ROUSED FROM HIS NAP, HAS-BEEN DEM WILL RUN: Lautenberg gets Senate nod from Democratic biggies

Gannett News Bureau ^ | 10/2/01 | SANDY MCCLURE and MICHAEL SYMONS

[Liz]

TRENTON -- Democrats chose former U. S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg last night to replace Sen. Robert Torricelli as the Democratic candidate for senator. Torricelli bowed out of the race Monday when it became apparent his questionable ethics would be the lone issue.

[LisaFab]

Going out on a limb here but this is my gut feeling. After eight years of doom and despair under the reign of terror of the i42, we've all become pessimists when it comes to the dems and their judicial minions flouting the rule of law.

Let's assume the worst: that the SCONJ rewrite the law and the SCOTUS does not overrule as Linda Chavez and others have suggested.

It is my contention that Lautenberg cannot win this election. He is exactly the type of old, liberal blowhard that 9/11 has IMHO has nuetered. Fingers firmly crossed and rooting for the rule of law to prevail.

[The Wizard]

SCONJ Clerk's office:
609-292-4837

[Miss Marple]

I do believe you are right. Wasn't there some difficulty with the test scoring a few years ago?

[goldstategop]

Frank Lautenberg has name recognition but New Jersey voters see his being named as a political ploy. His win's not a given if he does make it on the ballot as The Torch's replacement and the fact the Democrats couldn't find a viable candidate and had to settle for an old warhorse and erstwhile blood enemy of The Torch's only tells people they're extremely desperate - their Senate majority's at stake!

[HoosierFather]

I heard this guy interviewed a number of months ago on one of the cable news shows. I really thought he was rambling and incoherent. He's a fossil and probably does not have the mental capacity to do the job. The comments about no diminished vigor and energy is to head off any criticism that the guy is bordering on senile.

[Miss Marple]

From www.politicsnj.com, August 27, 2002 issue:

Corzine replaced another millionaire Democrat in the Senate, FRANK LAUTENBERG. who self-financed his upset victory over Republican Congresswoman MILLICENT FENWICK in 1982.

During his eighteen years in the Senate, Lautenberg was never extraordinarily generous with his own money on behalf of Democratic candidates. He contributed $15,000 to fourteen federal candidates from 1983 to 1998, and another $6,000 to candidates in 2000, the year he retired. He also gave $26,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee over his three terms in office.

But since leaving the Senate, Lautenberg has become more generous. So far this year, he has written personal checks totaling $12,232 to federal candidates, including Rothman, Holt and 7th district challenger TIMOTHY CARDEN. Most of these contributions went to Democratic U.S. Senate candidates.

Obviously, he is a tightwad.

[shortstop]

I wonder if it bothers Lautenberg that he was fourth choice for the job. Fifth, if you count Torricelli. I would hope Forrester would use this fact to his advantage in the campaign, if the NJSC allows this sham.

[finnman69]

UH OH

I just heard that 6 of the 7 justices were appointed by Republican Governors.

[LisaFab]

This is all anyone needs to know about Lautenberg.

[BibChr]

Even sarcastic titles like this one IRRITATE me.

It SHOULDN'T BE AN OPTION who runs, besides Torricelli! The voters already made their choce, the military has already cast its votes! The Demo's don't get to say, "Dang, we're losing. Smoke-filled-room-time, guys; let's pick another!"

I don't want to SEE articles about what they're going to do, apart from how they're going to cope with the ONE AND ONLY CANDIDATE (Torricelli) losing!

If they get to put in another guy, just because their preferred crook is losing, then we seriously might as well print all the laws on extra soft paper, segment them, and put them on rolls. Catch my drift?

This is really aggravating.

Dan

[ValerieUSA]

Both Chief Justice Rehnquist and ex-President Jimmy Carter turned 78 on October 1, 2002 - the same day that 78 yr old Lautenburg decided to illegally run for a 6 yr term in the US Senate.

[cynicom]

Term limits are unacceptable to most people, however, there seems to be no other way to rid ourselves of the professional politicians that have a deathgrip on office. It makes no difference what party. My opinion is that we should have term limits and age limits, we do not allow the young to run for office, why allow the old to do so.

It is a disgrace to see Byrd, Thurmond, Kennedy and the like that seem to want to hold on to office until the grim reaper comes for them.

[Liz]

That's why my pre-title is capitalized. The web source has laid it on Tori with relish. Gannett's reports (some posted on this site) have been unstintingly critical of sleazy Tori and the Dems. You did a good thing to give them a pop.

[1Old Pro]

Surprise outcome: They will rule Lousenberg "incompetent" and unfit for office. Sheesh, I listened to his announcement speech and was astounded by his incoherency. Did anyone even tell him about the potential war in IRAQ? One would think that a person living in N.J. would have been aware of the terrorist attacks as well.

All he said, and he didn't do a good job, is that he is against pollution, for a women's right to have unfettered abortions, and that Republicans are evil and only New Jersey can prevent the GOP takeover of the Senate.

[Liz]

Yeah, but notice he said nothing about his regular three-hour morning and afternoon naps besides his needing 10 hours of sleep every night.

[Liz]

Heheheheh. Good insight. The old codger was last on the list.

[Liz]

Did anyone even tell him about the potential war in IRAQ?

They were afraid to......he mighta had an angina attack.