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Posted on 10/06/2002 3:30:39 PM PDT by ALS
Lautenberg Retracts Promise for 21 Debates
A spokesman for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Frank Lautenberg has retracted Lautenberg's promise, offered just yesterday, that he would meet his Republican opponent Doug Forrester for 21 debates in different New Jersey counties before Election Day.
Asked whether his boss intended to honor the 21-debate pledge, Lautenberg spokesman Tom Shea told WABC Radio's Steve Malzberg, "Absolutely not."
"We'll do debates," Shea explained. "The voters of the state will have plenty of opportunities to hear the two candidates. Twenty-one debates in 21 counties with only 30 days left in the race is a little impractical."
But on Saturday, during an impromptu encounter between the two candidates in Oldbridge, N.J., Lautenberg seemed to unequivocally agree to the 21 debate schedule.
"If you go on the ballot I'd like to challenge you to 21 debates in 21 counties," Forrester told Lautenberg, as the two stood only inches from each other with reporters looking on.
While Lautenberg refused to respond directly to the Republican's invitation, NBC News reporter Arnold Diaz, who witnessed the exchange, asked the 78-year old ex-Senator seconds later, "Mr. Lautenberg, are you going to do the debates if you're the candidate?"
"Of course," Lautenberg responded without hesitation, in comments captured on videotape and broadcast nationally on "Fox News Sunday."
Reacting to Lautenberg's debate flip-flop, Forrester told Malzberg, "I'm very unhappy to hear that they're back-peddling so fast."
The Republican complained that Lautenberg had already nixed an invitation to appear with him earlier on "Fox News Sunday," saying, "It was going to be our first joint appearance and lo and behold he doesn't show up."
... Asked whether his boss intended to honor the 21-debate pledge, Lautenberg spokesman Tom Shea told WABC Radio's Steve Malzberg, "Absolutely not" ...A pledge here. An election law there. Who bloody cares? Keep your eyes on the prize, man. Your eyes on the prize.
I'm glad to see Forrester is not holding back
Impractical? Inasmuch it was the Democrats who put New Jersey in this mess, I would say that they owed the voters these debates. They pull this fast one with a month to go, and then they complain that there is not enough time for debates. I'll give the Democrats this much, they sure have gall.
This is getting to be a typical Democrat standard strategy. Make it known boldly and right up front that you're a lying lowlife SOB, so no one will be surprised when they find out that you are.
But his handlers realize that he's semi-senile and could not survive being up against a competent Republican candidate without a script for that length of time. So, the first Lautenberg lie is now a matter of record. Or was it simply a "senior moment" for this old goat?
And while we're on that subject, in 1982 Lautenberg claimed that Fenwick, who was then 72, was "too old" to be a Senator for six years. Now let's see, "Old" Frank is 76 now. Does that mean he's "too old" for the job? Or does it mean he was lying about Fenwick? Hmmm?
New column, first link below:
Congressman Billybob
Click for "Oedipus and the Democrats"
Senator Toricelli, I'm Sorry, Senator Lautenberg, Are you the the final candiate that the Democrats will be fielding in this election or should we expect another switch before election day given that you are 78, and retired from the senate six years ago and clearly have no interest in returning?"
Senator Lautenberg, If the Democrats are paying for the ballots to be reprinted isn't this a clear indication that the change of candidates is purely in the interests of the Democratic Party and not the "Public Interest"? Otherwise, wouldn't the public be picking up the tab?
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