The night kicked off with Harry Shortway announcing the Best4Bergen candidates from behind the bar at the old tavern rich with political history.  Paul Duggan also gave an enthusiastic speech about party unity setting the stage for Yudin. Sounding more and more like a candidate for chairman, Yudin topped off the night with an enthusiastic speech.  Yudin didn't single out Ortiz by name, but the message was clear.

Speaking before a crowd of nearly 100 Bergen County Republicans, including many County Committee members, Bob Yudin confirmed that he will not be running for Freeholder in this upcoming election at an event at Shortway's Bar on Sunday night.  Reading between the lines of Yudin's speech, many in attendance walked away certain that Yudin will challenge Robert Ortiz for the BCRO Chairmanship this June.

Yudin's speech was energetic though somewhat brief.  He began and closed by thanking all of his supporters, Harry Shortway in particular.  The closest Bob Yudin actually came to commenting on the BCRO leadership was when he stated, "with a little bit of extra help [the County BCRO ticket] could have gone over the top."   

He was nevertheless optimistic about the campaign results most particularly with the party's strong showing in South Bergen.  Yudin commented that "he and his ticket ran one of the best campaigns in Bergen County, not one of the worst," and in the same breath, he took a shot a PolitickerNJ, when he continued "anyone who thinks otherwise is obviously coming from either prejudice or ... doesn't have a clue." 

A varied crowd of people were in attendance, including the four 2007 candidates, Bob Yudin, Paul Duggan, Charles Kahwaty, and Sheriff candidate Harry Shortway that constituted the Best4Bergn ticket.  Other notables included possible candidate for US Senate, State Senator Joe Pennacchio and Bergen County's sole remaining State Senator, Gerry Cardinale.   Andy Gause, who managed the Best4Bergen effort, was also in attendance working the fairly large upbeat crowd that included many longtime Bergen County GOP insiders.

Many said Yudin's cultivation of friendships and relationships with County Committee members and GOP activists stood in stark contrast to the aloofness of Bob Ortiz.    

When asked about Ortiz, one of the attendees stated that, "the General has lost the support of the troops."  What's worse, another one insider stated, is that Ortiz's performance thus far did not even warrant his "arrogance."   Repeated throughout the crowd's conversations were complaints about how Ortiz's contributed a paltry $12,000 pittance to the 2007 BCRO ticket. The stories of the night were all the same:  Ortiz clearly failed to deliver on promised campaign dollars and some of the grassroots are clamoring for a change in leadership after only a few short months with Ortiz at the helm.

As it appears more and more likely that Yudin will run for chairman, the BCRO appears to be headed for yet another convention fight in June.   Judging by tonight's enthusiasm it seems that the Best4Bergen bunch is quite optimistic about their future.