The general consensus is that Frank Slamone cannot win. He has also indicated a willingness to step aside should a stronger candidate come forward.
Mike, you have always stood for conservative values, fought for the residents and were the only No New Tax Party founder to have the GOP line! Maybe last year we weren't convinced or ready to open up to a new party/idea, but we are now.
The Dems are making the town look foolish and the GOP voters need someone on the ballot who has the experience, the values and most importantly someone who is, as you guys say, "not beholden to any political boss"!
Mike, you have always stood for conservative values, fought for the residents and were the only No New Tax Party founder to have the GOP line! Maybe last year we weren't convinced or ready to open up to a new party/idea, but we are now.
I am a friend of Michael, and a supporter of him in the last election (and now). I will not speak for him, but I can say that if he ever gives any consideration to politics again, I will beat him senseless (figuratively)! This is typical of the politics he fought to change. It's not about Republican or Democrat, it was all about someone who would finally do what is right for the Town and its' residents. Your plead to "save" the GOP is the antithesis of his platform. He had no intention to save any party, merely to right the ship. The GOP was in power when he ran, and they got smoked because they gave away to much of the Town's character to developers and special interests. The same thing will happen to the current administration in due time. This is not the battle of a political party, it should be a consensus of individuals willing to transcend beyond politics to do what is right for the people. One candidate cannot shoulder this lofty goal, all candidates and incumbents have to embrace this philosophy. Bumblethru was right when he said get out of Rotterdam, it's a cesspool. Mr. O'connor and his supporters learned enough about Rotterdam politics, the intelligence of the electorate, and the "special interst" candidates the last go round. Learned enough to know that Rotterdam politics does not mesh well with people of high moral standards, principles and impecable integrity. No, he is not your man, he is not a Party saviour, just a common sense kind of guy who thought he could help!
But, Mike's ideology seems to be in line with what the GOP stands for. All candidates should be good people, doing what's right for the people.
It might not have anything to do with party, but Mike is an enrolled Republican and yea, I like being a Republican. So if I see a really good person, who just got nudged out because the residents were sick of Tommasone, Parisi and the rest, then maybe his time is now.
You mention this is the type of politics that Mike fought, well in my view we still need candidates with balls to stand up for what's right. Mike isn't the kind of guy to back down, but it may also be a fight he's not interested in getting into. If that is so, it's our loss.
As for your negative take on my "save the GOP" comment, I believe our the town GOP has lost the publics trust and that bothers me. Restoring integrity to town hall, with a winning Republican candidate serves the people AND party well!
I understand your dilemma and I agree with your assessment, but the timing is bad. Everyone knows the GOP (except F.S.) has no one. I feel it's somewhat disingenuous to look to Mike O. at this juncture, but this is my personal opinion. To be honest, both parties have lost the trust of the people, it is a "special interest" free for all at the moment. The parties need to develop a platform that is appealing, and run candidates that do not deviate. Anything less is "business as usual". Just remember, It doesn't matter how good the violinist is if the rest of the orchestra sucks!
As far as 'saving the GOP'....I agree that that is not MO's job. And as far as saying that the only one the GOP has is FS is premature. Remember.....anyone looks good with this present bunch. There have been many many residents who have stepped up to that podium at meetings and blew just about everyone away. There are some very well informed, well versed residents that could also step up to the political plate to make a difference.
MO would always receive mine and many other's support if he ever chose to run again. But there are also many others in rotterdam that could pick up the ball and run with it.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
As far as 'saving the GOP'....I agree that that is not MO's job. And as far as saying that the only one the GOP has is FS is premature. Remember.....anyone looks good with this present bunch. There have been many many residents who have stepped up to that podium at meetings and blew just about everyone away. There are some very well informed, well versed residents that could also step up to the political plate to make a difference.
MO would always receive mine and many other's support if he ever chose to run again. But there are also many others in rotterdam that could pick up the ball and run with it.
First, it is not premature regarding candidates, election day is 5 mos. away. If anything it is too late to introduce a new candidate and probably a recycled one. I share the electorate's pain with what we have and try to remain optimistic, unfortunately I am a realist.
As far as people at the podium, or just in the Town in general, I would agree that there are quality people, but they won't run. They won't go through the effort MO did which was enormous, only to be thrown over by unknowns with no platforms or direction for the Town except to give it to the developers to be carved up like a Thanksgiving Day turkey. They won't put their families through that level of committment and sacrifice. MO ran a clean campaign, he let the electorate decide. He didn't squander campaign contributions, and really didn't solicit any. He had a vision to update the Comprehensive Plan to prevent Rotterdam from being Spot Zoned by special interests. He was known, he spoke at many TB meetings. And the results were disastrous, not because he lost, but by who beat him. That had to be a hard pill to swallow. Who in there right mind, possessing similar genuine intentions, would even dream about throwing their hat in the ring. No disrespect to FS, but the political bar is currently so low, no one wants a piece of the action. Rotterdam politics are historically a dirty, underhanded business that continues to flourish under Party inbreeding. There are many of us that are mad and disgusted with the system. I'm with many hoping for a new turnover after a few short months from this crew, but . . . Who?
The general consensus is that Frank Slamone cannot win. He has also indicated a willingness to step aside should a stronger candidate come forward.
Mike, you have always stood for conservative values, fought for the residents and were the only No New Tax Party founder to have the GOP line! Maybe last year we weren't convinced or ready to open up to a new party/idea, but we are now.
The Dems are making the town look foolish and the GOP voters need someone on the ballot who has the experience, the values and most importantly someone who is, as you guys say, "not beholden to any political boss"!
Frank is not beholden to any political boss. He is a young energetic conservative attorney trying to do the RIGHT thing!!!!!
Frank is not beholden to any political boss. He is a young energetic conservative attorney trying to do the RIGHT thing!!!!!
I don't particularly care if he is young, energetic or an attorney. Conservative? Trying to do the right thing? Time will tell.
As far as not being beholden to any political boss? Well that depends on how ya look at it I guess. Perhaps not TB. But definitely GP who is clearly trying to create a 'republican party spin off' of the already existing rep party.
The only way FS will win, will be by default. FS will get some true supporters, I'm sure. The rest/majority will vote for a rep, any rep, just to keep another dem out! IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Tip- I don't have a problem with supporting a political party. I do it all the time. You may have misunderstood. It was said that he was not beholden to any poltical boss all I said was that he was--well if you call Tommasone any kind of a boss. He was a pawn for ST.