Lautenberg, Forrester Trade Criticisms in First Joint Forum

Courier Post OnLine ^ | October 16, 2002 | Lilo H. Stainton

[bioprof]

Pointing fingers and raising voices in exasperation, former Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Republican Senate candidate Doug Forrester discussed issues face to face for the first time Tuesday, before editors from the seven Gannett New Jersey newspapers.

Sharp and aggressive, Lautenberg called Forrester too hawkish on war and out of step with New Jersey's concerns about the economy, health and the environment. Forrester remained calm and steadfast, his voice rising a few times, as he countered with criticism of the former senator's voting record and insisted national security is paramount to voters this year.

[bioprof]

"How can you talk about smoking in airplanes when we're having a war on terrorism?" Forrester exclaimed at one point, responding to achievements Lautenberg touted. "We don't build strength and security by stopping people from smoking on airplanes; we build strength and security by supporting our defense establishment."

A defiant Lautenberg fired back, saying anti-smoking legislation matters a lot to the 400,000 people who die from related diseases each year; far more, he said, than the 58,000 soldiers who died in the Vietnam War.

Sooooo,, the 58,000 soldiers who died in 'Nam were just "incidentals"......it's FAR MORE IMPORTANT to be a nanny because there are more live voters than there are dead soldiers.........!!!!!! Lautenberg is beneath contempt.....Torch was a crook - this guy is as immoral as they come

[Lance Romance]

I love the comparisons.

Lautenberg, a three-term former senator and the millionaire co-founder of data-processing giant ADP, entered the race just two weeks ago, after Sen. Robert Torricelli's bid for a second term foundered among allegations of ethical lapses and plunging polling data.

When Torricelli quit, Forrester, a wealthy pharmaceutical- industry businessman who served for two years as West Windsor mayor.

[no dems]

Has anyone thought about bringing up the fact that when Lautenberg first ran for the Senate, he made a campaign issue out of the fact that his opponent, the beloved Millicent Fenwick was 72 years old? He felt that 72 was too old to be elected a U.S. Senator. Am I correct in thinking that the old fart is 78 years old?

[bioprof]

Yes, he's 78 - and refuses to debate. He's turned down the League of Women Voters and has just turned down Tim Russert -the Meet the Press debate had been set up over a month ago, agreed to by both parties, but when "Lousenberg" got in the race, his Dem handlers are afraid he's too "out of it" to hold his own in a debate. So, he's nixed any debates already agreed to.

The Millicent Fenwick issue was brought up last week in the papers but it didn't seem to get any traction - probably because most of the people that remembered & cared for her are dead(!!).

[Dante3]

This need repeating.

[bioprof]

So far I've sent Emails to Shawn Hannity and several radio personalities on NJ 101.5FM ( Jim Gearhardt, Carton & Rossi, & Alan David Stein ). If anyone has additional places they can contact, it would help a lot. This man is Loathsome ( Lautenberg, of course ) ....I thought Torricelli made me angry.....this is way worse!

[Bob Buchholz]

"I want to ask you, would the death penalty have stopped the World Trade bombing? Or would it stop the suicide bombers that are running around the world, particularly in Israel?"

I would have to say that since they are dead, that YES the death penalty has kept them from killing anyone else.

[Dante3]

BUMP

[OldFriend]

Notice the reporter using the adjective 'sharp' in his first sentence. Trying to dispell the image of a senile old fool.....which he is!