In case you forgot about it -- there's a U.S. Senate race next year too
By Wally EdgeSince Election Day ’07, politics in New Jersey has centered on the unexpected retirements of Republican Congressmen Jim Saxton and Mike Ferguson – with barely any mention of the race next year for the United States Senate. Frank Lautenberg, who turns 84 in January, is expected to seek re-election to a fifth term. The last time the name of Anne Evans Estabrook, one of the Republicans seeking to challenge Lautenberg, appeared in a daily newspaper was a brief mention by the Philadelphia Inquirer on November 8 – 22 days ago. Her rival for the GOP nod, Joseph Pennacchio, was mentioned in the Asbury Park Press on November 9, but in the context of his recent election to the State Senate.
Contributors
Wally Edge
David Crabiel, the longtime Middlesex County Freeholder who died today at age 78, ran for Congress twice, both times without success. His first ... >
Bob Torricelli
There's nothing more difficult to see than the history before your eyes. It sometimes takes generations to understand the significance of ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
OK, he didn't say precisely that, but when the Chairman of the Budget Committee informs us that governmental spending is the key to prosperity, ... >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here. >
Michael P. Riccards
The media, which loves headlines and knows little history, is trying to sell President Elect Obama as another Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But that ... >
Joey Novick
When I was eleven, way back in 1965, my family was invited for Thanksgiving to my cousins’ cousins, a Jewish-Italian family who lived in the ... >
Juan Melli
Last week's fight between Henry Waxman and John Dingell for chairmanship of the powerful House Energy and Commerce committee also featured a less ... >
Carla Katz
A couple of weeks ago, my mother, Angelina Katz, did her second debate on behalf of Barack Obama. A debate? My mother? If you knew her, you’d be ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
A rained out MusicFest this past September has provided Union County with $275,000 in insurance monies. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders ... >
Murray Sabrin
As New Jerseyans get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving the nation's economic outlook is indeed bleak, and there doesn't seem much to be ... >
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Quote of the Day
"Joe Ferriero never influenced me not to speak to Loretta. I would never be influenced in that kind of way." -- State Sen. Paul Sarlo, on his relationship with State Sen. Loretta Weinberg.
Recent Press Releases
- Dec 1 2008
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
James R. Lambert: Convicted Felon, Head of Authority― ONLY IN NEW JERSEY...AND PENNSYLVANIA
Why can't we find a role for Christie in Washington? ― MIKE KELLY
Christie Gives Notice, and G.O.P. Gains Hope ― DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI
Christie's legcy― THE BERGEN RECORD
Corzine for Treasury? Don't Bet on It.― WASHINGTON POST
Immigrants still in New Jersey― THE BERGEN RECORD
Syndicate
It;s anyone's race...
Anyone with a pair and the ability to raise money, or self-finance, can be the nominee. And who knows what 2008 will bring? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone to become a U.S. Senator?
Some Perspective
Perhaps part of that is Pennacchio and Estabrook's fault for not being more media hungry and aggressive, but certainly part of the lack of coverage is because this isn't billed as a top-tier race by any political analysts (Cook, Sabato, etc.); conversely, I don't imagine that, in Alabama, there are widespread media reports about who is running against Sen. Jeff Sessions on the Democratic side.
Sen. Lautenberg, on the other hand, with his recent farm bill amendment with Sen. Lugar and the Gunning Island protection funds he helped secure from the federal government, has been positioning himself for positive press coverage as of late and deservedly so.
wins in a walk
Its pretty crazy to me that the GOP couldn't recruit a top-flight challenger against Frank.
If Rudy is at the top of the ticket, they will have really missed an opportunity...Frank doesn't have the stomach for a tough campaign.
It may not be Photo-op Frank
If past events are to go by, the Democrats could switch somebody into the slot at ANY time.
Being a GOP candidate is risky enough without knowing who one would finally run against.
Touche!
You made me grin.
Lonegan vs. Lautenberg
The inevitable outcome notwithstanding, this match up would be the best pissng match since Pumkin spit in New Yorks' face on Flavor of Love. Let's get ready to rumble!!!
Steve v Photo-op
Would be a match with the results being worse than Jeff Bell's. Not to mention Steve's "hiring" of illegals for politcal campaign(minor) work.
Estabrook is the best bet for this
Last Republican elected statewide was a woman. She comes from outside of politis and has the money to run a competitive race.
No passion
Heard her talk and I would have fallen asleep accept it was a small crowd. Her many religious organizational activities are going to beg the Right to Life/Prochoice issue.
At least Christy had some minor governmental experience and look who she faced the General Elections.
does it matter?
Neither of these two challengers have the right stuff to win in New Jersey. Estabrook has no elected office experience and ticks off the enthusiastic activists by basically buying support within county organizations. Pennacchio is a back bencher at best whose voting record will never be accepted by the independents. I am not a fan of Lonegan at all but Xenu is right..it'd be a lot more fun to watch them go against one another..we need someone, anyone willing to be energetic against the old man.