CANDIDATE CALLS AOC "OUR CONGRESSWOMAN"
(30 -SECOND CLIP)
HOW MUCH SHOULD A CANDIDATE KNOW?
There is, no doubt, a learning curve for newbie council candidates on how local government works. And another in political communications-- as long as he or she has a good grasp on the issues. It is not easy. Anyone who in good faith, throws their hat into public service deserves respect. But, the question arises: what is the basic competency level on the workings of government we should expect from a candidate?
That is relevant now, with a dangerous, radical President who doesn't understand Article 2's Constitutional limits on his own Executive Branch power. Had there been a basic competency test on the U.S. Constitution, American history, and our separation of powers, this country would have dodged the Trump disaster. But, there was none, there is none.
Any dumb-ass with enough money (or Nick Sacco's machine) can win. Yes, in Hoboken, too.
So, will it matter that 5th Ward candidate, Nicola Maganuco, does not seem to know that Hoboken is in the 8th Congressional District of New Jersey-- not the 14th Congressional District of New York, and Hoboken elected Albio Sires to represent us there-- not Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?
Nicola seems to have his heart in the right place, but does he know enough to merit a Hoboken council seat? Folks in the 5th ward will have to decide.
There is, no doubt, a learning curve for newbie council candidates on how local government works. And another in political communications-- as long as he or she has a good grasp on the issues. It is not easy. Anyone who in good faith, throws their hat into public service deserves respect. But, the question arises: what is the basic competency level on the workings of government we should expect from a candidate?
That is relevant now, with a dangerous, radical President who doesn't understand Article 2's Constitutional limits on his own Executive Branch power. Had there been a basic competency test on the U.S. Constitution, American history, and our separation of powers, this country would have dodged the Trump disaster. But, there was none, there is none.
Any dumb-ass with enough money (or Nick Sacco's machine) can win. Yes, in Hoboken, too.
So, will it matter that 5th Ward candidate, Nicola Maganuco, does not seem to know that Hoboken is in the 8th Congressional District of New Jersey-- not the 14th Congressional District of New York, and Hoboken elected Albio Sires to represent us there-- not Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?
Nicola seems to have his heart in the right place, but does he know enough to merit a Hoboken council seat? Folks in the 5th ward will have to decide.
I don't think that's fair. Nicola is just using Mayor Pete and AOC as an example of young people running for office to counter the obvious concern that he, at age 27 just 3 years or so out of grad school, isn't quite ready to assume the mantle of community leadership. Age and experience isn't everything - older people with lots of fancy sounding work experience can be terrible (as 2nd ward residents have learned with their current and previous councilwomen), so I for one, while admittedly skeptical, am open to be persuaded that he's ready for the job.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of Mayor Pete. I'm very much not a fan of AOC. But more importantly, based on what we've seen and heard so far, Nicola ain't no Mayor Pete or AOC.
I hope we hear more from him here - his willingness, even anxiousness to engage even in what he probably considers an unfriendly venue is laudable.
But speaking for myself, he has a long way to go to convince me that, ata 27, he has the knowledge, experience and maturity needed to do the job.
Sure, it's fair comment about a candidate for office, using social media to speak to a much larger, more diverse audience. Diverse in every way, not all Democrats.
DeleteNow, if it seems harsh well, the standards for office should be high. If he misspoke, the response will make him more careful next time, and a better candidate. Isn't that how we all learn? I'll bet you fell on your face a few times before you mastered walking, numberscruncher. Yes? No? Honestly, based on the rest of his speech, I am wary that he understands what a council person can and cannot do. But, I do think (as I wrote) that his heart is in the right place, so it is up to him to get up to speed.
Of course, Nicola is always welcome here. He is learning that Hoboken politics is not a day at the beach.
I think we are excited for Nicola's enthusiasm and I hope he continues being excited about civil service and improving the community in many ways. As far as a councilperson goes, however, I think we need more than enthusiasm and an innocent naivete. While new ideas and perspectives are always valuable, they need to be grounded in reality with an understanding of how things work. Government, public funds, debt and credit, all have specific rulesets that need to be understood and leveraged efficiently and appropriately as it pertains to spending on the public's behalf. Complicate that further with the politics of interstate agencies, county governance, our neighboring cities' motivations and well, you really need more experience in getting things off the ground and past the stage of 'pipe dreams.'
ReplyDeleteDeFusco ran successfully on the premises of new ideas, bold visions, etc - but to anyone with a few more IQ points closer to average or above, they'd start to realize quickly how likely they were to get a European Market at the NJ Transit Hoboken Station or a floating pool in the Hudson River. In my opinion, dodgy ethics and partnerships have kept him afloat thereafter while pruning feedback that comes off-brand for him.
Nicola, I mention DeFusco, because it's a lesson of what not to do/who not to be (experience). Your choice, of course.
Not really. It’s just a different career path. You can run on knowledge of public funding, inter-governmental dependencies, and all that crap. Or you can run on Vibrant. Our candidates run on Vibrant. People like Vibrant. It’s like an alternative fuel supply that never runs out. Zoom-Zoom!
ReplyDeleteYeah, this guy is about as stupid as AOC, the Millennial Moron
ReplyDeleteDork Lard! So good to see you again! As always your observations are nearly indistinguishable from actual thoughts. Basing your disdain for AOC on age rather than policy is pure gold in Hoboken with its aging, scooter-dependent population. Kudos!
DeleteAOC's Green Dream reads like it was written by a sixth grader and actually includes free money for those who choose not work. AOC actually thought that tax break for Amazon in LIC was being paid out of pocket rather than as reduction to taxes payable by Amazon if it's investment went ahead She is a moron who received an SJW brainwashing instead of an education at BC. Speaking of lard, I think I've spied you at Planet Fatness. You should go more often!
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