By John Jannarone Shareholder activists, like powerful politicians, are sometimes known for creative tactics. In the case of Philadelphia-based regional bank Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRBK), a political powerbroker turned shareholder activist has attempted to turn the rules of corporate governance upside down. Republic First has taken plenty of punches in recent years as it became apparent that its palatial bank branches weren't the smartest investments and it piled into long-dated bonds that sunk as interest rates rose. The troubles drew the attention of two activists: One was Abbott Cooper's Driver Management Company LLC, which settled late last year in exchange for a board seat. Source: Sentieo Now, the drama centers on an approach from the second activist group, led by George Norcross III, a Democrat known to be a force in New Jersey politics for decades.