McCann candidacy "illegitimate" without convention

The corrupt GOP party bosses in Passaic and Bergen Counties are trying to rig the Republican nominations in the 5th and 11th congressional districts.  In Passaic County, a hand-picked group of 23 under-bosses followed boss Peter Murphy's lead and endorsed John McCann in the 5th district and Tony Ghee in the 11th district. 

Who is Peter Murphy?

Peter Murphy is the GOP party boss of Passaic County.  Murphy was convicted and served time in prison for public corruption.  Here is what then U.S. Attorney Chris Christie had to say about Peter Murphy:  "We are pleased with the end result here – that Mr. Murphy served a considerable amount of time in prison for crimes which he has finally acknowledged committing as Republican party chairman in Passaic County... For those crimes, Mr. Murphy has lost his prestige and power, nearly a year of freedom and now is a convicted felon."

In Bergen County, the party boss there -- Paulie DiGaetano -- simply hand-picked candidate John McCann and has rejected pleas for an open vote.

A leading candidate to replace DiGaetano as Chairman of the Bergen County Republican Organization (BCRO), Fernando Alonso, called on DiGaetano to hold a convention.  This is Alonso's statement from today:

I am calling on the Bergen County Republican Organization (BCRO) and BCRO Chairman Paul DiGaetano to have a convention for the 5th Congressional District nomination immediately.  The decision to not have a convention where the County Committee members have an opportunity to choose the Republican congressional nominee is unfair to everyone involved. It is unfair to Steve Lonegan because it denies him the opportunity to compete for the Republican Line in this important race. It is unfair to John McCann because winning the nomination without a convention taints his candidacy as illegitimate without the consent of the County Committee members. Finally, it is not only unfair to all of the County Committee members, but it further alienates volunteers, activists and loyal BCRO county committee members. The Convention should only involve eligible Bergen County committee members living in the 5th Congressional District.

I am calling on Jack Zisa to show real leadership and do the same in calling for the convention. Otherwise, he is just an extension of Paul DiGaetano of what’s to come should Zisa be Chairman.    

Fernando A. Alonso, Esq. 
Bergen County Republican Chairman Candidate

McCann is backed by a convict, calls opponent "loser"

Anyone who has worked for Peter Murphy knows how the guy brags about how much power he has.  He brags, downs a shot of his favorite whiskey, and then brags some more. 

Who is Peter Murphy?  Peter Murphy is the GOP party boss of Passaic County who was convicted of public corruption and served time in prison.  Here's what blogger Matt Rooney had to say about him:

Former Passaic GOP chairman Peter Murphy of Totowa ultimately plead guilty to mail fraud back in 2003 after a lengthy prosecution and conviction(the original result of which the 3rd Circuit set aside and remanded for a new trial), Save Jerseyans, but if the Passaic County Regular Republican Organization’s executive board moves forward with a working resolution on July 22nd, he may very soon be back at helm of that organization. Or running for elected office?

Here’s the bylaws article that they might repeal:

No person shall be qualified to serve as Municipal Leader or member of the Executive Board who is otherwise unqualified to hold elective office or has been convicted of a crime of the third degree or higher, involving dishonesty or moral turpitude or which constitutes a felony in either the State of New Jersey, Federal jurisdiction or equivalent of same in another jurisdiction. All Municipal Leaders or members of the Executive Board shall execute a certified statement that the individual has not been convicted of a crime of the third degree or higher, involving dishonesty or moral turpitude or which constitutes a felony in either the State of New Jersey, Federal Jurisdiction or equivalent of same in another jurisdiction.”

The ultimate result here, as ever, only almost as interesting as HOW we got here in the first place.

The man who derailed power broker?

“We are pleased with the end result here – that Mr. Murphy served a considerable amount of time in prison for crimes which he has finally acknowledged committing as Republican party chairman in Passaic County,” then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie crowed in a November 7, 2003 statement released by his office. “For those crimes, Mr. Murphy has lost his prestige and power, nearly a year of freedom and now is a convicted felon.”

The Passaic County Regular Republican Organization’s executive board went ahead and repealed the bar to convicts serving as their Chairman.

And a few days after doing so, the same Passaic County Regular Republican Organization executive board made John McCann their candidate for the Republican nomination for Congress.

Is your skin crawling yet?