Then on Monday, Lautenberg's handlers (should we call them keepers?) announced that there was "no way" he would engage in 21 debates. They did not explain whether this was the first big lie of the 2002 campaign for him, or merely a "senior moment" when the need to think and speak overwhelmed him.
The 21 county debate was an idea that Lautenberg had demanded of Millicent Fenwick when he ran against her in 1982. He also said she was "too old" to serve six years as a Senator. She was then 72. Lautenberg is now 78.
The only good news is that Lautenberg's "primary" bump is now over. He has dropped back to a tie in the polls. And the more he dotters and drools in public, the further he will drop. Forrester needs to win two general elections to get one seat in the Senate. Looks like he will do exactly that.
Congressman Billybob
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