Torricelli News Conference 5 pm EST LIVE THREAD

[alisasny]

Opine away : )

[MJY1288]

"The dems have no chance unless he resigns. See here"

He will draw the republicans to challenge this move and then resign, he will say he was forced to by the republicans and now there will be a special election in a year so that who ever the Governor appoints will have a fair campaign for the seat. WATCH, this is what they will do

[LisaFab]

Or unless the NJ SC ignores the statute.

The SCOFLA tried that and got pimp-slapped by the US Supremes. However, that will be the strategy. "Pubs use courts to win elections" - even though, just as in FLA, they initiated the legal action.

[.30Carbine]

No, anyone can resign, its the replacement attempt that is illegal.

Thank you for clarifying. Before the announcment there was a hint that he may resign, then another Dem would be appointed, who would serve a full year before facing an actual election.

I understand perfectly that the resignation is illegal, immoral, and an act bereft of shame. The failure to prosecute this scum can be classified in the same way.

[Torie]

Howlin, resigning does not cancel the election. The statute relates to win an election must be held to fill the remaining balance of an existing term. That is why resignation did not come up. It does no good.

[Howlin]

He can set up residency in NJ and run -- if he does it by Monday.

Hold my hand, will you? I'm scared. Really. I might stroke out.

[r9etb]

Clinton wouldn't do it, and Tommy D wouldn't let him, since it's his short little ass that would be sacrificed.

[Black Agnes]

I see my coworkers made it home. They're in love with all dims.

[justshe]

Agreed.......but I cannot believe that the NJ Supremes will allow this. But then, I'm a Republican. And I never think dirty or nasty enough!

[marajade]

Isn't this a bad move on behalf of the Democrats nationally? Its telling the entire country that the Democrats are weakened in defending their control of the US Senate. Is this the message the Dems want to send?

[Howlin]

Stop......stop........stop! I don't want to hear that!

[Mo1]

Needs to be larger

How would the citizens of New Jersey feel about being told, "Never mind; we're not going to have an election."

[MJY1288]

The handwriting on the wall and it will be legal. Underhanded, but legal

[Howlin]

Evidently. He said he couldn't be "heard" because all anybody talked about was his ethics?

The logical reply would be.........but nobody will think of that.

[Timesink]

So then they'll claim that they have no choice, and do the 1 year delayed election,...

They can't do that. There's already Supreme Court precedent that says the election to replace resigned Senators must take place on the next regular election day. That day is November 5, 2002.

And Torch can't wait until November 6 either, and then quit and have McGreevey name a replacement. That's a direct violation of the Seventeenth Amendment, because it takes away the public's right to elect its own Senator.

The RATS' only hope is to be able to play the court system in hopes of getting some well-known name forced onto the ballot before 11/5. Unless they can pull that off (and there's plenty of reason to believe even that would be unconstitutional, though it appears to be untested), then Forrester has already won.

[Cold Heat]

Hey, share! :-)

ABSOLUTELY!

If I only could post a pic of a bottle of Crown Royal!

[William McKinley]

The SCOTUS would have something to say about New Jersey trying to cancel a federal election on the basis of a state law. It would never happen.

[Inspectorette]

I'm scared, too. This would be the worst thing that could ever happen to this country. Any joy I've felt at finally seeing this Torricelli thug brought down has now been replaced by fear and revulsion at the possibility that Clinton could run - and win.

[MichaelP]

You better hope he stays in office until January. If he resigns within 30 days of the election, then The Governor can appoint someone who would serve one year, before a special election would be held, thus cancelling this election!

Mike

[Political Junkie Too]

Isn't this a bad move on behalf of the Democrats nationally? Its telling the entire country that the Democrats are weakened in defending their control of the US Senate. Is this the message the Dems want to send?

It sends the message that debates on homeland security, war in Iraq, judicial nominations, etc. can drag on for months and months and months, but if something really important like the NJ senate seat comes up, they can react in an instant.

-PJ

[Dan from Michigan]

Unfortunatly, I piped up too soon. I'm running to the beer now when I heard the name Lautenberg.

JimRob would ban me if I posted what I really thought of that that jerk.