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I don't think it will be a matter of sympathy so much as fear that a Republican of any sort would gain the seat.

As it was, there were still a whole lot of Democrats that were planning on voting for him anyway. The ones that weren't up to this point might change their minds now, if they can tell themselves that they are really voting for McGreevey's pick. In other words, they would rather take their chances on McGreevey picking someone they would like even if they don't know who it is than to let a Republican get the seat.

Again, the scenario that I'm worried about is this:

They scramble and find someone strong willing to take his seat for now under an appointment from McGreevey. Toricelli holds on for another week or so and then announces for the good of the party that he will resign from the Senate. This allows McGreevey to appoint his replacement. Toricelli's name has to remain on the ballot, but people can vote for him anyway, knowing that he's not really the person they are voting for but the person McGreevey picked will be once the swearing in is done next January. This buys them a year or two to really put together a campaign with a strong candidate while Dashchle et al can hang onto the seat that would have been a total loss otherwise.

Or at least, that's what it's looking like to me the more I think about this. They have to see more of a chance to preserve the seat than simply hoping the NJSC will rewrite the law for them. They aren't that stupid.

I know the seat won't hold under this arrangement for the full six years, but I think all they're playing for right now is time so they can try to put together a stronger campaign.

Anyway, that's what has me worried so far.

Gamma

I would say you've nailed the plan. Toricelli and the entire democrat party heirarchy have no integrity, so whatever they're up to is a manipulation of the truth and an effort to slip one over on NJ voters, taking NJ democrats completely for granted! Oh how I loathe the democrat heirarchy ... and I'm starting to worry about the integrity of the election process, what with the sovereign voters so uninvolved and snoozing.