Torch Song
   by Rude Rich

I'm sure in your few lucid moments in Vegas you followed the Torricelli story. Let me recap...

About 2 weeks ago, the Republicans dredged up some memo from an admitted felon detailing
the gifts he claims to have given Torricelli. Naturally, Republicans jumped all over the memo as if
it were written by the Pope and since we have no left wing press, their's was the only voice heard.
Torricelli instantly tanked in the polls and the next Friday he quit the race.

Republicans had their own little plan. NJ state law says a party may not withdraw a candidate
after 51 days before the election. The Republicans waited until after that deadline to release the memo,
which could very well be all lies anyway. They didn't want to have to have a court decide another
election after the fact. Now they want to run completly unopposed.

After Torricelli quit, the Dem's turned to ex-senator Frank Lautenberg to run for the seat.
As you know, the NJ Supreme court ruled that Lautenberg can indeed be on the ballot so
voters have an actual choice, something Republicans never have liked. They brought the case
to the Supremes in D.C. who ruled again for the Democrats, citing states rights

Douglas Forrester, the Repug, spent about 2 days ahead in the polls. As soon as Lautenberg
accepted, he took an immediate 6 point lead in the polls. NJ voters are not going to be sending
a Republican to Washington.  I even think Torricelli could have won if he just hung in there and
denied the charges and pointed out that the man bringing them is in jail and looking for friends.

 If I were arguing the case I would have asked what I, as a Democrat am supposed to do if you
take away a Democrat candidate. Am I supposed to vote for Forrester? It's not my fault my candidate
decided to quit. The party didn't withdraw his name as talk show gasbags would have us believe.
The candidate withdrew himself. As a voter, don't I get a choice?

Stay calm....Lautenberg should win in a walk. I wish Torricelli dropped out sooner but at least he
did the right thing in the end. Remember, up until the memo came out he was ahead in the polls
even with his troubles. This is a state that doesn't like Republicans.
 
 
 

Privacy Policy
. .