Night of Stars

credit: MSV

Luminaries of the political world, star-bartenders, video stars, stars big and small- everyone was twinkling last night at the Kids First Victory Celebration!

Stars, stars, stars!  

It was a blinding evening of mega-watt cheer at the packed Wicked Wolf bar... smiles, hugs, some kissing (no tongues)... what a night it was!  The mood was electric; not only did Kids First survive a pummeling with Mason loot, but the public resoundingly endorsed the leadership of Kids First, Mayor Zimmer and the Council Reformers by electing Ruth McAllister, Tim Kluepfel and Jean Marie Mitchell on November 6, 2012.

Further, by co-opting Move Forward's campaign with her hefty 'in-kind' contributions, donating the Mason Civic League, Inc.'s offices for their use, and dispatching her operative James Barracato to run Move Forward's political strategy (how did that work out?), Beth Mason was to rise or fall with the People's Choice.

The People's Choice was Kids First.

And like heat tempers steel to make it stronger; the heat of this nasty, bitter battle has strengthened Zimmer and her allies while taking a wrecking ball to Mason's influence in Hoboken politics.  The   message sent was loud and clear: with all of her dough, there is too much crazy to deal with.  But not for the 'crazy'- campaigning with a Nazi Truck and making bloggers a central campaign theme, Move Forward had a chance.   But Mason cannot (and will not) control her operatives nor her obsessions.

The Old Guard must have figured this out: Mason not only repeats her mistakes again and again with the same operatives and the same scorched earth tactics, she is not that interested in political outcomes.

Amazing, no?  Mason is vendetta-driven.  Hatred for the mayor, hatred for her City Council allies, hatred for Reform bloggers.   But that hasn't stopped the Old Guard.

Nope, the Old Guard repeats their mistakes again and again: lunging for her checkbook then letting her drive the bus.  Did you like the view on the way down?

KA-BOOM.

GA has every confidence in Old Guard GREED, to keep taking her dough, and failing.

For example, this law suit against Jim Doyle is a LOSER.

After Sandy hit, the politically-smart thing to do would have been for the Council minority to pull the lawsuit and vow to show up to re-appoint Doyle. Now, that would have sent the kind of message that people want to hear in a time of crisis; that their government cares more about them than playing partisan political games.

People want bipartisanship and cooperation in times of insecurity. The Old Guard could have gotten some favorable press in the days before the election, and you know what?  That would have gotten them votes.

But, like always, the checkbook is driving the bus. 

Paralyzing the City Council with partisan games in the aftermath of a disaster- one where the Zimmer is perceived as 'doing the right thing' for Hoboken, is the message they've sent.  And continue to send.   At the rate they're going we'll be looking at an all-Reform Council when their clock runs out.  (Pssssst... Timmy: for every Facebook friend  you've got, 10 more in your ward think you're doing a rotten job.)

So back to last night's STARS...

The Wicked Wolf's bartender was lovely and charming.... serving up $3 drafts with a smile, in spite of the crowd and the noise.  Does Hoboken have a Bartender's Walk of Fame?  I nominate her.

Some (not all)  Nazi Truck video stars were twinkling brightly at the Kids First Victory Party.  

• Nazi Truck Video Stars PRESENT last night were: me, Roman Brice,  Peter Cunningham (Nazi Truck cameo appearance) and Jen Giattino (Nazi Truck cameo appearance).  

•  Nazi Truck Video Stars ABSENT were: Liz Markevitch, Anthony Oland, and Felice Vasquez .

It's theNazi Truck- they popped out the swastikas and popped in Move Forward

 
Who else glittered up the place?

So many fabulous campaign volunteers and supporters who gave of themselves to elect Kids First- thank you, from GA.

Oh yeah, and Mayor Zimmer was there.  So were Councilman Bhalla, Councilman Cunningham, BoE Trustees Theresa Minutillo, Rose Markle, Leon Gold, Irene Sobolov and Ruth McAllister.

What happened to the rest of the BoE?

Remember: sour grapes make sour wine.   Oh, one more thing.

GA understands the mastermind of the Nazi Truck who is publicly recognized as committing career suicide for himself and his boss might be looking for new work.  GA recommends this time he look for a job for which he is suited.