There must be a master script somewhere. Atlantic City Dems last night used a trick straight out of the playbook of Plainfield Assemblyman Jerry Green -- controlling the nomination process so only the pre-picked list can win.
Atlantic City Dems must submit three names to the City Council, which will choose among them, to replace disgraced former mayor Bob Levy, who resigned last week after disclosures he faked 'Green Beret' status as a Vietnam veteran.
When Council President Ray Blanco died suddenly in the summer of 2006, Green, as party chair, was faced with having to provide three names for the Council to pick among for a replacement to serve in Blanco's place until a candidate could be elected in November for the remainder of the term.
There was considerable sentiment in the community that a Hispanic should at least be considered for the seat. Christian Estevez, now a Board of Ed member, and Julie Jerome both submitted resumés, as required. The other resumé submitted was that of Harold Gibson, Union County's public safety director.
Rather than allow individual nominations from the floor, which is what would be expected in a small-d democratic process, the chair ruled that the nominations had to be submitted en bloc.
Whereupon, former mayor Harold Mitchell rose and submitted three names from a written list he held in his hand: Hattie Williams, Harold Gibson and Sylvester Palin. Betraying the likelihood he was executing a play called by the quarterback but with which he was unfamiliar, Mitchell stumbled over the correct pronunciation of his personal candidate Palin's name.
City Committee chair Jerry Green successfully dodged the bullet of having a Hispanic's name on the list, as, presumably, the A. C. Dem chairperson last night got the outcome they wanted.
The point, after all, is control, not democracy.
Lest you be confused.
Press of Atlantic City: "Angered attendees disapprove of 'flawed nomination'"
Atlantic City Scoop --
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For more details of how the A.C. Democratic Committee meeting played out, http://cityofatlantic.wordpress.com.
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