We Have a King Of Ocean County?

On the heels of a very distorted gubernatorial election win, the NJ GOP seems intent on ignoring every lesson they could have possibly learned. Let us start with the lesson of how the citizens of New Jersey will not be told who to vote for, will no longer sit idly by while back room deals of party elite or party bosses foist candidates upon us. If last weeks election results tell us anything it is that the citizens are mad as hell! If the tea party movement tells us anything it is that the citizens are mad as hell!

Our Republic is set up so that anyone that wants to run for office has that opportunity. You need to collect the requisite number of signatures and then you are on a ballot. We have primary elections for Democrats and Republicans. Anyone that believes they can represent their community in the office they seek has the ability to collect signatures and appear on the ballot. They then campaign in the community for the office they seek. The election is held, and there is a winner and loser(s). The point is the citizens choose the individuals that will represent them.

Admittedly, while overly simplistic, the above paragraph is how we elect our government officials.

The equation does not include paying homage to a party boss, the party elite, or the party powerful. It does include telling the people you want to represent what you stand for, what you hope to accomplish, and the principles that will guide you.

With all of that being said, it is despicable that Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore appears less than enthusiastic about what appears to be the impending candidacy of Jon Runyan for the 3^rd Congressional District seat currently held by John Adler.

Gilmore appears upset that Runyan has not discussed (read: asked permission) a potential candidacy with him. Is he serious? Who the hell does he think he is, King George?

Who anointed him to tell the citizens of the 3^rd Congressional District who they should vote for? For that matter, who the hell anointed him to say who can be on the ballot? Who the hell anointed him to say who can run, who can compete for the votes in the 3^rd Congressional District?

I have met Jon Runyan over the past several years. I like him. I have never had a political discussion with him. The times I have been in his company I can say I believe he is fiscally conservative. That being said, it is not relevant to what King George Gilmore is trying to do. He appears to think that it is up to him who will represent you, the citizens of the 3^rd Congressional District, regardless of what your thoughts on the matter are.

Are you, in the 3^rd Congressional District, and specifically in Ocean County, going to allow this type of abhorrent behavior? Is this the type of leadership you want for your Republican Party in Ocean County.

Well, according to Max Friedman and PolitickerNJ.com (http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/34939/gilmore-says-he-hasnt-heard-runyan) King George appears to feel slighted. It appears that he thinks he controls a fiefdom as a result of a 70,000 vote Christie victory in Ocean County last week.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the county chairman’s job to do every thing he can to turn out the vote for his party’s nominee, regardless of the office? Since when did doing a good job at turning out the vote make you the King that will dictate by fiat who runs to represent the 3^rd Congressional District?