[vannrox]

Disgusting!

[SternTrek]

Sorry, I just don't buy this. It would be political suicide for McGreevy. (Unless he's outted by then)

[Coop]

This scenario makes no sense to me. Why would McG risk the backlash? Torricelli's only value to the Dems were his seat and his fundraising prowess. He was disliked by just about everybody. So if McG appoints someone, they've still got the seat. And Torch's embarassment has nullified his fundraising ability. So why put him back in there and further damage the party's reputation? They'll simply give the seat to an up and comer. Just my two cents.

[FryingPan101]

I've been saying this a lot these last three days....I'm sick.

[areafiftyone]

[Keith in Iowa]

It is apparently planned, that by law the Governor would then have to appoint a replacement Senator. It is supposed to be Sen. Robert Torricelli, and as shocked as many who heard this is expected to be, it is anticipated that the outrage would be short lived and forgoten. Because the Senator would have six years (minus two months) for the people to forget about this event. Further, it would be unlikely that any court would rule against a Governor appointment by law, no matter how blatently corrupt.

I believe this is in error - as an appointment would only last until the next general election - they'd have to elect someone to fill the rest of the term in '04.

[sinkspur]

Nah. The Dems have dropped the Torch like a dirty diaper. And McGreevey would be committing political suicide.

[Triple]

This scenario would be a clear example of "tipping the board."

In this hypothetical case, the soap box and ballot box would have failed.

[BikerNYC]

I don't believe it. It could happen, but I don't believe it.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The question is: Are the citizens of NJ going to fall for this and vote for Lautemberg/Torecelli or are they going to reject this blatant cheating.

[pepsionice]

Totally legal....except for the bending of the 51-day requirement. The Torch will come back into the Senate...guaranteed!

[ImphClinton]

What kind of a Idiot is this guy.

Toricelli would only be appointed for two years not six.

[NeoCaveman]

It is apparently planned, that by law the Governor would then have to appoint a replacement Senator. It is supposed to be Sen. Robert Torricelli, and as shocked as many who heard this is expected to be, it is anticipated that the outrage would be short lived and forgoten. Because the Senator would have six years (minus two months) for the people to forget about this event. Further, it would be unlikely that any court would rule against a Governor appointment by law, no matter how blatently corrupt.

If McGreevy appoints anyone, there is a special election in the next election, example November 2004 there would be an election to see who fills the seat for the rest of the term ending in 2008. Current example, widder Canahan has to defend her seat 2 years after being appointed.

[Non-Sequitur]

Because the Senator would have six years (minus two months) for the people to forget about this event.

Check New Jersey law on this. In most states the appointed senator serves only to the next general election. That would be in two years (minus two months) and would that be enough for the stink to die down?

Election laws aside I think that the whole theory is ridiculous. Oh, it wouldn't surprise me that if Lautenberg won he would step down for a replacement. But I would be amazed if it were the Torch. Where is the advantage to putting him back in? Is his popularity that great? Is he the only person in the state who thinks he is Senate material? Are you trying to tell me that every Democrat politician in New Jersey thinks Torricelli can win while they could not? Of course not. The Torch is toast. Any replacement would probably be another Democrat without the baggage, but without name enough to win in this election. An appointment would give him the chance to get the name recognition for a reelection run.

It's fun to believe that the Democrats are completely stupid, but the sad reality is that they aren't. And this scenario is as stupid as they come.

[Petronski]

There are no even decimals in American FM radio, it is either 96.5 FM or 96.7 FM.

[Defiant]

There would be a special election in '04, just like the one the widder Carnahan is going through right now.

I have changed my mind on this, and think that the GOP ought to appeal. It's a pretty obvious constitutional violation, moreso than Florida.

Here's the argument:

Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution provides: "The times, places and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof..."

The NJSC has violated the US Constitution without a doubt. The NJSC has discretion to interpret the language of the legislature's laws relating to elections. The NJSC has no discretion to rewrite the laws.

[aruanan]

This opinion, as you may recall, stated that even though the law specifically stated otherwise, and that even though the law was written for exactly this kind of event, it was invalid. They ruled that the Democrat Party can place anyone they wished on the ballot, in deference to the rule of law. That they can do this independently of time or of reason.

In "defiance of" the rule of law?

[Catspaw]

I'd like to have something a bit more substansive that what Jay Severin thinks before I give this any credence.

[Abcdefg]

". . . ruled that the Democrat Party can place anyone they wished on the ballot, in deference to the rule of law.

From Marriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (online):

Main Entry: def·er·ence
Pronunciation: 'de-f&-r&n(t)s, 'def-r&n(t)s
Function: noun
Date: 1660
: respect and esteem due a superior or an elder; also : affected or
ingratiating regard for another's wishes
synonym see HONOR
- in deference to : in consideration of

[rightwing2]

If this is true, it represents unbelievable long-term treachery on a scale previously seen only by the Communists in their bid to take over the world one country at a time (with Brazil as the latest victim)! Jay Severin is one hell of an astute commentator so I actually give this prediction some credence.

[be131]

If "the fix" had been thought of months ago, why didn't Torricelli withdraw before the 51-day limit?