How Low Can Politics Go?
Recently, the Bergen County Republican Organization (BCRO) developed and funded campaign literature that stated that Deputy Minority Leader/State Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole (R-40) was “the Republican Al Sharpton.” The paid mailer claimed that when it came to redistricting, O’Toole’s seat was protected because of his “Asian/Korean” descent. The mailer included a grainy, black and white side by side photo of Assemblyman O’Toole and Reverend Al Sharpton. The photo of Mr. O’Toole is one that showed him a bit unshaven, so that his facial hair was comparable to Mr. Sharpton’s.
Besides the literature making little sense, it was one of the most gratuitously inflammatory and racist campaign mailings ever distributed in New Jersey. Even more unbelievable than the mailing itself was that it was sent and paid for by the BCRO against a sitting Republican Assemblyman, who was seeking the District’s Senate seat (being vacated by State Senator Henry P. McNamara) against BCRO-endorsed former Bergen County Freeholder and State Senate candidate Todd Caliguire. Assemblyman O’Toole defeated Mr. Caliguire in last week’s Republican Primary and thus is the Republican nominee for the State Senate seat in November. Shortly after the election results were announced, BCRO Chairman Guy Talarico announced his resignation.
Is it any wonder that the BCRO under Chairman Guy Talarico had a track record of evisceration by the Bergen County Democratic Organization (BCDO) under current Chairman Joe Ferriero? What kind of Party Chairman would resort to such tactics against a sitting Assemblyman of his own Party? Furthermore, what kind of political organization would allow such a mailing to go out under its name? Considering the large number of Asian-Americans in Bergen County, this campaign strategy was one of the most foolish tactics in recent times.
The mailer and the people who sanctioned it brought politics to a new low, and that’s a difficult feat to accomplish. The mailer was not only an affront to Asian-Americans throughout New Jersey but was offensive to all residents of New Jersey -- Republican, Democrat and unaffiliated, of all races and religions. It has no place in politics. Assemblyman O’Toole and the residents who received this abhorrent mailing deserve an apology.
Michael M. Shapiro, founder of ShapTalk.com, is an attorney who resides in New Providence, New Jersey. He currently serves as the Chairman of the New Providence Democratic Party and as Editor of The Alternative Press Contact Mike at mike@shaptalk.com