Christie: ‘Vin represents the party of yesterday’
Photo by Serena DiMaso. Taken with Tom Arone’s phone
Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal is only 27 years old, but he’s over the hill politically according to Governor Chris Chrisite.
Speaking in Sea Bright while accepting Mayor Dina Long’s endorsement for reelection, Christie responded to the statement Gopal issued criticising Long and threatening her political future by saying,
“Vin represents the party of yesterday,” Christie chimed. “To put out a statement like that is a product of yesterday. Maybe Chairman Gopal will see the wisdom” (of Christie’s brand of bipartisanship),” according to PoltickerNJ.
Following yesterday’s news of Long endorsing Chrisite, Gopal issued the following statement on facebook:
The following is a joint statement from Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal on behalf of the Monmouth County Democrats Executive Committee and Monmouth County Democrats Women’s Caucus Co-Chair Patricia Teffenhart on behalf of the Monmouth County Democrats Women’s Caucus regarding Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long’s endorsement of Chris Christie:“Mayor Long has gone through extraordinary challenges with her town ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. We are empathetic to these challenges, as a Democratic Mayor, relying on our Republican Governor to support her town as it rebuilds. However, Mayor Long has a history of aligning herself with Republicans when it’s convenient; being sworn into office by the Republican Freeholder Director and appointing Republicans to every major position in Sea Bright, including Municipal Attorney, with her appointment of former Republican County Chairman Joe Oxley. Since the Monmouth County Democrats reorganized in Summer 2012, Mayor Long has neglected to attend a single Democratic event or meeting, calling us to question her commitment to the party far in advance of this latest news. As a result, we will be taking the appropriate steps of restructuring the Democratic Party in Sea Bright, to ensure that the voice of true Democrats is one that prevails. The Monmouth County Democrats have been working diligently to increase involvement of dedicated, passionate Democrats that will advance the ideals for which our party stands. Mayor Long’s most recent endorsement of Governor Christie is in stark contrast to our Democratic principles, and those of the over 250 top Democratic elected officials and party leaders across Monmouth County who have endorsed Barbara Buono for Governor and will be working hard for her to elect her in November.”
Long shot back this morning, according to PolitickerNJ:
“Whether Vin Gopal likes it or not, I am still a Democrat,”
Gopal may be having a hard time keeping the party that elected him chairman by an overwhelming margin last June united. One moderate Monmouth County Democratic Committee member when informed of Christie’s characterization of Gopal said, “Vin is representing the party of left wingers and homosexuals.”
But Gopal’s opponent in for the chairmanship, Marlboro Council President Frank LaRocca, came to his defense.
“Mayor Long can vote for whoever she wants to, but as a Democrat she shouldn’t be endorsing Republicans.”said LaRocca in a phone interview with MMM, “Yes, Christie did an outstanding job after the storm. He had the flu and was still out over the State. But if you stand for Democratic principles, you shouldn’t be publically endorsing Republicans.”
Gopal did not respond to MMM’s request for comment on Long’s endorsement. He did say that the Monmouth Democrats would nominate a full slate of candidates at their convention on Saturday. He wouldn’t say who the candidates for Sheriff or the legislature would be, beyond what we reported on Monday.
More from my site
Dina’s going Long for Christie- Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long leaves the Democratic Party
Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider To Endorse Christie
Monmouth Leaders Speak Out On Bridgegate, Christie’s Response.
Will Buono Get On The Ballot?- Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long will be unopposed for re-election
Spring Lake Democratic Elected Officials Endorse Christie For Governor
Winners and Losers of 2013, Part 3
Can Buono make a race of it?- Dina Long Will Not Seek Reelection As Sea Bright Mayor
why does the moderate democrat have a problem with homosexuals?
We live in America and can vote for and endorse anyone we want! Who do you think you are? Who do you think you can dictate to? The woman has the courage to stand and vote on her beliefs, choosing the best candidate for Governor , for her and her town. Wake up NJ the majority stands with Christie and just wait and see all the other Real People who will come out and also endorse Christie regardless of Party lines. It’s a new age movement of the Good People standing along side a great leader- Democrats, independents Libertarians alike are choosing Christie for his leadership qualities, boldness and intelligence. No one can top his qualities. He gets the job done and is well respected by most.
La rica you should do the right thing and entrees him also. But no, you care more about your Party than its people.
I’m a Democrat for Christie also
I’m not so sure that the Governor would have been so understanding if an elected Republican official endorsed Barbara Buono, lol.
Look, anyone is free to endorse and align themselves with whomever they please. At the same time, you are not going to continue to receive your own parties support if you align yourself with members of the other party and endorse their candidates.
There’s no reason to back Buono. She is not Governor material .
How come none of these articles ever mention Joseph rudy rullo?
Vin is in so far over his head, it’s now become sad instead of funny.
@ HaHa….Mr. Gopal was elected to his position by a wide margin based on his prior work and experience within the party. In the local MC municipal elections this past Novbember the D’s beat 8 R incumbents without losing any themselves for an 8-0 record….not a bad start.
Has this guy “Vin” ever won anything ?…besides class stooge perhaps
We have the right to vote for whomever we want. We have the right to elect a party designation. We have the right to switch parties. We have the right to endorse persons from the opposite party. Guess what else??? WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOICE OUR OPINIONS.
I know the old joke about opinions, funny thing is I AGREE. My opinion certainly doesn’t trump Mayor Long’s opinion or her right to do what she thinks is best. She is a dedicated public servant who is doing an awesome job for her community.
What does this mean for any potential Republicans in Sea Bright that want to run against her? I guess they sit this next election out?
changes parties. And she should, I doubt the Dems would back her after this. Am pretty sure they are less forgiving and less welcoming of any defectors. But then again, who’d want to run for local office in towns like poor Sea Bright, anyhow? You’ll see a lot of blame being thrown around this cycle, as soon as people see their taxes going up in these towns where there was so much loss of the tax base. No fun at all.
[…] Gopal issued statements critical Long’s and Scheider’s endorsements of Christie, prompting the Governor to say that the 27 year old chairman represents the “politics of yesterday.” […]
[…] years old and the most popular governor in the nation singles you out as a practitioner of the “politics of yesterday,” twice in four months, you’re having a bad […]
[…] County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal just can’t help himself from practicing the “politics of yesterday,” as Governor Chris Christie said of him last […]