Bill Dowd 6/3/04
Primary season has ended. Political infighting and backbiting season has not. As the various political parties reorganize for the upcoming election season, fellow party members attack each other with vicious well-placed lies and half-truths.
In unfortunate tradition, The Monmouth County Republicans held their much anticipated reorganization meetings this month.
The event for the county Republicans, complete with cold drinks and hot dogs in the parking lot, resembled a tailgate party. Indoors, long time chairman, Bill Dowd, and Wall Township’s Fred Nieman vied for the position of county chairman.
Despite the faulty sound system, the nominees made their speeches. Mr. Nieman laid out a rhetorical (yet sensible) vision for change and growth. Mr. Dowd used the podium to hurl a few last minute verbal barbs at his opponent.
Mr. Nieman advocated for creating a more inclusive party. Mr. Dowd spoke about his past record, which he claims, among other things, is the “envy of every other republican organization in the tri-state area”.
The polls closed at 9:30, and party officials began to open the voting machines and tally the votes. Mr. Dowd, who had been nervously pacing the perimeter of the room, glanced over the huddled shoulders to catch a glimpse the election results. Before the last machine was opened, Mr. Dowd turned to walk away.
“Is it close?” I asked him.
“No,” he answered. He was right and he was gone.
The chairman of any political party is expected to make himself available to all of those he serves. Mr. Dowd had been excluding many regular members from the political process of candidate selection. Mr. Dowd may take credit for long term republican control of the Board of Freeholders, but his actions last year cost the party not only a seat in the state senate, but one of it’s most valuable members, Senator John O. Bennett.
This year, Mr. Dowd publicized deceptive information about the campaign expenditures of Ed Stominski. Although a state investigation used the “evidence” to fully exonerate Mr. Stominski of any impropriety, Mr. Dowd had sufficiently tarnished an honorable reputation. Mr. Stominski will not be on the Republican ballot for the 2004 election for Monmouth County Freeholder.
Mr. Dowd’s actions caused a rift within his party. Historically, voters disapprove of division among people we expect to work together. Such division is an undeniable sign of weakness.
Mr. Dowd’s antics may have created enough skepticism to hand at least one county seat over to the Democrats this year. A split political party is weak. A resentful political party loses elections. Politicians who are primarily concerned with exerting and maintaining his or her power are not effective leaders.
Other political organizations should take note of the many voters who read between the lines of political rhetoric. We strive to improve the quality of our community life by voting against scandals…real or contrived.
The Monmouth County Republicans are doing what they must to effect real change in the process of nominating candidates. Mr. Nieman faces a tough road to reunite his party and put forth candidates with exhibit honesty and accountability.
I wish him the best of luck.
In unfortunate tradition, The Monmouth County Republicans held their much anticipated reorganization meetings this month.
The event for the county Republicans, complete with cold drinks and hot dogs in the parking lot, resembled a tailgate party. Indoors, long time chairman, Bill Dowd, and Wall Township’s Fred Nieman vied for the position of county chairman.
Despite the faulty sound system, the nominees made their speeches. Mr. Nieman laid out a rhetorical (yet sensible) vision for change and growth. Mr. Dowd used the podium to hurl a few last minute verbal barbs at his opponent.
Mr. Nieman advocated for creating a more inclusive party. Mr. Dowd spoke about his past record, which he claims, among other things, is the “envy of every other republican organization in the tri-state area”.
The polls closed at 9:30, and party officials began to open the voting machines and tally the votes. Mr. Dowd, who had been nervously pacing the perimeter of the room, glanced over the huddled shoulders to catch a glimpse the election results. Before the last machine was opened, Mr. Dowd turned to walk away.
“Is it close?” I asked him.
“No,” he answered. He was right and he was gone.
The chairman of any political party is expected to make himself available to all of those he serves. Mr. Dowd had been excluding many regular members from the political process of candidate selection. Mr. Dowd may take credit for long term republican control of the Board of Freeholders, but his actions last year cost the party not only a seat in the state senate, but one of it’s most valuable members, Senator John O. Bennett.
This year, Mr. Dowd publicized deceptive information about the campaign expenditures of Ed Stominski. Although a state investigation used the “evidence” to fully exonerate Mr. Stominski of any impropriety, Mr. Dowd had sufficiently tarnished an honorable reputation. Mr. Stominski will not be on the Republican ballot for the 2004 election for Monmouth County Freeholder.
Mr. Dowd’s actions caused a rift within his party. Historically, voters disapprove of division among people we expect to work together. Such division is an undeniable sign of weakness.
Mr. Dowd’s antics may have created enough skepticism to hand at least one county seat over to the Democrats this year. A split political party is weak. A resentful political party loses elections. Politicians who are primarily concerned with exerting and maintaining his or her power are not effective leaders.
Other political organizations should take note of the many voters who read between the lines of political rhetoric. We strive to improve the quality of our community life by voting against scandals…real or contrived.
The Monmouth County Republicans are doing what they must to effect real change in the process of nominating candidates. Mr. Nieman faces a tough road to reunite his party and put forth candidates with exhibit honesty and accountability.
I wish him the best of luck.
posted by Rich Kohler at 6:25 PM
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