Andrews or Lautenberg?

About this race... (4.00 / 1)

A West Side Story style dance off on Rt 195 would settle this in grand fashion.

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by: thenerd0584 @ Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 22:03:19 PM UTC

did someone say dance off? (0.00 / 0)

i will limber up just in case!

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 22:08:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

great vlog (0.00 / 0)

Good reasons, and then the catfish!  wow.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

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by: Hopeful @ Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 22:14:12 PM UTC

Leaning Lautenberg (0.00 / 0)

But great video Jay!

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by: JRB @ Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 22:27:58 PM UTC

Enjoy retirement Frank (2.00 / 7)

Enough is enough.The man is 84.He will never gain the seniority necessary to be a factor in the Senate. Time for a change.

Plus SJ deserves a little respect from the Democratic Party.  

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by: firstamend07 @ Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 23:20:45 PM UTC

Dist.#1- Politics 101 (4.00 / 5)

Jay I have never steered you wrong in the past, and I'm shooting it straight to you now.
1st.  Rob probably fought the nerve gas because it might have an impact on the redevelopment of the 77miles along the Delaware they are using Eminent Domain to take properties to give to redevelopers. Now you know why the Carpenters Union is backing Robbie.

2nd: Dredging the river up to PA would conflict with the plans of BP and others who have been trying to get coal co-generation plants in the Paulsboro area. Again that would interfer with the plans of big contributors of Rob's.

3rd: if Rob was so worried about the environment and hazard waste, why has he voted for the transportation and storage of nuclear waste at Yucca Mt? A known area for earthquakes and very porous rock.

4th:  if Rob was so worried about the quality of our food, why did he vote against the implementation of a rule requiring that meat products be labeled with their country-of-origin, espeically with the concerns of Mad Cow Disease?

5th: Rob has continuously authorized  money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, being appropriated outside of the ordinary budgeting process. Now don't you find that a little bit strange, in view Rob is on the Budget committee?

This guy doesn't belong in the House nor the Senate. South Jersey deserves much better !!!!
We deserve a candidate who cares about the people and not the corporations, nor his own selfish ambitions.

Maybe we will have to wait another 10years before we get someone worth a Senate seat, but to me, I rather have someone to be proud of and not just settling.

People in So.Jersey are going to have to get more active in their politics then they are now if we are to beat the Norcross machine at their game.

I perdict if Rob looses to Frank, we will see the next Joe Lieberman.  

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by: roses4jo @ Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 02:53:53 AM UTC

Rob Andrews would do well in the GOP primary (4.00 / 3)

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by: vingopal @ Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 06:58:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Please, Don't Give Him Any Ideas ;-) (2.50 / 2)

I would hate to see him "pull a Lieberman" if/when he loses the primary..

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by: Nick Lento @ Sat Apr 05, 2008 at 01:49:39 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

In NJ (4.00 / 3)

In NJ, the petition deadline for primary candidates is 4pm on June 3rd, the day of the actual primary. In CT, the petition deadline for independent candidates is after the election.

If Rob intended to "pull a Lieberman," he would have to get enough signatures to file before he even knew if he won the Democratic nomination.

I'd like to note that there's no actual evidence to support the "pull a Lieberman" assertion but I wanted to put some facts out there to nip this in the bud.

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by: JasonCNJ @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 14:26:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Your right (2.00 / 1)

about the deadlines for petitions being the same day, what I am referring to is Rob will at a later date either go Republican or Independent.  

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by: roses4jo @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 16:27:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

At a later date? (4.00 / 5)

I disagree with your concern that Andrews will "at a later date" go Republican or Independent; there's no evidence to support it, or to support the idea he's going to destroy the Party if he loses this primary.

You seem to have plenty of reasons why you're supporting Senator Lautenberg...I don't know if you need to toss in the idea that one of those reasons is speculation that Andrews would "at a later date" become Republican or independent.

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by: JasonCNJ @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 17:39:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

some context (0.00 / 0)

First of all this characterization doesn't jive with what my friends in the environmental community tell me. So forgive me if i will take their word over that of someone  who's so intimately connected with one of Rob Andrews' erstwhile primary rivals.

which is my secondary point...

It might be high-minded of you to let the world know that your husband is running the NJ-1 Congressional campaign for Mahdi Ibn Ziyad out of Camden City, as per link: http://mahdi-ibn-ziyad-for-con...

I submit that if you're gonna throw the kitchen sink at someone, it's not that hard to give some context to your rancor.

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Sat Apr 05, 2008 at 08:50:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I was silent until he decided to run for the Senate (4.00 / 3)

So your comments have no basis.
I didn't say anything when he was running for the house, but I do have my own mind, as does my husband and these  things I have been saying about Rob for years.....there is nothing new.

I really think your comments are totally misplaced and unwarrranted. You can listen to what friends you want but the written record will hold up better then someone's opinion.  

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by: roses4jo @ Sat Apr 05, 2008 at 15:17:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

wrong again (0.00 / 0)

No one's telling anyone to be "silent."  If anything I am trying to get you to share more of the story.

Specifically the part about how your family is working very hard for the man who wants Rob Andrews' job.

Now if you think that's "misplaced and unwarranted" then you should consider that we just have totally different perspectives on this, which is fine.

But telling me you're "shooting it straight to me now"  --when all you're really doing is sharing a strong opinion -- is just not true.

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:14:44 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

wrong again (4.00 / 3)

Mahdi isn't running for the Senate! I never said a word before, when they were both running  for the same seat.  

There is a different perspective, let me state again, one is a house seat, the other is the senate.

If I had said anything while Rob was still running for the house you would have a valid compliant , but I didn't .

And I am shooting it straight, the records speak for themselves.

You seem to be the one having a problem with me voicing another opinion....just because I don't agree with you, you are trying to make it look like I had other motives. I have nothing to gain now , Rob is running for the Senate.  He is  NO LONGER 1St District Candidate.  

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by: roses4jo @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 16:42:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Vin ....I agree (3.20 / 5)

Rob would probably win big if he decided to change parties and run as a Republican.....but I have a sneaking suspicion this might be all part of a bigger plan.....like helping the Republicans to drain Frank's account down, so Crowley [who has millions of personal funds] can out spend Frank in the run for the General Election.

Never under estimate Rob, he is very cunning and self-indulgent of his own desires.

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by: roses4jo @ Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 14:51:55 PM UTC

Frank was one of the founders of ADP (0.00 / 0)

I really don't think he could be outspent if he really wanted the job!... and with the prospect of really being in the majority after November should be a real incentive.


"Discrimination caused by ignorance and fear is a tax on human progress" - Barbra Casbar Siperstein

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by: Babs NJSD @ Sat Apr 05, 2008 at 03:33:40 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Andrews is Too Smart To Give Up A Safe Seat For.... (0.00 / 0)

...a long shot at taking Lautenberg's job.

So yes, there is likely a "Plan B" of some kind.

First off, if Lautenberg plays it petulant and pissed off....he'll lose.  

Andrews, whatever anyone thinks of him, clearly has the legal right to do what he's doing...and FL had better come up with a seriously adult campaign strategy....and that may mean spending a few million bucks of his own money.

I understand FL's emotions; but it's time to get passed the shock and outrage and anger at what must feel like a betrayal.....and get about the business of effectively fighting back.    

Andrews may have as his agenda to simply change parties if he loses the primary, leave Lautenberg bloodied for November and then run for governor as a "moderate" Republican.    Yes, I know that sounds far fetched.....but it helps to account for why he would be willing to throw away a safe seat.  

Or maybe he has a great "job" lined up with some company in the military industrial complex that will make him a multimillionaire???

I may be wrong, but RA doesn't strike me a "go for broke" "throw all caution to the winds" type.

That's why it's not good enough for FL to just lay back and nurse his lead......even if he closely wins the primary that way, he'll be damaged in the general.....and RA will look like a hero to his supporters and to Republicans.

Lautenberg has to fight a real fight and kick ass.

PS  I would hope that some journalist puts Andrews on the record with a firm absolute commitment that, no matter what happens, he will not be switching parties at any point for for any reason.    

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by: Nick Lento @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 18:29:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

preposterous (4.00 / 3)

Unless you have any evidence that Andrews plans to switch parties, this speculation doesn't make any sense to me. He's way out in right field on foreign policy and more moderate on other issues, but he's quite liberal on other issues and overall safely within the Democratic fold.

If there is a plan B, my guess is he'll use the boost in statewide name recognition to make a serious gubernatorial run.

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by: Juan Melli @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 18:44:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

As I Myself Said, "It Seems Far Fetched"..... (4.00 / 1)

......but "preposturous" is exactly what I would have said to anyone who told me that Joe Lieberman would ever do what he did.

It couldn't hurt to put RA on the record on this; he can easily dismiss the question in a heartbeat by saying that it is indeed preposturous and that he'll never change parties.     I see nothing wrong with putting him on the record on that point.

As I said, there is likely some kind of "Plan B" and that too should be the object of journalistic inquiry.    Someone should ask Congressman Andrews if his run for Senate is a preparation for a shot at the governor's race.

The points  that roses4jo raises above ring true to me.  

The run against Lautenberg makes no sense as a "straight shot".

There's way more here than "meets the eye".

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by: Nick Lento @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 19:12:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The 'folds' overlap (0.00 / 0)

Of course Andrews presents as a plausible, albeit unappetizing, Democrat. Whitman, Kean, and Cahill could also have plausibly been Democrats, though too conservative to likely get a state-wide nomination in New Jersey.

The speculation seems unlikely to me, especially in light of his wife filing fo the house seat. But if we didn't already see a Plan B, it would be reasonable to wonder what we were missing.

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by: Dvd Avins @ Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 15:19:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Vote for Frank (4.00 / 2)

Vote against Andrews.

Kill two birds with one stone.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 23:25:40 PM UTC

Where was Andrews in '02? (0.00 / 0)

In the fall of 2002, Senator Torricelli was getting crushed in the polls by GOP millionaire Doug Forrester. The Federal Authorities were closing in on the Torch. Finally, he headed for the exit and resigned in disgrace.

An SOS went out from the State Democratic Party to anyone with the guts to step into that mudpatch. The party poohbahs were convened inside Drumthwacket putting calls out to everyone. Our Senate seat was about to be handed over to Doug Forrester if someone didn't don the armor and mount the steed. Most notably, none of our ambitious congressional thoroughbreds stepped up to the plate.

Where was Rob Andrews? While the millionaire Republican was cruising to victory, you could hear the sound of crickets coming from the First C.D.

Riding to the rescue of the New Jersey Democratic Party, Frank Lautenberg took on the challenge, and in only a few weeks, spectacularly mopped the floor with the GOP nominee.

Before and since, Senator Lautenberg has taken the progressive side of most issues in Congress. He is a dependable voice and a solid vote.

Congressman Andrews is a formidable legislator in his own right. He is a gentleman who possesses an impressive intellect and serves with honor. But when the going got tough in 2002, Andrews was no where to be found. Now, all of a sudden, he cannot wait to take on the elder statesman of the New Jersey Democratic Party. How courageous of him.

Let's re-elect Frank Lautenberg, our Democratic Party savior. He deserves our respect and appreciation.

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by: TerryMalloy-OnTheWaterfront @ Sat Apr 05, 2008 at 14:31:11 PM UTC

Answer: Rob was (4.00 / 1)

Busy being Bush's architect for the war resolution and recruiting others to sign on.  

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by: roses4jo @ Sat Apr 05, 2008 at 18:12:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

In a party (0.00 / 0)

that's given us such  wonderful "unity"  candidates as Torricelli,  McGreevey,   & Corzine, a real primary doesn't  bother me that much.  

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by: Wesleylake @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 03:12:15 AM UTC

Doesn't the Iraq war mean anything? (4.00 / 8)

Andrews was the sponsor of the resolution authorizing the Iraq war!   If anything, he should be challenged in his congressional district.  The idea that he has the wisdom to be a Senator is ludicrous.  On the biggest issue this decade, he made a horrendous decision.  He didn't just vote for the resolution, he sponsored it.  

-pb

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by: princetonblue @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 17:38:46 PM UTC

I am surprised (4.00 / 2)

It is the most important issue of the decade. The Iraq war rightfully gets a lot of attention by progressives and those who disagree with the idea of preemptive war in general, but there's some selective amnesia going on here.

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by: Juan Melli @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 17:46:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Good Question/Point... (4.00 / 3)

Andrews didn't just grudgingly go along with the resolution/con job.....he helped to draft/"sponsor" it.

He wasn't the passive victim of the con job too many good Democrats  bought into....he was one of those actively helping Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld put the "pitch" together.    

 

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by: Nick Lento @ Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 18:59:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]