The Pride and The Passion – Rob Andrews Takes The Plunge In A Democratic Party Battle
“This is a David Vs. Goliath race and the country is ready for some Goliath’s.”
This is the quote from Congressman Rob Andrews to me in a phone conversation. Andrews stunned the political world by announcing that he will challenge fellow Democrat Frank Lautenberg in the June Primary. The surprise was that Andrews, one of the most powerful Congressmen in the Northeast, would challenge Lautenberg who is a veteran of the Senate and has the ability to finance his own campaign.
SOURCES TELL US THAT ANDREWS ALREADY HAS THE SUPPORT OF A NUMBER OF COUNTY CHAIRPERSONS, AND WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM RAISING THE MONEY FOR AN EXPENSIVE RACE, JUST TWO MONTHS AWAY.
The Andrews strategy is interesting. He could force Lautenberg into retirement. Lautenberg may not want the aggravation of a contested primary. But Andrews also knows that it will be a light turnout primary. After all, New Jersey decided to be part of Super Tuesday in February, so there is no incentive for voters to come out on a warm day in early June.
Lautenberg’s financial coattails are powerful. But Andrews will assert that it is time for new blood in the Senate. And in a year when people are looking for “change”, he may feel that this contest is worth the risk.
What will Governor Corzine do? Officially he’s backing the incumbent, but he won’t play a major role. Corzine has his own political challenges and he will stay on the sidelines.
This will be one of the most fascinating races in the country, not as exciting as Obama-Clinton, but worth watching. It will be expensive and not exactly cordial, unless of course, the venerable Frank Lautenberg thinks its time to walk away.
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