IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Comeback Time

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Comeback time 

A lead editorial in today’s Record outlined what it believes is necessary for Republicans to make a comeback in Bergen County – highlighting many of  the same points on which newly-elected Chairman Rob Ortiz ran his campaign.   

Comeback time

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

THE RECORD EDITORIAL  

There's nowhere to go but up. That must be reassuring to Rob Ortiz, the newly elected chairman of the Bergen County Republican Organization. It also should make Joseph Ferriero, the chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Organization, nervous. That's good, too. 

A lack of leadership, unity and money has left the once all-powerful county Republican machine in tatters. The resignation of former county Chairman Guy Talarico opened the door for change. The election of Ortiz, a 35-year-old Ridgewood attorney, is a breath of fresh air. 

Ortiz is a skilled fund-raiser. That's a plus. It takes money to win elections, something Ferriero understands and has used to his party's advantage. But money is also the weakness of Bergen Democrats. The county organization stands mostly for winning elections and pay-to-play. It's business is business, which gives Republicans, if they can get their act together, the opportunity of putting the people's business ahead of partisan interests.  

We are optimistic, but not holding our breath. Beyond the dollars needed to fund campaigns, Ortiz must build alliances within the Republican organization, placating the old guard while attracting new blood. 

In the recent primary in the 40th District, one slate tried to exploit racial divisions among Republicans. Assemblyman Kevin O'Toole's Korean heritage became fodder for a virulent campaign mailer. If Republicans are smart, they will reach out to Asian, Hispanic and black voters in Bergen County. That is no easy task. 

Voters want less government spending. They want their taxes reduced, education improved and transit expanded. Social issues are important, but they should not become the political wedge that pushes out moderate Republicans. 

Voters are turned off by campaigns of hate. They are also not motivated by campaigns about nothing. Democrats have had it easy. All Ferriero needed to do was pump money into commercials, ads and mailers. Voters didn't need to know what a candidate stood for as much as to remember his or her name on Election Day. That isn't good enough. Democrats and Republicans should stand for something more than keeping Democrats and Republicans employed. 

Political parties grow up from the grass-roots level. Republicans need to win mayoral races and council seats. That will pave the way for freeholder seats and state offices. 

In the Bible, it took 40 years to find the Promised Land. Ortiz has a less ambitious target, but less time. He has to get his people someplace better than where they are by this November. 

Good luck.