Hard to believe that the “Boss” bumbled so badly; fumbling the entry of Rob Andrews into Bergen County so arrogantly. Well, maybe the latter part isn’t so hard to believe.

By most insider accounts, Joe Ferriero decided that Rob Andrews should be given the line in Bergen.  There was just one problem: Steve Rothman had a fit and had an uncharacteristic public temper tantrum.

What ensued was a nightmare of epic proportion with Democratic insiders scrambling for cover as Rothman threatened to jump the Organization column and run with Lautenberg if Ferriero engineered Andrews becoming the Party choice. This was, as they say, a moment when you get to know who your real friends are.

Rothman and Lautenberg paired together would be a powerful column to mount a Bergen challenge to (and Team Weinberg would likely have jumped onboard). The Boss never considered that large point.

Yet, Rothman apparently never considered that he would have likely faced his own well funded challenge from wealthy Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes who would have jumped onto the Organization line. The result would have been Rothman spending most of his $2 million warchest defending his seat. Most believe Rothman would still, in the end, be victorious in a two month campaign. However, insiders claim Rothman's camp was highly concerned a serious primary would finish him as a statewide candidate in the future. And as for Andrews besting Lautenberg, Andrews is hardly a household name in Bergen. Regardless, Ferriero had a lot of nervous candidates on his team.

So, Joe Ferriero tossed in the towel; and bluff in tact, Steve Rothman got a pass.

Last year it was Loretta Weinberg. This year, it’s Steve Rothman. Unlike the elected officials who now follow Ferriero’s lead in politics for fundraising and political management, these two came to politics before Ferriero, so they don’t feel as beholden to him. Boss Joe failed to get that one.

Most say Weinberg was not really a factor in the Lautenberg/Andrews discussions, but was relevant in Ferriero’s decision to retreat. He could never give his arch nemesis a toe-hold that big in letting her candidates in the heavily Jewish legislative district 37 run on a line with a Jewish Senator and Congressman. Weinberg’s “District 37 reformers” would have been a natural fit to run with Lautenberg and Rothman should they end up off the Party line and in need of patching together a grassroots coalition quickly.

So the Boss has been kicked in the balls, not once, but twice. Ouch.

Considerably weakened, Joe Ferriero has a lot of rebuilding to do to return to the glory days of bossism.