Election Day is Five Days Away!
By Barry Goldwater, Guest Blogger ([email protected])
Many of the readers of Art’s Blog may not remember me, but I was once a blogger myself, writing steadily on the “Voice of Reason” blog back in the hey day of Monmouth County political blogs, when Honest Abe, Teddy Roosevelt, Monmouth Rastaman, and others stirred the pot. Of course, back then, Monmouth Republicans were in a bit of disarray, but we’ve gotten our groove back.
In fact, I saw the re-emergence of GOP dominance coming, and my blog went dark just after Election Day, 2008. But during my brief blogging career, I broke some big stories, the biggest of which was the Ellen Karcher Christmas Tree story. What a heady time.
Unfortunately, now that the grown-ups are in charge in Monmouth County, the Monmouth State Delegation, and the Governor’s mansion, there really isn’t that much to write about, especially since the Democrats are so inept. But in an effort to post some new content on Art’s Blog while he is “otherwise occupied” I submit the following.
In the 13th District, there are no Democrats running, so the GOP team of Kyrillos, O’Scanlon and Handlin will easily win. Note, when I say there are no Democrats running, I mean they are on the ballot, they just aren’t running. I can’t even name them. It is that bad for the Democrats in the 13th.
The 11th District is much more interesting, if only to see how the County Clerk can fit the egos of Dan “Florio’s Favorite” Jacobsen and Vin “Left of OWS” Gopal on the same ballot.
This race is worth watching if only for the pure joy that comes from the humiliation of Vin Gopal. He is the Alex P. Keaton of the Progressive wing of the NJ Democratic Party. At a tender young age, he has managed the Campaigns of some of the most liberal Democrats both nationally and in New Jersey. And in this case, “Liberal” means not always staying on the right side of the law.
Case in point: He was Campaign Manager for Joe Vas for Congress. You remember Joe Vas, who was Mayor of Perth Amboy while serving as an Assemblyman. (If you said “Double Dipper” just now, you were right) Vin ran a Primary Campaign for Vas against Albio Sires for the vacant Menendez Congressional Seat when Menendez moved up to the big house (senate, silly, not jail. Yet.)
Anyway, in that Primary Campaign, Vin got quite a reputation of being simultaneously incompetent and mean-spirited. He was also allied with Middlesex Sheriff and Democratic Boss Joe Spicuzzo, who is, coincidentally, currently under indictment.
Sorry, Vin, but you are judged by the company you keep. (Today, Vin is crying to the press about the fact he was simply an “intern” for Vas. If so, he should have someone take down this blurb from the old Kucinich Campaign website:
Advisor on Kucinich’s 2004 and 2006 re-election campaigns. Legislative aide to New Jersey Deputy Assembly Speaker Herb Conaway and worked in Sen. Ted Kennedy’s press office. In 2006 he served as communications director for Ron Rice Jr.’s successful election to the Newark City Council, field coordinator for Bayonne Councilman Tony Chiappone’s successful re-election campaign, campaign manager for Perth Amboy Mayor Joe Vas’ 2006 congressional campaign for U.S Sen. Bob Menendez’s open seat, and as a consultant to Dana Wefer for Morris County Freeholder and executive director of Americans Vs. George Allen in Alexandria, VA. Small business owner in New Jersey and works also as a syndicated columnist for Nassau Journals. Worked as an assistant booker and director of radio relations for Jersey Championship Wrestling out of Lodi, New Jersey. From Monmouth County, New Jersey.
In true self-promotion fashion, Vin puffs himself up, then backs off when caught. Put on your big girl panties and admit you lied, Vin.
Vin is now running on the “Change Trenton” bandwagon. He wants to “Protect” the middle class. Unfortunately, his past campaigns and politics are what is destroying the middle class in NJ and America.
By the way, here’s a note for the Democrats: While most Union Members may be Middle Class, most in the Middle Class are not Union Members. Don’t confuse war on public sector unions with war on the middle class. Idiots.
Vin’s running mate, Kathy Horgan, was a late substitute for the restauranteur Marilyn Schlossbach, who had to bow out since she didn’t live in the 11th District, oops, because her restaurants were damaged in Hurricane Irene.
Horgan is a non-entity. She comes out of the Red Bank “machine” where she is a member of the Borough Council. You may have never heard of her, because in Red Bank, the Borough Council doesn’t do very much. They are “inclusive” but they don’t work for the taxpayers. Their idea of fiscal restraint is to raise the water rates, then raid the Water Utility’s surplus every year to keep the tax increases manageable. They just had bad news about their Bond rating from Moody’s. The “hyper local” website RedBankGreen runs a series called “Churn” that chronicles all of the businesses going under, and a drive down Broad Street shows many empty storefronts. Yeah, we need her in Trenton.
There is a guy named Raymond Santiago running for Senate against Jennifer Beck. Apparently he’s a lawyer in Freehold. According to his firm website, if you need a lawyer, he’s your guy. Doesn’t matter what type of legal advice you need, he’ll give it to you. No wonder he is running for office.
Also running for Assembly in the 11th is Dan “Florio’s Favorite” Jacobsen. Those with long memories may remember such things as the toilet paper tax, Hands Across New Jersey, and the other tax payer revolts that were spawned the last time Dan was elected to office. Despite being sent home after a cup of coffee in the Assembly 20 years ago, Dan is now running on a populist platform and urging people to “bullet vote” for him.
Everyone needs to realize something about Dan: His #1 constituent is Dan. End of Story.
A final note: All the “conservative” Beck, Angelini and Casagrande detractors need to realize that the real issue right now is the economy. The GOP candidates in the 11th and 13th (and the 12th, which also has no Democrats running) are conservative when it counts. To not support them is to hand the keys to the treasury (and by extension, your pocket) to the unabashedly progressive Democratic candidates. We are on the right path. Stay on the path.
More from my site
Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, December 12-14, 2014
More Lincoln Day Musings
Remembering my father’s public service
James Hogan Is The Ideal County Committee Person- Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, December 2-4, 2016
- Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, December 19-21, 2015
- Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, December 5-7, 2014
Marlboro Is Having An Election Where People Seem To Care- Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, December 27-29, 2013
Prosecutor To Investigate Ocean Township Property Tax Fraud
Hey Tom (I mean Barry),
Why don’t you crawl back from under that rock you have been living under for the past 3 years.
It seems mighty strange that you disappeared as soon as Jenny won her senate seat and now your back slinging the mud when it looks as if Jenny and her girls are in trouble.
Maybe if you ran a more effective campaign for them Santiago, Gopel and Horgan wouldn’t be such a threat.
Admit Tom, Beck, Cassagrande and Angelini are just Rinos dressed in conservative skirts.
Who’s Tom?
Welcome back, Senator! And what a fitting day to return — (today) Nov 3, 1964: Johnson defeats Goldwater for presidency.
It seems historically fitting, and your final note rings an eery message. I’m sure a real history buff can fill in better than what my memory tells me, but in 1964, Goldwater should have won — but a certain Governor Rockefeller didn’t want to endorse him and spoke poorly of him, and then “Republicans” didn’t come out to support their candidate, allowing a Democrat to keep control.
It’s really not so different from how Governor Christie has not been out in front using his media spotlight to build massive support for Republican candidates across the state. In fact, I don’t know that I’ve seen a single commercial starring our Republican Governor asking people to vote Republican. Worse yet, Jen Beck’s one little vote against his line item veto had, or has, created a a feud of sorts and I’m not convinced that I’ll even get a RoboCall from the good Governor reminding me to go vote for the district 11 team. It also seems like Christie has admitted defeat to the Democrats and is blaming “this map” before there is even an election. I’ve come to like Christie, most of the time, but I’m quite disappointed that, this time, he isn’t even willing to put up the fight.
As the Senator says, whatever your issues with the district 11 team might be, the only alternative you have next week is to vote for “unabashedly progressive Democratic candidates”, hopefully you don’t make the mistake of voting for Johnson over Goldwater, again.
I caught a commercial with the Governor yesterday morning, for a legislative candidate in District 38. I have heard he is up on tv in the districts that are considered competitive, but since the 11th, 13th and 12th are “safe” they won’t spend money there they don’t need to.
How funny is it that Alex “Crackhead” DeSevo is arrested (again!) and Jon Corzine is on the front page of every newspaper in the state for destroying his company a week before the election? Good to remind the voters of the caliber of candidates that the Democrats in this state support.
Anybody notice the amount of money the NJEA is pouring into the 11th to try and support Vin “Campaign Fraud” Gopal & Kathy “Tax Increase” Horgan?
Some friends I know who are teachers have gotten three to 5 mailers in just the past few days sent by the NJEA, to support the Dems in the 11th.
And YES, the campaign literature says “Vote For The Schools,” Vote For The Children;” YES, trotting out the the same old tired line trying to bring a tear to our eye and make us think “it’s about the children.”
The NJEA even had the audacity to say “we’re not asking you to vote for politicians, we’re asking you to vote for our schools.”
Why the panic??? If the current incumbents of Beck, Casagrande, and Angelini had such a stellar record as legislators, Barry “G” would not have emerged from his self-imposed exile.
Governor Christie has campaigned for other Republicans during this election cycle–why not these three???
Seems some ugliness will be rearing is head soon, as the desperate three girls resort to smear and fear tactics.
You think Christie is not campaigning for them because their “leader” Jen Beck tried to override Christie’s line item veto to defund Planned Parenthood??? The word on the street is that he is furious with Beck for that failed insurrection–where she sided with the Democrats.
We all know that PP is the states largest provider of abortions—Republicans take pride that they are PRO-LIFE!
I will take my chances with a pro-life Democrat over a pro-choice Republican any day.
Your words are wise 12:30 am.
Hey doofus: Christie hasn’t campaigned for the majority of the Assembly, because he is concentrating on the seats he can swing. The 11th is safe, no need for the Governor to be here.
Barry, it seems the campaign in the 11th is unraveling fast and furious. Did you see the tactics resorted by the three-gals hoping to be the state’s only all female legislative team???
Read the comments afterward–its indicative of their campaign: Failure
http://www.app.com/article/20111103/NJNEWS11/311030095/District-11-legislative-race-turns-ugly?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage
You are absolutely right! Vin and Company’s campaign is unraveling quickly. Everyone is now discovering what a political hack he is.
Candidates like Gopal & Horgan deserve they campaign mail that is going out.
Gopal was one step removed, if not actually involved in campaign fraud & Horgan is one of tghe biggest tax and spend libs around.
BOTH are being heavily supported by “it’s for the schools NJEA.” which wants to get back at Christie.
ln the spirit of fairness—will people here hold Herman Cain—who’s campaign manager was convicted of election fraud in 2001—to the same standard?????
Looks like @brian is posting under double names with his attack on Herman Cain.
Wrong—it’s called consistency. lf everyone wants to defend Cain—what about his unfounded, unsubstantiated attacks on Perry??? l believe in Reagan’s 11th commandment.
@brian,
That’s your problem, believing in the 11th commandment. That’s how we end up with candidates like McLame.
I want a candidate that can not only take the heat, but dish it out as well. Because surely, Obama’s minions and the media will dish out the nastiest campaign, full of lies and innuendo.
I certainly don’t want Mitt “Ron Popiel” Romney up on the stage smiling at him with that fake plastic smile.
brian—-here’s some more information to help all of us know exactly what has transpired in Mr. Cain’s past. This, plus his manager’s “campaign fraud in 2001” —-oh yes, definitely evidence the man should now be out-of-hand thrown overboard.
Truly enlightening. As are the comments (actually, just the opposition’s personal opinions) given us by the MSMedia.
http://www.thedailyrash.com/two-women-say-herman-cain-beat-them-senseless-with-a-frozen-turkey
Working for a lowlife like Vas should be enough to prevent anyone from running anywhere in politics:
“Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas and his longtime aide Melvin Ramos were sentenced to prison on April 15 on state corruption charges filed by the Attorney General’s Office. Two contractors who assisted them in a fraudulent scheme were sentenced to probation.
Vas, 56, of Perth Amboy, NJ who was also formerly a member of the New Jersey Assembly, was sentenced to eight years in prison, including five years without possibility of parole, by Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Mellaci Jr. in Monmouth County. As a result of his guilty plea, Vas is permanently barred from public employment. Judge Mellaci ordered Vas to pay $154,693 in restitution and a public corruption profiteering penalty of $250,000. Vas delivered a check to the court for $404,693 in payment of those amounts.
Vas pleaded guilty on Nov. 18, 2010 to two counts of pattern of official misconduct and one count each of theft by unlawful taking and money laundering. Vas admitted that he engaged in a series of corrupt schemes charged in two indictments obtained by the Division of Criminal Justice in early 2009, including one scheme in which he and Ramos solicited an illicit payment of $58,000 from a city vendor, and a second in which they illegally funneled money into Vas’ congressional campaign via straw donors to evade campaign funding and reporting rules.
“Time after time, former Mayor Vas demonstrated his propensity to engage in corrupt schemes,” said Attorney General Dow. “He took an oath to serve the public, but instead he unlawfully exploited the power entrusted to him.”
“This prison sentence reflects the mandatory five-year period of parole ineligibility for official misconduct established in our enhanced state corruption laws,” said Director Taylor. “It also reflects our resolve to be aggressive in prosecuting corrupt public officials such as Joseph Vas.”
Ramos, 55, of Perth Amboy, was sentenced to seven years in prison by Judge Mellaci. Ramos pleaded guilty on Nov. 18 to conspiracy and money laundering. He is also permanently barred from public employment. Deputy Attorney General Dianne C. DiGiamber Deal represented the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau at the sentencing. On Tuesday (April 12), Vas and Ramos were sentenced to federal prison on corruption charges filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey: Vas to 6 ½ years, and Ramos to 37 months. Their state prison terms will run concurrently with their terms in federal prison.”–examiner.com
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“PERTH AMBOY — A former Perth Amboy employee was ordered today to repay the city almost $12,000 as part of her sentence for stealing municipal funds to purchase sneakers and beachwear for former Mayor Joseph Vas.
Ana Pastrana, 50, who held two city positions and was a special education teacher in Perth Amboy, was also placed on probation for five years and ordered to abide by the plea bargain she struck with the state Attorney General’s Office to testify truthfully in any of the trials of co-defendants, including Vas.”–nj.com
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“Vas letter seeking leniency for sex offender could emerge as campaign issue
By Wally Edge | March 24th, 2006 – 2:06pm
When a 41-year-old man was convicted of having a sexual relationship with a fourteen-year-old girl in 2004 and of having numerous files on his home computer depicting children having sex , he turned to an old friend for help: Joseph Vas, an Assemblyman and Mayor of Perth Amboy. In a letter, Vas asked Superior Court Judge John Harper to consider a lenient sentence, saying his friend had already paid emotionally and financially for his crimes. “I believe that Mr. Trinidad has already paid a stiff price,” Vas wrote about his friend, Joseph Trinidad, who had admitted to meeting the teenager for sex in motel rooms and in cars. Now Vas is seeking the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 13th district, and news reports of his attempt to ask a state Judge to reduce jail time for a sex offender is expected to become an issue in the campaign.”–PolitickerNJ.com
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“Vas seeking illegal alien vote?
By Wally Edge | February 23rd, 2006 – 1:27pm
While New Jersey’s congressional delegation is scrambling to put in place homeland security protections in our ports, one congressional candidate is looking to make it easier for terrorists to obtain a New Jersey driver’s license. In what must be the strangest political move of the week, Assemblyman Joseph Vas, who is running for Congress in the 13th Congressional District, is introducing legislation today that would allow illegal aliens to obtain a drivers license — despite the fact that the federal government would no longer recognize New Jersey’s drivers licenses as federal ID if the Vas plan were to pass. Vas is running against former Speaker Albio Sires in the Democratic primary.”–PolitickerNJ.com