Steven Rothman

Seeking to avoid any connection to indicted Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero, Barack Obama's New Jersey presidential campaign won't use the Bergen County Democratic headquarters this fall -- a high tech operation that includes over 100 telephone lines.  At a meeting of the party's Executive Committee earlier this week, U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman, the Chairman of Obama's state campaign, announced that fifth district congressional candidate Dennis Shulman's Wyckoff headquarters will be used instead.  That's a slightly different message than the one coming from Obama state campaign director Tricia Mueller, who has told Bergen Democrats that they would be based out of the Carpenter's Union hall in Hackensack.  Mueller was a political operative for the Carpenters before joining the Obama campaign.

A private meeting among Bergen County Democrats debating the possible resignation of indicted County Chairman Joseph Ferriero had some tense moments and a few screaming matches.  Here's one, relayed to PolitickerNJ.com from one insider present at the meeting:

U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman, to Bergen County Surrogate Michael Dressler: "F-ck you, f-ck you, f-ck you."

Dressler's response: "F-ck you too."

Bergen County Democratic leaders are meeting at their party headquarters in Hackensack this morning to discuss the fate of County Chairman Joseph Ferriero, who was indicted on federal corruption charges last Tuesday.  So far, the party seems divided on Ferriero's fate: Gov. Jon Corzine, U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman, Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan and State Sen. Loretta Weinberg have said Ferriero should resign; Bergen County Exeuctive Dennis McNerney, Sheriff Leo McGuire, Surrogate Michael Dressler and Freeholder David Ganz want Ferriero to remain -- albeit on a leave of absence -- pending the resolution of his legal issues.

Bergen County Democrats will meet today to discuss Joe Ferriero's political future.
Three top Bergen County Democratic officials -- Sheriff Leo McGuire, Surrogate Michael Dressler and Freeholder David Ganz -- are standing with indicted party chairman Joseph Ferriero, saying there is no reason for him to resign as County Chairman.  Gov. Jon Corzine, U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman (D-Fair Lawn), Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan, and State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) have already said Ferriero should resign.

Ferriero, who has taken a leave of absence from his post, was indicted last week on federal fraud charges.  His partner in a firm that helped local governments obtain grants, Dennis Oury, was also named in the same indictment.  

McGuire confirmed that a group of Democratic leaders will meet tomorrow to discuss Ferriero's status.  "I’m not sure who’s meeting tomorrow, but I think it will be larger than five or six," McGuire told PolitickerNJ.com.

The Record says Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero is the target of a federal probe
Ten years after Joe Ferriero started the Bergen County Democratic Organization’s march toward county-wide domination, his hold on power is quickly slipping away.

Multiple sources report that Ferriero is facing intense pressure from top Democrats in the party to resign permanently from his post as county chairman.  The Record, citing sources, said that Ferriero received a target letter from the U.S. Attorney’s office over an investigation of a grants writing firm he held a stake in.  There are also allegations of an assault during a Labor Day party at his Old Tappan home.  Insiders acknowledge that Ferriero’s grasp on the chairmanship is tenuous at best, and that his days in the position may be numbered in the single digits.

Ferriero has already taken a temporary leave of absence, with Vice Chair Kay Nest taking over his immediate responsibilities.  Already, at least five potential replacements have either been raised as possibilities or have floated their own names to permanently replace him.

Paul Fader says Wally Edge is wrong, and insists he won't run for Bergen County Democratic Chairman
Former Englewood Mayor Paul Fader strongly denies an Inside Edge report that he is interested in becoming Bergen County Democratic Chairman, if Joseph Ferriero steps down. "The entire report is wholly unfounded," said Fader, in a joint statement with U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman (D-Fair Lawn).

"Your recent post in this morning’s edition of PolitickerNJ that Paul T. Fader is running for Bergen County Democratic Chairman is completely false. “ I am not running for Bergen County Democratic Chairman, I have no plans to run for Bergen County Democratic Chairman, nor have I called anyone seeking their support or advise on whether I should run for Bergen County Democratic Chairman,“ said Paul Fader, a law partner of former Gov. Jim Florio and a former Chief Counsel to Gov. James E. McGreevey.

U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and his niece, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg: Getty Images Photo

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Barack Obama's presidential campaign is expected to announce today that Tricia Mueller, the national political director of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, will serve as New Jersey state director.

Former New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks will headline a $1,000-per-person fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Sunday at the home of Donna and John MacPhee in Ridgewood.  Rep. Steve Rothman, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and State Sen. Loretta Weinberg will also be in attendance.