MORRIS PLAINS – Months ago, Jack Ciattarelli came to what  is called “The Community of Caring” and said a Republican must do extra-well in traditional GOP strongholds like Morris County to win statewide.

So it was no shock that Ciattarelli was back in Morris County Sunday morning for a few events.
He dropped by a breakfast hosted by Ann Grossi, the county clerk, and then visited the local VFW Post for a rally attended by about 150 supporters.

Next up was a plan to go door-to-door in Parsippany where Republicans are trying to oust a Democratic mayor.

Ciattarelli arrived at the meeting point, but only to say he had to jump on an urgent conference call. Local Republicans were on their own in terms of door-knocking.

Ah, the mysteries of a high-powered campaign.

Earlier at the VFW, Ciattarelli gave his stump speech to the faithful with a few alterations.

One of his campaign points is that Phil Murphy botched the handling of Hurricane Ida by waiting too long to declare a state of emergency.

Ciattarelli thinks the criticism has gotten to the governor, because last week, “Five hours ahead of a drizzle, he declared a state of emergency.”

Point made.

But here’s the reality check. The rain storm in question may not have been hellacious, but it was much more than a drizzle.

With early voting ending on Sunday and traditional Election Day less than 48 hours away, the time for convincing people may have ended.

Ciattarelli knows it’s all about turnout.

He again mocked Murphy for bringing in a number of national Democratic figures to campaign for him.

“I’m not into all that campaign choreography,” he said.

Looking over the estimated crowd of 150, Ciattarelli expressed confidence that his supporters will get the vote out.

“I’ve got him beat every day of the week in terms of ground game,” he predicted.