[Diddle E. Squat]

The pragmatic side of my brain says that if all the current officeholders(translated power hungry opportunists) are turning down the appointment, then that means it is either very unlikely that whoever is appointed will win, or they would be taking a risk by being forced to resign their post to run(is that the NJ law?)

The tinfoil side of my brain says that this is just a formality greasing the skids for an unconventional candidate. "We just couldn't find a current officeholder willing to run, nor a suitable replacement from with our current pols, so we turned to an outsider for a new start." Lisa Beamer still the tinfoil darkhorse.

I'll stick with the pragmatic side of my brain, but if the amazing does happen...

[LisaFab]

AP reporting that Torch will serve out term but drop from race. Will try to get exemption from the 48 day rule from the NJ Sec of State. Court battle expected.

[gridlock]

In unrelated news, the New Jersey Democratic Party has announced that a vat of unspecified meat will be standing in for scandal-plagued Senator Robert Torricelli in the November election.

Early polling has the vat of meat beating challenger Doug Forrester 48% to 44% with 8% undecided.