Kush and Associates in the news
Sabrin bringing out the horses for his U.S. Senate campaign
by Robert Schwaneberg/The Star-Ledger
Saturday May 03, 2008, 6:25 AM
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Murray Sabrin plans to go to Monmouth Park Racetrack this afternoon with the proceeds from one hour of online fundraising and bet it all on Cowboy Cal to win the Kentucky Derby.
"At 20 to 1, if we can raise just $25,000 online during this money bomb and Cowboy Cal wins the Kentucky Derby, we will have enough money to win the primary," '' Sabrin, a Ramapo College professor, said in a press release posted on his Web site Friday.
That one-hour fundraising "money bomb" was held 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, but Sabrin's campaign was not saying how much it raised.
"We're not going to give out the number until he places the wager,'' Sabrin's spokesman, George Ajjan, said.
Neither of Sabrin's opponents for the Republican nomination - Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R-Morris) and former Congressman Dick Zimmer - has campaign funds riding on the Derby.
"Murray's going to pull up lame before his horse does,'' said Steve Kush, a spokesman for Pennacchio.
Ken Kurson, a spokesman for Zimmer, said, "Our campaign views its fiscal responsibility towards the contributors to our campaign with the same seriousness Dick has shown as a fiscal hawk during his career" in Congress and the state Legislature.March 27, 2008
Obama Campaign Tactic Questioned
by Terry Phillips (Family News in Focus)
A tactic used by the Barack Obama campaign is thought to jeopardize churches.
The strategy involves Obama's supporters visiting churches and introducing themselves during Sunday service in order to say a few words about the Senator. As a campaign policy the concept get's a thumbs down. John Andrews is the former Senate President in the Colorado legislature.
"I would think long and hard about that kind of shot-gun approach."
That's a candidate's view. We checked also with a campaign management firm. Steve Kush of Kush and Associates in Washington D.C. sees it as on the knife’s edge legality.
"You shouldn't straddle the line. If you have to ask ‘is this ok, then don't do it."
And Douglas Napier, an attorney at the Alliance Defense Fund, says such endorsements by church visitors are certainly a danger for the church's non-profit status.
"It's the perfect storm because the candidate walks away scot-free. It's the church that gets stung."
Len Munsil was a candidate for Governor of Arizona in 2006. His campaign stayed out of churches.
"As a Christian candidate myself, I made the decision that I wasn't comfortable campaigning in churches, period."
Tom Minnery, Vice-President of Public Policy at Focus on the Family Action, draws a precise line.
"We think campaigning in a church worship service on Sunday mornings, is not appropriate. We would never from Focus on the Family Action give anyone advice that approaches this brazenness."
The overwhelming view is: at your church, don't give a soap-box to anyone representing a candidate. But Pastors: know you can speak on issues, if you don't tie them to a candidate.September 25, 2006
Menendez caught in a political twister
The Hudson Reporter, by Al SullivanThis was one of those political weeks in which Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez - if he was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz - would be clicking the heels of his ruby slippers and wishing he was back in Kansas, or at least, back in the House of Representatives.
The Menendez campaign against Republican state Sen. Tom Kean Jr. for the U.S. Senate saw the storm clouds break.
While Republicans long promised to step up their attack on Menendez following Labor Day, the Menendez re-election efforts got hit from some unexpected directions.
Perhaps the most serious blow to Menendez was the confession of former State Sen. John Lynch, who pleaded guilty to taking bribes.
The timing of Lynch's guilty plea may well have been orchestrated by Republican U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, whose brother Todd has been listed as the top fundraiser for President George W. Bush. At risk are all of the Senate committee appointments if Republicans fail to maintain a majority in the U.S. Senate.
Menendez has long been an associate of Lynch, part of what has since been called "the kitchen cabinet" for the group of people who met in then candidate for Gov. Jim McGreevey's home to orchestrate his 2001 victory.
Lynch, along with then U.S. Senator Jon Corzine, was later part of the plot to drive McGreevey out of office early after McGreevey's poll numbers plummeted in 2003.
As some great minds have pointed out, revenge is a dish best served cold. McGreevey apparently lauched his revenge on Menendez's re-election campaign with the release of his new "tell all" book, which only highlights the political machinations and questionable decisions Democrats have made over the last five or six years, adding ammunition to the Kean campaign against Menendez. While former staffers to McGreevey have frequently fed The New York Times and the Bergen Record information about Menendez, McGreevey's appearances on national and statewide television only give Republicans more free publicity.
While McGreevey tentatively resigned from office because of a gay affair, his resignation followed a series of significant convictions of fundraisers to his campaign as well as other still-unresolved issues such as two of his cabinet members operating a billboard business just prior to his taking office.
McGreevey, who appeared on Oprah show last week, did not "jump the couch" the way Tom Cruise did, but the former governor did reveal some questionable decisions in his personal life that may shock church-going Republicans into heading to the voting booth in November.
Adding to this, Democratic State Sen. Wayne Bryant, chairman of the New Jersey Senate's Budget and Appropriations Committee, allegedly brokered a no-show job as an administrator at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 2003, and state appropriations for the institutions increased after he was put on payroll - one more blow against the Democrats just in time for the U.S. Senate election.
The local impact of a Menendez loss could be devastating since so many politicos are tied to his apron strings through federal financing of projects throughout Hudson County. It is unlikely that Kean, if elected U.S. senator, will generate nearly as much for Hudson County as Menendez did.
Menendez loyalists, however, are struggling hard to get spin the media in a different direction, shaping Menendez as an American political success story, someone who rose out of poverity to become one of the most powerful political forces in the House of Representatives. Those who are most honest about Menendez paint him as a tough political force that has had to "swim with sharks" in Hudson County.
"He has needed to be ruthless to survive here, where you can't say that for most Republicans elsewhere in the state," one Menendez supporter said. "He outfoxed the foxes to get where he is."
So is Doria suddenly cool? Time Out NY magazine gave State Senatorand Bayonne Mayor Joseph Doria thumbs up for the recent ceremony at the former Military Ocean Terminal, where Bayonne unveiled a monument by Russian artist Zurab Tsereteli dedicated to the victims of 9/11 and the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993.
Doria was touted for his ability to bring in former President Bill Clinton, Gov. Corzine as well as other state and federal officials.
This was the political social event of the season that also included an appearance by Menendez, as well as a host of Hudson County officials including State Assemblyman and West New York Mayor Albio Sires, his side kick Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner and state Assemblyman Charles Epps.
Assemblyman Louis Manzo would have attended the event but security had closed the gate by the time he arrived so that he could not get into the remote site. While campaign guru Steve Kush was on site for the event, the expected confrontation between him and his former client Jersey City Councilman Steve Lipski did not materialize, since Lipski did not attend - which was a shame since Lipski fought to get a fair hearing for the monument when the monument was being considered for a spot in Jersey City.
Although Doria acted as master of ceremonies, Menendez - junior U.S. Senator - was given the task of introducing Clinton, despite the fact that New Jersey's senior U.S. Senator, Frank Lautenberg was also there.
Clinton arrived in a fleet of 25 vehicles, one small headache for security. His early arrival allowed him to talk to many of the local people about how he liked the monument and how he believed that the monument and park would make a good centerpiece for civilian development of the former military base.
He also told several people that the monument would become an attraction in the harbor, drawing boat tours the way Liberty and Ellis islands do now.
July 13, 2006
Political bridges being rebuilt?
The Hudson Reporter, by Al SullivanApparently some bridges are being mended as a result of possible challenges in the 2007 primary battle, among which is the alleged rift between Assemblyman Louis Manzo and his previous running mate Assemblyman Charles Epps.
Well, rift may be too strong a word although Manzo was critical of Epps' school trip to London.
But with some Democrats questioning whether Manzo will be on the ticket in the 31st District, Manzo appears to have solidified his connections with State Senator Joseph Doria and Epps.
The fate of Sheriff Joseph Cassidy seems to have been settled as reports claim Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy - who also serves as the Jersey City Democratic Organization chairman - is lining up behind Cassidy. Former Police Chief Robert Troy, who had been rumored as a possible replacement for Cassidy, will apparently take a position in the sheriff's office.
Jersey City Councilman Steve Lipski has been called the politician with nine lives because he has managed to rebound again and again from circumstances that would have destroyed the political careers of others. He appears to be in the good graces of Mayor Healy.
Lipski's former campaign guru, Steve Kush - with whom Lipski has since had a falling out - will apparently make national headlines by running the campaign of the first declared Republican presidential candidate for the 2008 election cycle.
Kush is apparently on the verge of signing an agreement with John Herman Cox, a Chicago-born former Congressman, conservative talk show host, who recently authored the book Politics Inc. Cox advertises himself as a Reagan Republican and hopes to represent the conservative portion of the party that already sees more liberal Republicans making moves on the White House.
October 17, 2005
Lipski-Kush: the next generation
The Hudson Reporter, by Al SullivanIn Hudson County political feuds are often so vicious that if a political shot doesn't kill its victim out right, it is considered a miss.
Political consultant Steve Kush has taken careful aim at Councilman Steve Lipski with a new website totally dedicated to destroying Lispki's political career once and for all.
While the feud started over just who owed the tab on an unpaid bill from Lipski's failed campaign for mayor earlier this year, the matter has become much more personal.
After a serious exchange of attacks on GETNJ.COM, Kush has taken the next logical step in attacking Lipski by setting up a website dedicated solely to Lipski's political demise: stopstevelipski.com.
The website which appears to have drawn the attention of the U.S. Attorney's office, raises allegations about Lipski's relationship to developer Steve Hyman that would be - if true - illegal or at best unethical.
"I didn't put anything on the site that isn't true," Kush said.
Lipski told the Hudson Reporter that the matter hasn't ended and that Kush is in for some surprises - escalating the battle if Lipski has anything up his sleeve nearly as devastating. Meanwhile, the website has become the talk of Hudson County politicos leading to the inevitable speculation of whom will replace Lipski if he is forced to resign. Top contenders on this wish list are Tom Murphy, Arnold Bettinger and Assemblyman Lou Manzo.
October 17, 2005
Lipski/Kush continued
The Hudson Reporter, by Al SullivanThe feud between political consultant Steve Kush and his former client Councilman Steve Lipski took a turn for the worse over the last few weeks.
Kush - according to sources close to him - has spoken to federal law enforcement officials about allegations he raised on a website mocking Lipski.
This sparked sharp remarks on GetNJ.com's message board where Lipski and Kush have dueled in the past.
This time, however, the messages were ominous hinting of violence.
"I'm not scared," Kush said during a telephone interview from his home in Virginia.
Lipski supporters, however, claim the whole feud is a political charade designed to increase Kush's name recognition.
"This is a Kush sales pitch to get clients," one sources said.
Kush also did a call-in interview to a Hudson County political radio program where he continued his assault on Lipski.
Kush, partner, James Barracato, also called in to defend against Lipski claims that he started the feud.
Several weeks ago, Lipski claimed internet attacks began when Lipski refused to give Barracato a job.
Barracato, however, said Lipski had called him to offer the job as public information officer for Lip ski's charter school.
"I didn't think the job was right for me," Barracato said, both on the air and later in a telephone interview. "But if I wanted a municipal job, I would have sought one in Weehawken where I was raised."
Expect this feud to continue.
September 7, 2005
When push comes to shove: Lipski takes on Kush Associates
The Hudson Reporter, by Al SullivanAn old adage warns that family disputes are the most bitter. But gauging from the conflict between Councilman Steve Lipski and Steve Kush, the head of the firm that helped run his unsuccessful campaign for mayor last year, political feuds run a close second.
In what has been described as a vicious exchange of messages on GetNJ.com, the former allies have become hostile enough for Kush to issue a letter through his attorney telling Lipski to back off, although relatively objective observers claim the feud has escalated to the point in which both sides seem equally hostile.
In a letter distributed by attorney Elise DiNardo, a Republican who sometimes works with Kush, Kush demanded that Lipski and or his associates cease and desist from "harassing and intimidating actions" against Kush or his associates.
"Such anti-social behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form," the Kush letter said, promising further legal action if Lipski or his associates continue "information gathering, harassment and intimidation of Kush Associates," and this includes but is not limited to public statements and libelous remarks on a popular Internet message board.
The cease and desist order demands that "you immediately discontinue and not at any point in the future under any circumstances do the following to Kush and Associates: speak to (except in connection with making arrangements to settle your debt with Kush Associates) contact (again except where debt is related), pursue, harass, attack, strike, bump into, brush up against, push, tap, grab, hold, threaten, telephone (cellular or landline) instant message, page, fax, email, follow, stalk, shadow, disturb our peace, keep us under surveillance, gather information about, conduct any actions that may interfere work of Kush and Associates its associates, and its clients."
This dispute appears to have two sources: a $5,100 debt to a printer Kush got saddled with, which Kush claims were Lipski's responsibility, and the failure of Lipski (according to Lipski) to recommend an associate of Kush to a city job.
Kush Associates, a relatively high profile consultant for Republican campaigns around the country, came to Jersey City to run the mayoral campaign of former Jersey City Police Chief Ronald Buonocore, and when that fell through, stayed on to run Lipski's campaign.
Although Kush has raised some other questions too complicated to raise in this column, the $5,100 bill stemmed from a campaign literature bill he says Lipski was supposed to pay, but got billed to Kush.
Lipski said the bill did not kick off the Internet exchange, but said he had made efforts to negotiate with Kush for the resolution of the bill, splitting the cost.
Lipski said negative remarks appeared on the Internet the day after he refused to recommend an associate of Kush to a city job. Lipski did not dispute responding in kind to the remarks, with several messages in the threat signed "Phat Councilman."
Kush said the attacks on him resulted in lost business. In one case, Kush was struggling to straighten out a bureaucratic mix-up with his child support payments. One of the messages on the Internet said he was being investigated by West Virginia and Florida. A conservative Republican client running for sheriff in the Midwest dropped him as a consultant because he could not afford to have the personal matter become part of his campaign.
Kush claims that Lipski threatened to make trouble with other clients in Ohio.
Lipski, who was contacted initially before receiving the legal notice, said he had recently been to Ohio, but not to harass Kush.
He said he was there to attend a Grateful Dead tribute concert and to drum up support for the issuing of a postage stamp depicting the rock band's now deceased lead guitarist Jerry Garcia - and indeed is listed on the petition web site as one of its signers.
What a long, strange trip it's been.
September 7, 2005
Kush vs. Lipski, part II
The Hudson Reporter, by Al SullivanHow did the Sixth Street Embankment property in Jersey City get pulled off the city's list of places that should become a park?
That is a question in the ongoing battle between Councilman Steve Lipski and his former campaign consultant Steve Kush, a bitter feud that has become very personal.
Kush claims Steve Hyman, the developer proposing to build homes there, influenced Lipski into abandoning the park by backing Lipski's campaign for mayor last year.
Lipski said he has steadfastly abstained for any vote concerning the embankment and has consistently admitted his close ties to Hyman.
"He is a friend of mine," Lipski said. "I've never denied that."
Lipski also admitted that Hyman helped with his campaign for mayor, but said this did not affect his position as a city councilman in regard to the embankment project.
Residents of the area just north of Hamilton Park have mounted a campaign of their own to keep the former elevated rail line's designation as a park, and to deny Hyman assess to it as a site for development.
November 3, 2004
Mayoral battle gets rowdy
The Jersey Journal
Street campaigning in Jersey City got a bit rowdy yesterday as various factions engaged in shouting matches and - in at least one instance - even got physical.
A group of Louis Manzo supporters claimed that supporters of another candidate threw things at them near the Five Corners branch of the public library yesterday.
Lipski supporters denied the incident.
"To my knowledge, there was really nothing going on today," said James Barracato, the co-campaign manager for Steve Lipski. "It was pretty quiet for Jersey City."
November 2, 2004
Candidate's office window smashed; man hurt
Police say they followed trail of blood to find the glass-breaker
By Bonnie Friedman ~ The Jersey Journal
A Jersey City man was rushed to the Jersey City Medical Center yesterday afternoon after he put his arm through a plate glass window at Councilman Steve Lipski's Summit Avenue campaign headquarters, Jersey City Police Captain John Tooke said.
Police arrived at 518 Summit Ave. shortly after 12:30 p. m. and followed a trail of blood to Baldwin Avenue, where they found a man, Shawn Campbell, 37, of Academy Street, bleeding from a gash on his arm, Tooke said.
According to Steve Kush, Lipski's campaign manager, Campbell came to the offices looking for a job on Election Day.
Kush said that he told Campbell there was no work available, Campbell became angry and that he then escorted Campbell outside and locked the door behind him. A moment later, Kush said, he heard glass shattering and when he looked outside he saw Campbell running down the street.
Lipski, who was speaking at the Jersey City Medical Center when the incident occurred, rushed back to his headquarters where he found a pile of glass and police officers spraying bleach on the blood-spattered sidewalk.
"This is so bizarre," Lipski said. "I'm just concerned that the man is going to be OK."
Campbell's medical condition could not be verified yesterday.
Tooke said that no charges or complaints had been filed.
This is the latest in a string of events to involve the Lipski campaign.
Last Sunday, a juvenile campaign worker was arrested for allegedly spray-painting houses bearing signs for one of Lipski's opponents in the mayoral race, Assemblyman Louis Manzo.
During police questioning over the incident, the teen told officers that Lipski had offered another man, Nelson Delgado, money to "put Manzo in the hospital," Lipski said.Delgado, 39, who claimed to be the boy's father and who served 61/2 years for first-degree sexual assault, confirmed the teen's account, prompting police to refer the matter to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office and New Jersey State Police.
Officials at the New Jersey State Police would not comment on the ongoing investigation.
When asked about the incident, Lipski said he first met Delgado one week earlier when he came into the headquarters looking for work. Lipski said he hired Delgado to pull down opponents' campaign signs that had been improperly hung on public property.
"When you pay $5 an hour, you're not doing criminal background checks," Lipski said. "People come running. It's easy money.”
But Lipski denied Delgado's allegations that he offered money to harm Manzo.
"Bottom line is that this is a complete falsehood," Lipski said. "I'm cooperating with all authorities to show how ridiculous these allegations are."Lipski said Delgado had previously worked for the Manzo campaign. But Manzo disputed Lipski's assertion. Manzo said he has since hired off-duty police officers.
"This raises a level of concern," Manzo said. "But it hasn't distracted me from the campaign."10/31/2003 - Courier-Post Editorial
Camco debate brawlers, grow up
To the two men who nearly came to blows at the debate among Camden County office candidates Tuesday at Voorhees Middle School, please, act your age.
To the moderator from the League of Women Voters - actually, to everyone involved with the league at this and every other debate - excellent work as usual.
The fracas arose between Republican consultant Steve Kush and Donald Norcross, co-chairman of the county Democrats. According to Kush, he overheard Norcross using an obscenity to describe a former Republican official. Kush said he then asked Norcross, "Did your mother teach you to talk like that?"
Whether or not that was the exact exchange, the rest of the conversation is a matter of public record because Norcross stood up and yelled it:
"You want to say something about my mother?" Norcross shouted a few times, adding, "Come on, let's walk outside, big guy."
That's when our hero spoke up - moderator Lois Downey, who threatened to end the debate if people didn't calm down. She talked to them like children because they were acting like children.
Good for her.
As for the audience members, however, and Norcross in particular: Was there really a need to yell - particularly with kids there?
10/29/2003 - Courier-Post
Despite tensions, debaters keep cool
By JIM WALSH
Courier-Post Staff
VOORHEES
A debate between candidates for Camden County offices on Tuesday night featured angry shouts, finger-pointing and an invitation to step outside.
But that dramatic confrontation came from political insiders in the highly partisan audience.
The candidates themselves were more restrained as they exchanged charges and spelled out their goals during the course of the 90-minute debate, held at Voorhees Middle School.
Democratic candidates for three freeholder seats and the sheriff's position emphasized their accomplishments in office and said services had improved while the county's tax rate remained stable.
But Republican challengers said a string of controversies showed the need for opposing views on the all-Democratic board.
The Republicans also said they would cut the county's tax rate by 20 percent over three years.
"We may not have all the answers, but at least we're going to ask the questions," said Republican freeholder candidate Christopher Carlson, a Cherry Hill attorney.
He and his running mates - George Taylor, a businessman from Berlin Borough, and Eliud Gautier, a minister from Pennsauken - said they would target wasteful spending and patronage jobs.
But Democratic incumbent Thomas Gurick scoffed at the claims, saying New Jersey is still paying a price for the tax cut policies of former Republican Gov. Christie Whitman.
"Our tax rate (in Camden County) is lower than it was in 1990," said Gurick, a radio personality from Gloucester City. "We have a proven track record and not pie-in-the-sky promises."
Gurick appeared with Freeholder-Director Jeffrey Nash, a Cherry Hill attorney, and their running mate Joseph Ripa, a labor leader from Berlin Borough.
Republicans cited the county's payment of $30 million in improper health benefits and the discovery of four no-show jobs offered to loyal Democrats.
"Not one of them came forward to say something was wrong," Carlson said of the current freeholders.
Democrats cited accomplishments such as open space preservation, health-care programs and educational efforts.
"We have to continue to deliver service to Camden County," Gurick said.
About 150 people attended the debate, which also included candidates for sheriff - Democratic incumbent Michael McLaughlin of Haddonfield and Republican Dennis Chance, a retired Berlin Borough police chief.
Many in the audience shouted comments in response to the candidates' remarks.
In the most volatile exchange, Donald Norcross, co-chairman of the county Democrats, rose to his feet in response to a remark by Republican consultant Steve Kush, who was sitting nearby.
"You want to say something about my mother?" shouted Norcross, angrily repeating the phrase.
Kush denied insulting Norcross' mother but criticized the Democrat's language.
Norcross then said, "Come on, let's walk outside, big guy."
But moderator Lois Downey of the League of Women Voters, restored order, threatening to end the debate if raucous behavior continued.
10/29/2003 - Philadelphia Inquirer
Heat is turned up in races for posts in Camden County
In a TV ad, the county's GOP slams Democrats on scandals, benefits, and no-show county jobs.
By Elisa Ung
Inquirer Staff Writer
CHERRY HILL - As Democratic campaign workers set off car alarms and blasted music in the background, state and county GOP candidates vowed to end Camden County's "pay-to-play" system at a news conference yesterday outside their rivals' headquarters.
Not to be outdone, the all-Democrat freeholder board picked yesterday - a week before the Nov. 4 election - to announce an extension of a freeze in county sewer rates until 2009. The current $315 annual rate was set to expire in 2006.
Later that night, the two parties met in Voorhees for a debate for freeholder and sheriff candidates.
The day marked an unusual level of political conflict for races in Camden County, which the powerful Democratic machine has controlled for a decade.
The county Republicans this year have spent $42,000 to show a commercial on local cable television highlighting two recent county scandals, an expensive policy giving lifetime health benefits to retirees, and a state investigation into no-show county jobs given to sick workers.
The ad also links the county Democrats to New Jersey's unpopular governor. "Meet Jim McGreevey's No. 1 man in Camden County - Freeholder Jeff Nash," the commercial says.
Nash, fellow incumbent Thomas Gurick, and retired union leader Joseph Ripa face GOP challengers Christopher Carlson, Eliud Gautier and George Taylor for three open freeholder seats.
Democratic Sheriff Michael W. McLaughlin faces challenger Dennis Chance, a former Berlin Borough police chief.
The county Democrats, while not on television or radio, are capitalizing on their newest freeholder candidate's daughter.
Television hostess and actress Kelly Ripa, Joseph Ripa's daughter, helped the party raise $700,000 last month and now is starring in a mailer touting her father and his running mates.
"My dad, Joe Ripa, worked hard and sacrificed so I could have the best opportunities in life," Kelly Ripa says in the mailer. "Now, he wants to help all Camden County families achieve their dreams."
Standing outside the county Democratic headquarters on Springdale Road yesterday, the Republicans showed a list of politically connected contractors and others who have poured more than $600,000 into county Democratic coffers this year - and another list of several dozen county employees who together have donated more than $100,000 to the party.
"Bottom line, this money comes from our tax dollars," freeholder candidate Gautier said.
State Sen. George Geist, who is facing a challenger bankrolled by the county Democrats, said the lists showed that "the Camden County Democratic machine cries out for campaign-finance reform."
Nash, the county freeholder director, defended the contributions, saying the county's bidding process was stricter than state law required.
"People have the right to contribute to good government," Nash said later in a telephone interview. "There are some people that take advantage of that."
In a 90-minute forum at Voorhees Middle School last night, the Democrats found themselves on the defensive for the health-benefits and no-show job issues, as well as over the county's politically entrenched civic-center project.
"Seven members sat up there and not one of them questioned what was wrong," said Taylor about the benefits issue.
Nash, Gurick and Ripa defended the freeholder board and constantly linked their opponents to former Republican Gov. Christie Whitman.
Gurick said the Democrats had a "proven track record and not pie-in-the-sky promises."
The forum also was temporarily halted by a shouting match between county Democratic cochairman Donald Norcross and GOP political consultant Steve Kush. Both men were reprimanded by the moderator.
9/29/2003 - Philadelphia Inquirer
Consultant's theatrics boost GOP challengers
Props have included masks, fake money and a pirate flag.
By Troy Graham
Inquirer Staff Writer
At a Camden County freeholder board meeting last summer, Steve Kush presented the assembled politicians surgical masks so they could hide their faces "the next time they rob us."At another meeting, saying that no-show jobs had gone to political cronies, Kush doled out "Nash cash" - a reference to Democratic Freeholder Director Jeffrey Nash.
"Get your free Nash cash," he intoned. "You don't have to work for it."
And in his most frequent tactic, Kush has attended meetings carrying the Jolly Roger flag - the symbol of plundering pirates.
As a Republican political consultant, Kush hopes to crack the Democrats' 10-year hold on the freeholder board in Camden County. But in a region where the Democrats' dominance is commonly referred to as a "machine," the GOP faces staggering financial and political disadvantages.
So, Kush and friends have employed the best weapon available to them: a bold and boisterous campaign style that constantly skirts the inflammatory.
"You have to be creative when you're the minority party," Kush said. "When you're outnumbered 2-, 3-, 4-to-1, you have to roll the dice."
Three seats are open on the seven-member board that is now all-Democratic.
Christopher Carlson, a Cherry Hill lawyer running for the freeholder board on the GOP ticket, said the Democrats are taking their rivals more seriously this year than in the past, partly because of the issues they've raised and the noise they've made.
"Mr. Kush is applying methods that have not been seen on the Republican side of the aisle. We have the issues this year," Carlson said. "The Democrats are paying attention to us like they haven't in years... that tells me they think they have some problems."
Nash said he met Kush for the first time at the meeting when he brought the masks.
"I laughed. I thought it was funny," he said. "He's doing what he thinks will be helpful."
Nash said he likes Kush personally, and the two have traded e-mails and phone calls. They even had beers together one night.
"Our differences are political, not personal," Nash said. "His style is unorthodox, but he's dedicated."
In particular, Kush and Carlson have bashed the freeholder board for a controversial and expensive health-care benefit plan, and for giving seriously ill Democratic political workers management jobs that didn't require them to show up for work. Nash said he did not think their tactics would make much difference in the election.
"It's exaggerated. The county runs very well," he said. "The thing that transcends all the gimmicks is the truth. And the truth is we do a good job."
Kush, 36, learned the value of controversial rhetoric in the Kensington section of Philadelphia - another district hostile to the GOP. A former manager of a mattress store, he ran for City Council, the statehouse and Congress there, and lost all three contests by huge margins.
In his race against U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, Kush said the Democratic Party was losing money because its accountants had "graduated from Philly public schools," and then said he had to be controversial to get the news media to pay attention to the race.
Earlier this year, he returned to his native New Jersey and, to get his consulting business off the ground, volunteered to work for Carlson and two council candidates in Gloucester Township. Two seats are open on the nonpartisan council. In the Gloucester Township race, Kush has seized on the awarding of a snow-removal contract to former Councilman David Mayer's campaign treasurer, Marge Martinis. Martinis later was appointed to fill a vacant seat, and she's now running to retain the seat.
In the firebrand news release regularly dispatched from Kush & Associates, the consultant called the affair "snowgate" and likened it to "Boss Tweed" politics.
Martinis said "that whole issue was fabricated" because she stopped plowing snow for the township when she was appointed to the council. She would not comment on Kush personally, she said, because she has never met him.
"He kept hammering and hammering on that, but it never went anywhere," she said of the so-called snowgate. "We're going ahead on the issues and not running a negative campaign. Quite frankly, I think the general public doesn't like a negative campaign."
Karen Zawacki and Eric Teel, the Republican-backed candidates in the nonpartisan township race, said Kush's tactics help to get out their message that the current council is beset by cronyism.
"There's a huge perception of improprieties with the current administration," Teel said. "I think Steve has, obviously, done the job to get attention to this small race."
"When I watch my council, I feel like someone's out there telling them what's going on," Zawacki said. "You have to be [controversial] to get noticed. It's the first time it's happened, and I'm proud to be a part of it."
Kush agreed that his candidates are getting attention, especially because his news releases often get passed around to county politicos.
"The other day I was in the Acme and I heard two people talking about, 'I got this e-mail the other day. Something about snowgate,' " Kush said. "The word is absolutely getting out."