Debates were the cornerstone of Rob Andrews' Senate campaign, but he's not running for the Senate now
Those who followed the Democratic U.S. Senate primary heard it again and again: U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews complaining that incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg wouldn’t engage him in enough debates.

He got two – both shortly before election day. 

Now, Republican Senate candidate Dick Zimmer is sounding a similar theme, complaining that Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park) won’t live up to the standard he set in 1982, when he wanted to debate Republican rival Millicent Fenwick in all 21 counties.

But don’t expect Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) to back up Zimmer on this one. 

“The Congressman supports Senator Lautenberg and has no further comment on the campaign,” said Andrews Chief of Staff Bill Caruso.

Dale Glading Challenges
Rob Andrews To Six Debates

Congressional candidate reminds incumbent
of debate demands in previous campaign

BARRINGTON – Dale Glading, candidate for U.S. Congress in New Jersey’s 1st District, has challenged incumbent Rob Andrews to a series of six debates between now and the November 4 election. Glading has suggested that three debates would be held in Camden County, two in Gloucester County, and one in Burlington County.

A copy of the letter Glading sent via registered mail to Andrews’ home is below:

Dear Congressman Andrews:

I was deeply disappointed by your recent decision to break your promise and re-enter the race for the 1st Congressional District. After repeatedly vowing not to run under any circumstances, you have further tarnished your already damaged reputation by not keeping your word. More importantly, your lack of truthfulness and the entire placeholder charade have disenfranchised tens of thousands of Democratic voters.

I entered the race back in January because I believe that our district deserves a congressman who cares more about his constituents than about his own political ambitions. Considering your recent deception of the voters, I am even more convinced that my decision to challenge you was the right one.

In your unsuccessful primary campaign against Sen. Frank Lautenberg, you challenged him to a series of seven debates. According to your own press release, no one should be “anointed to their Senate seat rather than face his opponent in fair and open debates on the issues that matter most to our families.” I agree and believe that the same standard applies to the U.S. House of Representatives.

A series of debates would show the voters the respect they deserve as they decide who is better equipped to represent them in Congress. As you said during the primary season, “the people of New Jersey who are working harder than ever to make ends meet for themselves and their families deserve no less.”

With this in mind, I respectfully challenge you to a series of six public debates prior to the General Election on November 4th. Based on the composition of our district, I would suggest three debates in Camden County, two in Gloucester County and one in Burlington County.

As time is of the essence, I ask that you reply to my challenge by September 19th so our respective campaigns can make the necessary arrangements. I look forward to your prompt reply and to a public discussion about our respective positions and the challenges facing the 1st Congressional District.

Sincerely,

Dale M. Glading
Candidate for Congress, NJ-1

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews was re-nominated for another two-year term tonight in the 1st Congressional District, just five months after dropping off the ballot to challenge Sen. Frank Lautenberg in a primary. 

About 400 county committee members from Camden, Gloucester and Burlington Counties showed up to the meeting in Bellmawr, according to Andrews Chief of Staff Bill Caruso. 

Democratic committees from the three counties that comprise the 1st Congressional District will meet tonight to put U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews back (D-Haddon Heights) on the ballot.

Pretty much everyone acknowledges that's a foregone conclusion.  Everyone, that is, except Andrews.

Andrews said that he doesn't take his candidacy for granted, and has reached out to over 500 county committee men and women from Camden, Gloucester and Burlington counties.

"All I know is I've made an effort to reach out to as many county committee people as I can," he said.  "I just think people want to be asked, and these are the people that have been most instrumental in my political success.  The committee people are really the heart and soul of the party, and I wanted to make it known that I respect their judgment."

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell says he'd be interested in running for Governor if Jon Corzine doesn't, but his attitude toward fellow Congressman Rob Andrews could hurt his chances to assemble a statewide coalition.  New Jersey's House delegation united behind Frank Lautenberg in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, and of the group, Pascrell has been the toughest on Andrews, who announced last week that he would seek re-election to the House.  Pascrell has good relations with South Jersey Democrats, who remember that he bucked the establishment eight years ago and backed Jim Florio against Corzine in the U.S. Senate primary. But if South Jersey Democrats are, as some say, not exactly thrilled with Andrews' sudden return, maybe the digs won't hurt Pascrell at all.

Rob Andrews vs. The Truth
Volume I

Congressman fights epic battle
against truth, facts, and reality

BARRINGTON – U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews has a problem: he is incapable of telling the truth.

Rob’s claim: “Andrews told reporters on a conference call following the announcement that he passed up a lucrative position with financial and securities firm Goldman Sachs that was ‘more wealth than [his] family could have ever imagined’ to re-enter the House race.” (“Andrews Reverses Course, Re-Enters New Jersey Race,” Congressional Quarterly, September 4, 2008)

The truth: Rob and Camille Andrews raked in $457,000 last year. The median family income in the 1st District is a little over $47,000. Rob Andrews already makes 10 times more than the median family he has failed to represent, but apparently that wasn’t enough.

Rob’s claim: “After making what he called a “very personal and perplexing decision” over the Labor Day weekend, Andrews said he will ask the county committee members in his district to nominate him again on Monday.” (“Andrews announces re-election campaign,” The Hill, September 4, 2008)

The truth: Rob told PolitickerNJ.com all the way back on August 28 that he planned to make an announcement about his decision to go back on his word again and run for Congress. The decision was made before the Labor Day weekend, but, as Rob surely knows, when you lie as much as he does, it’s hard to keep your story straight. (“Andrews to address his future next week,” PolitickerNJ.com, August 28, 2008)

Here’s what the Philadelphia Inquirer had to say about Rob’s latest deceptions:

“Rob Andrews lied. Plain and simple.”
(“Editorial: Andrews' Reentry,” September 5, 2008)

Here’s what the Courier-Post had to say:

“Plain and simple, Andrews hedged his bets and lied to the public.”
(“Rob Andrews lied to South Jersey voters”, September 5, 2008)

Through his indefensible conduct, voters can now determine very easily when Rob Andrews is lying: any time his lips are moving.

South Jersey Democrats will back Rob Andrews' return to the U.S. House of Representatives, but some members of the party leadership aren't entirely thrilled with Andrews' change of mind.  Sources with knowledge of party business say that Andrews' repalcement would have been South Jersey AFL-CIO President Donald Norcross, the Camden County Democratic Co-Chairman and the brother of South Jersey Democratic leader George Norcross.  Donald Norcross had been prepared to enter the race for Congress sometime in early September.

MINNEAPOLIS - The governor’s office issued a brief statement today shortly after U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) officially declared his intention to run again for U.S. Congress in the First Congressional District.

"The governor fully supports Congressman Andrews’s decision to run for re-election," said Corzine spokesman Robert Corrales. "Congressman Andrews has an exceptional understanding of public policy and has a long and distinguished record serving his district and the State. The governor values his leadership and looks forward to continue working with the congressman on issues that will improve the quality of life for all New Jerseyans."

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights): Politicker file photo 

MINNEAPOLIS - In a conference call with reporters, U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) said he turned down wealth for public service, abandoned a lucrative Wall Street offer for a chance to stay in South Jersey.

"I had negotiations with Goldman Sachs," Andrews said. "I was tremendously impressed with Goldman Sachs. But I realized it’s not what my heart told me I want to do."

The congressman described his decision to return - after repeatedly going on the record with a firm declaration of his retirement - as "personal and perplexing," admitting that he has "fences to mend" with the New Jersey delegation.

"I had no intention of ever going back," insisted the 18-year congressional veteran, who gave up his seat earlier this year to challenge U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park). "I heard from scores of people who asked me to go back. They said very kind and humbling things."