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Poll: Key Senate Dem Incumbent Is Safe
National Democrats can breathe a bit easier regarding the New Jersey Senate race, with a a new poll showing that they probably won't have to worry about a primary challenge becoming too divisive.
The new poll by Rasmussen finds Lautenberg with 49% in the Democratic primary, way ahead of Rep. Rob Andrews at 19%, and Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello with seven percent.
A lot of hype has been generated in New Jersey about Andrews' challenge against Lautenberg, whose age and often-lackluster ratings made him seem vulnerable. But Lautenberg might not have had much trouble, after all, once a campaign actually got going.
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Comments (10)
Clearly it is a good year to be a Democrat running for reelection, even if you are 100 years old and have no major accomplishments under your belt. (except for making the drinking age 21, thanks alot.)
May 20, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Andrews' commercials have been pretty nasty recently. I guess he saw the numbers and felt he had to go on the attack.
It was actaully shocking to see some of them against Lautenberg.
May 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Say "G'night," Repub Menace To Society!
May 20, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good old Frank.
One of the great moments of poetic justice in American politics was the loathsome Torricelli being replaced by Lautenberg.
May Frank win at least another two terms.
May 20, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Look, I'm from NJ and don't really follow local politics too closely, but Lautenberg's TV ads - linking Andrews with Bush on Iraq authorization - pretty much cemented my vote for him. So goes the power of television...
May 20, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good for Frank - he's an honest, strong willed guy who's had the guts to speak up in congress when others were silent.
Look - the election is coming to a close - we Democrats need to unite. Obama is going to be the leader - but we need the support of Hillary's people to do this right.
I'm sending out an open call for all democrats and progressives to stand together in this election and finally beat back McCain and the GOP into the irrelevancy they deserve. These guys have done enough harm for a lifetime.
May 20, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree with your last paragraph, which is why I whole-heartily and vehemently disagree with the last sentence in your second paragraph.
Obama will be our parties nominee, and is the stronger candidate against McCain.
May 20, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Still not safe without a solid over 50% number, but the spread is encouraging.
May 20, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
As someone who lives in N.J. and in Rob Andrews' congressional district, I passionately urge fellow Dems and independents to support this smart, talented, capable person for senate over Lautenberg. Andrews is highly responsive to the needs of the South Jersey community and would bring that repertoire to the entire state. He has a perfect record on the environment and has been barnstorming the entire state for this campaign. We would be well served with him as our senator.
May 20, 2008 2:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Typical South Jersey provincialism.
Andrews may be good on the environmnent (I don't know), but name one issue on which he isn't equal to Lautenberg or else to his right. His war vote should be an automatic disqualifier, and, hearteningly, it looks like it will be.
I actually wish Lautenberg had retired and let Rush Holt step in; he'd be a great senator. But the old guy has some fight left in him, and he's never kowtowed to the Republicans, from Reagan through Bush the Lesser.
May 20, 2008 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink