June 17, 2008 - 1:37pm
Burlco GOP not worried about Obama locally, but Dems say he could change game
By Max Pizarro
Category: LocalTags: Barack Obama, John Adler, Jim Saxton, Aubrey Fenton, Bill Layton, Chris Myers, Stacy Jordan, Chris Brown, Mary Anne Reinhart
Bill Layton says he must have been in diapers when the Democrats had a freeholder in Burlington County.
"It was the early 1980s anyway," said the Republican Party chairman, who unanimously won re-election at his party’s re-organization meeting last week and champions GOP Freeholder Aubrey Fenton and his running mate, Stacy Jordan.
The history doesn’t dim the enthusiasm of Layton’s rival, Rick Perr, chair of the Burlington County Democratic Organization, who believes this is the year his candidates for freeholder, Chris Brown and Mary Anne Reinhart, can win.
"Looking back on 2007, it wasn’t a good year for Democrats," admitted Perr. "We assumed the anti-Republican sentiment we saw in 2006 would build up to a crescendo."
It didn’t happen.
It never happens, says Layton, who wearily recounts how the Democrats always summon a game-changing reason why they will at last breach the barricade and land one of their own on the freeholder board.
"Rick has to do that," he said, acknowledging that a woefully unpopular President George W. Bush in particular has provided a steady ammo flow for the Democrats.
Al Gore won Burlington over Bush in 2000. John Kerry beat him in 2004.
Last year, the Democrats believed the unique combination of Bush torment, a state Senate candidate who had been a Republican legislator and switched up to run with his former rivals, a strong freeholder candidate, and the Burlington County Bridge Commission scandal would finally break GOP control.
"They said it was going to be the break through year," said Layton, "and they got trounced."
Admitted Perr, "Voters didn’t end up looking at it our way, and with the exception of Whelan and Van Drew (in senate races in the 1st and 2nd legislative districts in South Jersey), Democrats statewide didn’t do well. But Burlington County is right on track for us this year. The change in administration, and an unpopular war in Iraq work to our advantage."
This year, Perr and the Democrats say the difference-maker could prove to be the "fired-up, ready to go" candidacy of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the party’s presumptive presidential nominee, in addition to the fact that veteran U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton (R-3) won’t be on the ballot.
"There’s a big difference between the energy and enthusiasm generated by John Kerry, let’s say, and Barack Obama," said Perr, who noted the 200-300 party members who showed up to re-elect him at the Democrats’ reorganization meeting last week.
"They were psyched," the chairman said.
Indeed, as elsewhere, Obama helped raise Democratic Party voter registration in the county, which was 51,000 pre-Feb. 5 and 83,000 after the primary. That compares favorably to the Republicans’ new numbers: 51,000 pre Feb. 5 and 62,000 post GOP primary.
"Obama creates a lot of challenges for us," Layton said. "Obama will do well in some of the swing towns, but our freeholder candidates always outperform throughout." Layton’s reasoning in part is that even Bush at his worst still didn’t produce enough of a trickle down of angst to oust freeholders - and now he’s not on the ballot anymore.
Then there’s the absence of Saxton, who is supporting Medford Mayor Chris Myers in a race against Democratic state Sen. John Adler (D-Camden).
"Having Jim Saxton at the top of the ticket always meant great thing for us," said Layton. "He was always able to pull people back to the line. But if you look at Chris Myers, he will play very well in Burlington. He represents a brand voters are accustomed to. If you look at some of the towns where (GOP primary candidate Jack) Kelly competed here in Burlington, he didn’t get a single vote."
Perr says the fact that Fenton has only served one term in office and Jordan’s newcomer status make his party’s chances that much better to capitalize on above ballot changes.
"There is an opportunity for Democrats to put a dent in one of last GOP strongholds in the state," said the Democratic Party chairman, who acknowledges that at the very least, his party’s amped up efforts in Burlington could keep the Republicans occupied - with money and energy- and consequently pinned down.
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Perr's Failures and Layton's Successes
I think it is quite clear that Layton has a way of getting out the vote and Perr just cannot get it done. To rely on outside sources to help with a win (i.e. Obama) is just poor leadership and lack of a plan. Layton deserves major kudos for getting the job done since he took office.
keepin' it real, BurlCo GOP style
Nothing like nepotism in the ole BurlCo GOP: Stacey Jordan was appointed to the freeholder board, with no vote, partly because she is Farias’ daughter. I think that’s just great for transparency and openness in government. The headlines surrounding John Comegno also give me faith in the GOP-appointed Bridge Commission. The slush fund that they created for taxpayers also gives me pause to think “Gee, they’re doing a real swell job for the taxpayers!” Layton, a former lobbyist and current Boss Paulsen neighbor, is a perfect choice for GOP insiders in BurlCo. And then there’s Bob Stears, Martha Bark, and the rest of “the gang.”
Martin
I guess you have a problem with Rob Andrew's wife taking his spot as well. Once again If i had a dollar for eveytime Martin was a hypocrit, I could payoff Carla Katz too.
will the insider contracts continue?
Both processes are not good, truth be told, but C. Andrews seems much more qualified than Jordan. And you didn’t mention how I was a “hypocrit [sic],” votedemsout (still waiting on your real name, champ).
Layton should be worried about Obama and his loss of the stranglehold of power in county government, which results in higher taxes and inside contracts on a daily basis. This is something, of course, Chris Myers contributed to as deputy mayor of Medford.
Obama and Adler are the perfect combination for doing well in BurlCo. The more their positive message of real change gets out, the better its reception among local voters.
November
The REAL republicans lost in the primary to the corrupt county machine. Myers will get spanked by Adler. Ashame that the party puts so much faith in Layton.
You Dont Get It
Martin will never cop to the fact that all of his whinning bout Stacy Jordan is only fuel to be used against Camille Andrews.
Martin knows there is NO difference, but his hatred and loathing for any GOP is telling.
The GOP will prevail locally, I mean why would anyone elect lets say a Clerk whose Daddy and he wanted to abolish the yellow ribbons supporting our brave men and women in Filedsboro because they are anti military? Right, there is a candidate I want to support!
Martin REFUSES to accept or acknowledge how voters in Burlco are; smart, savvy and educated. They will continue IN SPITE of the Obama factor to elect GOP.
I am glad Martin will stay where he is in Camden!
No Changes!
Well, glad to see that some things have not changed! Marty still lives in fantasy land and the GOP in Burlco won a decisive primary two weeks ago.
I am glad that Marty is still around for entertainment value. I would hate not to have his pearls of wisdom on a daily basis because it makes us laugh so.
But, I think it is hilarious that Marty compares Stacy Jordan's role to Camille Andrews as Andrews being ok and Jordan being wrong. Ok, lets see; Stacy Jordan is not a seat holder for someone like daddy or anyone else. She is a certified appointed Freeholder who has been doing her job admirably whereas Andrews is running away from debates.
Oh, and yes, the whole yellow ribbon fiasco for Buddy Tyler; I am really surprised Perr could not pick anyone better? People will remember the incident and think twice regading voting for someone who is clearly ignorant in the realities of our world today.
It will be an interesting November
More Cowbell Please !!
Burlington County "A Family Run Business"
The Burlco GOP should not have a problem thanks to the horrific campaign management of Perr. Paulsen could run Mickey Mouse & Goofy and win.
Thankfully Fenton & Donnelly are cleaning up all of Farias's Corrupt appointments due to his Ocean County Connections and Favored deals benefiting himself at the cost of the taxpayers.
(Highway Dept & Medical examiners office they should have been escorted out in handcuffs By Sheriff Stanfield). I hope they are not done yet.
I cant see backing Jordon even though Daddy paid for the nomination.
like Gary Karr before him, Rick Perr is a tool
to the machine with controls him.
Martin you should get some pepto bismo
For your figurative diaria of the mouth.
What do you mean Jordan was appointed without a vote? She was appointed after a packed room of GOP committee people VOTED unanimously for her to be Freeholder, in accordance with state law. Then when she was primaried by a group clowns and she handily defeated them (even beating one candidate in her own hometown.)
I would point out that you over look things that happen in your own county...but that horse has already been beat to death.
Well Said
Martin 3, you said it all.
Maybe we should ask Martin what happened last November? The contempt he has for those democrats that do not follow his will is very telling.
Maybe we should ask "where is Ron Luvitz?" you know, Dennison's alter ego?
Locally the dems will have no chance in November, even Martins' hereo John Adler. Adler can ONLY bank on Cherry Hill in Camden, but Myers already has Saxton working with him. Adler will lose only because here in Burlco, we do not like Norcross or his puppets.
Well Martin, can you tell us what happened last November?
More Cowbell Please !!
Martin
I will tell you my name as soon as you buy a piece of real estate in Camden County. As long as you remain a transient renter, you remain a non-issue.
I love it
Alice, aka Martian, continues to not only make up stories and show his ignorance of politics here in Burlco, his hypocrisy has grown to new heights. Mrs. Andrews was anointed by the most corrupt political machine in the state as a "placeholder" in order to replace her with another individual and you have the nerve to call Freeholder Jordan unelected and the system for which she became a Freeholder corrupt? You are a joke my manbag wearing non-friend. Stick to what you know best. Renting in Camden County, leeching off of the taxpayers as an "educator", and in Wonderland because he thinks Dennison ran one of the "best" campaigns in the state. Maybe you moved from Wonderland to Never-Neverland? What do you say Tinker Bell?
zombies, cowards, apologists, oh my
George Romero created mindless zombies in his Night of the Living Dead series. Similarly, Boss Paulsen and his yes-man, Layton, have similar drones that echo their lame talking points and act as apologists for rampant GOP corruption and nepotism in BurlCo. As long as it’s Republicans who are corrupt, everything’s fine, right? Meanwhile, Martin3 deliberates on the open process – one that resulted Vince Farias’ daughter being appointed freeholder to fill out Addiego’s term – and sees nothing wrong. At least Surrogate Kotch showed Farias the door in the surrogate election, eh? And then there’s theoc, aka the cowardly lion, who deflects and ignores corruption as long as it is in her/his own party (Tom DeLay, Boss Paulsen); s/he won’t even say the words “Glenn Paulsen,” let alone critique him.
It says something about the county organization when the former interim chair, Dawn Lacey, says the BurlCo GOP is a group without “moral judgment.” Heck, even an insurgent group of Republicans ran against this corrupt machine in recent elections.
And then there is the case of Bob Stears, the fall guy for the GOP-controlled Bridge Comission:
“But before sentencing, he told Judge Jerome Simandle that he was forced to contribute between $3,000 and $4,000 every month to the Republican Party as a condition of keeping his lucrative contract with the bridge commission.
"I got sucked into a group of corrupt people," Stears said. "I allowed myself to engage in fraudulent schemes." Indeed you did, Bob; but those people are still in control, and their apologists are out in full force.
How’d those Delran municipal elections work out, by the way?
Lying to make a point
Lying to make a point is no way to go through life Tinker Bell. I have mentioned Tom DeLay's name plenty of times on this site. Tom DeLay. Tom DeLay. There - three more times. Additionally, I have stated that I am not a fan of Tom DeLay's. However, I have stated and will continue to state that he has not been convicted of a thing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Yet you refuse to acknowledge that fact. Additionally, I have mentioned Glenn Paulsen's name plenty of time. Glenn Paulsen. Glenn Paulsen. Another three times Tinker Bell. As with DeLay, I have been pretty clear and consistent (a word you are as unfamiliar with as the words fact and truth) in my belief that I am no fan of Paulsen. Never have. Probably never will. But keep making facts up Tinker Bell.
Delran? What about the towns in your county which switch from D to R? You should be worrying about your own towns, in your own corrupt county you hypocrite. We will take back Delran. No worries here.
Lastly, you are the only coward on this board. I guess you were too busy to meet for a frothy drink with an umbrella? Or did you forget that you were the spineless manbag wearing skirt who wouldn't meet me for a simple drink? Also, use your own material. I am sure you can do better than the cowardly lion. Remember - in the end he had courage. But keep living in Never-Neverland Tinker Bell. I sure the tutu picture will be next for you!
Apologists
I am guessing Martin has the word licensed since he uses the word so often and he got to it first so I guess it doesn't mean as much being thrown back at him. But hey, George Norcross and Wayne Bryant are conspicuously absent from his posts. Weird. He accuses people of echoing the same arguments? How about posting once without using the phrase "corrupt BurlCo GOP"? He says it so much the words have lost all meaning. By the way, an insurgent group of Democrats ran in CamCo too, moron. They just have a way of "dissappearing" when they run against the CamCo machine. But a bang up job you've been doing as of late down there in that Democratic Utopia, you even have time to catch up on old business! http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/NEW... .
Seriously though, here is a place where your narrow views, hypocrisy, and slander will go unnoticed: http://www.bluejersey.com .
Cheers, buddy.
Stears?
Bob Stears is the best person you can find to make yor point? Isn't Stears a convicted felon, and an admited tax cheat and drug user?
C'mon Martin you have to do better than that if you want people to take you seriously.
If you can't hang with the big dogs...stay on the porch!
Who is MartinOne?
Who is this MartinOne? Is he a Democrat insider? Campaign manager? Committee person? Where does he get his "information" from? Where does he live (sounds like Camden County from these posts) and why does he have so much to say about Burlington County?
These posts are amusing. Why does everyone beat up on him so much?
Independent
Martin is the biggest windbag you will ever meet. He DOES NOT LIVE IN BURLINGTON COUNTY and has no stake in local elections other than he hates Republicans. He will try to tell you that he likes some republicans but if you look at his blogs off this site his primary goal,in his own words, is to defeat all Republicans. The political bosses in Camden County feed this tool info and he posts it trying get credibility as a common person. This windbag does not even own a home in this State and has no stake in its future because he will pick up and move just like he moved up here from the South, most likely Reheboth.
Martin 1
Talk about zombies! A zombie has no full functioning mind and very much does what he/she is told to and will not accept any responsibity or wrongdoing!
A few factoids on Martin1:
First: he trolls these sites to cause trouble and agitate under a guise of being oh so self important and know bit all which he is neither
Second: he has a unapologetic hatred and loathing for anything or anyone GOP or any democrat that supports a GOP candidate when clearly that GOP candidate is the best (hint: think Diane Allen which I will touch in a bit)
Third: he only spews and does not think. When Martin is confronted with a very intelligent question or even simple at best, not only will he refuse to answer, but Martin will fall back to his same litany of complaints and lies about Paulsen, Stears, etc without answering the directed question.
Fourth: Everyone of his posts, predictions and say so are ALL WRONG! Martin has yet to produce any proof of his "knowledge" on how the voters of Burclo feel. Not a one of his POSTED PREDICTIONS, THREATS, DRIVEL has yet to come true.
Last year, Martin went rabid in his support for Rich Dennison, Burlco dem running against Diane Allen, and made sure everyone knew that Dennison was the wunderkund who was gonna topple her and he had the proof. Martin also did the same spewing over the 8th district team of Haines, Addiego and Rudder and how with his help, and the money that Norcross had put in, the dem team of Bodine, Riley and Fifis were a shoo in as well. Well, let me recap. Diane trounced Dennison by over 6,000 votes, and Haines, Addiego and Rudder easily and I mean easily crushed the dems in the 8th.
Fifth: Martin will not under any circumstances come hell or high water admit that Camden has huge corruption issues. Martin flat out has stated that the only corruption in the state is ONLY the Burlco Dems. I do not need to say anymore on that because his ignorance and arrogance says it all.
And, finally,
Sixth: He has already started his wildly off base predictions about Andrews and Adler winning in landslide victories.
In summary, I think it has been proven time and time again that Martin1 does not have any handle about what is going on when it comes to politics, and especially Burlco.
I really think that IMHO Martin 1's despise of Burlco stems from the fact that voters in this county do not slavishly go down the party column. Martin cannot stand nor fathom that democrats have the unmitigated gall to vote for good, hard working servants such as Diane Allen, Chris Smith and Jim Saxton.
This year again, the County GOP and Congressional seats will remain GOP. Seat D1 which Andrews is "holding" probably for hubby dearest has a great chance of being taken by Glading; for the first time in as many years, the GOP has a great start with a fresh new candidate that is not married to any successor to the seat.
Hope this puts some things in perspective.
Boss Paulsen's minions
So many mindless GOP followers… it makes it hard to address every single confounding comment. Norcrossismycopilot gets my vote for stream-of-consciousness non sequitur of the week: After all, who can put together conspiratorial origins to local Camden County news that somehow is connected to Norcross? Of course, pablo3/gopgal08’s rambling about Dennison, which she does ad nauseum, only reinforces what an ideologue she is and how beholden she is to Boss Paulsen and the BurlCo GOP henchmen. Again, as long as the corruption is in her own party, she doesn’t mind. But theoc, who has issues with his masculinity and is therefore constantly challenging me, then hiding behind a nom de plume, mistakes bravado for substance and can’t be taken remotely seriously, as with Martin3.
In other words, Independent08, these are all Bush Republicans and Paulsen apologists who love their freedom fries, consider corruption to be fine when it helps the Republican Party, and blindly follow their own party and its bosses. They’re all anonymous posters, and many of them are the same person.
The fact remains that the BurlCo GOP will be lucky to hold onto their freeholder slates, especially with the growth in Democratic registration – now leading by thousands in the county – and with the double strength of Obama and Adler at the top of the ticket. Delran, Moorestown, Mt. Laurel, the surrogate position – these portend more red-to-blue victories for reform-minded Dems in BurlCo in the future.
Martian
"reform-minded Dems in BurlCo in the future". What Martin means is more kickbacks to Norcross, paving over open space and the Pinelands, stop recycling and fill up the landfills, vote for 82 year old mayors in Camden, vote double dipping senators and freeholders in Camden County, buy roads from Cherry Hill to balance their budget, take a great opportunity to build a main street at the garden state racetrack and destroy it with connected builders who build more of the same box stores.
Martin Redux
Martin
You have simply proven every one of my points I outlied above.
But, for someone ho thinks they are so righteous and honest, how come you have never once after months of spewing hate towards Ms Allen can you accept voters in Burlco reject the Democratic party on that County Level?
I think what bothers you more is that we have educated voters in Burlco that vote the person. If you cannot do the math in your puny little mind, it adds up to educated voters voting the person every time and not party line.
But, since you keep harping on corruption, can you please tell us why you think Camden is not corrupt AND do you think Bryant was framed? And can you tell us why you refuse to anser?
Are you saying
Tinker Bell - are you saying that I am not masculine? This is coming from a guy holding a purse in his "official" picture. Please forgive me - or not I don't care - for laughing AT you and not with you. You are the biggest coward on the board. You are a real tough guy with that bag and you are the only one who refused to meet in person. You would have known my name and who I was for the past three years, yet like my dog who was neutered, you lack the grapefruits to even meet for a free drink. I would have even bought you a pink Cosmo. Isn't that what they drink in the Sex and the City movie? Anyway, before you start calling people names, look in the mirror - and don't try to jump through it. And how come you continue to ignore the losses in your county? Afraid of the truth? Oh wait you can't be afraid of something you know nothing of. Fly away back to your rental Tinker Bell.
Oh
For the record, I am not female Martin. Just shows more ignorance.
I also do not think my wife would approve thinking I was female lol
Holy Cripes OC
Man, thanks for your last post! My gosh, I needed that laugh out loudly moment!
You hit the nail on the head with Martin, and everything you said is the real truth!
Keep em coming!
He still didn't say Wayne Bryant!
I'd be happy to accept your vote, but I am afraid it means about as much as your vote does to BurlCo. You know, since you live in that hellhole due south? Non-sequitur? Or a comment on the horrible place Camden is? Then again, straw men are so much easier to knock down. Go back to freshmen year of college where your brand of crappy arguments and blind allegiance would fit right in.
He Wont
See, Martin cannot admit any faults or obvious wrong doings that the dems do. I think if he admitted here or to anyone that there is rampant corruption among dems in Camden or that Bryant is guilty of anything, he would implode!
But, when you have someone like Martin believeing that no Democrat is guilty of anything at anytime, therein lies the problem
Pablo
He is an easy target! Thanks.