NJ Legislators Split As Wall Street Bail Out Fails

WASHINGTON, D.C.—New Jersey congressmen split 7-6 in voting against the $700 billion Wall Street bail out plan proposed by the Bush administration in the wake of a nationwide mortgage crisis, which triggered bank failures and a diminutive stock market crash Monday.

Democrats Donald Payne, Steve Rothman and Bill Pascrell voted against the $700 billion proposal along with Republicans Rodney Frelinghuysen, Scott Garrett, Frank LoBiondo and Chris Smith.

Republicans Mike Ferguson and James Saxton joined Democrats Rush Holt, Albio Sires, Frank Pallone and Rob Andrews in voting for the financial bailout package that had been negotiated by the White House and a bipartisan group of elected and appointed officials.

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It IS Back To The House For Andrews

By Michael M. Shapiro

On June 5, I wrote a column about the stinging double-digit defeat Congressman Andrews suffered at the hands of Senator Frank Lautenberg in the June Democratic Primary and asked, “Is it back to the House for Andrews?”

Andrews himself steadfastly denied that he would ever return to the House, as did his wife, Camille, who sat on the line for the seat in the June primary. However, this past week, Mr. Andrews reversed course and announced that he would retake the Democratic line from his wife and run in November for re-election to his Congressional seat.

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Is It Back to the House for Andrews?

By Michael M. Shapiro

Watching the campaign of Rob Andrews for the United States Senate has been difficult. Congressman Andrews is an intelligent and thoughtful official who has a keen interest in public policy. By most accounts, he was next in line to run for the Senate when Senator Lautenberg retires in 2014 or for governor if Governor Corzine decides not to run for re-election in 2009. However, it appears that his impatience and the threat that possibly one of his colleagues might run in 2009 or 2014 encouraged him to get involved this time around. He could have orchestrated a positive issue-based campaign, thereby creating an aura of inevitability for a future run. Or he could have chosen the path he did follow: a harshly negative campaign in which a major loss means political oblivion. Or does it?

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Lautenberg Tops Andrews

STATE – Four-term Sen. Frank Lautenberg easily defeated Rep. Rob Andrews to win the Democratic Party nomination to run for one of the state’s seats in the U.S. Senate. Lautenberg will face former Republican Congressman Dick Zimmer in the November general election.

Lautenberg, 84, is heavily favored in the general election. New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the Senate in 36 years.

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The Debate Over Debates

By Michael M. Shapiro

Congressman Rob Andrews, who is challenging Senator Frank Lautenberg in the Democratic Primary for the United States Senate in New Jersey, has demanded that Senator Lautenberg debate him seven times before the June Primary. Senator Lautenberg has accepted two debate invitations and declined all others, but has indicated he may agree to additional debates with Congressman Andrews before the Primary. Julie Roginsky, Mr. Lautenberg’s campaign spokesperson, has said that the Senator is maintaining a full Senate schedule, which precludes him from participating in many debates. Are both Congressman Andrews and Senator Lautenberg playing politics?

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Primary Choices Are Good For Democracy

Citizens only have real power over party bosses when serious candidates seek party nominations in primary elections, where voters and not power brokers get to decide who is going to hold public office.

The marathon competition for the presidency being waged by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is one example how things get done in a democracy.

This June, Democrats will face a host of choices that really test whether the party is ready to end “politics as usual” and elect new leaders who will make real changes for New Jersey.

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