They strategize, but events can change the script

Political Insider
Jersey Journal
Saturday, July 19, 2008

Most everyone who wants to run for mayor of Jersey City has pretty much said so. Although, there could be a few minor characters out there waiting just offstage. What we do not have is the public declarations on the City Hall steps.

Incumbent Jerramiah Healy says he's running. Former Mayor Bret Schundler is asking everyone to run with him and for donations. Former Assemblyman Lou Manzo is assessing the field, but he's not going to sneak up on anyone.

Downtown Councilman Steven Fulop does not want to fade from the picture, so he made a public announcement on Wednesday of a partial slate of candidates. Besides himself and Police Officer/attorney James Carroll, Fulop revealed that former Hudson County Sheriff Joseph Cassidy has joined his team. Or has Fulop and Carroll joined Cassidy?

It is hard to tell because they are not saying what they are running for - mayor, ward council seats, at large seats, the exit doors.

Cassidy said he is committed to this pod because it is important to oust Healy and "have some real law enforcement people in City Hall." As far as who is running for what, one gets the sense that the former sheriff is interested in becoming mayor.

"It will depend on polling and local support," he said when asked about who is the mayoral hopeful.

Now, if only state Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham would end the suspense. She has become the Sphinx on the topic and the longer the riddle exists, the more one can surmise that she has little interest in the Grove Street address. OK, let's go out on a small limb here and say Cunningham has no intention of running for mayor.

Instead, it has become a bit of a game where she seeks more and more favors out of Healy to guarantee she stays out of the race and supports him for mayor. It is a good thing for the mayor that he has two arms, just in case she asks for one.

Recently, Healy had one of Cunningham's pals, Della Womack, appointed to the Jersey City Housing Authority. She left the agency in 2004. It's another one of those many things Healy has done for the senator.

If not mayor, then what would make Cunningham happy? Well, apparently she likes being senator and its trappings. Knowing this and for the fun of it, let's look at a scenario that requires many "ifs" for it to come true.

Considering all the heat and bad feelings Gov. Jon Corzine has experienced in another tough budget year and "if" Barack Obama wins the presidency, Corzine's support (aftrer Hillary folded) of the Democratic national candidate could land the governor a spot in Obama's administration in Washington, D.C.

"If" this should happen, look for a run for governor from state Senate President Richard Codey. With the help of someone like Sen. Ray Lesniak, Union County's powertician, Cunningham could become available to Codey as a lieutenant governor candidate. It is a position that would only require her to be a heartbeat away from the Governor's Office.

With Cunningham, Codey would pick up the support of the chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, who just happens to be Healy. All that has to happen is to have Cunningham support Healy for mayor in May 2009.

This is the way politicians think. Like the military, they have tons of possible scenarios, but it all depends on how future events unfold. This is where I would say something about "of mice and men."

BRET IS A "FLEA-BITTEN VARMINT"

Healy has decided his competition will come from former Mayor Bret Schundler. There is an effort to draw a distinction between the two. The Jersey City incumbent wants voters to think like Yosemite Sam and consider Schundler a "no good, bush-wackin' barracuda!" because he received NRA support in past gubernatorial races.

Healy had a Monday press conference with Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker pushing for a proposed state bill limiting purchases of guns to one per month. The Assembly approved the measure, but since there will be no more legislative action until the fall, why the press conference now? Guess.

Next we can expect letters to newspapers attcking that "ornery fur-bearin' critter" Schundler. One appeared yesterday from Bryan Miller, executive director of CEASEFIRE NJ, who has worked with Healy on anti-gun legislation.

Right now, there's only one candidate taking potshots.

That's all, folks.