NOW, comes the real test.
NOW, comes the real commitment to a cause; to the children; to Camden; to humanity!
The Camden Democratic Party’s hand-picked, expensively litigated, carpet bagger celebrity candidate - Olympian Carl Lewis - has just dissed George Norcross.
The Eighth District Senate Candidate, who is on the ballot again this week, I guess, took the time to once again explain yesterday that while he STILL has not had the chance to examine all the issues; and STILL does not have a platform; he does know at least one thing: He opposes the Chris Christie/George Norcross “Opportunity Scholarship Act.”
It is true. I read it in my Philadelphia Inquirer this morning. When asked about the OSA, Carl said, "I'm not supporting any of that. I'm supporting the children."
Problem with that is that those who support the OSA believe THEY are supporting the children. And some of them are kind of important folk.
The OSA isn’t just some obscure bill and passing fancy. It is THE lynchpin of the revitalization of Camden and the signature piece of a plan to reform education. It also just so happens to be the subject of numerous op-ed articles by a man who usually turns up his coat collar to the glare of public attention - George Norcross. From the Star Ledger to the Inquirer to the Courier Post, Mr. Norcross has promoted the OSA as a way to “show we really mean it, to back up our words with bold and creative actions that will produce concrete, lasting results.” (Star Ledger February 16, 2011)
Mr. Lewis apparently does not believe that “All of New Jersey’s children deserve a chance” as suggested by Mr. Norcross.
So what happens now?
Does George publicly chastise the candidate? Does he take him to the political woodshed? Does he just leave it alone knowing full well that in the unlikely event that Carl Lewis is elected and when the time comes, he WILL vote for the OSA if presented the chance or ELSE?
I don’t know.
I do know what will happen now, however. The Lewis camp will spin his words. They will say, “Well, that just shows that Carl Lewis is his own man. That he is independent. That he is not owned by any political party or political personage.”
Balderdash.
What it shows is that the Lewis team made a political calculation that the support of the powerful teachers union - the New Jersey Education Association - is essential if he is to have any chance whatsoever of victory.
But the burden now really is not Carl’s. He did what he did. The burden is belongs to Mr. Norcross. Does he stand up for what he believes and harm his candidate or leave it alone. Let’s see.
