April 7, 2008 - 5:25pm
Lautenberg hits Andrews on wife's interim candidacy
By Matt FriedmanIncumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg isn’t happy that Camille Andrews has been selected to fill the ballot spot that her husband, Rep. Rob Andrews, is vacating to run a primary against Lautenberg.
“This doesn't pass the smell test -- at all,” said Lautenberg Campaign Manager Brendan Gill in a statement. “New Jersey needs a Senator who will fight on behalf of the people of this state everyday -- not someone who plays games with the voters to protect his local political boss, George Norcross. Like much of the Andrews campaign so far, this latest maneuver demonstrates the old school politics that the voters of New Jersey are sick and tired of."
Camille Andrews will hold the spot while South Jersey Democrats figure out who will replace Rob Andrews in the first congressional district. Whoever the Democrats select will likely have an easy time winning the general election in November, since the district is one of the most Democratic in the state.
Andrews's Chief-of-Staff, Bill Caruso, responded that Lautenberg ought to take a bigger role in his campaign.
"The last time I checked, Senator Lautenberg was running against Congressman Andrews, not his wife," said Caruso. "Its time for the Senator to stop hiding and attacking through his staff and have an open dialogue on the issues. The voters of New Jersey deserve no less."
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Camille is a GREAT candidate
There would be a legitimate gripe here if it weren't for the fact that Camille Andrews is a brilliant woman with a lot to offer this state. I am thrilled that she will be the candidate.
Love the Hypocrisy!
So lemme get this one right...Lautenberg participates in the 2002 Torch Handoff...and now he says THIS doesn't smell right???? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...that's funny.
Just two questions...
Who got who the job at Rutgers?
As a former student there, most new staff hires could barely speak english which made advanced statistics and mathematics a little more difficult than what it should have been.
How many jobs and incomes does this household have?
There's at least 2 jobs at Rutgers with pensions and benefits, one lawyer with his own private practice, one congressman with pension and benefits, one soon to be congresswoman with pensions and benefits. I am quite impressed that one man can hold three jobs at the same time while his wife holds two. And these are the jobs I know of.
ummm... if I remember
ummm... if I remember correctly being a congressman/woman is considered public service. Yes I understand there is a salary that goes along with it, but its not exactly the least noble thing a person can do.
Frank comes out swinging.
But, is it too late for swinging and being outraged about the Democratic machine? Oops! Frank is part of the Democratic machine. That's the first time I have seen the politician swinging at himself. Is he stupid or what?
I'm sure Camille Andrews is
I'm sure Camille Andrews is a wonderful person who is as qualified as most to be in the House but goodness gracious, have the Andrews people been paying attention to NJ politics for the past five years? Why you would hand your opponent a hammer like that right out of the gate I have no earthly idea.
Wow Frank
To say you are against the "old ways" is an attack against yourself. You have been apart of "old politics" since the 1970s! I said it once, and I'll say it again...you are sound like Rove, Dowd, Cheny, and Bush. Negativity does not win elections. New Jerseyans want to know why you should be re-elected to a position?
You haven't once really quantified your position.
FRANK COME'S OUT SWINGING????
DON'T YOU MEAN FRANK COMES OUT DROOLING? The guy is just too old! The fact is, Frank was in politics when Andrews was in diapers. Now Andrew's in politics and Frank is in diapers!!!
NJDem101
I've seen it all now, you are both a DOPE and IDIOT but then again he was useless as a Congressman and so will she – what MORONS are in this Congressional district to have such GARBAGE representing them no wonder he has done NOTHING since first being elected.
Actually
Actually, I am not from that district but I know and respect Camille. Maybe if I EMPHASIZE my words by using CAPS I can make a POINT.
bottom line
No matter how capable she is, no matter how wonderful of a congressperson she could be, she is simply a placeholder candidate. That is sleazy, backroom politics at its worse. If Rob loses (When Rob loses) to Frank Lautenberg-it will be no surprise to me when she announces that she has dropped out and the Committee has selected Andrews himself to fill the vacancy-this is a cheap, obvious Norcross trick. Its disgusting