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CRANBURY: County GOP members seek ‘messenger’

By Nicole M. Wells, Special Writer
   CRANBURY — Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. The Middlesex County GOP seeks a messenger to the people, in the style of “The Great Communicator.” Must be able to effectively connect with people from all walks of life about the merits of the conservative cause. Willingness to work at the local level preferred.
   If last week’s Reagan Day at The Cranbury Inn had a message, it was this: the Middlesex County GOP’s search for Ronald Reagan’s successor is ongoing.
   Almost 200 Republicans from throughout Middlesex County attended the annual Reagan Day celebration Feb. 17.
   According to Phylissanne Stehn, a member of the Cranbury GOP, finding someone who is able to make sense of the conservative message for the masses is essential to the party’s chances of success in Middlesex County.
   ”I think what the Republicans need to do is get a great messenger,” Ms. Stehn said. “It’s a matter of perception and what you’re exposed to.”
   At a time when the halting nature of the economy continues to color public perception of the nation’s political parties, Ms. Stehn said that the importance of the messenger cannot be emphasized enough.
   ”I think it’s the messenger,” she said. “I think it’s the way they get the message across. We need a good messenger.”
   Local level Republicans need look no further than Trenton and the example of Gov. Chris Christie, Ms. Stehn said.
   ”I do believe that the majority of the people feel that Gov. Christie relates to their needs,” she said.
   Referring to a recent New York Times article on the digital divide between Republicans and Democrats, Ms. Stehn said that Republicans need to “use technology to their advantage” and “tap into media that they can use.”
   In past political races, attempts at using available media proved unsuccessful, Ms. Stehn said.
   ”We would have letters to the editor and they all wouldn’t get in,” she said. “The media is a very powerful medium and unless you have that edge it’s very difficult.”
   She also said, however, that social media is changing the ways in which candidates connect with voters and that Republicans need to take advantage of that.
   The annual event celebrated the anniversary of the former president’s birth. Speakers included Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, conservative radio show host Steve Hook and Assemblyman Jay Webber. The event was organized by the Middlesex County Republican Women’s Club.
   The Middlesex County Republican Women’s Club was founded in February 2009. The organization aims to help elect candidates to office that promote Republican principles, according to its website.