A fresh and familiar face

The Asbury Park Press editorialized this morning that the Monmouth GOP needs a fresh face, not a"1st stringer" for our new chairman.

Isn't that exactly what we just suffered through with Adam "Tantrum Boy" Puharic?

If Skip Hadley were to announce that he was leaving as Executive Editor of the APP, do you think Gannett would promote Kevin Penton into that job? Kevin is a bright young man. He's a good reporter covering the Bayshore. He's hardworking, and develops the relationships he needs to be effective in his job.

Why not Kevin? He's a good guy and people like him. Well, because Kevin is not ready for that job. If he aspires to a job like Executive Editor, I have no doubt that he could work towards it and develop the experience and skills needed to succeed in that job, someday.

The APP says that Joe Oxley, who even county Democrats expect to be the next GOP Chairman, "has far too many ties and loyalties to be an energizing force. He would hardly be the fresh face needed to encourage residents who have long felt disenfranchised into thinking they could make a difference."

The APP should keep an open mind about Oxley, should he declare his candidacy, and I expect he will. While Oxley has not announced that he is a candidate for chairman, the leaders of the various factions of the party universally supported him taking the chairmanship in 2006. He declined to run, opting to keep politics out of the Sheriff's office which he held at the time.

All indications are that both the grass roots reformers and the "establishment" leaders will support Oxley again in 2008. That these groups can agree on Oxley is amazing. Their agreement speaks volumes about Oxley's strength, leadership and ability to include all comers. Unlike what the APP seems to fear, that new blood won't be welcome and that residents will feel disenfranchised, my experience of Joe Oxley indicates that just the opposite will be true.

The APP can be expected to scrutinize Oxley, and to attempt to sell some papers by hinting of scandal. They will probably write more about his law firm, which is politically powerful in both parties throughout the state. They will raise issues about Oxley's four term tenure as Sheriff. They should do that. It is their job.

However, it is also their job to be objective and fair. Raise the issues and ask the questions. Joe Oxley can handle it, and can address the issues honestly and with much to be proud of.

Joe Oxley is more than a "1st stringer." He is a Hall of Famer. Monmouth County, and the GOP would have been better off with him as chairman in 2006. Monmouth County and the GOP will be very fortunate if he becomes the GOP chairman next month.