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| left to right: Ruben "2011 VBM King" Ramos, Joe Branco, John Heinis of Hudson County View, nobody important, innocent man with striped shirt |
The "Reform Resistance" splinter coalition has lived up to it's name. They've resisted Reform all the way to the Dark Side, and into the arms of Ruben Ramos, Mike DeFusco and North Bergen Boss Nick Sacco.
Last night was the unofficial launch of the Dark Side's Frankenticket: two 2015 Reform candidates grafted onto a notorious developer-lovin' pay-to-player and a 2011 VBM harvest recipient with Nick Sacco's PR firm, Vision Media, running the four campaigns. In fact, Vision Media sent two PR reps: Caitlin Mota and Grant Ludmer.
No, the unwholesome Frankenticket was not announced. But it might as well have been. Jen Giattino and Tiffanie Fisher have wrecked their brand. Who knows that best of all?
Peter Cunningham.
My opinion: whatever excuses Cunningham gave for not attending, yeah sure...right. After 8 years of solid reform governing, plus 2 years of holding his nose in a bitter alliance with The Shady Bunch, Cunningham was NOT about to endorse this hybrid TICKET.
GA believes that (Reform pioneer) Cunningham's absence sent a strong message to his 5th Ward constituents. Why would Peter tarnish his Reform legacy by appearing for this odoriferous slate? Reputations are not boomerangs. It seems to me that Cunningham would not stand with them, be photographed with them, have his name linked to characters who work the Dark Side of the street regarding ethics and election law. Add to that an active federal investigation into election rigging that may have tentacles into 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018 campaigns and who knows who will get dragged into that hot legal mess.
Whatever bologna-excuse Cunningham gave, that is what it is. If he wanted to be there, he would have. He did not want to. Cunningham has stranded Fisher and Giattino on the Island of Dark Side Toys.
Wow.... brice totally sold out reform.
ReplyDeleteJust because Peter isn't running, let's not be to quick to give him a pass or polish his 'reform legacy'. He's done plenty of damage in the last few years going along to get along, and voting in lock step with Jen, Tiffany, Ruben and Mike. It's just that he saw the writing on the wall. Better to get out on your own terms than lose.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I don't give him a pass, tho. The fact that he threw in on the scorched-earth "reform resistance" cabal gave them cover for the petty, nasty, awful crap they tried to pull off, and sometimes succeeded (Gary Holtzman's abusive, inappropriate ousting off the Planning Board and cutting Jason Freeman's salary come to mind). Peter folded like the cheapest of suits. That said, before he sold out, he supported the policies and principles of the (honest) Zimmer administration. IMO, history tends to judge politicians kindly, for their overall accomplishments and he had 8 good years.
DeletePeter never seemed comfortable with the post-Dawn resignation sh*tshow. He picked a side and remained loyal to it, but unlike Fisher and Giattino, his heart wasn't in it. Fisher used him like a parasite uses a host, draining his stellar reform reputation to feed herself, and his decision to step away probably reflected his realization that he was not partner (like he was with Zimmer) but a useful tool.
ReplyDeleteHe'll probably sign an endorsement email for Fisher and Giattino, and maybe even for their 5th ward candidate if the person isn't too obviously a Ramos)DeFusco choice, but beyond that I expect he'll wash his hands of the fray.
If he wants his life and his reputation back, unlinking himself from the stink of Fisher's ego, narcissism, anger and personal ambition is his only play.
Cunningham also has a professional reputation at stake, unlike the unemployable shrews and grifters he serves on council with. Some of his decision may be due to the recent FBI activity, indictments and convictions. Who'd want to be associated with that stench? Either way, it seemed like each passing month, his heart wasn't in it.
ReplyDeleteIt also seems like lines are being drawn, and that no one wants to associate with that manic chihuahua, DeFusco. It doesn't look like he was amongst the 8 people who attended Fisher's balloonacy ball kickoff last night, if he was even invited.
Of course DeFusco was there.
DeleteI agree with Roman Brice though, there is no Giattino, Ramos,DeFusco Fisher ticket in the sense of a group of candidates proud to run together.
Candidates on tickets,a like Ravi's, are than their component parts, because they openly help each other, share a common governing philosophy and message, and work together as a team.
These guys won't lift a finger for each other - and are even oddly denying they are together despite how obvious it is to anybody who cares.
That man with the stripe shirt is far from innocent. Guy did time in a Federal Prison and he's a dead beat dad!
ReplyDeleteYikes. Don't know him. No names, please.
DeleteMiss the forest for the trees much? Look at that line-up!
ReplyDeleteFrom left to right....
VBM giant - Triple R - Ruben Redacted Ramos!
And someone who's part of every winning campaign - Joe Branco!
Beloved roly-poly comedy star - Jiminy Glick!
And for the kids - Dick Tracy villain SmudgeFace!
What a night!
Thank you Nick Sacco and Vision Media for dragging us out of the 21st century and back into the 20th where we belong!
I never thought I'd see the day when Roman would be mugging with Carmelo's boys, but I guess vision is now 20/20.
ReplyDeleteThat’s Jiminy Glick, not citizen journalist Brice! Jiminy mugs with everyone, even Carmelo’s douchebags.
ReplyDelete