April 16, 2008 - 10:30am
Andrews needles Lautenberg on debates
By Max Pizarro
Tags: Frank Lautenberg, Rob Andrews
U.S. Rep. Rob AndrewsFollowing his receipt of invitations to participate in candidates’ forums, U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews today stepped up his call on Sen. Frank Lautenberg to accept the congressman’s debate challenge.
"The senator has said he’d be willing to have debates if they were sponsored by legitimate organizations, and we’ve received nine offers of debates from legitimate organizations," Andrews said this morning in a conference call with reporters.
He listed the organizations: the Associated Press, the Bergen Record, New Jersey101.5, NJN News, the Philadelphia Inquirer and NBC 10, the Press of Atlantic City, Telemundo, WOR TV, and 1210 radio.
After mentioning the name of each organization offering an invitation, Andrews said, "we accept."
The congressman last week challenged Lautenberg to seven debates and the senator’s campaign subsequently said they would hammer out details with Andrews’s people.
"I think seven is a minimum," said the congressman. "Twenty-six years ago, when Sen. Lautenberg was running against Congresswoman Fenwick, the senator said five times was not enough. He was right then, and that's the right view now."
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Bring on the debates
Debates would be great. It'll give us a chance to see Lautenberg awake. But seriously debates are clearly the way to go. Voters can make a more informed decision as a result.
Come on Senator Lautenberg. Accept the challenge.
Lautenberg needs to step up
He needs to finally show people that he has some substance. For years he's been invisible and when he does speak out on something it's incoherent. He needs to take the debate challenge and try to prove himself to the people who elected him that he's still able to perform. If he doesn't debate, where's his public service? If he does debate and remains incoherent, what's the point of re-electing him?
Of course, maybe he could accept the debate challenge and get one of the congressmen who are backing him to stand in. That's the way he's been doing things all along anyway so why switch in mid-stream?
May Debates
The only people who listen to and watch Senate Primary debates in May are people who have already made up their minds as to who they're going to vote for.
Even if Andrews outperforms Senator Prune Juice in these debates, it really won't amount to much.
"Political correctness is tyranny with manners." - Charlton Heston
I must respectfully disagree, Dino.
If the good senator comes off as a doddering, incoherent fool who spits over his baby food, the race is over.
If he can exceed those expectations, then the debates will be a non-factor.
Of Course
Oh course Latuenberg doesn't want to debate, it will show one thing, why Andrews should be our Senator. I give Frank a lot of credit and he has done good things in Washington for our state, but its time to move on and time for new leadership.
Doesn't everyone remember...
this was all decided for us in Frank Lautenberg's dining room (I wasn't invited). We are supposed to vote for FL, and then they will decide for us later who we are supposed to vote for. Does anyone know if the party of five decided what time of day I am supposed to go vote for Lautenberg, or is that up to me?
Debates
When is Andrews wife going to debate the Republican in the 1st District ?
How does the press allow the Andrews family to get away with this?
Word is bond.
No one decides who runs for any office. However, there are people who tell the truth to their colleagues....and then there are those who don't. If you can't tell the truth to the people you were elected to serve with then....If Andrews wanted to run, then run. No one would have given a rat's ass. Who trusts him now?
Debates
If Frank can get by with his prune juice, metamucil and take off his bathrobe long enough, maybe he will debate Rob Andrews. Oh, wait a minute, that would constitute him talking in depth about issues that truly affect folks, instead of showing up, shaking hands and saying, I was there when Lincoln gave his Emancipation Proclamation Speech. See, that's me in the Union Army uniform in the back, battle of Antitem and all, you know.
Stop being a hypocrite and live up to the same standards that you held Mrs. Fenwick to when you first ran Senator. We appreciate your service, but after the first time, you were a stand-in. Time to let go and enjoy your second retirement.
It's starting to get like Brett Favre and Roger Clemens.
The Honorable Aaron Burr, Vice President of the United States
Karma
Always good to see when someone finally reaps what they've sown.
Rest in peace Congresswoman Fenwick. I can only hope you have a good view from the great beyond of Senator Somnambulance twisting in the wind as his age haunts him at every turn.
What's that you say, Senator? National monuments don't have to actually prove they can still process thought with some semblance of logic and intellectual continence. Oh, how your tune has changed over time.
Rob
Why don't you tie one arm behind your back and put a glove on, you might have a better chance...yadi,yadi,yada. I've learned a lot around those over 75 and 80's still at it. Work for him Rob Joe Di Medio
Rob
I sense frustration in Rob because Frank isnt taking his bait. Why would Frank debate Rob 7, 8, 9 times. I'm sure their will be appropriate debates, but why give Rob time in the papers, on radio, tv when Frank has name recognition and Rob doesnt. Rob overestimated himself here, bit off more than he could chew.
Bring it, Lautenberg!
I mean, come on, already!! At least one or two!