OF ALL GRASS ROOTS MOVEMENTS.
TELL ME WHY MENENDEZ GOT FAR ABOVE THE AVERAGE $$$ FOR HIS RENTAL UNITS FROM AN ORGANIZATION HE HAD THE TAXPAYERS SUPPORT!
TELL ME WHY PELOSI WAS PLAYING FOOTSIE WITH A MADMAN WHO IS KILLING OUR TROOPS!
TELL MY WHY MR. HOLLYWOOD GORE CAN NOT PRACTICE WHAT HE PREACHES.
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS AND CHECK YOUR FACTS!
I'M DONE WASTING MY TIME WITH YOU, I'LL SPEAK FACTS AND YOU ARE ALL RHETORIC. I'LL NAME THE NAMES, I'LL TELL U WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO US
AND YOU PONTIFICATE GARBAGE.
Walkdown has Nothing
Its funny and sad.... The Bergen Record is the most liberal newspaper second to the New York Times in the tri state area, and they are sick and tired of the blatent ethics violations in Bergen. This is almost as funny as Mc Greevy teaching law and ethics, he would be lucky to get a job as a restroom attendant on Fire Island. Both yourself and Corzine making $$$ in the private equity market while telling Joe & Jane Sixpack ( Non State employees) to go to hell is the ultimate in the liberal double standard.Â
Narrow Minded
So am I 2 beleive that the only honest people in NJ, are non gov employees, who don't make 2 much money, but r not on welfare? That's a very narrow scope.
Thanks
I'm am pleased that u r done with me. Your uneducated observations r not fit 2 b posted on this blog. Go get a GED and come back!
Bergen County - Yesterday's News
"Bergen County is very important to the fortunes of Republicans throughout the state", I've been hearing that line since the eighties what a joke then and now still a joke and like Bergen County Republicans you are yesterday’s news.
That’s the issue for Republicans in New Jersey - these left over losers from years gone buy like Tom Wilson, who should have been given his walking papers when he nearing single handily almost lost Christie Whitman’s reelection.
As far Mr. O’Toole is concerned his soft self-serving tone in Trenton sounds a lot like, I don’t want to stir the pot too much, or someone may ask what he has been doing these past years for the rest of us real republicans in New Jersey.
It is called protect thyself and then maybe no one will notice. It is long past the time for a new direction and a new message, what ever the past message was, if the Republican Party is to regain the support of the people of New Jersey as it did in the early nineties.
A statewide party convention should be held again as it was in 1990 at Rutgers to start the removal of these parasites within our party that have for so long stagnated the party growth – start the removal of Tom Wilson NOW.