Ex-campaign manager says Andrews needs two North Jersey lines

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews’ campaign manager from his 1997 run for governor today said if Andrews were to challenge U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg he would need the line in two northern counties.

“In the gubernatorial campaign, we had the line in seven southern counties and Hudson, and it was just not quite enough,” said Pat Politano, reflecting on Andrews’s loss to Jim McGreevey.

Earlier in the day, party sources anticipated that Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferrerio would endorse Andrews. That could change.

But with three congressmen -- Donald Payne, Bill Pascrell and Albio Sires -- all on the Essex County ballot and committed to Lautenberg, the party machine in Essex is less likely to back the south Jersey congressman over the sitting Senator.

In 1997, then-Essex County Democratic Chairman Thomas Giblin gave the county line to McGreevey after first backing Andrews.

Today he said he doesn’t think Essex will go with Andrews even if Bergen gives him the line, and he does not believe Andrews will run.

“I think he is letting it be known that he has dibs on that seat after Lautenberg leaves," said Giblin, a Lautenberg-backer. "South Jersey has been responsible for key victories with Adler, Madden. Van Drew. Let’s face it, they feel they definitely need something in return.”

Senate President Richard Codey, a Lautenberg supporter, said now in budget season is not the time for an intra-party fight, and says as far he's concerned, there is not one going on in Essex at the moment - at least not over Lautenberg and Andrews.

Lautenberg could also bank on the support of Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who planned to issue a statement on Lautenberg's behalf today, and on the backing of Sen. Ronald Rice.

"I remember when I first ran for office in 1982," Rice said on Monday at the kick-off for Lautenberg in Trenton. "That was the same year Frank Lautenberg and Tom Kean first ran. And none of us was given a chance to win, though we all won.

"He's been effective and he always returns my phone cals," the senator added of Lautenberg. 

In Union County, Politano said Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union) is “keeping his powder dry” at the moment, while