Mayor Lonegan at VFW

By The Franklin Lakes Journal

Published: May 26, 2009

The trickle down theory of economics may not be working with respect to the billions being used to bail out the American economy, but the theory is alive and well in relation to Republican primaries. The knuckles and teeth being bared on a national level by leading Republican figures appears to have trickled down to the regional and local level in the Republican Party. While the gubernatorial candidate Steve Lonegan and his staff avoided any overtly hostile attacks on Chris Christie, other local candidates who appeared with him this past Friday are involved in their own political dramas.

Steve Lonegan, the gubernatorial candidate for governor in the Republican primary came to Franklin Lakes VFW where he held a meet & greet this past Friday. Mr. Lonegan initially held a lead over the former federal prosecutor Christopher Christie, but he has seen that lead diminish significantly as Christie has moved to the right in an effort and earned him the designation of born-again conservative from Lonegan supporters.

The hot button topics of abortion and stem cell research were only slightly touched upon as Lonegan focused his speech on New Jersey’s financial situation. Appealing to deep voter outrage at the tax rate situation in New Jersey, Lonegan outlined his goals and plans for returning New Jersey to a better time where prosperity was the norm. With the fervor of a pitchman selling a miracle balm, Lonegan offered solutions for the aches and pains suffered by many residents in the Garden State.

Reducing the state government by close to 20%, instituting a flat income tax, dismantling the department of Community Affairs which enforces COAH regulations, and implementing a new formula for the distribution of school aid were only a few topics he touched upon during the hour he spoke. Lonegan also discussed the need to cut taxes that drive businesses from New Jersey, discourage investment and drive away jobs.

While some of Lonegan’s solutions for New Jersey might appear too much like a miraculous tonic that cures a variety of ills, he is putting something on the table for consideration. The biggest criticism aimed at his opponent, Christie, is that there is nothing to criticize. He offers no specifics, no plan, just hopes, dreams and promises that appeal to the conservative Republican base. This has led to debate as to whether Christie is preparing for a move towards the left in the general election, or just has no plan at all.

Voter discontent is at historically high levels, and the populist message Lonegan brought to the table will most likely not last till dessert in November. Polls show Lonegan almost even with Corzine in a general election, but Christie appears to have an edge on the governor and that might bring in more last minute voters to support him.

The same appeal to voter disenfranchisement was exhibited by District 40 Republican Assembly Candidates Anthony Rottino and Joseph Caruso. As successful businessmen, the ticket is promoting themselves as an alternative solution to career politicians.

The difficulty many Republicans have abiding by the eleventh commandment, “Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican”, may indeed make Ronald Reagan the last great Republican president. The Republicans on a national level suffered a staggering loss in November, and national leaders have made headlines as factions struggle to define the party. Locally, Rottino, of Franklin Lakes, and Caruso have been engaged in a brutal battle with the incumbent Scott Rumana. The level of discord has reached into the court system with charges of defamation over mailers distributed by the Rumana campaign.

Along with Rottino, another Franklin Lakes resident Pearl Spector was also on hand to discuss the future of the Republican Party with voters this Friday. She engaged in a battle for the Republican state committeewoman post in Bergen County. This is an internal party post, not a government post, but the passions are just as high. Ms. Spector has employed robots to cold call prospective supporters within the party in her effort to defeat Eleanor Nissley; the message being delivered has been described by some as loose with the facts against Ms. Nissley.

The national, regional and state infighting is being represented on a hyperlocal level in Franklin Lakes where low-brow mailers impugning former councilman Bill Smith became the subject of conversation at a recent town council meeting. That incident, previously reported on, nearly led to the arrest of Ira Belsky who refused to yield the floor as he lamented the state of local politics during the meeting. That lament could well have been sung for Republican primaries at every level.