Torricelli Quits Senate Race

The Associated Press

September 30, 2002, 5:41 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Sen. Robert Torricelli abruptly dropped his re-election bid Monday — just five weeks before Election Day — after a bruising year marked by ethics questions and an admonishment by his colleagues.

“In a strange irony of life, control of the Democratic majority of the U.S. Senate is an issue. I am the issue,” an emotional Torricelli said. “I could not stand the pain if any failing on my part would do damage to the things, the people that I have fought for all my life.”

Torricelli said he spoke with Gov. James E. McGreevey, New Jersey Sen. Jon Corzine and former President Clinton before making his decision.

“I will not be responsible for the loss of the Democratic majority of the U.S. Senate. I will not let it happen. There is just too much at issue,” Torricelli said.

The news threw New Jersey’s Senate race into chaos. Torricelli’s woes have troubled Democratic strategists for months as they struggle to maintain the party’s single-seat majority in the Senate.

Torricelli, 51, who was seeking a second term, spent all day talking with party leaders about possible replacements and researching the legal issues involved in getting a new candidate on the Nov. 5 ballot.

SNIP ...

“I will not be responsible for the loss of the Democratic majority of the U.S. Senate."

*snicker* You just ASSURED it, Torchie Baby! You are the Bill Buckner of the 2002 campaign!

SNUFFED!

Or, if I may mix metaphors: You ARE the weakest link, goodbyyyyeee!