Andrews is mulling primary challenge vs. Lautenberg
By Wally EdgeRep. Rob Andrews is making calls to top Democratic officials to gauge potential support for a primary challenge against four-term incumbent U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, according to highly placed Democratic sources. Andrews has received calls from some North Jersey Democratic officials encouraging him to enter the race. An announcement from Andrews regarding his statewide intentions could come as early as today. There is speculation among Democratic insiders that former Democratic State Chairman Tom Byrne, who said today that he would not enter the race, may have been a stalking horse for Andrews, a ten-term Congressman from Camden County.
Democratic strategist Mike Beson, who was among the likely primary voters called by pollsters conducting a survey for Byrne last week, says he was asked if he was familiar with Andrews.
Lautenberg has $4.3 million in his warchest; Andrews has $2.4 million.
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family obligation my a**!
What ever happened to that "family obligation" Andrews had to attend? When asked about attending Lautenberg's re-election announcement his spokesman Bill Caruso said "He has a previously scheduled family obligation." Now it seems the truth comes out. This sort of dishonesty doesn’t seem like the best way for Andrews to start his primary challenge.
Seriously?
Dishonesty? Bad start to his campaign? What on Earth are you talking about? Taking both his spokesman and PoliticsNJ's report at face value, all we know are two things:
(a) Andrews had a family obligation that prevented him from going to a rally in Trenton at 2:30 PM, and
(b) Andrews used a telephone at some point today.
How you draw from those two facts that Andrews was being dishonest is beyond me. And, even assuming your extrapolation arguendo, if you think ANY Democratic primary voter is going to find Andrews "dishonest" or that he is having "a bad start" to a primary campaign because of this....well, then, you don't seem to know a lot about Democrats.
Biggest weakness for Andrews is his support of the war, not this quote from his spokesman.
Go Andrew, go Andrew!
About time NJ Democratic Party got into primary mode. Go Andrew!
Andrews
I'm too shocked to provide any analysis of this and hold both Lautenberg and Andrews in high esteem. Andrews would be a very formidable primary opponent for Lautenberg, to say the least. Will this open the floodgates for Pallone, Rothman, etc., to enter into the race? Expect Andrews to be having discussions from Haddon Heights late into the night from now until 7 April with party insiders and others about his possible run.
Regarding South Jersey representation, I do feel as if we South Jersey Dems, who have been making massive gains, are somewhat unrepresented, though Menendez is a constant presence down here. Keep in mind that Corzine won every South Jersey county over Forrester (minus Cape May) and that there is no remaining GOP state senator in districts 1-6 and only two GOP assemblymen in those districts. The time has come for a statewide Democratic leader from South Jersey, though again, I have divided loyalties between Andrews and Lautenberg.
I LOVE IT
Clearly termites are eating away at Lautenberg's Crypt! This is the biggest political mess in NJ history on both sides now! This was bound to happen when Jon Corzine refused to ever let Rob get ahead. Now heres the real battle, who gets to run in District 1? Does Lou Greenwald wanna trade the barbers in Vorhees for Salons in Georgetown? Does Moriarity wanna stop filling up his Crown Vic at the town gas pump and ride the Amtrak back and forth to DC? Does Sweeney wanna give up his twenty-nine job EMPIRE! Get your popcorn and stay tuned!
I was called by a pollster asking about Tom Byrne
In addition to Byrne, Lautenberg and Andrews, I was also asked about Bob Gordon, which I thought was interesting.
Most surprising, the pollster showed no amazement that I claimed knowledge of who these guys are. Maybe they were calling Democratic activists to allow us to think there is more going on than there really is.
Posturing?
I'm a big Andrews fan, but part of me thinks he's just posturing to make sure nobody forgets him, and that he's next in line for a promotion.
I dispute
I dispute the claim that several North Jersey leaders have expressed an interest in ANdrews running. Andrews influence is South Jersey. I doubt that the Corzine Codey Menedez Cryan Pallone Rothman Holt of North Jersey are encouraging Andrews over Lautenberg. Frank has an edge in fundraising that Andrews simply doesnt have, Lautenberg can fundrais in NJ and nationally, Andrews cant. Lautenberg hasnt been afraid to go out on a limb in his career, Andrews has. Lautenberg has never lost an election state-wide in NJ, Andrews has. This will be the 3rd state-wide (I believe) loss for Andrews if he jumps in.
I hope Andrews reads this
Standing with Lautenberg were Gov. Jon Corzine, State Party Chairman Joseph Cryan, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt and U.S. Rep. Albio Sires. U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who is out of the state, issued a statement of support. Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden), Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex), Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer), Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Union), Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Mercer), Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, and Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset). Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) did not attend the event but issued a statement of support
It is all he needs to know about a primary fight
Go for it Rob
Granny Lautenberg's time has expired. Remember how he was so critical of Fenwick's age? Guess it doesn't matter to him now. Doesn't he have any great-grand childred to play with and spend his money. Chucky Cheeses' a great place. JSBlue, points out the supporters who attended the announcement. Wow, I still feel the power. Did Menendez write in English? Andrews would have been Governor if McGreevey was exposed, parden the pund, sooner than later. Go for it Rob, Bergen, Hunderton, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Sussex, Warren and the entire South from Burlington on down will put you over the top. If Texas Republicans can change parties to vote for Billary, so can we in New Jersey.
Robbie Supports Toll Road Abomination!
Rob Andrews is now disliked in the Camden County area for his staunch support of the Toll Road scheme!
Residents here feel that he sold out the citizens for a chance at a Senate seat. It seems to have been planned for some time that Andrews would take over Frank Lautenberg's spot. Frank knows what is going on.
Go Frank, stop that twit from taking your seat!
Go Andrews, go Andrews!
About time NJ Democratic Party got into primary mode. Go Andrews!
I heard that Tom Wilson has been e-mailing around to find out if there is any support for Andrews.
Go Andrews, go Andrews!