It Was Bound to Happen
It is amazing what an invitation to Drumthwacket and a piece of quiche can do for a movement. The combination could very well prove to be fatal to the most dynamic political movement that has been seen in New Jersey in over 200 years.
Today approximately 20 Tea Party leaders were invited to Drumthwacket for some refreshments and to have their picture taken with Governor Christie. Why would Governor Christie invite these self-proclaimed leaders to his home away from home? Why would he now associate with the Tea Party groups that he did everything possible to avoid during the last elections? Why would he bring these leaders together today? The following flyer should give you the answer:
For a couple of minutes with the Governor, the leaders of Tea Party Groups across the state have sold their members out, whether they know it or not. Now, the “leaders” of the Tea Party groups will tell the press how they (and their members) support the supposed conservative Governor Christie and his new state budget.
Note in the flyer how the lead in to what had been a rally to show support for Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin and his fight to bring fiscal sanity to his state will now be this:
A Call for Tax Payer Relief Press Conference
(IN SUPPORT OF GOV. CHRISTIE’S 2012 BUDGET)
And who are some of the featured speakers?
Jim Lefkowitz Somerset County Tea Party
Russell Cote Bayshore Tea Party
Mark Falzon Jersey Shore Tea Party
Barbara Davis Cherry Hill Area Tea Party
Tomorrow night, the mass media will be telling the world that the Tea Party groups in New Jersey are 100% behind Governor Chris Christie and his 2012 budget. They will not hear about a rally to support the efforts of another governor to try and stop public worker unions in his state. No, they will tell how a budget that continues to shortchange suburban towns is being supported by Tea Party members. The talking heads that support Chris Christie will tell how the Tea Party has seen the light and now stands with the Governor of New Jersey; even though that same Governor still supports Cap and Trade, green energy and the denial of a citizen’s right to free speech if it involves the burning of a Quran. Tomorrow night it will be all over the news that the new De Facto leader of the Tea Party movement in New Jersey is;
CHRIS CHRISTIE
All of you Tea Party members should get on the telephone right now and tell the leaders of the group you belong to that you do not support either Governor Christie’s budget, or their saying that they speak for you on this issue. While you are on the phone you might also tell them that if they want to be seen in a picture like this, they will no longer be the leader of YOUR Tea Party group
I am disgusted with Christie for a number of reasons. But may I ask, who is the next GOP candidate for Governor. I love Lonegon, but seriously, who next? Do you want to give control back to the democrats? Do we not have to take stepping stones in this State?
This is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever read. Thanks for reminding us that you’re a do-nothing clown. Matter fact, do the entire movement a favor and stand aside…there are those of us more concerned with working and accomplishing things than whining like a 3-year old.
If you had a jump the shark moment, this is it.
Oh and you’re welcome for the work we do for you.
You call a 2 hour meeting about the NJ State budget a few minutes photo op? Really? Wow. I only read this senseless crap because someone sent it to me.
Hmm. Remember when the tea party folks were up in arms because the Dems didn’t even read their own health care bill? How much you wanna bet these tea party people haven’t even read a word of Christie’s budget? Yet, their calling for a press conference to support it? Let’s just call that “dripping irony.”
Richard,
First, let me confirm for you that Assemblywoman Alison McHose was not going to be in attendance at this press conference. Lou of her office made it very clear to Steve Lonegan and to Teri Adams that she had meetings scheduled and could not be in Trenton.
Second, I have talked with both Assemblywoman McHose and Senator Mike Doherty and they are both still reviewing the budget. While it appears to be better than last year’s budget, the state is still failing to address the issue of education funding and the State Supreme Court’s role in corrupting the education funding formula.
Finally, it was Senator Doherty’s understanding that the press conference was called to address the issue of public employee unions ONLY.
Darn right T.P.,
Senator Steve Oroho is a former S&P 500 CFO and SFO — and he’s the best financial mind on the budget committee, and he’s not done going through the budget yet. And he’s actually one of the few who understands it.
Bill:
If you cannot read all of the print in the above annoucement of the press conference, please go to this linK. It is quite clear that the press conference as annouced is to show support for Governor Christie’s budget. In fact they say that Senator Michael Doherty is hosting it!
If what you say is true about McHose and Doherty they should immediately release their own press release refuting their participation in this press conference and their association with the participants in this event.
If they would like to, they way use Conservative New Jersey as one of the outlets for such media release.
Russ:
What work, supporting a budget you have not even seen? I remember another person talking about legislation that they had not read either:
Nancy Pelosi
Thanks, thanks for ruining the hard work of a lot of people.
Barbara:
Really, two hours? That is not what others are saying. I guess you stayed for two pieces of quiche.
Did anyone ask Christie to tell the State Unions ” go Quiche my A$$ETS” ?
Clearly, it would take 2 hours for the governor explain how a budget is decreased by moving from $28.9B to $29.4B. It might have smelled like quiche, but it’s usually served with a shovel.
Hey jackass, this press conference had nothing to do with supporting the budget you **** simp. We were there to support Wisconsin and our own. Have a clue before you open your fat mouth.
And you’re welcome for the work we do day in and day out to drag this State to the right. You do nothing but spew b******** from behind a keyboard. How brave.
Again, do the movement a favor and shut the **** up.
To paraphrase previous comments…
Russell is an unemployed lawyer, and has been in receipt of unemployment benefits for nearly two years now, and has also received charity care. His only real break from unemployment was working for Anna Little. If you want to work for the movement, start by working for yourself, and getting employed.
We also came across this:
http://www.commondreams.org/views/051600-107.htm
How serious should we take a “Tea Party” that has such a duplicitous and confused character as their spokesperson? He wants others to have a clue, yet not long ago he was under Che Guevara flags with his other comrades?
Russ is confused and should crawl back under the rock with the rest of the socialists.
And Barbara is simply a disgrace.
Many people are grateful for the hard work and dedication by Tea Party leaders and members. It is the Governors poor performance and apparent manipulation of these fine people that is so disturbing. The false budget reduction promises by the GOP will provide needed fuel to the TP movement. Oh, to be conservative and yet, yearn for the Gov. Florio budget of only $14.6B instead of Christie’s $29B.
Russ:
This is your one and only warning that we do not tolerate people of such low moral character that they must resort to the use of profanity. Any other comments that violate this policy will be removed.
If one is going to speak at an event, one should at least know what the sponsoring group has said would be the theme of that event. Please refer to this link that has that annoucement.
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=r7wrlkdab&v=001bNszPz862YyDdypskyUJs1yxmE0Mj0w7NzxEV0ycKsfXQaDDUH23Q9dJHK8_rHCE6JlPtgdjepe48S84MrumQ60mGbwzpJ8lkUfK2xC7dk4udwRP-Iv8ZcG9z9vmXjGP
You will note that it does say in “support of Gov. Christie’s 2012 budget. Next time you are asked to speak at an event, you really should find out what the subject for the event is.
Yes, thanks again for selling out the Tea Party movement. Some people are stupid some of the time, and others like yourself are stupid all of the time because they do not know when they have been played.
That’s correct Steve, nice research. May ‘09-jun ‘10 and nov ‘10 to present. It’s tough out there. I’ll pay every penny back though.
Of course you forgot to mention born and raised a Reagan Conservative by a Reagan Conservative, with a brief foray into liberalism in college. Im glad to have had that experience because it keeps me from becoming complete kooks like you and the pathetic Zeundt. I’ve forgotten more about the philosophy of collectivism than you’ll ever know.
Now, how ’bout a last name big guy so we can dossier you. Got quite a big mouth from behind the screen.
Rich, you’re a joke. Have an ounce of intellectual honesty and tell me where my comments mentioned anything about the budget, you idiot. You’ve accomplished absolutely nothing and have the balls to feebly attempt to bash those of us actually making a difference.
Epic, epic fail.
Russ:
My last name is spelled “Zuendt”. Did you go to the link I sent you? Can you read big words? If you can you would see that is said exactly what I said it did. I think you should look into a mirror if you want to find an idiot.
Perhaps the participants were not informed, or rather deceived, as to the true nature of the event. Russ has linked to the afp meeting notice which is significantly different from Rich’s link (GOP). While afp and the TP may have been played, it is Mr. Doherty as host in the catbird seat to explain why he supports Christies budget increases!!
Let’s not lose sight of our priorities.
Sim:
Senator Doherty knew nothing about this press conference and that his name was being used. This I have confirmed today from various sources. As you can read above in Bill Winker’s comments, Allison McHose had no idea that her name was being used either.
As far as Russ linking to the AFP annoucement, that has no mention of Russ being a speaker, does it?
Russ has to be very naive to think that anyone is going to report on what he said at this “Press Conference”. Rather, the press release will be made by Governor Christie’s office that the “Tea Party” supports his new (and as yet unseen) budget for 2012.
Then this is a far bigger story than duping just the TP but also false representations by a sitting Gov of members of his own party to sell a lousy budget!
LoL
Are you joking me?!? So we kick ass and show we are a force to be taken seriously and that is a bad thing????
We have input and you do not so
Rich:
Never heard of you before, but your facts are surprisingly incorrect. Bad “reporting”. I must have missed your call when you were fact gathering.
Gene: Thanks for clearing it up to all those matter.
Jim:
What facts are wrong?
**Just who set up this little meeting with the governor?
**What was their agenda?
**Why were these the only tea party leaders chosen to go?
**Just what did the tea party leaders get out of this meeting, or, what were they promised?
**Why is it that the next day they are suddenly supporting a budget wasn’t even released publicly until Tuesday afternoon?
**Whose idea was it to do a press conference?
**Why did they lie about Senator Doherty and Asw. McHose?
**How are we to believe that some of these tea party leaders didn’t know the subject of said press conference?
**Why don’t these tea party leaders realize they are being played like a violin by the governor?
“It’s tough out there”. Get off my back, and earn a living. Instead, you tell us that others should sacrifice for you to earn unemployment benefits? you say people here should get out of the way of the movement? Get a job, you leech!
Promise someone else you’ll pay back the pennies. I’m sick of people claiming to be conservative in their words, but being socialist in their actions, and demanding some type of respect. Get a job, and stop trying to out-shout others on a discussion forum. No one asked you to pay every penny back. Instead, we’re asking you not to rob our pennies, you welfare queen! why do you have to steal our money? make it on your own. be a real conservative. shame on you, you leech. you weaken conservative arguments.
By the way, your weak attempt to say you experienced “liberalism” in college falls short. You were out of college by the time you were looking to overthrow the capitalist system in May, 2000. You were a law student who should have known better. Go back to the Democrats!
We were never liberals like your weak minded self. You can only convince people by typing insults because you simply don’t get conservatism. You only understand that conservative values are popular now, so you are trying to tag along.
Your hope of claiming to be a Reagan Conservative will only work with the fools running the Bayshore Tea Party.
The big question is, how can we convince fools like you, and others like you in the Bayshore Tea Party, to go back to the liberal side of the house?
Get out of the conservative movement. Your presence here only helps socialism, you clown. Take Charles with you.
Lastly, we’ve just learned quite a bit more about your past. You admitted how you liberally took our tax dollars. Will you now confess about your liberal criminal record and your horrendous personal history? You can’t escape your past, you socialist.
Please try to defend your last five arrests. It will be amusing to read.
Wait a second…. Did this site just ban Russ and then allow an anonymous poster to bash him with out giving him a chance to respond? Way to be “Conservative” and allow free speech, guys. To quote Russ - “Epic, epic fail”.
Yeah thats great guys just great! And that is why the left wins. Because we make wars with our selfs!
Kelly Ann Hart:
That other poster did not use profanity like Russ Cote did.
PS
Steve… Is that my good friend Steve Maness?? I think it is!
From Russ:
“ If you want, write this on my behalf: “5 arrests? Your research is slipping Steve…try 16 and counting. Dumb, deceitful and sloppy is no way to go through……life Steve. Try again”. Say you’re posting for me because the site courageously banned me and then tried to bash me. Priceless.”
Charles M.
Russ has a sewer for a mouth. That is why he was banned and it is “Priceless”.
How do we know it was profane? Post the comment so we can see it,or does this site manipulate comments to suit your agenda.
I agree with Charles here. It’s disgraceful, when we are all supposed to be fighting for the same cause.
Todays rally and the reason I was going to be there, standing proud with the Bayshore Tea Party group, is because goons from Wisconsin have no right coming to our state for any reason to fight our Governor; that’s our job to handle.
This was a counter protest. The hate being spread about Governor Christie is disgraceful. You don’t have to agree with everything he says or does. But you should respect that he is at least willing to meet with us to discuss our concerns, or would you prefer Jon Corzine?
Do what you will, guys, but there is much work to be done and the only ones I see putting substance behind their words are the Barbara’s, Russ’ and Charles’ of the world.
I’m just curious as to why there is such a rabid attempt to “drag this state to the right” when less than 28% of the state agrees with the nebulous, confusing ideals of the Tea Party to begin with. That’s 72% of New Jersey voters, both liberal and conservative, who disagree with the TP and their ideals. [CNN poll.] New Jersey, for those of you who apparently just crawled out from under rocks, is a moderately liberal state who voted for Christie because of the utter disgust we felt for Corzine.
Frankly, if the best the conservative movement can do is a combination of the embarrassing conduct of Governor Christie and the pathetic bleatings in the wilderness of the unpopular and unwanted Tea Party, then I think we’d actually be willing to suck it up and deal with another painful stretch under Corzine, unless the conservatives can actually come up with reasonable, logical governance that isn’t out to harm and disenfranchise the middle class.
Richard, I was purposely overlooked and not invited to the Thursday breakfast. At an event in Newark with the governor’s staff recently, in e-mails and at another event in Trenton last week I have publicly and privately been forcefully condemming RGGI and have been demanding answers. None have been forthcoming. But, instead of moaning about my breakfast invitation lost in the mail I still saw it as an opportunity for other Tea Party activists to directly ask the governor questions.
I too am suspicious of Christie’s sudden Tea Party overtures but we have to watch and see how it plays out before jumping the gun.
Also you really discount the smarts of Tea Party leaders. Do you think one breakfast with Christie is going to alter opinions? Do you think some wining and dining is going to alter Tea Party initiatives? If you do, then just like Gov. Christie’s camp you are mistaken. You have more in common with Christie’s administration than you think.
So before you make these blanket observations/judgements please do some investigating. We in the Tea Party work hard and donate much time, effort and personal resources. A croissant, some coffee and OJ are not sufficient to alter Tea Party activities, goals and the overall end-game. Not by a long shot. You and Christie can put that in your pipe and smoke it.
I can’t believe the way you people talk to one another. Both resort to personal attacks. People talking about how someone is overweight or unemployed (even listing timeframe)? Ridiculous. I’m conservative on about 75% of the issues but don’t cling to any one party (Dem, Repub, Tea) for my identity or compass. Now if I happened to misspell anything I’m sure that is the red meat for you guys to attack and insult me as an uneducated moron.
I asked Russ to defend his last 5 arrests. This does not say he was only arrested 5 times, it merely asks about the most recent ones. More appalling than his criminal record is what we hear about his personal history. He can’t defend this, and this is why he must resort to profane language. Buckley kicked people like him out years ago, and we need that again. We need another Buckley today.
Charles, the left wins because you and your comrade misrepresent conservative values. We’re better off without attention seeking types like your group. Barbara basks herself in self adulation because she gets to sit next to a governor, and has all her friends compliment her on how great a job she is doing because she now shakes hands with the establishment. Get real.
If New Jersey journalism wasn’t so lazy, a reporter would write about Russ’s fiscal irresponsibility and his career of leeching off of my tax dollars. How would that make the conservative tradition look if the Star Ledger reveals a Tea Party spokesperson as a welfare queen? Russ makes the public workers he protests look hard working in comparison. He is a disgrace.
Kelly, thanks for your permission to not agree with Chris Christie. Why should we celebrate that he meets with these members of your group? If anything, the thought of that meeting sends further worries through my wallet. Is Russ asking him to increase unemployment benefits? We don’t see it as either Christie or Corzine. We see it the need for conservatism, which neither represents.
By the way, we also heard Russ failed out of law school, and had to attend it for five years. It’s no wonder he continually feels a need to try to prove how smart he is. And, who paid for those five years? Is he telling us he has been long term unemployed with large college loans over his head? The legal profession is not as lucrative as it once was, but it is possible to get employment. Why has he opted to be a welfare queen instead of being self-reliant? How can the Bayshore Tea Party defend this?
Like many others in New Jersey right now, he suffers from entitlement culture, at MY EXPENSE! If anyone should step aside, it should be him.
Steve — couldn’t put it better myself. The Tea Party does NOT represent true conservative values, but only one very small extremist faction, which is the last thing this already-divided state and country need to set it right.
@ Steve… Steve Maness
I don’t care if you love the governor and want to have babies with him or if you hate him and think he’s the antichrist.
Your personal attacks on both Russ and Barbara are in the realm of Defamation of character, Slander, and Libel! And if I was Russ, I would sue you! You pathetic little man!
Measuring achievements by trivial observations here? What a waste.
I like the logic of one who stated elsewhere that gathering all the facts leads to the solution……
Charles, why not address the points I’ve put forward? Do you believe Russ should pretend like he is for less government when he sits around collecting our tax money?
Do you believe his personal behavior is representative of conservative values?
Nothing I have said is false or incorrect, so your vague legal threats that demonstrate your lack of knowledge about law don’t concern me. Nor do your feeble attempts at humor.
Interesting that your way of engaging in a debate is threatening legal action against those you disagree with. Freedom of speech is a tough one for you to accept, huh?
I swore I wouldn’t come back in here, but I just can’t resist.
Let me answer a few of those questions:
- The meeting was set up by his staff
- There was no formal agenda..the Governor came in, sat down and discussed the Budget and went around the room and took questions and gave answers.
- There were questions regarding specific items in the budget. They were addressed.
- The Governor wanted it to be a small group and this first initial meeting was selected from Tea Party groups that were most effective in NJ.
- We had the ability to question the Governor on his budget and other issues that concern the Tea Parties and were promised nothing.
- As I am the one that attended the meeting representing the Bayshore Group, my personal opinion is not relevant here and I made no statements to that affect. I bring back the information where we, as a group, put it up for discussion
- I have no idea who’s prompted the Press Conference and was not involved in any preparations of a Press Conference
- I was not involved in anything regarding the ASW or the Senator. These questions should be put to Indy Hall.
- I answered the other questions truthfully, and I personally don’t care whether you believe me or not.
- If you think for one minute that anyone at that table could be played like a violin you have no idea who we are. No idea …that is obvious by some of the comments and questions here.
It is my opinion that being invited to sit with the Governor, and knowing most of the people that were in attendance can only be seen as a step in the right direction.
One more thing….Personally, regardless of Russells liberal use of language and any other negativity you wish to throw out to the public, I see him as a very important asset to the good of this State and Country. His participation in our group is key and very much appreciated. We are an effecient, effective group for good reason. We did not get there through charachter assassination.
Steve -
You are most welcome. Maybe you should consider a class in leadership to get a better understanding of how this process works. It may also be a smart idea for you take a psychology class. You seem to be very bitter toward the success of others. Sorry for you.
As far this Russ conversation goes - he lost his job as MANY others have in New Jersey and this country. He may not enjoy being an attorney. As an American I do believe he still has a right to change his career path if he so chooses. Unemployment is not welfare. He paid into the system and he has a right to collect it.
While you complain about Russ and his arrests, him collecting unemployment, his foul mouth, what have you done, besides complain on blogs, to make the changes you would like to see in this country? Have you called the Governor for a meeting with him? Have you met with potential candidates to see if they are worthy of running? Have you spent hours upon hours learning the redistricting process to ensure it be fair as the constitution sets? What have YOU done besides sitting in front of your computer and complaining about what I witness others doing daily. Have you been working too many hours? Taking care of your family? Teaching them to judge others without knowing them at all? I’m just curious, Steve. What have you done for your country?
PS- I will prove to you what the Bayshore Tea Party does as well as many others in the state of New Jersey alone. AGAIN, there is substance behind their words. Love for their state and country, my friend. Know this before you continue to run your mouth.
PSS- Richard Zuendt - feel free to ban me from this blog as well because I will continue to defend the Bayshore Tea Party, Russ, Barbara, Charles and anyone else you guys feel the need to judge without knowing the facts. Lots and lots of luck with that in the future. You can also look me up, do some research, try to “damage” my reputation also. I’ve been playing this game a loooong time and I fear nothing. Have a wonderful day!
Kelly Ann Hart:
Why would I ban you from the site? Unlike Mr. Cote, who feels a need to interject profanity in every sentence that he writes, you do not. You are welcome to continue to comment as much as you want, as long as you do not revert to the writing style of your leader.
By the way, show me where I have attacked Mr. Cote personally. All I wrote about was the possible motive for all of the leaders participation in an event that was billed as “support for Gov. Christie’s 2012 budget”. My comments to Mr. Cote, unlike his to me, didnot contain a personal attack on him, but rather a response to the childish manner he was using to comment on this post. Bayshore should really think about finding some adult leadership. It would make your group much more effective.
Barbara:
At no time have I attacked Mr. Cote personally, unlike his comments towards me. Like I told Kelly Ann Hart, it might be wise for Bayshore to get some adult leadership in the future.
Before anyone attacks me for it…I know I have a few misspellings in my last post. I was halfway out the door of the headquarters and typed really fast. From the insults going around here, I wanted to make that point. I probably have more about me to criticize than that, and Pp my life was not as “interesting” as Russells, so you can pick on me for being a bad speller.
Thank Barbara, Russ, and Steve for defending not only yourselves but the other participants at the breakfast (which I did not attend but heard about), and the press conference (I did attend). I was also on the front line of the counterprotest and at one time being restrained by Mark, of all people, lest I got too aggressive :=).
Folks, we don’t need this kind of public discussion. Why not take it off line before you say stuff you really don’t mean? We need to be focusng on the things that are important rather than this kind of trivia.
Barbara:
Being an English major is not a requirement to comment here. Writing as a respectful adult is.
George - Well said and agreed!
However, it still pains me to see this post and certain posters trying to humiliate another poster after said poster was banned. Maybe it would be a good idea to invite said poster back to the post to defend the attempted humiliation of other posters.
PS- I’m gonna re-post this post on one of my posts so I can share how ridiculous original posters are!
PSS- I noticed the banned poster challenged Steve & Richard poster to a debate on his site which is he is not banned from. I look forward to that post more than anything else in the world!
I didn’t think there was anyone left in the district who hadn’t heard about Mr. Cote’s delight in the irony of collecting unemployment while being a conservative activist.
Honestly, when he hits the scotch, he is wont to loudly regale anyone within earshot with tales of his criminal record, unemployment history, exploits with prostitutes, extensive drug use and gambling problem. Just ask anyone who frequents McDonagh’s Pub.
CJD… I am on Medicare…. does this make me not a conservative? Or is that I will use what is the only thing available that will keep my head above water. Unemployment is the same thing. It is part of the contract that was made with us.
I also used unemployment once when I was laid off in the Carter recession. I was one mortgage payment away from default and unemployment helped. At that time unemployment was a bonafide, state administered INSURANCE program whose premiums were paid by employers. Sometimes, in hard times there would be a boost from the feds, which would be paid back when times were good. Employers that had poor employment records would pay more premium than those who didn’t. I had no more problem taking the insurance payment than I have receiving a medical payment from Horizon Blue Cross/Shield. Perhaps Russ was in the same boat.
Most of us want to change the nature of unemployment/medicare/social security contracts for those who are not currently dependent on it. I think that we can count Russ among us. I can forgive his prior transgressions and even his vocabulary (with which he seems to share with most Chicago politicians). The real question is if his heart and action are now in the right place. I say they are and count him (and Barbara) as fellow conservatives.
By the way, I don’t hear anyone from Conservative NJ discounting David Horowitz’ conservative credentials despite being once a member of the Weather Underground and Chicago 7. I would contend that Russ Cote’s exploits are a lot less problematic than those and we should give him the same kind of respect. Until he proves differently by his actions he will have my respect.
George, I never questioned Mr. Cote’s politics or addressed what makes a Conservative. I merely pointed out that he has made a habit of proclaiming his unorthodox lifestyle choices. When you have a fellow knocking on doors one day asking for your vote for Anna Little and then you hear him talking about frequenting escorts in Atlantic City while on cocaine the next…it gives one pause.
I never heard him say that or deny that so I can’t comment on its validity.
Steve Maness
Are you joking me!?!?
Russ like ALL OF US has faults, to say that he is not a conservative is not only not true, but out right ridiculous! He is one of the hardest working and most dedicated conservatives I have ever seen.
So take your BS and put it back up your a$$ were it came from!!
Goodnight
I have tried to refrain from the discussion heretofore had on this topic because of all of the name calling. I don’t find that productive in any way. But as it is a quiet Sunday, I want to add a couple of thoughts to the discussion.
1. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Conservative accepting benefits from the welfare state, so long as he consistently advocates their repeal. Participation in the tax portion of the welfare state is not voluntary, and there is no need to limit the pool of recipients to only those parasites who clamor for the looting to continue. That would be adding insult to injury. I don’t know if Mr. Cote advocates consistently for the repeal of the welfare state or not, but as far as I am concerned that is all that would be required of him to justify his acceptance of welfare benefits that have previously been extorted and looted from him.
2. Profanity is absolutely unacceptable on this blog. Period. If you cannot abide by that, write on your own blog.
3. Author and CNJ co-founder Rich Zuendt expressed the opinion that Governor Christie commandeered for his own benefit and for the benefit of his proposed budget a rally that had ostensibly been scheduled to support the great work of Conservative Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s stand against the public sector unions. Rich also expressed his chagrin that any Tea Party leaders in New Jersey - who have to be aware of Governor Christie’s disdain for and distancing from the Tea Party to date - allowed themselves to be used by Governor Christie in such a bait and switch to advance the Governor’s agenda and possibly his national ambitions. Rich’s opinion is fully supported with reasons and explanations. It is in no way a personal attack, and the public figure individuals taking it as such need to re-examine the thickness of their skins if that criticism bothered them so much as to lead to the meltdowns that we have seen erupt here.
4. This blog is private property, and as such there is no more right to free speech here than when you visit someone else’s home. Censorship is strictly a government action, not a private action. If you are going to advocate for limited government, Conservative principles, this is a crucial fact to learn and understand.
This post, and the comments afterward, have been my introduction to this blog. I have to say, my first impression isn’t favorable.
I’m gobsmacked to see conservatives telling someone to go back to the left. Whose side are you on? Would you really prefer to chase votes to the opposition? Are you so certain of success that you’re comfortable running out those you deem imperfect, even knowing that - come election day - their goals are yours?
While I agree that it’s your blog and you have the right to set posting standards, it seems odd that a couple of cursewords crossed your eyes but you would accept the posting of so much private information.
Is Mr. Cote a candidate for office? No? Than such an extensive account of his personal life would seem to have little place in the discussion. He’s volunteering and working toward conservative goals, not asking for your vote.
That Steve would post such details is invasive. That this blog would allow them to remain is classless.
Governor YouTube obviously had an agenda here and it wasn’t to acquiesce to the tea party movement and move in their direction. If these tea party leaders don’t get that then they’re just woefully naive.
And if they didn’t know what the Indy TP group was up to they’d better disassociate themselves in a right hurry.
“As long as conservatives continue to fight amoungst themselves,over purity and tactics, they will remain a small people, a little people, barbarus and cruel”
Dear L of B,
Conservatives are not a “small people, a little people” but form a majority in any Republican primary and a majority in any legislative district likely to be won by a Republican in New Jersey.
Conservatives exist based on the principles they hold. It is natural enough to have disagreement over tactics and the specific means to enact those principles. Even a military staff — as highly structured as it is — has the same disagreements.
As has happened again and again, when conservative “leaders” replace principle with the received wisdom of an individual — be he a president or a governor — conservatives move on, and those “leaders” are leaders no more. President George W. Bush and his Republican Congress is only the most recent example.
Bill, I would love to believe you and the quotation in my post was tongue in cheek to get a reaction.
How do you explain the most liberal woman in NJ being elected Bergen County Executive and her unelected boss
Alan Marcus best friend of Menendez ? How do you explain
the Chairman of the Bergen GOP privately and publicly
endorsing a huge Menendez supporter for BC Freeholder ?
How to you explain GOPACs George Gilmore headling a $ 10 k
event for the most liberal people in the State of NJ ?
Conservatives need to agree on the basics before they can move on and win.
The “Independence Hall Tea Party” is a PAC that doesn’t represent me.
All three Tea Party groups in Congressman Jon Runyan’s district all endorsed Justin Murphy over Jon Runyan, in the primary.
And then ads came out claiming Jon Runyan had the support of the largest tea party group.
Jon Runyan did not have the endorsement of any Tea Party group in New Jersey.
“On April 18, 2010, the PAC endorsed 14 candidates for Congress:
In New Jersey, Dale Glading (R-1), Jon Runyan (R-3), Anna Little (R-6), Scott Sipprelle (R-12);…”
http://www.independencehallteapartypac.org/
Again, the “Independence Hall Tea Party” is a PAC that doesn’t represent me, and I wish the Tea Party groups would stay away from them. As far as I’m concerned, they helped steal votes away from the real Tea Party candidates.
If this PAC had endorsed Diane Gooch over Anna Little, Anna Little would have lost in June. Think about that.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
It was really sad to read all of the comments and cross fighting.
Each person is entitled to make their own decision and each group has their own leadership group which most likely collectively decide what actions they take, which candidates they support and which issues they tackle.
There are always more than one person’s side opinion on and issue or situation. Who can accept that one meeting with the Governor to hear and discuss the budget is a travesty nor magically transforms a conservative into a moderate?
Why weren’t those at the meeting spoken to BEFORE the article was written? It’s an opinion piece and not truely reflective of what occured because those at the meeting weren’t contacted prior.
All of this BS could have been more realistically discussed. No further time should be spend on this.
My dear L of B, none of those you mentioned are conservative. Marcus and Gilmore are simply in the business of politics. They, along with Ms. Donovan, are Republicans — but Republicans and conservatives are not always the same thing.
As for why George Gilmore is NJ’s face for a once movement group like GOPAC, more is the pity. These things happen, you just have to around them.