Fresh Jersey

On WOR radio with John Gambling: Talking about the election

I always enjoy going on the radio with WOR's morning anchor, John Gambling.   He called yesterday and asked me to analyze Tuesday's gubernatorial election in which incumbent Governor Jon Corzine was defeated by Republican Christopher Christie.  To listen, please click this link:   Download John Gambling Show 110409

Jon Corzine: RIP

The short and very odd political career of Jon Corzine is over.  Yes, there are people out there who say Corzine may make a come back.  Don't believe it.  The Democratic party basically liked Corzine because he gave a lot of money to the party's county organizations and to other groups.  Now that Corzine was defeated -- by almost 5 points -- by Republican Chris Christie, it's time to look at why Corzine lost. 

First and formost, Corzine is a terrible politician. He does not seem to understand how and when to compromise and how and when to get tough.  Second, he has little talen for communicating his message. To hear the poor man try to deliver a speech was the political equivalent of waterboarding.   And third -- and most important, perhaps -- is this question:  What exactly was Corzine's message? 

What many will remember Corzine for is that he wanted to raise tolls on the Turnpike -- by 800 percent.  Then they will remember his goofy financial games with ex-gal-pal Carla Katz, who just happened to be the head of a labor union representing thousands of state employees.   Can we all say "Conflict of Interest"?  Duh?  

But consider the meaning of those memories.   What exactly do people remember about Corzine's message? 

In that question is the reason Jon Corzine lost. 

On WCBS: Talking about the Governor's election

Wayne Cabot, the afternoon anchor of WCBS radio called and asked me to comment on today's gubernatorial election here in New Jersey.  To listen to the interview, please click this link: Download WCBS 110309

On WNYC: Analyzing the governor's election

WNYC's Brian Lehrer called today and invited me to participate in an Election eve discussion of Tuesday's gubernatorial election with Montclair State political science professor Brigid Harrison.   In the middle of the discussion, Newark Mayor Cory Booker phoned in. He said he happened to be listening to the radio and wanted to contribute to the discussion.   To listen to an MP3 of the discussion, click this link:   Download Bl110209dpod

Go Yankees !!!

Okay, so I'm a Yankee fan.  Do I have to apologize?   I have to admit that it's great to have the Yanks back where they belong, at the top of the heap and in the World Series.   Yesterday, I had the opportunity to work with two of our photographers on a video about the World Series.  I did the narration, with video by Dave bergeland and Mike Karas.   Check it out on this link:  http://www.northjersey.com/multimedia/video_player/?firstGallery=1&playVideo=http://dng.northjersey.com/media_server/tr/2009/10/27series/series_169.flv

On the radio with Chris DeBello

One of the most insightful Jersey-based radio hosts is Chris DeBello.  The other day, he asked me to come on the air and talk about the governor's race.  Here is a link to the recorded interview.  Please click to listen:   

Download ChrisDeBello 102309

Joe Ferriero -- federal felon

Yes, it's true. The big boss of Bergen's Democratic Party, Joe Ferriero, was convicted yesterday in federal court in Newark on three counts for his involvement in a scheme to use his political connections to make money.   The charges are complicated -- conspiracy to defraud Bergenfield of the honest services of its borough attorney and Ferriero pal, Dennis Oury, and two mail fraud charges related to the conspiracy.   But the message is clear:   Ferriero's game of using politics to make money crossed the legal line.  

Trials are windows into the human condition.  That's why I tried to spend as much time in the courtroom as possible, even when I did not have to write a column.  I was especially drawn to Ferriero's testimony.  During  two days on the witness stand, he said he participated in a secret deal to create a consulting firm that would do business in Bergenfield -- and he saw nothing wrong with that kind of arrangement.  

What's the message here?   Maybe it's even more simple than we thought.  Don't mix politics and business.  See my column this Sunday for more on this issue.

9-11 Anniversary slide show

The anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks is a deeply upsetting time for many of us.  I remember vividly every step I took that day -- from my desk at the newsroom, to the Jersey City waterfront, to a tug boat and crossing the Hudson, to Ground Zero about 90 minutes after the towers fell.  On Friday, the 8th anniversary of the attacks, I was honored to narrate a slide presentation by Record photographers of various 9-11 ceremonies across North Jersey and at Ground Zero.   To view and listen to the presentation, please click here:   http://www.northjersey.com/multimedia/video/59050587.html

 

On WNYC radio with Brian Lehrer

Today is the eighth anniversary of the 9-11 attacks.  While reporting from Ground Zero, I got a call from WNYC's insightful radio host, Brian Lehrer, who asked me to come on the air live and offer some reflections on this somber day.   To listen to our interview, please click this link:  Download Bl091109bpod

On WNYC: Talking about Gadhafi's tent in Englewood

The rumor that Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi wants to pitch his "Bedouin-style" tent on the grounds of a Libyan-owned mansion in Englewood when he visits the United Nations has set off a firestorm of protests that have reached the White House.   WNYC's insightful radio host, Brian Lehrer, asked me to come on the air this morning and talk about the controversy -- and my proposal:  If Gadhafi puts up his tent, then someone should set up a large sound system and read the names of the 270 killed when Libyan agents blew up Pan Am 103.   To listen to the radio interview, click this link:  Download Bl082809bpod