April 1, 2008 - 5:46pm
How Crowleymania nearly ran the table
By Wally EdgeThe race for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination came extraordinarily close to taking a rather amazing turn this weekend amidst Crowleymania – a groundswell of support among GOP insiders for biotech millionaire John Crowley. Don’t expect any confirmation from the other candidates, but here’s the real story on how Crowley almost cleared the field, without even knowing it:
On Friday and Saturday, State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio had some discussions with staff and supporters about dropping out of the race for Senate and backing Crowley; there was talk that the announcement could come as early as Sunday or Monday.
On Sunday evening, Goya Foods millionaire Andy Unanue spoke to Crowley by telephone, and after the call informed some of his advisors that he would drop his Senate bid and support Crowley.
At this point, Crowley was sending out strong signals that he would enter the Senate race.
But on Monday morning, before Unanue was able to reach Crowley and before Pennacchio had reached a final decision, Crowley pulled out – citing commitments to his business, his military service (he’s in the Army reserves), and his family.
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July 4, 2008
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
-Declaration of Independence, 07/04/1776
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In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Bob Torricelli is Mad at the Big, 'Mean' Bergen Record― THE MEDIA MOB
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MUCHAS MARGARITAS― ANDY UNANUE
NJ Economic Growth chief leaves office― Gary Rose
Candidates spend plenty of their money― Philadelphia Inquirer
News anchor sizing up run for governor― Star-Ledger
Political parties get right down to business― Daily Record
Ex-city official should give all of it back― Star-Ledger
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This Confirms What We All Know
Crowley is hands down the best candidate to run against Lautenberg. Even Unanue & Pennachio acknowledge this. I hope Crowley reconsiders...its not too late but it will be very soon.
I respect his position.
Being involved in government for many years and serving in elected local and county positions, I know first hand of the tremendous time commitment and invasion of personal privacy. But if you really want to try to make a difference (there are a few out there that serve unselfishly), elected office has the greatest impact.
John would make a great candidate and would be a Senator New Jersey can be proud of. But family is first, especially having small children with health problems.
I wish him success in whatever his decision. But hope he reconsiders his candidacy since New Jersey desperately needs a person like him.
Crowley's decision evidences impeccable character
In an age when everyone in politics from the local town council to the State Senate to the Governor's mansion to Congress seems terminally obsessed with moving up the electoral food chain at all costs, by choosing not to run -- especially given that the path to the nomination would have assuredly opened up before him -- John Crowley demonstrated both that he has his personal priorities in order and that he is not seeking office to satiate hs ego.
Good for you John. If you ever decide to run, count me in. I'll come out of retirement and strap it on one more time to do whatever I can for you. God bless you, your wife and your children.
Jersey Joe
is a class act too and his respect is growing
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Let me see if I understand this: Two people who have been campaigning for the United States Senate were prepared to GIVE UP their campaigns based upon some other person getting into the race (who no one knows where he stands on the issues)?
What does this say about their commitment to Republican values and the Republican Party? What does this say about thier campaigns?
JOE PENNACCHIO and ANDY UNANUE should be ashamed of themselves! They are PATHETIC!
What was Murray Sabrin planning on doing?
nobody cares
what murray was planning on doing
Looks like the Crowley movement is still on the move
Looks like the Crowley movement is still on the move
http://crowleyforsenate.blogspot.com/2008/04/rise-of-crowleymania.html
respect
while crowley seems like an honorable person, one has to think if the culture of politcs, all politics, local, national, wherever, which is generally nasty and more about slinging mud than it is about discussing policies was a factor in his decision. maybe if crowley had entered the race it would have been a different kind of race, we may never know. what i do know is that we need to raise ourselves to a higher standard when it comes to our elections. all crowley had to do was look at the 06 race or to the comments sabrin and his team throws out there everyday to decide it wasnt worth it with all the other commitments he has in his life.