April 2, 2008 - 6:27pm
Andrews statement announcing his candidacy for Senate; Lautenberg response
By EditorRob Andrews' statement announcing his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate:
2008 is a year of great change in American politics. Millions of new voters have chosen to enter the political process as a means to make our country better.
As New Jersey elects a United States Senator this year, people from all over the state have expressed the desire to have real choices based on a positive, substantive campaign.
Today’s newspapers carry stories of "threats of retribution" against citizens who wish to engage in such a campaign. It is time that someone stood up to this kind of politics and stood for positive change in our country. We need to bring our troops home from Iraq’s civil war, fix our broken economy, and bring people of all backgrounds together in the great common cause of making our country better.
Accordingly, after consulting with family, friends, supporters and people from all points of view, I have decided that I will place my name and my credentials before the people of New Jersey to serve as their new United States Senator. The people of New Jersey deserve to choose their Senator. With respect for Senator Lautenberg and his public service I will offer them that choice in this historic year of change.
Brendan Gill, Lautenberg's campaign manager, issued a statement responding to Andrews' announcement:
"This primary election will be a unique opportunity for Democrats to make a clear choice: whether to choose Senator Lautenberg, who has consistently stood up to George Bush, or Congressman Andrews, who helped write Bush's resolution to go to war with Iraq. Senator Lautenberg looks forward to having a conversation with New Jersey voters about his record of recent accomplishments, such as strengthening homeland security funding for New Jersey, saving affordable health care for thousands of children in our state and stopping Big Oil from drilling off the Jersey shore. The people of New Jersey consistently support Frank Lautenberg because he stands up for them and makes a real difference in their lives."
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Quote of the Day
July 23, 2008
"A 'citizen soldier' is a member of the (New Jersey) National Guard who leaves his or her family to fight for our freedoms in Iraq or Afghanistan. Not a radical, liberal blogger who spews angry partisan tirades from the safety of their home computer. There is no defensible comparison." -- GOP congressional candidate Chris Myers, on Democrat John Adler's reference to bloggers as citizen soldiers.
-Asbury Park Press, 07/23/08
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In the News
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Nice!
I'm a huge Andrews fan...happy to see him get back in the statewide game.
Frank has had a good run....but its time to hang it up. We don't need a Strom Thurmond, Robert Byrd type of Senator hanging around.
Very Interesting
Rob is positioning himself as a change candidate, but how will he defend his war vote or the terrible first 18 months for the Democratic House in the general?
That being said on a personal level I like Rob and Adubato is a great guy.
Maybe I'm Naive
I'm sorry, maybe I'm naive and this isn't even my Party, and Lord knows, we have enough problems in my own Party, but someone has to tell me how someone who has been in Washington for TWENTY YEARS, runs for office on a platform of change???
Frank's Response to Andrews?
Andrews is Bush, and "Bush Lied, Kids Died!"
running scared
Lautenberg is scared, or else he wouldn't have gone negative right off the bat.
Andrews was concilatory, Frank was a bit nasty there.
And we thought the GOP race was going to be the big show!
Let the fun begin.
Can Andrews do it?
He's quick and sharp - but is he ready for the rough and tumble of a real race? Lautenberg is an old warhorse with a checkbook. But what will a Lautenberg/Andrews debate do to his numbers?
Orange County Peace and Justice
I hear Orange County Peace and Justice is going to protest this Fascist!
Democrats in a fight of their lives.
About time, the Democratic Party came alive. Let's see all these alliances, unions, agreements, coalitions form and reform. Forget the GOP mess. This is the real game.
Hope for Andrews
Rob Andrews is a talented, thoughtful congressman who decided that he wasn't going to wait for a massive primary fight in 2014 and instead buck the N.J. Democratic traditional way of "waiting out" one's turn for a national or statewide seat. His bid is a rebellious one against the party establishment on one level, but he is also almost universally well-admired -- and he's well-funded.
Lautenberg has served the state well for decades, but the time for some new Democratic blood is now, not later. Truth be told, we'd be privileged as a state to have either Andrews or Lautenberg as U.S. senator, but Andrews' policy knowledge, his strength on the economy and middle-class issues, and his incredible record on environmental issues (Delaware River dredging, global warming) makes him a superior candidate.
I encourage other Democrats to unite behind Andrews in his bid for U.S. senate.
I guess...
Senator Lautenberg forgot that he was for the war before he was against it (ala John Kerry),,,,
Andrews
I have Two Words for Andrews, Who I know so well and Martin 123246978952475665656
And it's not Happy Birthday...................
I've got my popcorn
Finally!
It's about time state Dems actually had a real primary election for once...
Right now I'd say it's a pretty even game right now, although Senator Skeletor loses a point for going negative already. Is that all they know?
Rob Andrews = change???
Dear Rob,
You have been in office for 20 years!!! The only change you know is helping George Bush push this country to war when you voted to invade Iraq.
Why not?
Maybe Andrews feels that he's accomplished all he can in the House, and it is time to take on a new challenge. Life in south Jersey and Camden County must feel crowded without Norcross.
I like Andrews, and will vote for him in the Primary. If he doesn't beat the odds against him, he has plenty of great options before him.