Fly the Flag--Or Else.

• Author: Hayes, Stephen F.
• Position: Brief Article

New Jersey Democrats may be experiencing a statewide case of buyer's remorse. Before the campaign began in earnest, the party rallied around Woodbridge Mayor Jim McGreevey as their candidate for the 2001 governor's race, elbowing out Sen. Bob Torricelli in the process.

McGreevey's first move as the de facto nominee? He introduced a resolution in Woodbridge mandating that all new businesses in the township fly the American flag. No flag, no business--no questions. "It sends a message to our community and our neighborhoods that we're part of a great nation," McGreevey explained.

Naturally, the proposal elicited hoots of derision from some Woodbridge residents, from state Republicans, and from the American Civil Liberties Union. On January 4, McGreevey, a self-described "flag advocate," showed uncommon resolve for an elected official. As the howls of laughter grew louder, McGreevey restated his position: Fly this symbol of freedom...or else. But later in the day, the flag flap overwhelmed McGreevey. His proposal, you see, had been misinterpreted: The requirement was simply a flag pole, not the American flag.

Alan Westin, a former law professor of McGreevey's, didn't buy the new...