James Hogan: Motivated, Dedicated and Completely Out of His Mind

I am going to go out on a limb here and predicting that Frank Pallone will be re-elected this fall as the Congressman representing the 6th district of New Jersey.

Everybody knows Pallone’s seat is “safe”. Incumbent members of congress are re-elected 98% of the time. He has over $3,000,000 in his campaign war chest. In years past prominent and popular Republicans like Joe Kyrillos, Steve Corodemus and Marie Muhler have challenged Pallone and failed. In the last few elections the Republican Party has scrambled to find candidates to challenge Pallone. The nomination is usually given uncontested to a little known and well meaning citizen of the district that the party elders, and in most cases the candidate themselves “know” have no chance of winning.

This year the Republican establishment is proceeding with business as usual according to conventional wisdom. The county organizations of that comprise the 6th district did their scramble and came up with Keyport attorney Robert McLeod. You probably never heard of McLeod unless you’ve gotten in trouble in Holmdel where he was the municipal court judge for many years. McLeod is no dummy. He “knows” he is not going to beat Pallone if he wins the primary. He knows he won’t get any financial support from the party, because it would be a waste of money. He’s posted some position papers on the internet. He’ll get his picture taken with John McCain at a fund raiser that won’t raise money for his own campaign and he’ll show up to debate Pallone before the Asbury Park Press editorial board. He’ll go through the motions knowing that his only hope of beating Pallone is if the congressman gets caught up in an unforeseen scandal between now and November.

Yet, this year might be different. Out of the morass of apathetic average Joes has popped James Hogan , a young man who doesn’t know how poltics works (if you can call what we have “working”) and doesn’t care. Hogan is challenging McLeod in the June 3 primary for the right to take on Pallone in November.

Hogan is a 28 year old software engineer who lives in Long Branch. He graduated from Keansburg High School in 1998, where he was the Salutatorian of his class. He has a degree in computer science from Rutgers. He has no previous political or governmental experience, except for voting, which does count. By his own admission he is “motivated, dedicated and completely out of his mind.”

In an interview with Monmouth University student Eric Sedler posted on the Republican blog RedJersey.net, Hogan explained his candidacy as follows:

“I’m running for Congress because our current representative, Frank Pallone, has been in office for the past 20 years. I’ll be 28 this September which means that Frank has been in office for nearly my whole life. The economic and social problems that I face as a working adult are the same economic and social problems that have been building up over the past 20 years during Frank’s career as a DC politician. He failed to address these same issues when they were my father’s issues as young working American 20 years ago, and now that I’m finally “old enough” to run for that office, I want to address the issues that Frank failed to address for our parents before those same issues start effecting people like you and I who are young and relatively new to the work force, and other young people like us who will otherwise be stuck with Pallone’s poor leadership. I chose to start my political “career” with Congress because I plan to end my political “career” with Congress in no more than 4 years, I fully support term limits. I’m a software engineer, I work in a fabric enclosed cubicle far from an outside window and I’m very happy working as a software engineer out of my little cubicle; it’s what I went to school for and a software engineer is what I WANT to be when I’m all grown up. I don’t WANT to be a politician; I WANT to be a representative of the people. I WANT to be a representative who shares the experiences and lifestyle with the tax payers I represent. I WANT to represent the hard working people of New Jersey, who like myself and my parents, have watched more and more of our tax money get wasted by politicians like Frank Pallone. I don’t WANT to be a politician and I believe there is a difference between a politician and representative. Frank Pallone is a millionaire politician who has spent 20 years in DC – I don’t think that the majority of Americans here in District 6 are millionaire politicians. They probably aren’t all software engineers either but I’m willing to bet that their line of work and their income levels are closer to mine than they are to Frank’s, so when gas hits $4/gallon this summer, I know what impact that has on the bills. Millionaire Frank on the other hand probably doesn’t have to make the tough choice between paying the mortgage or paying for gas to get to work, so that he can earn money, to pay the mortgage. Maybe he was representative of the people at some point 20 years ago, but he certainly doesn’t represent the average person in this district today.”

Hogan presents his views on a plethora of issues, some of which are off the wall and seemingly irrelevant (is Canadian Geese poo really a federal issue?) on his web site www.HoganforCongress.com. Unlike many politicians who declare that they are not politicians as a political ploy, Hogan really isn’t a politician. He knows as much about political science as I do about computer science. Truth be told, if there was a serious challenger to Pallone, I wouldn’t be paying any attention to Hogan. Yet, there is a not a serious challenger to Pallone, and despite the fact that I disagree with Hogan on many issues and could care less about some that he thinks are important, I like his guts. I like his motivation. I like that he is a citizen, an average Joe who wants to make a difference and is willing to get involved. I like that he is candid about who he is and what he stands for. I like that he doesn’t take himself too seriously and has a great sense of humor. I like that he is working his tail off knocking on doors and handing out homemade flyers in his quest to win the nomination against all odds. If you are a Republican primary voter, chances are James Hogan will be knocking on your door between now and June 3.

Unless Robert McLeod gives me a good reason to vote for him in the next month, I’ll be casting my primary vote for James Hogan. If for no other reason than I think he will cause Frank Pallone to make a bit of an effort.

Here come the toll hikes

Governor Corzine has a scaled down version of his toll hike scheme up his sleave.

Like most of Corzine's initiatives, the details aren't all worked out yet, but like the new school funding scheme rushed through the legislature over Christmas, the details will magically come together when the budget is done on June 15th, and be rushed through the legislature by July 1st.

Here comes more big brother and more state employees

Governor Corzine is expected to sign an executive order today requiring lead paint inspections of all rental homes and requiring that single and double family rental properties be registered with the Department of Community Affairs.

Currently rental properties for three families or more are required to register with DCA and are subject to state inspection.

According to the Star Ledger article, lead paint poisoning has declined 83% in the past decade. A 2003 study showed that 800 children had levels of lead in their blood above the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's threshold.

There is no need for expanding state inspections, or any state inspections for that matter. Corzine should layoff all state housing inspectors as a budget savings. Local code enforcement officers can do this work at a very small incremental cost increase.

Hogan cracks me up

Congressional candidate Jim Hogan wrote a piece for Red Jersey touting his success at Steve Lonegan's event and the Shore Casino.

Dino and Eric got on him in the comments for writing his own shill piece, and Hogan responded with some self depreciating humor.

Hogan has no idea what he is doing and he is doing it very well.

Essex County:

Unsafe for children and for pandas.

Photo linked from NJ.com

Part time government professionals

Last year the legislature enacted reforms to the state pension system which the governor signed into law on May 9, 2007.

Among those reforms was the change in status of contract professionals; municipal, county and board of education lawyers, engineers and the like.(See Section 20 of the law, linked above.) Previous to this law, contract professionals were eligible to participate in the pension system. Now they are not. They are no longer employees.

While the effective date of this provision was January 1, 2008, some government entities are just realizing that they have not been in compliance and their professionals are amending their contracts mid-term to comply with the law.

As these contracts are being amended some professionals are seeking to have their fees raised by over 7.50% to cover the lost pension contributions.

Mayors, councils and committees, Freeholders, board and authority members throughout the state should be on the lookout for these amended contracts. They should turn down the increased fees to cover the lost pensions contributions.

Part time government employees should not be getting pensions and neither should professionals. These savings enacted by the state should not be reversed on the municipal or county levels.

Preventing children becoming criminals and gang members.

My friends at InTheLobby and RedJersey are doing an admirable job pointing out the hypocrisy and arrogance of Governor Corzine over the award of a state contract to his NYU buddies to study how to prevent children from Essex County from committing crimes and becoming gang members.

However, the overriding question is not being addressed. Why is the state government spending any money on this issue at all? The answer to these problems is well known. Commissioning a $2 million study on this problem makes about as much sense as commissioning a $2 million study on how children learn to tie their shoes.

Better we should spending $2 million on buying every Essex County parent a CD of Bill Cosby's remarks commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Brown vs the Topeka Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court decision.

In my post on April 24th on the subject I offered common sense solutions to the problem.

Here's another:

Stop making single motherhood a career choice for urban teenagers. No more welfare, food stamps or section 8 housing vouchers for single mothers. Too harsh? Not really. What will happpen is extended families, communities and churches will step up and take care of their children and their children's children. Unwed pregnancies will decrease and adoptions will increase. Sadly, abortions will increase too. Sure there will be some hardship and awful headlines, but those events will not be any worse that the worst of what is happening now.

Christie: "Illegal" immigrants not criminals

In comments sure to create a stir, U.S. Attorney Chris Christie told a group of immigrants and their allies, that being an undocumented immigrant is not a crime, unless a person has been deported and returned. The Star Ledger has the coverage.

Christie will be in Monmouth County on May 15th to be honored as the Public Servant of the Year by the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce.

Disclosure: Art Gallagher is the president of the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce.

James Hogan Interview

Eric Sedler at Red Jersey conducted an email interview with James Hogan, the 28 year old software engineer who is running for the GOP nomination for Congress in the 6th district against party choice Robert McLeod.

The winner will take on incumbent Frank Pallone.

Both Hogan and McLeod attended Steve Lonegan's event at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands on Friday night. Hogan made his presence felt with both Lonegan and the crowd of 20. It is not clear that McLeod even made his presence known, as Lonegan recognised Hogan and referred the crowd to him to discuss federal issues. Hogan had a 20 minute Q and A with the audience after Lonegan finished his presentation. McLeod left, rather than interject himself into the discussion.

Obamanation

OBAMA LOBBYING FOR CASH?

Is Barack Obama Back To Accepting Federal Lobbyist Money, Just Like He Did Before Running For President?

______________________________________________________________________

Yesterday, Obama And The DNC Established A Joint Fundraising Agreement:


Obama And The DNC Established A Joint Fundraising Agreement That Can Accept Up To $28,500 From Individuals. "After a series of discussions, the Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee have decided to file papers with the Federal Election Commission establishing a 'joint fundraising agreement.' Under the law, such a committee can accept up to $28,500 from individuals, most of which would go to the DNC." (Mark Halperin, "Obama-DNC Fundraising Deal," Time's "The Page" Blog, www.time.com, 4/25/08)

Obama Claims That He Does Not Accept Contributions From Federal Lobbyists:

Obama: "I just want to make sure that we understand: I don't take money from federal lobbyists. I don't take money from PACs." (Sen. Barack Obama, MSNBC Presidential Debate, Las Vegas, NV, 1/15/08)

Obama: "I believe I can bring about that kind of change - because I'm the only candidate in this race who's actually worked to take power away from lobbyists by passing historic ethics reforms in Illinois and in the U.S. Senate. And I'm the only candidate who isn't taking a dime from Washington lobbyists. They have not funded my campaign, they will not run my administration, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I'm President of the United States." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks To The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, Philadelphia, PA, 4/2/08)

But The DNC Has Received Millions From Lobbyists, So Will The Joint Fundraising Committee Continue To Do So?

The DNC Has Received At Least $2,377,666 From Lawyers And Lobbyists During The 2008 Cycle. (Center For Responsive Politics Website, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 4/25/08)

FLASHBACK: Obama Has Routinely Accepted Lobbyist Money Throughout His Political Career:

Obama Only Stopped Accepting Contributions From Federal Lobbyists When He Launched His Presidential Campaign. "Obama doesn't accept campaign contributions from lobbyists or political action committees, but that's a change from his past practices. He accepted their donations until he launched his presidential campaign." (Christopher Wills, "10 Things About Barack Obama," The Associated Press, 1/10/08)

Obama's Senatorial Campaign Committee Has Accepted $128,000 From Lobbyists. "Obama's US Senate campaign committee, starting with his successful run in 2004, has collected $128,000 from lobbyists and $1.3 million from PACs, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit organization that tracks money in politics." (Scott Helman, "PACs And Lobbyists Aided Obama's Rise - Data Contrast With His Theme," The Boston Globe, 8/9/07)

Obama Raised At Least $24,850 For His Illinois State Senate Campaigns From State Lobbyists. (Illinois State Board Of Elections Website, www.elections.state.il.us, Accessed 2/19/08)

Obama Has Been Hypocritical On A Number Of Other Issues, Including Taxes And Funding For Our Troops:

Obama: "We could be fighting to put the American dream within reach for every American - by giving tax breaks to working families..." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks On Iraq And The Economy, Charleston, WV, 3/20/08)

But Obama Has Called For Higher Income Taxes, Social Security Taxes, Investment Taxes, And Corporate Taxes, As Well As "Massive New Domestic Spending." "Obama's transformation, if you go by his campaign so far, would mean higher income taxes, higher Social Security taxes, higher investment taxes, higher corporate taxes, massive new domestic spending, and a healthcare plan that perhaps could be the next step to a full-scale, single-payer system. Is that what most Americans want, someone who will fulfill a Democratic policy wish list?" (James Pethokoukis, "Barack Hussein Reagan? Ronald Wilson Obama?" U.S. News & World Report's "Capital Commerce" Blog, www.usnews.com, 2/12/08)

Obama Has Also Called For Tax Hikes On "Dirty Energy" Such As Coal And Natural Gas. Obama: "What we ought to tax is dirty energy, like coal and, to a lesser extent, natural gas." ("Q&A With Sen. Barack Obama," San Antonio Express-News, 2/19/08)
Obama Previously Said He Would Support The Troops By Providing Funding For Their Mission. Obama: "[W]hat you don't want to do is to play chicken with the President, and create a situation in which, potentially, you don't have body armor, you don't have reinforced Humvees, you don't have night-vision goggles." (CNN's "The Situation Room," 3/28/07)

But Obama Later Voted Against Providing Funding For The Troops And Promised To Continue Doing So.

Obama Voted Against Providing $94.4 Billion In Critical Funding For The Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan. (H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Passed 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama Voted Nay)
Obama Voted Against $70 Billion In Emergency Iraq And Afghanistan Funding. (S. 2340, CQ Vote #410: Rejected 45-53: R 44-3; D 0-49; I 1-1, 11/16/07, Obama Voted Nay)
PDF Format

A Product Of The RNC Research Department

Your tax dollars at work

70% of New Jersey High School graduates entering community college need remedial courses.

Make sure you read the comments. This is extremely disturbing.

GOP Calls On Lautenberg, Andrews To Support Gas Tax Relief

--NJ Families and Businesses Need McCain’s Summer Gas Tax Holiday—

Trenton, NJ -- New Jersey Republican State Committee Chairman Tom Wilson issued the following statement today:

“Rising gas prices are stressing the finances of New Jersey families and threatening our summer tourism industry. John McCain’s plan to suspend the gas tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day will result in an immediate eighteen cent reduction in prices and give our families some much needed help. Senator McCain’s proposal will help lower the cost of gas and diesel fuel. That means lower costs for drivers and also lower costs for food and other consumer goods that depend on trucks to get those products to stores.

Tourism is the second biggest industry in New Jersey and summer tourism depends on people getting in their car and driving to our beaches, parks and attractions. If it costs too much to get there, people won’t go and that will have a horrific ripple effect on a state economy that has been devastated by massive Democrat tax hikes. A summer gas tax holiday isn’t just good for families, it’s critical to the economy of New Jersey.

The Democrats who control Congress – Senator Lautenberg, Congressman Andrews among them – need to step up and make it clear that New Jersey’s economy is more important than presidential campaign politics. Senator Clinton has signaled a willingness to support John McCain’s proposal, while Senator Obama has flatly rejected it. Oddly, Senator Obama, citing the ‘huge hike” in gas prices in 2000, supported a gas tax holiday as an Illinois legislator. Now he’s playing politics instead of doing what’s right.

Our Democratic Senators and Congressmen need to make it clear whether they support John McCain’s call for much needed gas tax relief. All of them talk about tax relief for the middle class. The gas tax takes a big bite out of the paycheck of a middle class New Jersey family. John McCain’s gas tax holiday will provide real relief, real quick.”

It's enough to make a grown man cry

Perhaps I've been too hard on Adam Puharic.

Back in February, Puharic commented to Greater Media that bloggers are mentally retarded and perpetuate a weak gene pool. At the time I called for Puharic's resignation, not for offending bloggers, but because I felt his comments were insensitive to those with mental disabilities and genetic disorders.

Perhaps Puharic was simply relating his experience of his favorite blogger, MonmouthRastaMan.

Yesterday, I was reviewing the public record of the case of James Purcell vs "Monmouth Rasta Man", a fictitious name for Alan Moretti, John Does 1-100 and ABC Corporation 1-100, when I came across a transcript of a deposition given by Alan's (Kid Rasta) father Albert.

The senior Moretti testified that when he read the Monmouth RastaMan website, he didn't believe his son had written it, because it was too coherent:

"It didn't sound like my son. My son has been classified by two states, the state of Texas and New Jersey, as being learning disabled. It just doesn't seem like his writing."

Given this new information, I am willing to give Puharic the benefit of the doubt and consider that he was not generalizing about all bloggers, but rather talking about his friend and supporter.

Bonehead season is in full swing

From April through September, every year for the last few years, The Asbury Park Press sets out to show that the GOP controlled county government is comprised of Boneheads, and the GOP cooperates.

So far, this year is no exception.

Corzine pals get $2 million state contract

The NYU Child Study Center, an organization that Governor Corzine was a founding board member of, and contributed $2 million to, has been awarded a $2 million, two year contract to develop strategies for working with young children and their families to keep kids from committing crimes and joining street gangs.

The organization is managed by friends of Corzine.

This is how you keep children from committing crimes and joining street gangs:

1) Mothers and fathers should live together with their children.

2) Mothers, fathers and children should all eat breakfast and dinner together every day.

3) Mothers, fathers and children should all go to church together once a week.

4) All children should finish their homework before they can watch TV or post on their myspace pages.

5) When children misbehave, they get spanked.

Where do I collect my $2 million?

Corzine: Only government employees who work 20 hours a week should get pensions.

Wow, what a great reform!

The Star Ledger reports that Corzine wants to limit government pensions to employees who work 20 hours per week or more. Where else can one get a part time job with a pension? Goldman Sachs? I doubt it.

This is ridiculous.

Senator Barbara Buono, chair of the Senate Budget and Appropriations committee wants to limit pensions to workers who work "full time" or 35 hours per week. When did 35 hours become full time?

How about making full time be 40 hours per week, like the real world.

With full time employees working 14.3% hours more, we should be able to reduce the number of employees by 14.3%. That would create a savings and I bet no one would notice a decline in service.

John McCain vs Barack Obama on Gas Taxes

Today's Wall Street Journal has a more in depth look at the difference between McCain and Obama on fuel taxes.

In 2000, as an Illinois state legislator, Obama was for gas tax breaks before he was against them. He justified his flip flop when voting against making temporary tax breaks permanent, saying "I originally voted for the suspension because I thought that it was extraordinary circumstances, given the huge hike in prices."

Gas prices where $1.52 per gallon at the time.

Returning Bloggers

Tom DeSeno, at Justified Right has a great post (his first since October) about what it would take for a county chairman to unite the party.

Somerset County's Ridge Nightfly, who writes about state issues, as well as Basking Ridge and Somerset County issues, is also back after a hiatus since December.

Both are good reading. Welcome back.

GOP nod in CD 6: Safe McLeod?

"Wally Edge" calls the GOP primary in the 6th Congressional District "Safe" for establishment candidate Robert McLeod.

I wouldn't be so sure. James Hogan is working hard and has a likeable authenticity which is very appealing.

There will be line splitting in the June 3 primary, with a Senate race to be decided and county committee races in Wall. Last year when I mounted a three day write in campaign for Anna Little for Freeholder, spending only about $2000, Little captured 10% of the vote. With his hard work over 2 months, and if he can get some press, Hogan could pull off an upset.

State Budget Alternatives that Make Sense: At InTheLobby

Read them here

Manalapan Mickey Mouse Club

Now it's to say goodbye

to Steve Mc-En-er-ry....


write the next line in the comments section

UPDATE :

I was hoping this would bring Lightshines out!

Lightshines says...

I figured that if we were going to talk about the Mickey Mouse Club, I'd go right to the source. Jimmie Dodd really doesn't like McEnery and helped me write this song:

Who's the leader of the clan
That leaves out you and me
M-C-E-N-E-R
Y is he still here?

Steve McEnery!
Adam’s Mentor

He’s worked to make the republican banner
Die! Die! Die! Die!

Come along and sing a song
Help set Manalapan Free
M-C-E-N-E-R
Y is he still here?

The Real Republican Club
We'll have fun
and build our party
High! High! High! High!

Who's the leader of the clan
That leaves out you and me
M-C-E-N-E-R
Y is he still here?

Hey! there, Hi! there, Ho! there
You're as welcome as can be

M-C-E-N-E-R
Y not throw him out!

Steve McEnery
Mickey Mouse Club
When he’s gone we’ll build our party
High! High! High! High!

M-C-E E’s gonna be leavin’
N-E-R R’s are going to triumph
Y not throw him out.

Mickey Mouse!

Gianell not running for Monmouth GOP Chairman

As noted on "Barry Goldwater's" blog, Jim Gianell has answered Manalapan GOP Chairman Steve McEnery's email with a post on several blogs, including this one.

Jim's comment sounds like he might me a candidate for Chairman. Previously, Gianell told me he would not be a candidate, which he confirmed today, with only the slightest degree of wiggle room, i.e. if no one else is.

Several GOP leaders are considering a race but no one has thrown their hat in the ring.

One person considering a run told me that a confidant of incumbent Chairman Adam Puharic's said that Puharic would be happy to give up the chair and spend more time with his family, "so long as Gianell doesn't take over."

If true, Puharic's position seems to be, "Anyone but Gianell." Gianell's position is "Anyone but Puharic."

Strategy memo:Democratic Primary Results

To: Interested Parties
From: Rick Davis
Date: April 23, 2008
Re: Pennsylvania Democratic Primary Results



The race for the Democratic Nomination will continue.

Hillary Clinton's victory in Pennsylvania last night has extended the primary to the next round of contests (Indiana and North Carolina on May 6) and has maintained the competitive nature of the race.

With her 10-point victory, we should expect her poll numbers and resources to increase in the coming days. Primary wins, especially in the 2008 election cycle, have had a direct impact on the national polling numbers for the candidates and when national polling numbers increase, so do campaign donations.

Since last night, the Clinton campaign reportedly raised $10 million dollars online - enough to make a significant dent in upcoming media buys in North Carolina and Indiana. Barack Obama continues to surpass fundraising expectations and will most likely continue to do so. We need help during this period of democratic turmoil so we can build our resources and be ready to fight when the race begins.

Pennsylvania exit polls tell an interesting story that has implications for November.

Even though Hillary Clinton won this primary, Barack Obama is seen as the front runner among Pennsylvania Democrats and is perceived to be the candidate most likely to win the Democratic Party's nomination.

Fifty-five percent of Pennsylvania voters say they believe Barack Obama will be the nominee in November. And, one-fifth of Clinton's Pennsylvania supporters believe he will be the nominee in November. So, the victory for Clinton is seen as a bump in the road for Obama, even by some of her true believers.


Exit polls reveal why this poses significant problems for Obama if he becomes the nominee. The most important problem: Clinton voters don't automatically become Obama voters after he becomes the nominee. In fact, Obama leaves large portions of Clinton's coalition on the table in November.

Obama only wins 72% of the Democratic vote in a general election match up among those surveyed last night. Clinton shows her broad coalitional strength and wins 81% in a general election match up against John McCain. A full quarter of the Democrats in Pennsylvania are not willing to cast their ballot for Obama against McCain (15% say they vote McCain and 10% say they stay home), however, Clinton loses only 17% of Democrats (10% for McCain and 7% would not vote). This gap of 8-points would be significant in a general election match up. President Bush lost Pennsylvania by 2-points in 2004, when 41% of the electorate were Democrats. That 8-point gap among Democrats is enough to swing the state the other way (8% of 41% is 2.8-points, turning Pennsylvania red). This dynamic is clearly visible in publicly released surveys; an average of April polls show McCain trailing Obama by an average of 3-points (3 surveys in April) and trailing Clinton by 8-points.

The cracks in Obama's Democratic coalition in Pennsylvania mirror what we saw in Ohio, and those cracks could have implications in November.
Hillary Clinton cleaned up with Union households - like she did in Ohio. In Pennsylvania, Clinton won 59% of Union members (Obama 41%). Obama won these voters by significant margins in Wisconsin (+9), but has lost his hold on their vote in both Ohio (Clinton 55% - 43%) and now Pennsylvania.


Clinton did better than Obama with lower income voters.
Our targeting and analysis of the 2008 political landscape puts voters who are on the lower economic brackets at the heart of either party's winning coalition. Hillary won at every income level below $150,000, and Obama only won with the wealthiest Pennsylvania voters. Obama's media foibles contributed to his inability to connect to voters who are suffering the real impact of this challenging economic environment.
This is also apparent in the number of voters who feel Clinton is more in touch with their views. Fifty-six percent of Pennsylvania Democrats say Clinton cares about people like them - again a significant switch from earlier contests. Wisconsin exit polls shows Obama had a 12-point advantage on that measure. By the time Ohio held their primary, Clinton had switched the dynamic and led by 12-points.


Clinton won Catholic voters.
In Wisconsin, Clinton split the Catholic vote 50%-50% with Obama. Again, she changed the dynamic in Ohio and won Catholics by 27-points (63% - 36%). In Pennsylvania, she increased her margins and won by 38-points (69% - 31%). The strength of this coalition bolsters her argument that Obama would have had problems competing in Michigan and will not be able to carry key Midwestern states in November.


Clinton won Jewish voters.
In Pennsylvania, the first state where both candidates competed for a significant block of Jewish voters, Clinton won by 15-points (57% - 43%). Again, the data suggests Jewish voters, a key Democratic coalition, pose a potential problem for Obama.


Clinton increased her margins in suburban and rural areas - without losing ground in urban areas. Clinton won Pennsylvania suburbs by a 12-point margin and won rural areas by 22-points. And Clinton lost in urban areas by 14-points. This is similar to her Ohio performance. But, it shows an increase in her performance in urban areas from earlier contests (in Wisconsin she lost urban areas by 21-points). Clinton has figured out how to increase her margins among suburban and rural voters and cut into Obama's base of urban voters.
What does that mean for John McCain?

Ultimately most pundits contend that Hillary Clinton still has more than an uphill battle to become the nominee. So, what does this victory mean for John McCain?

While the Democratic nomination continues to unfold, our campaign is actively engaged in listening to voters' concerns and sharing John McCain's message with them. Senator McCain has an active schedule in the coming weeks. Last week, he gave a major economic address where he addressed short term concerns like enacting a summer gas tax holiday, he proposed a new "HOME Plan" to help those who are hurt by the housing crisis and he is proposing a student loan continuity plan to make sure America's college students aren't hurt from the credit crunch. In addition, Senator McCain has spent this week travelling to places many in our nation have forgotten and where our citizens have felt left behind but where hope, innovation and local solutions are helping to lift these communities up. And, next week, Senator McCain will visit various health care facilities and unveil his plans and solutions to help Americans improve access and affordability to good health care. In addition, the campaign is building our organization and resources for the campaign in the fall.

Donate online

JohnMcCain.com

Do McEnery and Puharic have the same writer?

It's no secret that Manalapan GOP Chairman Steve McEnery and Monmouth GOP Chairman Adam Puharic are allies. McEnery was one of Puharic's thug body guards when Puharic met with then Freeholder Anna Little last year while they forcing her off the ballot for re-election.

McEnery has made two statements this week that he probably thinks are funny, but are unnecessarily insulting and inflammatory.

To the Asbury Park Press, in an article about the primary race Manalapan is having for GOP municipal candidates and county committee members, McEnery said, "The Republican Club or the Mickey Mouse Club can endorse anyone they want, with the same effect." If his political opponents are "Mickey Mouse," why even address them? McEnery will look Goofey if he loses.

Later this week, in a email leaked to "Teddy Roosevelt", McEnery makes what is arguably an ethnic slur against Jim Gianell, "I'm not sure how to say it in Greek, perhaps some one can translate for Mr. Giannell, what goes around, comes around."

Certainly, McEnery could make his points without being inflammatory, yet like his buddy Puharic, he can't resist making the dig that is really a gaffe.

Lonegan brings his message to the Bayshore

Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan will be presenting his “Grassroots Taxpayer Action” seminar at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands on Friday evening April 25th at 8PM. The seminar is open to all and there is no charge.

Lonegan is a fascinating and controversial character who makes a difference. In recent months you may have read about him being arrested for protesting Governor Corzine’s toll road scheme outside of Corzine’s presentation in Cape May. Lonegan and his grassroots organization , Americans for Prosperity-NJ, is credited with leading the campaign against that ballot questions in last November that would have authorized dedicating 1% of the New Jersey sales tax to property tax relief (thereby assuring an increase in the sales tax) and the measure that would have authorized $450 million in state debt to fund stem cell research. The defeats of both of these measures, as well as the public backlash against Corzine’s toll road scheme, were stunning to the New Jersey political establishment.

Lonegan made headlines in July of 2006, while still Mayor of Bogota, when he called for a boycott of McDonald’s after the hamburger chain posted a Spanish language billboard in his borough. He felt that the use of Spanish advertising sent a message to Hispanics that they don’t need to learn to speak or read English. 21% of Bogota residents are indentified as Hispanic or Latino in the 2000 U.S. Census. This stand was used against him in October of 2007 when Lonegan hired illegal immigrant day laborers to assemble lawn signs against the ballot questions that would have raised taxes and authorized millions in state debt had they passed.

My first exposure to Lonegan was in 2005 when he was running for the Republican nomination for governor. I attended a candidates’ debate at Monmouth University. Lonegan stood out as the funniest and most forthright candidate. I was also surprised to learn that he is legally blind.

Lonegan brings a “Taxpayers First,” philosophy to the political debate. During his twelve years as Mayor, Bogota municipal spending was constant and he kept debt and tax increases well below the rate of inflation, despite massive state mandates and aid reductions to suburban towns.

The political establishment often paints Lonegan and his movement as “fringe” or extreme right wing. Yet, given his success with the ballot questions and the toll road scheme, he has established himself as a force that makes a difference. He does so by going directly to the people.

His presentation at the Shore Casino of Friday night April 25 promises to be entertaining and informative. And, it is cheaper than a movie.

"Teddy Roosevelt" going out with a bang

"Teddy Roosevelt", who has announced that he will stop blogging on May 1, is going out with a bang.

On again, off again, on again, Lonegan!

UPDATED



Word just in from Americans for Prospertity-NJ that Steve Lonegan will be speaking at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands Friday evening the 25th after all.

It would seem that after the Affiliated Republican Club of Monmouth County decided to cancel their event, Lonegan arranged to go ahead with his presentation anyway.

Lonegan's presentation will be at 8PM and is open to all. There is no charge.

Those who made pre-paid reservations with the Affiliated Republican Club will receive their checks back.

Affiliated Dinner cancelled

The Affiliated Republican Club of Monmouth County Dinner scheduled for April 25th has been cancelled.

Manalpan GOP split a preview of a Chairman's race?

"Teddy Roosevelt" has a must read post.

So much for Adam Puharic's promise to unite the party.

Steve Lonegan coming to Monmouth County

Cancelled

Steve Lonegan, Executive Director of Americans for Prosperty-NJ, former Mayor of Bogota, and widely considered the leader of the conservative movement in New Jersey will be the guest speaker at the Affiliated Republican Club of Monmouth County's Monthly Dinner and Networking Meeting this Friday, April 25, at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands.

6:00 pm Cash Bar & 7:00 pm Dinner. $40.00 per person. RSVP 732-280-1175

Obamanation

"Barry Goldwater" has a great Obamanation video posted. Check it out.

Would a full time legislature make for better government?

The National Conference of State Legislatures considers New Jersey's legislature as "full time light." Meaning I guess, that serving in the legislature is not quite a full time job, but close. NCSL considers a legislature full time if the job requires 80% of the legislator's time and pays enough not to require outside income.

New Jersey legislators are paid $49,000. Not enough to live and support a family in New Jersey.

A while back I was talking to a NJ legislator and I noted that the person, based on his or her length of service could soon retire and collect a pension. I'm not naming the person because this post is about the system, not the person.

I was shocked by the legislator's response; "I couldn't live on that."

Not that I expected that the person could live on a pension based on a $49,000 salary. I wasn't expecting that the person was dependent on such a small salary to live now.

This person is not a double or triple dipper. To my knowledge, the only income this legislator gets directly from the taxpayers is the $49,000.00 legislative salary.

What I construed from the comment was that this person's living, while not derived directly from the legislative salary, was dependent on the person's status as a state legislator, at least in his or her own mind.

If this way of thinking is pervasive in the Senate and Assembly, and it would make sense that it is, perhaps it is time to consider employing legislators the was we employ judges. Not with life time appoinments, but with full time compensation and restrictions on how outside income is derived.

We've gotten into the mess we are in with "part-time" legislators who are compensated modestly. They must be concerned with their own incomes on a daily basis. This has to shape how they think and act.

If we hired our legislature to represent us, and not themselves, on a full time basis, we might have legislators who are willing to make tough decisions.

Democrats want to expand gambling rather than cut spending

Another looney idea out of Trenton.

State Senators Raymond Lesniak and Dick Codey want to raise more state revenue from gambling rather than cut spending.

Lesniak wants to go to court to challenge a federal prohabition against sports betting and Codey wants to expand the lottery to "box stores" like Home Depot.

Nice guys. Rather than eliminate waste and/or face down those who own you by making sensible spending cuts, you go after addicts and the poor who can afford it least.

Losers who want to take advantage of losers. That's what Codey and Lesinak are.

"The food we throw away in America would be an entree here in Kenya"

~ Fair Haven resident Stacy Harris. Read his message on Mike Halfacre's Fair Haven blog.

Sharpe James's conviction is not sad.

Politicians from both parties called it a "sad day" when Sharpe James was convicted of fraud and corruption this week. Bull dinky. It was a happy day.

The sad days were the many days, those we know about and those we don't know about, that James violated the public trust.

What is sad is that our leaders react with sadness rather than outrage when one of their brethren is caught and convicted. What is sadder still is that Democrats Dick Codey and Jon Corzine are blocking real ethics reform in Trenton.

Bennett out of Red Bank County Committee race

Stating that it is not the right time, and that he does not want to be divisive within the party, former Senator John Bennett has confirmed that he has withdrawn from the Red Bank County Committee race.

Bennett is vacationing and promised a more extensive statement when he returns home next week.

D'Amico makes case for in-house county counsel

In an Op-Ed piece published in the Atlantic Highlands Herald, Democratic Monmouth County Freeholder John D'Amico makes a good argument for revamping how the county conducts its legal affairs. Look for D'Amico's piece to be published in the Asbury Park Press. The APP has already editorialized on the issue.

County Counsel Malcolm Carton exceeded his 2007 budget by 30%, or $600,000.

D'Amico sites his experience in the private and public sectors as a manager who reduced legal expenses and argues for hiring an in-house counsel and para-legals as a way to save money and improve service. He blows wholes in a 2006 study that called for maintaining the current system.

We've entered the time of the political year, from April through September, in Monmouth County that I call Bonehead season. For the last few years, since Operation Bid Rig, The Asbury Park Press sets out to make the public aware that the GOP Freeholders are Boneheads, and the GOP cooperates.

This has been working pretty well for the Monmouth Democrats. In 2005, Republicans Bill Barham and Lillian Burry did not secure the majority of the votes, but won office because the APP, in a bonehead move of its own called for a bullet vote for an independent candidate. In 2006 and 2007, the voters split their Freeholder votes, despite voting Republican on the top of the ticket. Tom Kean, Jr. won Monmouth County in his 2006 bid for U.S Senate and the GOP swept the state legislative races in Monmouth in 2007.

With control at stake in this November's election, the GOP Freeholders need to change their ways now, not in August or September. They have to stop feeding the APP Bondhead material. Rather than agree with D'Amico, Freeholder Director Lillian Burry needs to take the lead in reforming the legal department and in generating other cost savings for Monmouth County taxpayers. Take D'Amico off the front page.

Pointing to the flat budget passed this year is not enough. The Democrats, and the APP will convincingly argue that a flat budget would not have been passed had there not been 2 Democrats on the Freeholder board for the first time in 20 years.

Between now and September, the Monmouth Freeholder race is a contest for postive press between Director Burry and Freeholder D'Amico. D'Amico will continue to seek postive press in calling for cost savings and reforms, and then argue during the fall campaign that he needs a majority to implement his plans. So far, D'Amico is winning. By simply agreeing with D'Amico, as she has done so far, Burry loses.

Republicans will be fool hearty, and defeated, if they count on John McCain's coat tails to carry the county races. Monmouth voters have shown that they are very willing to switch columns in the ballot box.

Like Trenton Democrats, the GOP Freeholders know where there is money to save and reforms to be made. The question is, will they do it? If they fail to do so, the voters will hold their noses and give the Democrats a chance.

Bennett withdraws from Red Bank County Committee race.

There are unconfirmed reports that former State Senator John Bennett has withdrawn his candidacy for Republican County Committee in Red Bank.

If true, this is a good move. Hopefully Bennett and Red Bank GOP chair Jack Minton will put this behind them, and work together to defeat the McKenna/Dupont machine in Red Bank.

The Official bird of Obamanation

Real reform is possilbe.

Today's Daily Muse at InTheLobby.net points out money saving measures promoted by Democrats, particulary Senators Sweeney, Buono, and Lesinak, over the anticipated objections of the union's strongest advocate, Governor Corzine.

Sweeney and Buono are proposing reducing employee benefits and pensions, which InTheLobby points out have grown at three times the rate of debt service in the last 10 years. Corzine says the debt is what is crippling our state's finances.

As I pointed out earlier this week, there are prominent Democrats revealing that they do know where there is money to save. The question is, will they?

Not without the help of Republicans they won't. As the horse trading starts, the Republicans, lead by Tom Kean, Jr in the Senate and Alex DeCroce in the Assembly, have an opportunity to be relevant. A coalition of realistic and responsible Democrats and Republicans could actually produce a budget that starts the meaningful reform of our state spending.

Corzine will resist reducing union compensation and possibly shut the government down again over it. Let him shut it down for a month, but don't make it a free vacation for state employees this time. That will save $2.7 billion right there.

Obamanation

He danced better on the Ellen show.

Baby Face Finster

Michael "A.J. Spraxx" Illions, aka "The Commish" of Conservatives with Attitude has come up with a fitting moniker for Monmouth GOP chair Adam Puharic: "Baby Face Finster" of looneytunes lore.

Sharpe convicted

Former Newark Mayor and State Senator Sharpe James and his girl friend Tamika Reily have been convicted on all counts of fraud.

U.S. Attorney Chris Christie remains undefeated in prosecution of corrupt politicians.

InsideClamDigger notes Bennett's award

Former State Senator John Bennett was honored as an Urban Angel by the New York Theological Seminary last night.

Jim Purcell has the story and commentary on Bennett's career at InsideClamDigger.

I find Bennett to be something of an enigma. He is an extremely likable and generous man.

Yet, there is no question that in his career in public service that he exploited a faulty system with multiple public jobs,double and triple dipping, from which he made a great deal of money and is enjoying hefty pension benefits.

I believe the Asbury Park Press went way too far in "Bennettizing" John over his billing errors.

I also believe that if Bennett had heeded then Monmouth GOP chairman Bill Dowd's call to withdraw from his 2003 re-election bid, that the Republicans would have maintained a closer margin or maybe even have controlled the State Senate. How different would New Jersey be if our government were not in complete Democratic control these past four years?

I don't understand what Bennett is doing running for County Committee in Red Bank and doing so in a way that alienated the current Red Bank GOP leadership. Certainly a man with Bennett's skills could find a way to contribute in a way that would be welcomed and not divisive.

Despite the negatives, I think Bennett has a great deal to contribute to New Jersey and to Monmouth County. I wish that his public image could be rehabilitated such that his contributions could be more than in the background.

Trenton Democrats show they know how to save tax dollars. Will they?

Reading the news out of Trenton this week about the horse trading over the 2008-2009 state budget one might think that prominent Democrats have become fiscal conservatives.

Governor Corzine, who proposed a budget that he said had $2.7 billion in cuts, but keeps state spending flat at $33 billion. I’m a product of New Jersey public schools and I can’t figure out that math. How is spending the same amount as last year a $2.7 billion cut?

Nevertheless, holding the line on spending that has been rising rapidly year after year with increased borrowing and one shot revenue raising gimmicks is a marked improvement. Corzine has insisted that there will be no tax increases. That sounds good, but as part of his $2.7 billion in “cuts”, the governor has proposed cutting $190 million in aid to municipalities. Towns with less than 5000 people would get no state aid under the governor’s proposal and towns with less than 10,000 people would have the aid drastically reduced. This will lead to property tax increases for more than half of the state’s towns. Corzine now says he’s willing to restore some of this aid, but insists that the money must come from cuts to other programs. That is progress.

On April 15, tax day, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts proposed changing the state’s property tax rebate program so that tax payers would apply for and receive their property tax rebates in conjunction with their state tax returns, rather than the current system where by the state send rebate applications to tax payers in the summer and checks are received in October, just before election day. Roberts says this will save $10 million, which could be used for additional tax relief, and stop a costly political gimmick. This proposal makes too much sense to be coming out of Trenton. I hope Roberts gets it passed, but I’m not holding my breath that the $10 million in savings will really lead to more property tax relief.

Speaking of property tax relief, it was revealed this week that in addition to the $190 million in “savings” the governor is proposing by eliminating aid to municipalities, that he is proposing another $200 million in “savings” by reducing property tax rebates. Those who earn more the $150 thousand will no longer receive rebates, and that the rest of us will have our 20% rebates calculated based on our 2006 property taxes, not our higher 2007 property taxes. The governor says there will be no new taxes. Aren’t reduced rebates the same as increased taxes? This must be some kind of “new math” that I didn’t learn when I attended New Jersey public schools in the 60’s and 70’s.

State Senator Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex), who chairs the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, proposed what sounds like a real savings. Bouno has revived discussions implementing changes to the state pension systems that were proposed by bi-partisan panel of lawmakers in 2006 that would take part time employees out of the pension system, take back the 9% pension boost that the Republican controlled legislature gave state workers, outside of the bargaining process in 2001, and raise the retirement age to 62. Why not 65? This proposal would apply to new employees only. Corzine derailed these reforms in 2006, and he is resisting them again.

State workers union leader, Carla Katz, who is also Corzine’s ex-girlfriend and got at least $6 million from him when they broke up, has proposed saving $22 million dollars by eliminating 298 political patronage jobs with average salaries of $75 thousand, rather than close the Department of Agriculture ($500K savings) and closing state parks ($4.5 million in savings). Corzine won’t go along with this, but he won’t get a rebate on the $6 million he gave Katz either.

The good news is with all of these proposals, Trenton Democrats have shown that they know where there is money to save. Let’s encourage them to come up with more money saving ideas and to have the fortitude to implement them. But don’t get your hopes up. This is, for the most part the same crew that shut down the state government in 2006 because they didn’t want to go along with Corzine’s 16.7% sales tax increase, only to cave in when Corzine agreed to let them have half the first year’s increase in “Christmas Tree items.”

Katz proposes eliminating patronage posts

Carla Katz has a good idea!

She's calling on the Governor to eliminate up to 300 political appointees with no job descriptions for a savings of $22 million dollars, rather than close state parks and laying off 100 union employees at a savings of $4.5 million.

I wonder is she still has Corzine's email address.

Tax time.

Going nuts getting your returns done? Don't sweat it. File for an extension of time to file.

If you owe taxes, send the money in with the extension form to avoid penalties and interest.

If you're due a refund, you'll lose it if you don't file within three years. So, if you haven't filed for 2004 and you're due a refund, stay up all night and get it done.

School elections tomorrow

Tomorrow is election day for school board members and school budgets.

Don't be an idiot. Vote and encourage others to do so.

Peter Cerrato: Another candidate for the GOP nod in CD6

Thanks to Red Jersey's Eric Sedler for finding this piece published as a comment on NJ.com. The article commented on is about Corzine closing 9 state parks as part of the budget cuts.

If James Hogan hadn't written about this guy, I would not have known he is running.

So far, Hogan is the hardest working candidate.

My name is Peter Cerrato; I am the owner of Charles Stamp Shop in Edison; as a citizen of New Jersey I have had enough of CRIMINALS running our state. Last year America celebrated the 400th anniversary of its founding at Jamestown and the 225th anniversary of the Constitution; this year is the 250 anniversary of the Old Barracks Museum, 400th anniversary of the Hudson River, 225th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris, 150 anniversary of Lincoln Douglas debate, and next year is the 200th Birthday of President Lincoln, 220th anniversary of the Bill of Rights signed first in Perth Amboy, 100th anniversary of NNACP. We need to have another AMERICAN REVOLUTION against the Parties of TRAITORS posing as good citizens before they get elected. I am referring to all elected officials and their supporting staff. Since the beginning of America we elect people to represent us and guide our County down the path of righteousness so WE THE PEOPLE can enjoy the GOD given FREEDOMS expressed and guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. The document that seen its birth right here in Perth Amboy, New Jersey 220 years ago. Why is it that these ELECTED OFFICIALS who pledge and swears allegiance to uphold the beliefs written in the Constitution and then break their OATH are not punished more severely as TRAITORS? Not only should they go to jail they should also loose their houses, cars, boats, stocks, bonds, money and pensions when they are convicted. Why should the dishonest, corrupt public official come out of jail without suffering financial loss as do WE THE PEOPLE they serve do by paying for their corruption? It cost the taxpayer an additional $50,000 a year for room, board and health care which goes up every year by 10% plus for their dishonesty. Their estates should be taken to cover the cost of their imprisonment like it would cost the average person his house if he did not have medical insurance. Senators Lynch, Sharpe James, John J. Montefusco Sr, and Robert Stears. Moneys alone would fix most of the states debit and send a message to others to be honest. Take all the convicted politicians and their private partners over the past three year’s monies, properties and we would balance the budget. If the Democrat Party can get the State Supreme Court to change the law to allow Senator Lautenburg to enter the race for Senator against Doug Forrester then they should be able to take away everything from these TRAITORS.

Butehorn in the APP

Hank Butehorn, of Conservatives with Attitude and a Monmouth GOP county committee member from Middletown, has an outstanding Op-Ed piece in the Asbury Park Press today.

Hank argues for support of a state tax credit for donations to scholarships for children of failing public schools to go to private schools. There is bi-partisan legislation pending in both houses of the legislature to create such a tax credit.

This is a good first step to bringing educational opportunity to our inner city students and sound economics to our arcane education funding system.

It is 3 am...

What's wrong with this picture?

Jim Hogan responds to Judge McLeod and commentors

Art, sorry to hijack your blog, but I think this is worth me taking the time out of real campaign work to reply. :-)

Mr. McLeod says:
"He apparently believes that everything which comes before courts is a waste of taxpayers' money.... I happen to agree that much of what goes on in courts is a ritualistic travesty and a waste of taxpayers money"

So I'm again confused by your "decision", sir. Are you condemning me for believing "much of what goes on in courts is a ritualistic travesty and a waste of taxpayers money" or are you agreeing with me, but still condemning for something you agree with? Why does this situation sound familiar? We'll need a decision please; actually, no big deal if you can't decide, we're used to that, maybe it's easier if you just leave this bad answer and ask the nexy guy, Frank, as I march over him all summer long and through November.

If people are interested in serious discussions of [more than 4] national [and local] issues [that aren't just the same scripted, typical, standard position papers] my website has been up [since I got into this race] for a month now at the easy to find and easy to remember URL http://www.HoganForCongress.com/ It contains some honest, passionate, truthful, emotional and also researched discussions [of dozens] of important public issues that were written by me personally, not a PR guy, and not edited, reviewed, approved or screened by any third party. The casual "average Joe" approach to discussing the issues will provide a stark contrast to Mr. McLeod's tiresome dissertations that Average Joe isn't going to waste time downloading in propriatray, potentially virus containing, MS Word .DOC format.

James P. Hogan
"Not a one word candidate... with a website"


P.S.es...
- Eric S - Would I have to pay royalties on those slogans? :)
I'm sorry that we don't agree on every position - I think trying to get people to agree on every position is irrational and unlikely - I do hope that I've addressed enough other issues that are important to you and that I've explained enough about who I am that I can EARN your support, even though you can't vote for me. If I don't get your support on those issues, at least you and I know that you're not supporting someone who stands for something opposite what you want. Are you sure that Mr. McLeod supports the positions important to you? I still haven't seen him address many of the issues, can you help me find those positions in case he wins the nomination in June? Regarding an interview with your website, again, I'm easy enough to find and contact. As for the geese issue - you'd be AMAZED at how many people really get passionate one way or the other about those disgusting creatures, strange it may seem, but its a real issue around here, and a real waste of money to pay to protect them then pay to undo the protection so that we can pay to chase. I'm all for letting the locals deal with it - not the federal goverment - obviously enough people in Long Branch (and Colt's Neck) are willing to spend the money to get rid of them - if only they didn't have to pay so many times to get rid of them. If "the local people" want to protect them - let them pay their local leaders once to protect them, seems easy/obvious to me.

- My friend, Mr. Goldwater (*IF* that's your real name!) :) - you haven't seen anything yet - wait until I get to take on "Mr. Environment" Frank Pallone (hint: see my page on Monmouth Park, or the FEMA Re-Zone, or any other page on my easy to find website) - not only will I be self promoting better than Don King - I'll be pushing the wrecking ball over the eggshell that protects Pallone.

- ambrosiajr - "impossible" has never stopped me before. "Impossible" is what gives me motivation to succeed. You are correct that winning this race is a dream of mine - who hasn't dreamed of a better place than what Pallone has left us with? And I believe that I stand for making this district, and country, a better place. We'll find out if I can reach enough people who have also dreamed of a better place soon enough. Impossible? Possibly. But I'll be out on the streets bright and early tomorrow morning continueing my door to door effort. It's not easy, and it may seem "impossible", but I'm no quiter and if I lose, it will be because I just didn't get to knock on enough doors. Your help by just telling a friend or two would be HUGE to me.

- Teddy - (*IF* that's your real name!) - I'm glad I have your support - I just hope that I've EARNED your support through my positions and explaining who I am and as I tell everyone else, if there are issues important to you that I haven't addressed, I'm easy to contact - through my easy to find website - let me know what is important to you and I'll do the research needed to learn about the issue and you'll know where I stand on the issues important to you. Even if it means that I lose your support, I'd rather you know where I stand on issues important to you rather than assume, and assume wrong, and be upset me with when I'm in office next year. Again, thank you for your support and I hope that I can continue to earn and win that support for at least the next two and half years or so.

- Lugar96 - Aren't you also the same person who accused me of being a Murray Sabrin clone on Barry's blog? Please find where Murray has written or indicated his positions on the issues I've addressed. The fact is (as you noted) that Murray and I share a number of *similar* positions on some national issues that are important to me personally, namely youth rights and foreign policy, which is what makes it logical for me to be a Murray supporter and for Murray to support my candidacy in return, and thus for us to run together on a line. No reason to go after McLeod? I'm not sure I was "going after him" - I simply provided my own conclusions to my own research of who I'm running against, because I couldn't find a website for the guy with the election around the corner. I'm pretty sure that I remember meeting you as well and you seem like a stand up guy who is interested in the issues. If it's issues you are concerned with, I've outlined where I stand on a number of those and I'm willing to lose support based on issues. It's your decision to make and I respect your right to make your own decision, but I personally I think it's crazy to not even consider the issues because you associate me with whatever group label you associate with Murray Sabrin. Again, I've outlined as best I can exactly who I am and what I stand for and have made clear decisions. If you have more questions about me or the issues, then once again, easy to find, easy to contact, blah blah blah... hoganforcongress.com ... :)

- Art - I'm glad I make you laugh and if making you laugh is enough to EARN your support, I can try to come up with a knock-knock joke section or something on my easy to find website, just for you, once I've addressed ALL of the other real issues, including the real issue of the fricken geese that Eric find strange. Please note that I too am laughing because you chose to copy/paste my email in the exact state as it was sent; who'd of thunk something I wrote was "copy/paste" worthy!? My writing skills must be improving already. And again, sorry to hijack your blog, but I feel like thanks to your blog, we at least got to know a little bit about Mr. McLeod and now we know where he stands on *4* issues that every republican has the same stand on anyway....

Judge McLeod responds to Hogan

Hogan's diatribe on opponent in MoreMonmouthMusings


James Hogan has demonstrated that he has one unfortunate trait common among politicians. He can express himself at length on matters of which he knows little or nothing.

He apparently believes that everything which comes before courts is a waste of taxpayers' money. Would he believe that if he were the one seeking relief or vindication? I happen to agree that much of what goes on in courts is a ritualistic travesty and a waste of taxpayers money, but it is Democrats like Frank Pallone who have added to the problem by consistently opposing tort reform and restraints on frivolous litigation and by elevating procedure over substance . Mr. Pallone and the Democratic party are purchased representatives of the trial lawyers lobby.

If people are interested in serious discussions of national issues my website went up today as a part of MonmouthCountyRepublicanParty.org., click "Our Candidates." It contains some discussions of Mr. Pallone's voting record and also researched, referenced discussions of important public issues. It will provide a contrast to Mr. Hogan's verbal meanderings.

Robert E. McLeod
"Border Control & Fair Trade"

McCain erases Obama lead

The Associated Press is reporting that John McCain has erased Barack Obama's 10 point lead in the polls and is now tied with either Obama or Hillary Clinton.

About a quarter of Obama supporters say they'll vote for McCain if Clinton is the Democratic nominee. About a third of Clinton supporters say they would vote for McCain if it's Obama.

I'm liking that James Hogan kid running for Congress

I like his spunk. His candid way of expressing himself. I like that he has no idea what he's gotten himself into, yet he keeps plowing ahead wanting to make a difference. I like him because he makes me laugh.

Here's an email exchange we had this afternoon:

Subject: Who is the "Rob McLeod" guy I'm running against? I found out!

Art,
I thought I would forward this over to you as I had emailed it to a
few other people who seemed surprised at what my quick "research"
turned up. Before you get to this long email, you owe me a "I told
you so" because I'm pretty sure it was you who told me "Andy will be
gone as quickly as he came". It's crazy the way the system work and
I'm learning more and more about how it works each day which is just
building my motivation and drive more and more.

Anyhow, thanks again for the support you've shown me in the past and I
look forward to EARNING your support, and vote, through November and
through my term in office. As always, I'm open to critisism, comments,
suggestions, new issues or new perspectives on old issues. The email
I had sent to a few people this morning follows.

--
James Hogan
http://www.hoganforcongress.com/




I did some quick searching - after all, it is the year 2008 and Google
is everyone's best friend, right? I was thinking that if this McLeod
guy was a career judge, I'd have to find *something* about the guy...
so to Google we go:

Robert McLeod Congress -- in Google turns up nothing - I shouldn't
say that - it turns up a few blogs that mention my name and ask "who
the hell is McLeod?" Interesting....
FWIW - trying "James Hogan Congress" turns up many links to my website
and other websites that contain information, forums posts, opinions,
etc from me.

So I continued on in my search for Mr. McLeod:
Judge Robert E. McLeod -- turns up nothing really - you'd expect
SOMETHING in a 15+ year career right? The few interesting things that
DO come up:
1) http://www.atlantichighlands.net/news/010628/hawley_complaint.htm
from 2001 - nothing of real substance in my opinion - a dismissed
political case - seems like real non-sense to me - hopefully this was
dismissed without too much tax payer money wasted on court
expenses/salaries/etc and hopefully an innocent individual who was
accused of some crime didn't have to wait too long for their "hearing"
while this case was "heard"... not bad so far, dismissed a silly case,
looking good...
and
2) http://www.holmdeltownship-nj.com/content/1066/1088/default.aspx- pay your traffic tickets here..... uhhhh "yuck"! So it APPEARS that
I'm running against the traffic court judge - you know the guy who
presumes you guilty until you can convince the prosecutor to let you
off "cheaper". Mr. McLeod has made his career taking the money of his
neighbors through traffic tickets in a "court" without a jury. I think
we've all been to traffic court a few times and you certainly aren't
getting a fair trial there, and there is certainly no presumption of
innocence, and Mr. McLeod was the guy taking revenue for the township,
great, thanks for your work in the community.

But I wasn't willing to stop there - there HAD to be more this guy has
done in 15+ years, there just had to be....
So I try -- "Judge Robert E. McLeod" (ie, the name in quotes) and
BINGO - NOW I remember why the name sounded so familiar! From Google
Cache:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:WGoaOd5HCOEJ:www.eteamz.com/vianneysoftball/+%22Judge+Robert+E.+McLeod%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us&lr=lang_en

This was the judge who heard the "case" of the St. John Vianey Girls
Softball coach who was accused of, and admitted to, and even returned
the "fence gate" and this is the judge who wanted his 15 minutes of
fame at the tax payer's expense and made a decision that the coach was
guilty but said that the coach should immediately appeal his decision
because it was a bad one. HUH!? That is the guy who wants to write
the laws now??? A traffic court judge who tries to hear a potentially
"real" case and bobbles it so tremendously that he makes a knowingly
bad decision and immediately recognizes the bad decision and says
someone else should make a better decision, ridiculous! "Following two
days of testimony....Kommendant was ordered to pay $316 in fines and
costs" *2 DAYS* of us tax payers paying for a court (at the tax payer
expense) and the coach/criminal pays $316. Remember that number, this
is leading somewhere, but don't forget McLeod found him guilty but
knew it was a bad call - in fact, McLeod seemed to think the whole
case was ridiculous but rather than dismiss the case and save the tax
payers some money, he wasted tax payer money and cost a good citizen,
a good coach, a lot of money and a good career.

At this point, I knew there HAD to be more - a guy who makes such a
crappy decision after 15 years of work HAD to have screwed up big at
least one or two more times... and then I found IT.....
http://forums.jerseyshoremoms.com/viewtopic.php?t=487&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30&sid=a0424a1d3762dbc0a0ba191af47c12ed

This is the judge, who ordered 13 youths to pay a $500 fine each for
drinking alcohol at PNC bank arts center! So again, $316 was paid by a
39 year old softball coach that this "judge" determined (poorly in his
own words) was a thief who stole $9,000 worth of goods but some "kids"
who drink alcohol at a concert are expected to pay $500 each for their
"crime"? That somehow makes sense to this guy? Doesn't make a whole
lot of sense to me, criminalize the youth of America, charge them more
money than they might get in gifts for a few birthdays or a holiday -
I suppose that according to Mr. McLeod, since they are "kids" they
deserve to be treated WORSE THAN CRIMINALS, just for being "kids", and
since these "kids" can't vote, Mr. McLeod will surely criminalize the
youth of American even more should be be elected and the youth of
America, who have no voting rights or representation, will just suffer
the wrath of this out of control, traffic court judge.

Mr. McLeod, a traffic court judge, who doesn't have a website
outlining any of his political positions two months before an
election, is clearly out of touch with the youth, the future, of
America Moreover, this traffic court judge clearly is unable to make
firm, sound decisions in his own court, and yet he believes that
somehow he can represent "we the people" and make sound decisions for
us in Washington DC? Please, save me the time and tell a friend about
this traffic court judge's history of wasting tax payer money and
making bad decisions - if needed, I'll be glad to provide references
from any and all of my previous bosses and co-workers who can attest
to my ability to make a sound business decision, quickly, and have
that decision proven to be a sound, reliable, long-term good decision
that is to the benefit of my employer. As a representative, you, the
people of New Jersey are my employer and it is you for whom I need to
answer to, serve and make sound decisions in order to represent you
best.

--
James Hogan
http://www.hoganforcongress.com/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Hey Jim---
> I told you so!

Classic. :-)

> Thanks for the email. I'm going to use it on my blog
> Art

As I've said to others, I appologize that my writing is not more
"official" or "professional" looking and ready for the easy
"copy/paste". I write and say what I think and I don't hold much back
which seems to lead to rambling sentences. Also, a fellow youth
rights supporter friend of mine thinks it is wrong of me to attack a
judge's decisions or the legitamacy of his court room - I can see how
and why someone might look at my research and conclusions that way,
however, my point is simply that in a long public career as a judge,
one would hope to find many cases of good judgement and 15+ years of
good examples of fair and equal judgement and it seems like the few
cases that you can find attached to his name have rather disappointing
turnouts and I'm willing to bet (and bank on) Average Joe Voter not
voting for the guy who collected their parking ticket money, nor do I
think that Average Joe Voter is going to vote for someone who makes a
decision that is knowingly wrong. I mean, I for one, don't want a
representative that agrees to some act of Congress and then says "but
we should undo this legislation later cause it's wrong". Again, I
wouldn't tell my boss "I knowing coded all of this system poorly in a
depreciated language which is a bad decision but you can always hire
someone else to clean up the code and rewrite it later", that's just
silly talk.

Anyhow, keep up the great work on your blog. I've been
checking/reading daily since I last emailed you, good stuff.

--
James Hogan
http://www.hoganforcongress.com/

Unanue withdraws. No foolin'

Goya heir Andy Unanue has withdrawn from the U.S Senate race and gone back to his ski trip in Colorado, according to Politickernj.

Former Congressman Dick Zimmer, who ran for this Senate seat when Bill Bradley vacated it and lost to the Torch, is the candidate of the moment to replace Unanue.

The Lunacy of LUARACC

By Mayor Mike Halfacre

Much has been said in the news lately about the “Local Unit Alignment, Reorganization, and Consolidation Commission”, a body that was created over a year ago by the legislature to do the following:

“the commission shall develop criteria to serve as the basis for recommending the consolidation of specific municipalities, the merger of specific existing autonomous agencies into the parent municipal or county government, or the sharing of services between municipalities or between municipalities and other public entities.” (All references are to NJSA 52:27D-501 et seq.)

This Commission has been in the news lately as it has only now gotten around to forming, despite the law requiring it form within 60 days of the passage of the law.

Who gets to serve on the Committee? Just about anyone, except:

“No appointee shall be an elected official of a local unit or county unless that person has significant experience in shared service initiatives and demonstrated success at having implemented such agreements at the local level.”

Isn’t that brilliant? A Commission to consolidate towns, but no elected representatives from any towns can serve on it.

The Act is also interesting in that it is an attempt to play off the “success” of the BRAC law that closes United States Military bases. (We all know how well that worked with Ft. Monmouth.)

In fact, the law makes specific reference to the BRAC procedure:

“Tough political decisions are often most expeditiously made through the use of bipartisan commissions, as demonstrated by the success of the federal base realignment and closure (BRAC) procedure.”

Unfortunately, the law fails to mention that the BRAC procedure is subject to terrible abuse, with the outright falsification of data that led to the eventual demise of Ft. Monmouth. Despite overwhelming evidence of false and misrepresentative data, the BRAC Commission and the Army are going ahead with the closure.

The so-called LUARAC Commission is empowered to do a lot of studying, and will spend a lot of our money to do so:

“The commission shall appoint an executive director, who shall serve at the pleasure of the commission and who shall have expertise in one or more local government subjects, such as planning, local finance, geography, taxation, or other relevant fields. The executive director shall appoint professional staff qualified by training and experience to serve the commission.”

Yes, another layer of bureaucracy that will spend our tax dollars. Just like the County “Super-superintendents” that will recommend consolidation of school districts. Do you notice a trend here? Governor Corzine and his party, while in control of the legislature, have repeatedly created state-level bureaucracies that are designed to eliminate local control. Why? Because State-level patronage pits provide a greater amount of political boss control and a higher rate of return than local small town governments.

But I digress. The LUARAC law also has the ability to force small towns to comply with its requests:

“The commission shall be entitled to the cooperation of the officials and employees of every county and municipality as it may require.”

The Commission is going to ask for volunteers, and if it gets none, will presumably throw darts to select what towns to study. After spending money, forcing cooperation, and making recommendations that may include consolidation of municipalities, it will make recommendations to the Governor and legislature as to what towns should consolidate.

Only then, after all that money is spent, will it be put to the voters to decide if they want to consolidate. Only if it passes by a majority from all local units, will consolidation go forward.

O.K. let’s bring it back home:

As many people know, Fair Haven has a close relationship with its neighbors, Rumson and Little Silver. We are currently studying a consolidation of the three local police departments, as well as existing and ongoing efforts to share other municipal services. Much of the recent efforts have been a result of a “pick your dance partner” mentality: It is better to work together now, than be forced into partnerships in the future.

I support efforts to save money for our local property tax payers, but I also strongly believe that the identity of our small towns must remain intact. I oppose forced efforts to consolidate municipalities. Fortunately, under the current law, Rumson, Fair Haven and Little Silver will not have to confront a consolidation, as the legislature that wrote the LUARAC law put in this provision:

Municipalities to be considered for consolidation shall be within the same county and shall also be situated within the same legislative district.

Fair Haven and Little Silver are in the 12th, Rumson is in the 11th. As it stands, the law prevents a consolidation of these three towns. Why? I submit because no legislator wanted to risk losing one of their constituent towns. They wanted to protect their gerrymandered turf.

The lesson from all this, is this: What comes out of Trenton is not designed to help us. It is designed to further the agenda of the controlling interests in Trenton.

Mike Halfacre is the Mayor of Fair Haven and a contributor to MoreMonmouthMusings

Minton unloads on Bennett and Puharic. Calls for new leadership

"I don't intend to be bullied by Adam Puharic or his sycophants, toadys and lackeys." ~ Red Bank GOP Chairman Jack Minton.

Jack Minton called tonight and had a few things to say about John Bennett and Adam Puharic.

About why Bennett is running for Minton's seat on the Red Bank County Committee:

"For those who follow Harry Potter, maybe he's been confunded, or hit his head on a door jam."

Minton said that he was disappointed that Bennett did not tell him he was running when they saw each other on Monday before the filing deadline. "I thought John Bennett was a stand up guy. Obviously, he isn't," Minton said, "He's a cat's paw for Adam Puharic."

"Puharic has made a career of denigrating people. That's why he can't bring people together. That the county chairman would stick his nose into this municipal county committee race is pathetic."

Minton said that Puharic should have done his homework before telling the Asbury Park Press that "the other person," meaning Minton, had not been constructive for Red Bank Republicans. "In the last four or five election cycles, local Republicans have won in district 2, the district that I represent and that Bennett wants."

As for how "constructive" Puharic has been as chairman, "He's lost us two Freeholder seats, a sterling performance." "His role in the shunning of Anna Little was a time when Puharic came up to the mark real good and united the party."

Minton expressed his concerns for Puharic's fundraising ability. "When he was running for chairman he promised to come up with a fundraising system that was second to none. Well, we're a lot closer to none than we are to second."

With all of that off his chest, Minton called for new party leadership. "On a more serious note, we need a party chairman who is a honest broker and will allow people to come together. Someone who instills enough confidence in people that they will check their egos at the door and and work together for the common good. A party chairman needs to be a servant of the party members. We need to find someone who can fill that role."