Fifty days ago today, Star-Ledger reporters Josh Margolin and Deborah Howlett broke the story that “Frank Lautenberg's opposition to Gov. Jon Corzine's highway toll plan has opened a rift between the two men that could affect the senator's re-election bid.”

“Lautenberg's announcement was a surprise and led one senior Corzine aide tell top Democrats that the governor would retaliate by ceasing his fund-raising efforts for the senator's re-election campaign,” wrote Margolin and Howlett.

Corzine announced today that he was sticking with his endorsement of Lautenberg, despite the sudden candidacy of Rob Andrews, a ten-term Congressman from Camden County and a supporter of Corzine’s toll hike plan, in the primary. This raises an interesting question: during a critical time that Corzine is trying to sell his budget and toll plan, can Lautenberg (and his consultant, Corzine advisor Steve DeMicco) attack Andrews for supporting toll increases, even if his polling suggests it is an effective message?

Editor's Note: BlueJersey.com has a chart comparing Lautenberg and Andrews on several key issues.