Republican National Convention

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Jersey City’s two delegates at the Republican National Convention are not sold on Bret Schundler for mayor.

Schundler, who was mayor between 1992 and 2001, ran for Governor twice as a Republican.  But the May, 2009 municipal elections in Jersey City are non-partisan, and ideology doesn’t necessarily mean much there. 

“At this juncture I haven’t made up my mind yet. As funny as it sounds, it is non-partisan, and I don’t think the whole field has been flushed out,” said delegate Joseph Turula after the delegation breakfast.   “Certainly he’s a fine, smart and honest man, but I haven’t made the decision, and our county chairman said recently that he has to evaluate it.”

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Almost immediately after Bergen County Clerk Kathleen Donovan returns home, her reelection campaign will kick into high gear.
Donovan, a Republican delegate from the 9^th Congressional District, has four events lined up for Saturday related to her reelection campaign against Democratic challenger Diane Testa.

But you won’t hear Donovan use the same kind of rhetoric about Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joe Ferriero, who’s under investigation, as the freeholder candidates beneath her on the Republican ticket. Donovan won’t comment on Ferriero, but she said that’s not because she’s still hoping that her allies will find an opportunity to appoint her to a judgeship, she said.

“We run together but we have different issues. That’s the best way I can explain that,” said Donovan, who after 20 years in office remains the last Republican county-wide officeholder in the once solidly GOP county. “I don’t comment on any kind of investigation. I’m not involved in anything in my capacity as county clerk, so I don’t talk about that at all.”

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Much has been made of just how white the New Jersey Republican delegation is. But Burlington County Freeholder Aubrey Fenton, who sticks out as one of only two black New Jersey Republicans who have traveled to the Twin Cities to attend the Republican National Convention, said the party is on the right track in recruiting a diverse base.

“It’s improving, and as you see more and more examples of the inclusion it will continue to advance. I’ve been surprised with the percentage of minorities and women that I’ve seen at the national convention at large,” he said. “I think it’s a lot better than it was, and it will be a lot better than it is.”

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Former 7th District Republican Congressional candidate P. Kelly Hatfield said that State Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Flemington) understands that if he wants to beat Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Fanwood), he can’t ignore Union County.

Stender, a microbiologist and former Summit Council president, said she’s seen Lance a lot in her home county, and that he’s studied how Stender managed to get so close to winning in her 2006 campaign.

“He has to win Union County. A lot of the Republican towns went for Linda Stender in 2006, and Leonard knows this. He knows he has to win Summit, Clark and Westfield,” she said.

MINNEAPOLIS - John Murphy walks up onto the stage. He’s pumped from the Palin speech.

"If Michelle Obama was watching last night, it’s probably the second time in her adult life that she’s proud to be an American," says Murphy, a reference to remarks by the Democratic presidential nominee’s that her husband’s Iowa victory provided her with her first moment of pride in country in her adult life.

"In my adult life," the Morris County freeholder says, "I’ve always been proud to be an American."

The crowd claps.

Murphy stays with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

"Our rock star tells jokes and has experience," he says. "The turning point for the general election was last night. Those independents and even a boatload of Democrats who were Hillary supporters know we have two candidates who are the real deal."

MINNEAPOLIS - The breakfast gathering welcomes U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-Harding) to the podium as a friend of military veterans and longtime supporter of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Frelinghuysen stands between the flags of the Untied States and New Jersey and exhorts the small crowd to support congressional candidates Medford Mayor Chris Myers in the 3rd District and state Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon) in the 7th.

"We need to keep Republicans in the House from New Jersey," he says. "These are tough races. Democrats in those races have raised a considerable amount of money. ...We need to work toward a Republican majority in both the House and Senate."

Applause.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s speech last night is still bringing smiles to the faces of those in this room, and the congressman seizes on the mood.

Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth), campaigning last year with Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon.: Politicker file photo 

MINNEAPOLIS - Identifying in her hockey mom, small town mayor’s story the features of a universal American life, and exhilarated by her willingness to put her head down and charge after their rivals, members of New Jersey’s GOP delegation praised the acceptance speech delivered tonight by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, their vice presidential nominee.

"I know my constituents will be able to identify with her, a working mother whose family depends on two incomes," said state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Union).

Since he first declared his hope two or three weeks ago that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) would choose Palin as his running mate as a way of reaching base conservative voters, women, and blue collar America, Kean has consistently emphasized as a strength Palin’s distance from the ambitious political culture of Washington, D.C.

"This was someone who was picked because of her competence as governor, as opposed to her going out and seeking the office," the senator added.

MINNEAPOLIS - Atlantic County Republican Chairman Keith Davis today declared his support for GOP Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, who officially announced today that he plans to run again.

"It goes without saying that Alex is a strong leader who has created a brand identity for our party," said Davis. "He’s established a cohesiveness with (Senate Minority Leader) Kean in order to make inroads for our party.

"Now is not the time to be switching horses," he added of a possible challenge to DeCroce by Assembly Conference Leader Pete Biondi (R-Somerville). "I’m sorry, I don’t know Pete Biondi. I don’t recall him being very vocal during the budget crisis."

MINNEAPOLIS - Burlington County Republican Chairman Bill Layton said his organization stands unequivocally with Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, who this week announced his intention to pursue a fourth term as leader.

"This guy’s not afraid to bang kneecaps," said Layton in assessing the minority leader’s toughness.

"Today he was attacking the governor on taxes," the county chairman explained. "Alex has been an unbelievable friend to Burlington County. Under his leadership we picked up seats next year. The record speaks for itself. Alex was instrumental in assuring an 8th district victory for us last year, where Democrats outspent Republicans nearly 2-1. He was a very big part of the success story."

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Enjoying his current career as an attorney, lobbyist and political operative, former Republican Senate President John O. Bennett said that he has no desire to return to elected office.

“I’m not done. I’m involved. But I’m done with elected office, other than party positions, basically,” said Bennett, who served an eventful four days as acting governor in 2002 and is in Minnesota this week as an alternate delegate.

Bennett remains active in the Monmouth County Republican Party, and is the county’s state committeeman. He said he believes that the new Republican county chairman, former Sheriff Joseph Oxley, has the ability to bring competing factions together.