Sunday, February 14, 2010

Lincoln Day Dinner A Great Success

Approximately 500 Republicans came out to the Monmouth County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands tonight. Congratulations to Chairman Joe Oxley, John and Mary Fran Lane, Christine Hanlon and the entire Lincoln Day Committee for yet another successful event.

Some of the highlights of the evening:

The CD 12 race was on all night.

Mike Halfacre won the ground game with lawn signs in the snow greeting the attendees as they entered Simon Lake Drive. His volunteers were standing in the cold, signs in hand, welcoming people into the event. Halfacre and his wife Trish we just inside the door welcoming supporters and placing red Halfacre for U.S. Congress stickers on lapels.

Scott Sipprelle was working the room, as was David Corsi. Sipprelle noted that he won the MoreMonmouthMusings poll against Halfacre. I told him that he won one and lost one. "Wasn't the first one before I announced?" he asked. Sorry Scott.

Corsi was handing out business cards with his picture that read "Had Enough? Corsi for Congress." Corsi asked me how to spell MoreMonmouthMusings, "Is it More or Moore?"

In CD 6, Diane Gooch is looking very much like a candidate. In her capacity as Vice Chair of the county party, she assisted Chairman Oxley in awarding the "Circle of Excellence" Eagle to municipal chairs who won control of their towns. Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini said she's exploring her options. If Bill Barham was there, I didn't see him. Gooch will be the nominee. You read it here first.

Joining Angelini from the 11th legislative district was Senator Sean Kean and Assemblyman Dave Rible. Assemblywoman Amy Handlin and Assemblyman Thomspon were present from the 13th. The 12th district legislators were absent.

Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce was present. Congressman Chris Smith was the keynote speaker.

Spring Lake Councilman Gary J. Rich, Sr will once again seek the GOP nomination for Freeholder. Former Howell Mayor Joe DiBella is asking people if he should run. Let's have a poll!

Middletown Republicans are expecting Democrat Sean Byrnes to seek re-election to the Middletown Township Committee this year, rather than to make another run for Freeholder.

I have some corrections to make.

Far from being relieved that he doesn't have to bang the blogger, Sam Thomspon's reaction to Michael Illions dropping out of the race for Middlesex County Chairman was, "Darn!"

The other correction is that Assemblywoman Amy Handlin served as a Monmouth County Freeholder for 16 years, not 18 years, as I wrote last week.

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sipprelle didn't need to waste time with signs and stickers, he can send the checks in the mail. He's clearly the favorite. Who needs a ground game when you've got the money?

Anonymous said...

Art, I had a sense you'd bring up our conversation. Always nice to see you and credit to you that I got home and wanted to check your site about your report of the night. I honestly was not asking people if I should run - you asked me if I was and I said "what do you think?" These polls bring out -well they bring out some interesting comments. Speak to you soon I hope.

Joe DiBella

Anonymous said...

How odd that none of the CD-12 legislators were present.

Didn't all 3 of them endorse Halfacre before Sipprelle got in the race?

Anonymous said...

yes, everybody loves a winner,huh?.. but that's fine, made a few bucks..thank God for the dependable Chris Smith, or we'd likely have had yet another segment by the master of ceremonies, or something..congrats to the hardworking, unsung heroes of the committee, who consistently make it look easy.. place looked nice, folks smiling,weather held, food decent,etc., but shame on the Gov.,for embarassing us and himself, apparently forgetting where his best numbers came from, and so soon!.. but, will likely see him at Kyrillos' event in a few weeks, priorities, but 1/5 the attendees, go figure!?..

U can't spell Princeton without RINO said...

Clearly the favorite? Sipprelle has Brian Nelson, Steve Mchenry and Andy boy Lucas. Has anyone told Sipprelle and Travis that his base consists of the three biggest tools in the County?

Art Gallagher said...

Art, I had a sense you'd bring up our conversation. Always nice to see you and credit to you that I got home and wanted to check your site about your report of the night. I honestly was not asking people if I should run - you asked me if I was and I said "what do you think?" These polls bring out -well they bring out some interesting comments. Speak to you soon I hope.

Joe DiBella


Joe,

I voted yes.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad Halfacre got to the party early. I'm sure he made lots of connections with local politicians. After he loses this election, I'm sure Halfacre will seek to pad his state pension even more by landing yet another government job. (How many government jobs has Halfacre had so far? 12?) Who knows? Maybe Howell Township is looking for someone to cut the grass in their parks? I hope you collected lots of business cards, Mike. You're going to need them.

Anonymous said...

agree about LD 12: appears unless it's their year or is about them, they're AWOL, which is why their lack of "team" means they should not run the county..

Anonymous said...

If everyone supporting Sipprelle is a tool RINO boy better get his pen warmed up to add a lot of names to his list. This game is over and Halfacre doesn't even realize it yet. Not to mention that Halfacre is the biggest RINO in the race.

Anonymous said...

Bold prediction here. Halfacre gets shut out and Siprelle gets the line here in Monmouth County. You heard it here first.

Anonymous said...

Gotta say I hate lawn signs and they look even more childish at a party event. Is the key note speaker the same "Republican" that voted for cap and trade?

Anonymous said...

Sipprelle sent out a fundraising letter....I thought he was rich?

Anonymous said...

Joe Dibellawould be a good candidate.

I also like Tom Arnone the mayor of Neptune City. I know he is thinking about it and I hope he jumps in.

Anonymous said...

I grew up in the Bayshore and know it well. Gooch is the worst possible Republican Candidate for that district.
Why?
1. She does not live in ther Distirct.
2.She has no connection to the District.
3. It is a Blue Colar District that will not relate to her.
I mean for crying out loud her husband has an upper crust British accent and she runs a newspaper that reports on Garden Parties in Rumson.
She seems to be intelligent and a very nice lady. She is just the wrong candidate for that district.
It is a shame because this is the one year out of ten that we actually have a shot at beating Pallone. If we ran the right candidate.
I suspect that the party leaders who are supporting her know all this but all they care about his how much cash they can milk out of her and her husband for there other races. She is being played.
Mrs. Gooch, If you are smart you will not walk you will run away from this race.

Anonymous said...

I know one of the 12th district legislators (Declan) was out of the country on a family vacation.

Really reading into there anscense that it has something to do with the congressional race is just stupid.

Anonymous said...

Anon.11:19, you hit the nail on the head.

There is no reasonable person who would think Ms. Gooch has a chance in the bowels of Middlesex and beyond. It's almost laughable.

My question is .... why isn't St.Senator Jen Beck taking on Pallone? She lives in the congressional district and she knows how to beat Dems. What gives with her?

Anonymous said...

guessing that she's burned she blew Lt. Gov.,and there are 4 million reasons why she might wind up a loser a second time, then what would she do??.. it'd be like Kyrillos losing.. then what- actually work??..nah...hey, Amy Handlin the brilliant ought to run, too, but then,she's never raised any money, not in her 15 yrs. as freeholder, nor now with D.13,wants an easy race with everyone doing all the dirty work for her, plus, certainly,not much diff. with Frank, in philosophy..with Diane, agree, very nice, but very insulated.. more than the class-issue for that district, is the total lack of political know-how.. can't beat a 22 year inumbent without glaring differences,simply-stated, and some really savvy and smart marketing,along with the bucks!-so, as of now, Frankie's looking "saved,"to me: what a lucky bastard he's always been......

Anonymous said...

hey, Mary Pat may be the only answer for CD6!!..anyone think Mickey Gooch'd raise her some $$?..let Diane run the local legis.ofc??.. there's an idea, we got to be creative, people!..

Anonymous said...

Angelini has the experience, and would probably have the support of the NJGOP. But she can't afford a primary with Gooch and then a face-off with Pallone. If Gooch gives up her plans, Angelini would definitely step in.

Anonymous said...

very interesting, a "battle of the blondes," in 2010..

Anonymous said...

Angelini is ready, she's just trying not to step on Gooch's money, I mean toes...Last night was absurd, the Gooch table sat there wearing buttons that said "Diane Gooch", what was that???

Taking on Pallone is about a whole lot more than wearing a button with your name on it, she just doesn't have "it". Angelini owned the room, and if Gooch didn't see that, it's only because she didn't want to.

Anonymous said...

Angelini is ready to go, she doesn't want to step on Gooch's money, I mean toes. Gooch looked ridiculous last night, sitting there wearing a "Diane Gooch" button. What was that???

It's going to take a lot more than wearing a button with her name on it to beat Pallone and last night Gooch showed she just doesn't have "it". Angelini, on the other hand owned the room...if Gooch didn't see that, it's only because she didn't want to.

Anonymous said...

DiBella is no longer the Mayor of Howell for a reason. He is extremely unpopular. Indeed, he was almost recalled.

Anonymous said...

Angelni is a RINO. Get real! If she's the best Palone is a shoe in. Better look elsewhere.

Anonymous said...

As a Democrat, I would have to sit on the sidelines in an Angelini vs. Pallone fight. I respect them both...but Gooch vs. Pallone, I'll be behind Pallone 100%.

Anonymous said...

art has a big belly button, you heard it here first.

Anonymous said...

I blame Oxley. He should grow a set and do what's right for the party. Angelini is not only the better candidate, she's the BEST candidate.

Anonymous said...

Go to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=299727881210 to support Mary Pat!

Anonymous said...

GO TO http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=299727881210 to SUPPORT MARY PAT!

Anonymous said...

oh come on art - you didn't laugh out loud a little with the 'you heard it here first' comment

Anonymous said...

Gooch can do something Angelini can't: bankrupt Pallone of his $4M piggy bank.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Art should tell Gooch...because she clearly has no idea what to do. Previous poster, last night was indeed strange. The last thing she looked was Congressional!

Anonymous said...

Pallone isn't going to spend his 4million on this race, and Gooch hasn't even promised ONE million, no way she spends FOUR!

Anonymous said...

the vice chair finally showed up at an event - how convenient. Of course Siprelle will get the line. Follow the money - not just who has it but who they give it to. I'm done fighting for this party - call me when we get a real chairman

Anonymous said...

2010 PREDICTIONS

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST FOLKS

- Vincent Solomeno loses at the Democratic County convention when dirt about him comes out a week before the convention. Dems settle with Red Bank Councilman Mike DuPont or some other random schmuck.

- Joe DiBella wins at the Republican County Convention and becomes Freeholder in November. Rob Clifton goes to the assembly due to vacancy and Lillian Burry remains Freeholder Director.

- Republicans handily win the freeholder seats and Sheriff's seat. Judge John D'Amico is the bottom vote-getter.

- Victor Scudiery and Joseph Oxley are both re-elected chairs.

- In Middletown, Sean Byrnes is narrowly re-elected but his runningmate, Leonard Inzerello loses. Tom Hall is defeated.

- Frank Pallone whoops carpetbagger Gooch, 58% to 40%

- Rush Holt defeats Spinnerelle 53% to 46%

- Chris Smith beats Corzine aide Josh Zeitz for a 2nd time, 74% to 26%

- Republicans pick up 3 Senate Seats, 3 governorships and 16 House seats.

2012 PREDICTIONS

Republican frontrunners for president::: Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabe and Tim Pawlenty (if thats the crew, Obama easily wins re-election)

2013 PREDICTIONS

Democratic Frontrunners for Governor::: Steve Sweeney, Barbara Buono and Dick Codey (Cory Booker chooses to wait 4 years)...If thats the crew, Christie easily win's re-election)


WHETHER YOUR BIAS WANTS TO DEAL WITH IT OR NOT, THIS IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

Anonymous said...

Angelini supporters--instead of anonymous blogging and beating up on gooch, the chairman and others--go out, mount a campaign, raise some money and win. It shouldn't be handed to Angelini, Gooch or anyone. But don't be a sideline whiner--if you want it--then should go out and mount a campaign. At least Halfacre stated his candidacy and is fighting it out. Don't stamp your feet, say it should be Angelini's race and that's it--the candidate needs to cut margins in towns that R's never win--Long Branch, Asbury and other D areas. So, get to work people, raise some money, start debating Pallone on the issues via press releases, etc. and make it happen. Don't start blaming your own party now..it's too early.

Anonymous said...

Pallone will beat both Gooch and Angelini by sizeable margins--he's not as vulnerable as people are saying he is. And, he's a seasoned debater. Is there anyone else out there to run?

Anonymous said...

Self-centered Halfacre, does not stand a chance, jumped the gun, assumed too much. The Halfacre signs outside the Lincoln Day Dinner were inappropriate. Many agreed. It was not about him!

Sipprelle brings much more to the table than Halfacre and it's not just money. It's a no brainer- Sipprelle all the way. Halfacre will eventually drop out, if he has any common sense.

Anonymous said...

The fact that Sipprelle is always unprepared for these meetings doesn't mean that campaigning is inappropriate. Maybe out there in Princeton you're removed from Republican politics, but the Lincoln Day Dinner has always been about candidates.

Sipprelle was rarely seen anywhere but at his table. It's the arrogance of someone that thinks money are enough to get elected. If he can't connect with his Republican peers, how can you expect him to ever connect with his constituents.

Sipprelle will drop out before the primary, like Estabrook, when he'll realize that he can buy a few chairmen, but not the grassroots voters. You heard it here first.

Anonymous said...

Barham has way too many bulls eyes on him to be viable even as a small town commissioner. His record and associations would have been easy targets for Pallone, or any Republican in a faceoff.
Glad to hear he has been written off.

Anonymous said...

What has Halfacre accomplished? He Raised taxes! He hurt taxpayers the minute he got a chance. I thought he was a Democrat.

No business savvy. Just ask Fair Haven businesses

James said...

Meet "Mayor" DiBella

Thanks for the laughs, Joe.

Anonymous said...

I find it refreshing if Sipprelle did not realize that Lincoln Day was a 'schmooze-fest'. Good for him. And good for all voters that we have someone so inexperienced in the ways of cronyism but savvy in management and business.

Sipprelle will crush Holt.

Anonymous said...

time for a thanks, Art, for providing a place for people to air their views and gripes, it's GOOD to hear them all, and discuss/debate the realities and difficulties that come with politics in "century 21".. that being said, I respect anyone who tries to think ahead a few campaigns and of course, anything can/will change, that's the interestng part...in CD6, am afraid Gooch will not present well, and will look shell-shocked against ol' Flatfoot, who's smooth, if not totally under-achieving, and over-taxing!..unfortunately, over 85% of Congressmen still get re-elected.. it's just a dumb familiarity-thing,which is why Smith will get by, with his cap and tax mistake, in CD4,and also why Holt may just sneak thru,unfortunately,in CD12.. Ironically, NEITHER Sipprelle nor Halfacre appear different enough in philosophy, to warrant/produce a a change, unless D-leaning 12 is really so mad... if ONLY Pappas didn't sing on the floor, CD12 would still be ours!!..if ONLY dopey Howard didn't drop dead from smoking so much,on the golf course, we'd never have lost CD 6(old 3)!.. if only it was easier to be a Republican!....

James said...

Why is Joe DiBella pretending to still be the mayor of Howell on his web site? He hasn't been the mayor of Howell for quite some time now.

"Mayor" DiBella?

Isn't Assemblywowan Angelini the same person that opposed the recently enacted medical marijuana law because that law would legally "allow high school seniors to walk around carrying 240 joints?"


What's Mary Pat Smoking?

Is this the best the Monmouth County Republican party can offer the electorate?

Anonymous said...

Gotta laugh at the political hack slamming Barham. Oh my a succesful business man who is worth more then most of the petty party bosses combined is not fit for a local commisioner. You must be breaking his heart. Bunch of clowns

Anonymous said...

When she first ran I thought Angelini was a conservative. She has been a big disappointment.

There is one person who could beat Pallone.

She is the Mayor of a Democrat leaning blue Collar town in the Bayshore. She is a fiscal and social conservative. She believes in the free enterprise system.
She can get the vote of the Clam Diggers and the Wall Street Bankers.She will pull in the Catholic vote and Evangelical Protestants. She has connections in the Hispanic community and speaks the language fluently (not to mention French German and Russian)
She is is highly educated and very intelligent yet she has no problem relating to us common folk. (kind of like a really smart Sarah Palin)

She has County Wide name recognition and the Press likes her.

That person is Anna Little.
RUN ANNA RUN!

Anonymous said...

Anyone notice who got the loudest applause......GO JOHNNY GO!
Oxley badly misjudged that one....then again, he is bringing in more business for his law firm.

Anonymous said...

Everytime Billy posts he proves he doesent get it. He thinks that because he worked the old system by getting government contracts and connections through folks like his Godfather, crooked Harry Larrison, that he is entitled to whatever he wants to entertain himself. He even says the money he skimmed into his pile is bigger then the party elites. His statements are further evidence of his lack of political accumine. He is a barely disguised bully.
Even a clown can see that.

Anonymous said...

agree Little would be interesting against Frank, but, with zero money and no backers, HOW??..

Anonymous said...

if Byrnes hasn't the stomach to run again, with D'Amico, am afraid the well-spoken, if not a bit snotty, Solomino is the running-mate, old and young, shore and Bayshore, not bad tkt.for them in a Rep(please!) year..wonder who their sheriff guy'll be, this year??..

Anonymous said...

Anna has more supporters then you think.
Tea Patriots will love her. The social conservatives want her to run.
Once she gets the nomination the money will come.
Besides we need to get over this money is everything attitude. Hard work wins elections. Look at what Brown in Mass. pulled of and he was hugely out spent. Social media like utube face book and twitter make it even easier to win with less money then your opponent. Sure it is harder but a money disadvantage can be overcome.

Anonymous said...

There were rumors that Little had some undisclosed 'baggage' years ago, but agree that of the 'pool' of current prospective candidates, Anna Little is the only one who could beat Pallone. Intelligent, personable, blue-collar, multi-lingual, experienced, brave and tough enough to stand up within her own party for what she believes is right, and a working mother. Question is ... would a smart guy like Mickey Gooch be willing to see this and throw his support behind someone who could win in the Bayshore and with the working classes up north? If those two orbits collided, Pallone would implode.

Anonymous said...

Rumors of excess baggage where just that rumors. Untrue character assaINATION

Anonymous said...

So who was the character assasin back then? Would that happen to be another potential candidate in this mix?

Anonymous said...

So who was the character assasin back then?

RASTAMAN

Anonymous said...

a very dark and unnecessary page in the party history that does NOT bear repeating, how about we all agree in 2010,not to drag up old gripes, false rumors, innuendoes, and libelous, slanderous comments and issues, and go FORWARD, to finish taking over the county board, and keep winning at all levels, with a unified, GOP, back-to-basics message voters WILL support and reward!!?? please!