Frank Lautenberg: Violating His Own Rules

FRANK LAUTENBERG: VIOLATING HIS OWN RULES
Lautenberg's Reluctance to Debate Contradicts His Stand in Previous Elections
Trying to Run Out the Clock and Deny Voters Debates They Deserve

When it comes to hypocrisy, Frank Lautenberg's in a league all by himself.

He can't even follow his own rules – we'll call them "The Lautenberg Rules" – on some of the elementary principles of a fair and open election.

Just consider his wildly contradictory position on debates.

In 1982, Lautenberg said that five debates were not enough and accused his Republican opponent, Millicent Fenwick, of "ducking" him because she would not debate him in each of the state's 21 counties. That's right, 21 debates.

Lautenberg complained that Fenwick had an "obligation" to meet him face-to-face so the voters could decide the race on the basis of issues. "She can't duck the debate schedule and penalize me like I was a naughty boy because I challenge her," he said in what now seems to have been in a spirit of righteous indignation.

How times have changed for Sen. Lautenberg.

Nearly a month ago, Rob Andrews challenged Lautenberg to meet him in a series of debates so New Jersey's Democratic voters could make an informed decision in the June 3 primary. Numerous news outlets and independent groups have agreed to sponsor them. You'd think the senator would jump at the invitation. But the Frank Lautenberg who once deemed debates so important is nowhere to be found.

Excuses? He's got them.

Now debates are an inconvenience. He can't fit them into his schedule. He's concerned about what the format might be. The voters don't really need them to make an educated decision. And, perhaps most ironic of all, Sen. Lautenberg said he didn't want to debate someone who had the audacity to run against him.

Frank Lautenberg finally agreed yesterday to one debate – on a Friday night, three days before the election and at the very start of the Memorial Day weekend, when thousands of New Jerseyans will be headed to the Shore.

"It appears that Frank Lautenberg has such low regard for the voters that he doesn't believe he owes them the chance to see him and Congressman Andrews face-to-face, at least a few times, so they can asses their views on the issues and vision for the future," said Mike Murphy, chairman of the Andrews for Senate campaign.

"This is an election, not a coronation," Murphy said. "Sen. Lautenberg has been in the Senate for a quarter-century and now he is asking voters to make it 30 years. Yet he won't tell them why they should vote for him. What is he afraid of?"