Bennett: “I would be interested” in chairmanship
Former Senate President John O. Bennett, III told MMM that he is interested in seeking the Monmouth County GOP Chairmanship.
“I’ve declined many times in the past and I support Joe Oxley as Chairman,” said Bennett, “however if he becomes a judge, I would be interested. ”
Bennett said he would talk it over with his family before moving forward.
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Christie Accepts The Monmouth GOP Endorsement
Bennett Announces For Monmouth GOP Chair
Sheriff Shaun Golden is running for Monmouth GOP Chairman- Oxley to be nominated to Superior Court
- ByLaws: Keep them simple
Bennett proposes to reduce his term to one year- Oxley Righted The Ship
Republicans could be in for a long summer
Monmouth Dems Outraise Monmouth GOP
Oh joy! Lucky us.
If that be the case, let me tell you, I personally know John started out in the trenches stuffin’ envelopes and all the necessary ‘gotta get er done’ stuff. He will remember ‘thankless’ and ‘thoughtless’ moments, never gave up and patiently worked through the system. I admire his loyalty to Joe and will welcome his capability to rally, respect, and encourage the grassroot effort.
John’s tried , tested, lived through the bad times, has won big for us many times, with much legislative experience and success, and remembers who his friends are, a rarity today..sincerely hope he does it: this is no time for inexperience, or untested folks who’ve never raised money for a large organization, or won an election, for that matter….
“A M E N” ‘great idea’. Your message deserves repeating over and over. John values his ‘beginnin’s’.
Bennett is an embarrassment. The APP will be all over him. The last thing the party needs is to remind people of the past. Fair or not, the press was all over him when he sought a meager county committee seat in Red Bank. This would be an unmitigated disaster. And he raises no money at all.
Bennett? TOOOOOOOOOOOO much baggage.
I think Bob Burlew of Keyport would make a great choice – low key, yet well respected – understands the arena as well as anyone, solid integrity – HONEST to the core.
Does John Bennett think we have forgotten?
John Bennett is a pro-abortion, gun-grabbing liberal. He is a self-serving, pension-padding RINO who spent his adult life feeding at the public trough. Believe it or not, John Bennett has actually had more government jobs than Mike Halfacre has had. (And that’s saying a lot!)
Bennett is corrupt. He spent part of his 3.5 days as Acting Governor pardoning a friend & campaign contributor. In a just world, (former) US Attorney Chris Christie would have indicted Bennett for the fraud that Bennett committed in “over-billing” the taxpayers of Marlboro while Bennett was the Township Attorney in that town. Bennett was so disliked by the electorate that he lost re-election to a candidate as pathetic as Ellen Karacher. (And that says a lot too.)
Go back under your rock, Bennett. Monmouth County doesn’t want or need you.
The Asbury Park Press hates Bennett for the same reason the lame-stream media hates Sarah Palin – they can’t stand Republicans in general and Conservatives in particular.
I like John and I would support him as Chair.
Keep in mind the people above this comment are absolutely right when they say the AP de-Pressed will come after him. I don’t dispute that. It is a valid issue of concern.
In the final analysis, I don’t want liberal like APP influencing who our Chair can be because they own the only ink barrel in town.
There is a part of me that welcomes that fight – when they go after Bennett we can go after the Press.
I think John Bennett is worth the fight.
“The Asbury Park Press hates Bennett for the same reason the lame-stream media hates Sarah Palin – they can’t stand Republicans in general and Conservatives in particular.”
John O. Bennett a conservative? Thanks for the laugh, Tommy. John Bennett was & is a liberal. While in the Legislature, John Bennett voted for numerous tax increases. (Do you think Republican Tom Kean was able to raise the sales tax without help from John Bennett?) Moreover, and particularly when it came to spending our tax dollars, John Bennett certainly wasn’t a fan of the taxpayer.
“I think John Bennett is worth the fight.”
I think Tommy DeSeno is looking for a government paycheck.
Wasn’t Bennett in the Senate leadership when they passed the unegoatiated 7% increase to the state pensions.
Hmmmm…the Monmouth County Republican Committee endorsed Ernesto Cullari over Anna Little.
Just received an invite from John Bennett to join him for dinner with Anna Little.
Apparently, John Bennet does not support the Monmouth County Republican Committee’s endorsement of Ernesto Cullari.
Why should he then become the Chairman?
he has a solid track record of victories, period- has raised lots of money, planned, worked in, and run campaigns, knows all the consultants, lobbyists, players in the state, as a past assemblyman, senator, and, for a few days, governor.. don’t discount that experience, and if you love anyone in NJ Rep. politics, you should not start calling John a RINO or lib, we are frankly replete in them, and at least they win, here-with a solid Rep. county elected slate, we also have the largest legislative delegation in the state, and the Lt. Gov., as well, no small potatoes…. he also would be good up against a new, novice Dem chair, this year; is currently the Mon. NJ state committeeman, and NY Rep. state committee treasurer, and, with a long career of service in many capacitites, is uniquely qualified to run the county organization, over any names mentioned, in the past 10 or more years!..let’s don’t cut off our noses to spite our faces, for personal jabs or grudges: the guy will be a very good county chair for our county!..and, ps: since when do we expect the APP to treat any of us well, and why should we give any credence to what those dopes say or think?… all they are now is a Dem mouthpiece, and dying lib rag!..John being a smart, seasoned, and inclusive chair, who seeks and appreciates his workers, who will continue to win in our county, is what we will get, so don’t fret, and get on board!
not NY, typo there!!
to have voted for whomever he wanted at the steering committee, as a past elected official, he wasn’t campaigning for anyone, and the majority ruled: that’s how it works in endorsements for the line.. you all say you want choices, there was a choice for that office this year, so some of our choices get it, and some don’t!
a nice guy, who lost his locals this past year as a local chair.. a community volunteer, he was too busy to be the Affiliated Club president this year,too.. county chair is a whole different ball of wax, folks, especially in one as large, diverse, and important as ours is… an often painful and thankless task, which is non-paying, and takes up tons of time: the person needs to be tough, but fair, and very experienced and tested in all the nuances that come with trying to “herd a bunch of cats”, all of whom want to be a big cheese/ have it their way/ be a star/ and be in-charge ( in title, but maybe not in working it!).. I will be supporting Bennett, if he decides to go for it.. we will be fine with him at the helm..
You absolutely, positively MUST be kidding. Bennett? I’ve got a few words that might evoke some vivid memories of his
‘credentials’…Scannapieco scandal, Operation Big Rig, no parental consent for abortions for 14 year olds, yada, yada, yada….the list goes on and on. Get a grip, people. The obvious choice is Ms. Christine Giordano Hanlon, Esq. who has given more to this party during the last few years than John Bennett and everyone else combined. Go, Christine, go!!!! You have the support of more people than you know.
guess now we know that only the last few years of volunteering and being paid back quickly for it, matter in the party?.. when did decades of dedication, service, experience, victories and credentials, become a bad thing?.. when the lib media, coarse entertainment industry, the public education kabal, and this failed admin. in DC trashed all our work ethic and values??..nice lady, good worker, but, chair?.. I think not, at least, not yet..
I have known Bennett on a casual basis for many years. Here is my impression of him.
He is an affable man who can be very charming but can be vindictive when crossed. He is of average intelligence. He is bossed by his wife. He has generally liberal sensabilities. His primary political motivation is how much money can he make in politics. This is his biggest failing greed.
Lest anyone forget his greed cost a lot of Republicans to loose their seats. He was once one of the three most powerful Republicans in Monmouth County. You remember around the time Bid Rig happened. Now he had nothing to do with it but it happened on his watch.
He thankfully lost the primary when he ran for congress. He was also part of the cabal of rinos who deep sixed Bret Schundlers campaign for Governor. Yes as one poster noted he knows all the consultants (most of who suck) and lobbyists. That’s because he is in bed with them.
In conclusion I can not think of a worse choice we could make in electing a chairman. I would bring back Dowd, Nieman or Puharic first.
Hands down, Christine Hanlon deserves the Chair. Any names mentioned are absent when it comes to helping out. The current, dedicated grass roots of the organization make this party what it is today. Those who actively participate and those missing is surely noticed. Christine Hanlon is hands on and can easily take over for Joe. The question you should be asking is who will be the Vice Chair? We do not need any negativity from the past, so I would suggest looking for an active face, who is in the know and who was never in the Chair or Vice position.
Great Idea. Christine would have my vote.
Make Giannell the vice chair. That unites all the factions. In fact if Christine is smart she will call Jim right now and offer it to him. It would guarantee she gets the top post.
Christine Hanlon has my vote and support.
She does more for the party than most know and she is always working very hard behind the scenes without recognition.
Go Christine……………. its yours girl for the taking…..
can call Christine and offer her the Vice Chair..let’s not forget,there are lots of volunteers who work behind the scenes, year in and year out, making things all come together, as unsung heroes,no one has the monopoly on work!
Please … no more ‘in name only’. Who is genuinely interested in ‘swingin’ the banner to re-unite, re-energize, re-respect, re-appreciate, re-challenge, re-build, re-recognize, re-, re-, re-, bringin’ back the ‘high & mighty’ to a level ‘working together’ operation, fertilizing our grassroots, not afraid to use the words NO, YES, LET’S TALK ABOUT IT, LET’S WORK IT OUT, HOW CAN WE HELP, and THANK YOU. 39 prideful years on County Committee causes me to personally recognize and respect the GUTS, GIZZARD and HEART’ of John Bennett, Gerri Popkin, and Wayne Pomanowski.
That group is the last thing the party needs. Need to look to future not the past. Hanlon has practically been running the party for Oxley the last few years and with great success. It would be well deserved if she is running for the chairmanship.
Hey Bob B or whatever your name is.. about Bob Burlew, true he did lose the locals AFTER taking the majority the prior year and having his Repub. mayor an some council going rogue with Dems lost this past year. If local elected Repubs decide they aren’t interested in re-election and decide to FU the party, ride out their terms their is not much, outside a recall, that the local chair can do….correct? That’s the Repubs problem in Keyport.
just a fact: a win’s a win, a loss is still a loss, whatever the reasons…and, it’s a long way to county chair, from a couple short years as a local chair, (some in name only), and not in successes..is perfectly obvious that the past two chairs before Oxley were a real bad experiment: they were not truthful, ( am being kind), dumped long-time volunteers just because they could, dumped successful people just because they could, got the party in a lot of debt, lost seats, and yes, one had lost as a candidate, and was never even a local chair, the other was a failed local candidate and chair: bad track records are as bad as no track records, when it comes to running a large, diverse and growing county, and must be taken into account!….and, come on people- we have to stop the lofty, but narrow “idealism” to the point of naive, and the negating and trashing of the older,experienced ones among us..shame on those continually trying to make it into “camps,” and “us-vs.- them” mentality: it is divisive and unproductive, and wastes time and energy better spent on beating the opposition!.. there can/should be a blend of the old and new, I have worked with both, it makes for a healthy org. that can move forward, to learn the history, so as not to repeat any mistakes but repeat the good results, as well as learn the new technologies,and keep winning- and is that not the prime goal?…
Can evereyone just use their Names? I’m not hiding – Point was – Reasons in wins & losses do count – lessons can be learned from both. We’ve seen plenty from John B. to know that if anything, he can be made the focus of any oppo campaign and we lose focus on our candidates and issues as a result.
As to us vs them camps, I’ll take the older ones, that are experienced (4 or more campaigns) who are willing to listen to newer – as long as the newer (those with less than 3 campaigns under their belt) will understand that sometimes there are unexplainable, gut decisions that have to be made during campaigns that cuts across every “sensible” arguement they present – not that there are alot of these, but when they happen, they happen for a reason and need to gone with.
Christine Hanlon would be best. Not only has she been raising money she also knows how to run the best ground game in the county. There are few people who know how to do both while keeping older and new generations engaged. I don’t think it is necessarily fair, but press will destroy Bennett and the party were he to lead it. It won’t be pretty. Just because he didn’t get indicted doesn’t mean he has clean hands.
Those who ignore history are bound to repeat it.
those who ignore the history of untested and inexperienced chairs are bound to become overwhelmed and lose more elections..best wishes, John, and the “old and new” among us..it will be fine.. on to victories in 2012, there is a lot of work to do..
Bennet lost his seat and caused a lot of other republicans to loose because of his greed.
He and his cronies cost us a governors race because of petty vindictivness.
He is also the genius who came up with the current system of drawing legislative districts. Ever since then we have not controlled the legislature.
Very few politicians have caused as much damage to their own party as John Bennet has. He has been tested all right and has failed miserably. The only reason he wants this job is so he can squeeze more legal work out of local government.
I am not talking personality I am talking about what has happened in the past. John is probably a great guy to have a beer with but he is not who we need leading our party in the 22nd century.
The county candidates & Joe K. don’t need Bennett being a distraction to their runs. This is going to be a bottom up campaign this year – meaning fannies will need to be pulled from the couchs on Election day to the voting booth because of local and county races. We’ve seen the very unenthusiatic, low turn out primary numbers across the country for the presidential race – and that is saying alot – never mind what telephone polling may say. It will have to be the “local” races and local issues that will be the ones that cause people to get up and go to the booth (The one thing that may change that for NJ is if Christie is the VP choice, then Repubs will be making a beeline to the booth – those that like him and want him to do well & the Dems who want him out of the state may find themselves voting Repub.) and we don’t need J. Bennett and his baggage overshadowing that effort. If I’m the opposition Democrats, and J. Bennett is county chair, then I’m pulling out every file on John I can find and putting his face on his “Machine” and running my candidates against that – not against his candidates. He and his record would become the boogie man and suddenly every local Republican candidate is forced to deal with a shadow over them – including Joe K. in his run for Senate. Imagine what Menendez & Wiesniewski could do to Joe K. if his home county chairman was John B.? Think hard about it people.
I’m Liking A Hanlon – Pomanowski Ticket
John Bennett is not what we need any more of in Monmouth:
1) One of most prolific pension padders in state history.
2) Investigated for corruption for close ties with former Marlboro mayor who went to jail.
3) Pro-abortion.
4) Put relatives on state payroll.
5) Virtually single handily cost Republicans control of legislature while in charge of reapportionment and then by not getting out while squandering resources on his losing Senate candidacy while Senate President.
6) In 3.5 days as Governor used state resources to throw parties for his daughters at Governor’e mansion.
7) And then pardoned a convicted felon who was a campaign donor after saying at an event “see me afterward if you need any pardons.”
Researcher you may be a bit harsh he is tested after all.
when one’s light on real successes ( that would be wins) ,and credentials, let’s go on to character assassination, (sure worked for the Romney-ites, nationally,this year, among others).. and, beg to differ, this 2012 election will be a top-down vote: just look at the past result stats: in Pres. year, you get tons of 4th-year-only voters, who run in, vote for President, MAYbe the Senator or Congressman, (if some union boss told them to), but then there’s a stark drop off at the county and local levels-and, to the uninvolved, MOST voters could care less who the Dem and Rep. county chairs are!!.. and, won’t be back for another 4 years!.. stop with the smear- mongering please, and admit to yourself that being a good party-planner, delegator, and self-promoter is one thing, actually listening to all concerned, even the little guys, paying attention to all the towns and groups, not just a few chosen friends,and managing the whole operation, plus finding sources to raise enough money, is quite another..
It is not character assaination when it is true.
Hey here we go, it’ll be bottom up campaigns this year. Look at the total voter turnouts in the then “hotly” contested primaries, where tens of millions of dollars were spent, those early states whose primaries really “mattered” – when it was really “important” – voter turnout was at record lows across the board – nobody cared for ANY of the candidates enough for any type of groundswell activity. In addition, no one left behind a ground team/network after a states’ primary was over. They will now have to go back a build it all for the general election and begin the outreach from square one. Bottom up and the most important races will be the local ones to people – because they don’t like the top enough to show at their “important” primaries
the ChrisBots are thrilled John ran his firm’s pac, which gives to both parties?.. well, then it must be noticed that, up until a few months ago, your girl was in a firm with the Dem mayor of Red Bank: and holding Rep. meetings there, when they guy was in the next room..but that’s oh so irrelevant, right?..look, all politiclaay-charged lawfirms play both sides for work: you all need to at least stop being so “holier-than-thou” in your arguments, and so embarassingly disengenuous, and do grow up, people!!..selectivity, and the attacks on ancient history, again, are a cover for lack of leadership and “victory”-creds, period!..
practically 0-15%, at best.. percentage of voter turnout for NJ general elections, Presidential years: up to 80% of those registered.. the actual results show, people vote for president, the most.. in this year’s primary, it is done,a lock for both Obama and Romney in Monmouth, in their lines: so many will stay home, from both sides, the Board workers can take a nap!..in Nov., if it’s a close race, it’ll be nearer a 75-80% turnout- if one or the other is running away with it, less will show up- that is just how it is..yes, there will be some extra interest in a contested local town, but the Pres.-only voters live their too, and so, will skew the turnout results, making it still show top-down..guess we can agree to disagree, and will see, soon enough..!