Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Cantor: Switch Was a Local Decision

Marlboro Councilman told MoreMoreMonmouthMusings that his decision to switch parties was a purely local decision based on his support of Mayor Jon Hornik, Councilman Frank LaRocca, and his dissatisfaction with the Marlboro GOP.

Cantor said that Hornik and LaRocca are putting the best interests of Marlboro first and are doing the right thing. He said the local GOP is deeply divided into factions, most of which are operating out of their own self-interest.

Cantor said he has not given any thought to running for higher office and that he may not run for re-election to his post as a Marlboro councilman. He said he may be deployed to Afghanistan later this year.

When asked why he would switch parties if he is unsure about even running for re-election, Cantor said he felt it was important to send a message of support for Hornik and a repudiation of the Marlboro GOP.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

There are problems with many local GOP organizations. That is why many rank and file are giving up.

Anonymous said...

that's because there's been no county leadership for five years. Oxley is a huge disappointment. He has spent all his time trying to get himself township attorney positions instead of building the party. His failures to take action in Manalapan and Marlboro are a disgrace and will make it very unlikely he will be reelected county chairman. In Manalapan, he has sat back and watched the municipal chairman destroy the party and intentionally throw the elections to the democrats. He could easily have done something but hasn't, because there's nothing in it for him.

ESedler said...

Then why not become an independent?

That'd send just as much of a message and he could have stayed R and supported Hornik's agenda anyway. Some county R's do that in Burlco..some did it with McMorrow back in 2006 here.

Instead of leaving, rank and file should try to push for change within the local organizations and new leadership. I don't know the deal with Marlboro at all really, but I think we all saw the problems with a certain figure who got his ass handed to him in 2007.

I guess we'll see what the move really was about if he ever runs for higher office.

This all being said, I wish Jeff good luck and the best if he is deployed.

Uncle Sam said...

Adam Puharic said...

"Dear fellow Republicans:
Tonight, I received word from the Asbury Park Press that Anna Little has ... even hinted at switching parties. Switching parties? This is an outrage to every good Republican – over 550 of us who attended Lincoln Day last night -- that she would betray our hard work, use the election victory we all worked towards together, and throw all of it away for her personal glory."
(Wireside chat, 02/20/2007)

Anna was and remains a conservative Republican as the elected Mayor of the Borough of Highlands. Adam's boy, Cantor, has gone beyond "hinting at" switching parties and has switched. Now he's a Democrat.
If Adam hadn't engaged in shenanigans during his lamentable term as chairman, both Clifton and Little would both have been reelected and we wouldn't have to deal with Flippy D'Amoco and his inspector general.

Anonymous said...

His statements don't ring true. If he reallly favors Republican/Conservative positions of strong defense and less government then he should remain a republican. If he fancies Hornik he can make that statement much more strongly as a Republican then another facelss Dem. If he thinks the local R's are on the wrong track, then again he should use his position to bring reform to the local organization. His move makes no sense other than short-term convenience and expediency. Hornik's father switched back and forth multiple times so maybe he convinced Cantor that it was the think to do.

Honest Abe said...

This may in fact be due to a local split. However, one can disassociate one's self from a local organization and still be a part of the county team. Jeff has opted not to do this. Would he have done this were he a freeholder right now?
Jon Hornik's father had been a GOP mayor who switched and brought Republican councilmembers along with him to the dark side. (Sally Mollica and David Lerner)
The Puharic connection is of concern. This is not to cast aspersions upon every candidate recruited while Adam was chairman. Far from it. Still, Andrew Lucas, while still a Republican, has apparently allied himself with a Democratic faction in Manalapan. Now we have Cantor going Dem. Is this Adam's revenge upon the GOP? Or are these merely isolated cases based on local situations?

Art Gallagher said...

Is this Adam's revenge upon the GOP? Or are these merely isolated cases based on local situations?

Adam's revenge? Hardly. Jeff's choice was his own and Adam had nothing to do with it.

Jeff's departure is more accurately described as a reminder of Adam's poor judgement, However it makes no sense to dwell on that or beat Adam up. Rather, as a party, we should learn from our mistakes, be honest with ourselves about our weaknesses and move forward.

Anonymous said...

Jeff Cantor should hang his disloyal face in shame.After the County Republican Organization spent thousands on his campaign, collected money for him from many municipalities,and gave him many hours of volunteer time from all municipalities,this turncoat now speaks about this fable of the bad Marlboro GOP.We won't forget your disloyalty jeff Cantor!!!

And as far as the first anonymous poster,this half wit should realize Adam Puharic was the Chairman,not Joe Oxley. Under Adam's leadership he overlooked so called Republicans who were camapigning for Democrats .Maybe the initials S.R. might jog a memeory.

Anonymous said...

Question: If he was so upset with the GOP why couldn't he become an "INDEPENDENT?" The Democrats are far from conservative unless Hornick is a DINO!