Cryor officially out as state Democratic Party head
The official word is now out: As we reported this week, Michael Cryor is stepping down as head of the Maryland Democratic Party. His tenure ends the end of the month. He's a public relations executive and a cool and smooth behind-the-scenes operator. Gov. Martin O'Malley, who hand-picked him for the spot, calls him the "horse-whisperer" for his ability to deliver calming words at the right time.
Cryor is going out on a high note: Obama won Maryland big, and the congressional delegation has more Democrats than ever. Party finances appear strong.
Like past chairmen, Cryor has business relationships that may not mesh well with his public party role. In this case, he's getting involved with a slots client, as the Sun's Gadi Dechter reported this week.
Read below for a release from the Democratic Party on Cryor's exit.
Michael Cryor to Step Down as Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party
Tenure Marked by Record Breaking Success and Growth
A statement from Michael Cryor, Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party
“Several weeks ago I sent a letter to Gov. Martin O’Malley indicating my intention to step down as Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party following the historic inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. Therefore, January 31, 2009 will be my last day.
I want to thank Gov. O’Malley, the people of Maryland and the Maryland Democratic Party for the honor and privilege of serving them in such a capacity. This entire experience has truly been one of the most rewarding and important moments of my life.
In the past 18 months we’ve made great strides as a party, as a state and as a nation. I am very proud of the work we’ve all done – from Gov. O’Malley to the grassroots – in securing the change our nation so desperately needs.
However, it has not been without sacrifices. I must still work for a living, and so I now turn my attention to my business, returning full time to the private sector.
Before I depart, I plan to bear witness to history on January 20, 2009. As I explained to the Governor in December: ‘As the only African-American Chair in the 50 states, it will be most memorable for me to witness the President-elect be sworn in as our next President.’
Within the eighteen months of my tenure, I have been fortunate to lead a team that has broken records in party growth and electoral success at virtually every level. In 2008 Maryland contributed the largest number of campaign volunteers in the nation per capita to an unprecedented victory. As a result, our state party organized and mounted the most powerful grassroots outreach campaign in the nation and helped the Obama/Biden ticket carry the entire Mid-Atlantic region.
We defied the experts and elected another Maryland Democrat to Congress. We registered over a quarter of a million new Democrats in 2008 at a rate of 5 to 1 over our closest competitor. We broke fundraising, staffing and organizational records after a very successful 2006 election cycle when skeptics wondered where growth was possible. And, we have earned the attention and respect of the President-elect and his new administration.
As I depart, I am proud to say the Maryland Democratic Party is stronger today. We are a party poised for more growth and to become a more vital instrument of change.
I have arrived at this decision with mixed emotions. I will miss the daily effort that I believe has been a benefit to my state and nation. I will remain an active Maryland Democrat and I look forward to helping my party as well as my friends and my colleagues with whom I’ve enjoyed working immensely.”
Comments
New Jersey Corruption - George Norcorss is the problem
George Norcross is quoted as one of the most corrupt and immoral persons this state has ever seen.
You may remember the infamous Norcross tapes, which can be heard at http://www.vilefraud.com/norcross.shtml where he is caught on tape saying that he owns our local leaders. “They (various political leaders) may not like me, but they have to do what I tell them.” “You know what we do with rogue politicians, we make them judges.” And so much more. The things he is caught on tape saying will truly make your head spin, and gives you a sincere insight into the control this man has over our leaders.
HE IS THE BIGGEST PURVEYOR OF PAY-TO-PLAY THIS STATE HAS EVER SEEN, WHICH COSTS US BILLIONS IN INCREASED TAXES EACH YEAR.
The Courier Post, Star Ledger, Asbury Park Press, and MOST of our news media has said time and again how he is the most immoral and corrupt individual who uses his money and power to do things against the will and voice of the people.
THE FACTS YOU DON’T KNOW
Last year, Marlton residents elected Mr. Michael Schmidt and Mrs. Debbie Sarcone for town council. I even endorsed them. I liked their slate for many reasons, but moreover, after speaking with them, I though they would do the best job for us.
As you are aware, Michael Schmidt is a Democrat, and Debbie Sarcone is a Republican.
As it stands, we have (4) republicans and (1) one Democrat leading our community. This is not necessarily a bad thing.
THE PROBLEM
In the last two days, I have written to Mr. Michael Lynch to ask him where he stands in his support for Mr. Norcross. (See e-mails below)
I explained to him that my supporters think he could be good for Marlton, but are very afraid that if he gets into office, we would be one seat away from Democratic rule and wanted to make sure that Marlton residents would not be subject to the behind the scenes corruption Mr. Norcross does so well.
The problem again is that many of us wanted to make sure that if we voted for Mr. Lynch, he would not be ruled by Mr. Norcross.
We asked Mr. Lynch for a letter stating that he will have no dealings with Mr. Norcross while he is in office if elected, and would remain bipartisan.
In fact, we are not concerned about one party having a majority over another. WE ARE PURELY CONCERNED THAT IF THE DEMOCRATS GAIN CONTROL THAT GEORGE NORCROSS WILL HAVE NO ROLE IN MARLTON’S POLITICAL FUTURE.
This was the sole purpose for the communications to Mr. Lynch.
Should Mr. Lynch be elected to our town council, we would be one seat away from that change.
However, Mr. Michael Lynch REFUSED to publicly state that he will not be beholden to Mr. Norcross, and this should scare everyone.
This election is NOT about Mr. Lynch. It’s about GEORGE NORCROSS, plain and simple.
Mr. Lynch is quoted as saying in an email to me, “I am not beholden to anyone politically. I have also risen above the party politics...I am a man of principle and character who believes that doing the right thing is always the only option...That said, as a candidate the only guarantee that I can give you is my word.”
After talking with several Marlton residents, we responded by saying, “All we are asking is for is for you to back up those words in writing and do the right thing. Denounce publicly George Norcross…Please stand by your word an honor and make that right choice. If you are not beholden to anyone, than this should not be a problem for you.”
Mr. Lynch refuses to acknowledge ties with Mr. Norcross now or in the future.
I pointed out to Mr. Lynch that we know that Mr. Norcross controls the Democratic Party, and that if he had any future political ambitions to run for State Assembly or Senate, he would have to go through Mr. Norcross to be on the Democratic ticket.
If Mr. Norcross said to him that he could not run unless he does as Mr. Norcross wants, would he cave in and become a part of that Norcross machine that has cost us so much in our communities?
Think about it for a second. If Mr. Lynch wants to run for higher office on a Democratic slate, he would have to be beholden to Mr. Norcross. We ALL know this.
Mr. Lynch again refused to separate himself from Mr. Norcross now, or in the future.
If Mr. Lynch wins this local election, Marlton will be one seat away from Democratic rule, and rule by Mr. George Norcross III.
And as I stand here today, let me assure you that next years election will be bought by Mr. Norcross because all he will need is one more seat, and he will have control of Marlton for a very long time. He will do everything in his power to make that happen. It will be the most contentious political year this community has ever seen in its history.
Posted by: Jane Michaels | January 10, 2009 8:58 PM