Lautenberg declines to attend FDU debate

I'll believe it when I see it.

State Senator Smith called on Frank to “come out of the cave.” I think that residing in a cave in New York must have adverse effect on Frank's debating ability. I suggest that Frank moves to a New Jersey cave, preferably in Ramapo Mountains. The fresh air and mountainous views might refresh his memory.

"There will be debates,” she said.

Sure.....just not including Lautenberg.

Such a weak move from a weak man.

Hey maybe FL just doesn't feel comfortable debating in certain places. So cut him some slack! After all he is a senior citizen and we should treat elders nicely.

Maybe he would take the challenge if it were in Manhattan or the Hudson County Dem Machine's laps.

Lautenberg for NY SENATE!

That he dared challenge you?

He is a nightmare when it comes to public speaking...Andrews should start showing up at Lautenberg's events and debate him on the spot.

First, Lautenberg refused to debate Andrews at Richard Stockton College, then he refused to meet jointly with Andrews with the Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board, and now he refuses any debate with Andrews at Farleigh-Dickinson. Lautenberg is doing the voters of New Jersey a disservice by refusing to face the public in a series of debates with Andrews; the process is not a coronation, senator, and you need to prove in a public forum why you're deserving of reelection.

What issues will they debate? What issues do they disagree on...other than Andrews blind support for Bush?

Clearly, you know a little bit more about Andrews than I do. You're prob right about him and his lack of ability to act independently of Norcross.

But that's not the point here. In today's political arena, it is pretty much expected that when a major statewide candidate is challenged to a debate, he needs to repsond. Not seven of them, that's ridiculous; but at least one. AT LEAST.

I just wish Lautenberg had as much vigor and fight in him as you do. If he doesn't, he probably shouldn't be our representative in the Senate.

Is Andrews a lapdog? Probably. Is there any rule that they HAVE to debate? NO. But, c'mon. It's VERY VERY small of Lautenberg, a seasoned pro at this game, to punk and run, hoping the clock runs out until the primary.

Have been a hughe FL fan since the early days. He has been a strong voice for NJ for decades. His authoriship and early lead on the smoking ban, his transportaion expertise, and his work on the Homeland Security Committee, his leadership on the Dubai ports debacle (to name just a few) has always impressed me. He would be my candidate regardless of Andrews success. FL has been an unbossed, and progressive leader for NJ, Andrews cannot say the same on either count. Hence, I would support the strong progressive campiagn. The FL campiagn has said that debates will happen. I am sure that they will, however Andrews strategy backfired. FL will debate him, but now Andrews has built up these debates as something of a David vs. Goliath moment. Andrews will be frustrated and trigger happy and FL will be in control. Andrews wanted to set the tone and tempo of this debate and Frank wont let him-what is wrong with that. Andrews candidacy does not mean that Frank doesnt have a right to try and frame this campaign as well. Andrews making a big fuss over the refusals to a few of the invitations is just more press jockying. FL's campiagn has said that there will be debates. I am certain that it happens. Lautenberg has not refused to debate him, just declined two of ten invites-there is a big difference. As far as Rob goes saying YES to every invite does not put him on the high road. Rob wants to be Gov in 09 so he needs these debates for name ID not to highlight his differences with Frank Lautenberg. Rob's pulling a stunt and Frank isnt letting him get away with it. That is fair game in politics.

... at the very end of the primary period (probably the last week) in order to avoid Andrews using his mental and verbal incontinence against him with several weeks left in the campaign. If FL debates this week, he gives Andrews enough time to use his expectedly weak performance against him -- specifically, proof on the video tape that the age issue is not just an abstract concept but a dismal reality that will turn voters against him. FL can likely withstand a poor debate showing late in the game.  His handlers know this and will postpone until as late as possible. 

Regardless of what FL has done in his career, he is afraid to stand toe to toe with his opponent because he knows he's a tired old man who -- to use Frank's own description of 72 year old Millicent Fenwick -- now constitutes a "national monument" rather than a vigorous representative of the people of NJ. This is not the kind of narco-leadership NJ deserves.

Just click on the link...then read, then think.

If any Andrews supprters care to take a crack at answering the questions, that would be great too! :-)

http://www.politickernj.com/max/19464/andrews-complains-about-lack-debat...

From Frederick Douglass

If there is no struggle there is no progress......Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.