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Lautenberg's Vunerability in NJ Senate Race against Forrester
World Magazine, page 11 | Oct. 12, 2002 | Joel C. Rosenberg

Posted on 10/14/2002 12:22:42 PM PDT by WomanofStandard

From the FLASHTRAFFIC, Political Buzz From Washington

By Joel C. Rosenberg

With a war against Iraq looming, Mr. Forrester's apparent new oppontent may be vulnerable to the charge that he's weak on national security. In 1991, then-Sen. Lautenberg voted against authorizing military force aainst Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War. He predicted "tens of thousands of American casulties" and a new U.S. draft, and he warned the U.S. could end up destroying Kuwait in the process of trying to liberate it. That same year, he backed an amendment that would have cut defense spending by $80 billion. Mr. Lautenberg's record also includes voting for the Intelligence Oversight Act of 1988 to restrict the conduct of foreign covert operations, and voting in 1992 to cut the U.S. intelligence budget by $1 billion.

Mr. Lautenberg is also vulnerable to the charge he's soft on terrorism. In 1989, for example, the Senate approved 79-20 a bill to impose the death penalty on terrorists convicted of killing U.S. citizens in foreign countries. Mr. Lautenberg was one of the 20 opponents. Less than a year and a half later, he worked to try to repeal it.

Mr. Lautenberg may also face resistance among middle class families for his tax record. The Garden State is one of the most heavily taxed in the country. Mr. Forrester will be able to point to Mr. Lautenberg's voting 12 times against marriage tax relief. He voted for the Clinton tax increase in 1993, and publicly opposed he Bush tax cuts last year. It's a tough record to run on, and there's little time to make his case.


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: forrester; lautenberg; nj; senateelection
I live in NYC and see all the Forrester vs. Lautenberg ads on TV and listen to 77 WABC Talk Radio and I have to admit I have not heard any of these issues brought up by Forrester's campaign. Think there's any chance Forrester's people will have the brains to publicize Lautenberg's record on these issues?
1 posted on 10/14/2002 12:22:42 PM PDT by WomanofStandard
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To: WomanofStandard
Think there's any chance Forrester's people will have the brains to publicize Lautenberg's record on these issues?

Wot, and risk being called 'divisive'?

2 posted on 10/14/2002 12:28:05 PM PDT by Grut
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To: WomanofStandard
Here are a couple of good links, thanks.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/763051/posts

http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/editorial/59509.htm
3 posted on 10/14/2002 1:28:09 PM PDT by Coleus
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To: WomanofStandard
I would like someone to ask Frankie Mothballs: What did you ACCOMPLISH for the PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY in the 18 years that you occupied the seat?

It would be interesting to see how long it took him to come up with anything coherent.

4 posted on 10/14/2002 1:30:36 PM PDT by Ed_in_NJ
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To: Ed_in_NJ
Everyone should start broadcasting democratic party plans for Lautenberg to resign as soon as he's elected and have the Democratic governor of New Jersey APPOINT Torricelli to serve in his place. Remember Lautenberg doesn't WANT to be a senator.
5 posted on 10/14/2002 2:38:39 PM PDT by Naspino
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To: WomanofStandard
"Think there's any chance Forrester's people will have the brains to publicize Lautenberg's record on these issues?"

I doubt it!
6 posted on 10/14/2002 2:53:59 PM PDT by leprechaun9
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To: Coleus
God bless the New York Post!
7 posted on 10/14/2002 4:13:14 PM PDT by StarFan
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To: leprechaun9
I have the same feeling, well we will find out next week when the mailers start; hopefully, we will be surprised.
8 posted on 10/14/2002 7:33:40 PM PDT by Coleus
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To: Naspino
"Everyone should start broadcasting democratic party plans for Lautenberg to resign as soon as he's elected and have the Democratic governor of New Jersey APPOINT Torricelli to serve in his place. Remember Lautenberg doesn't WANT to be a senator"

On Hannity tonight, Dick Morris said if Lautenberg won, then quit, McGreevey would appoint HIMSELF to finish the term! EEUUUUU!

9 posted on 10/14/2002 7:40:19 PM PDT by Exit148
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To: WomanofStandard
Doug---CALL HOWARD!!!

Doug---CALL HOWARD!!!

Doug---CALL HOWARD!!!

Doug---CALL HOWARD!!!

Doug---CALL HOWARD!!!

Doug---CALL HOWARD!!!

Doug---CALL HOWARD!!!

Doug---CALL HOWARD!!!

10 posted on 10/15/2002 6:41:48 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: PJ-Comix
To those who wonder if Forrester's people are going to use Lautenberg's wimpy national security and horrible tax record against him, go to his web site at http://www.forrester2002.com/ and check out the recent releases on Forrester's comments.

Start with the release from October 7, the night that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the GOP appeal of the NJ Supreme Court ruling. Forrester had a rally in Monmouth County and gave a stump speech that laid out EXACTLY the case you all want him to make -- that, in a few words, returning Frank Lautenberg to the U.S. Senate would be dangerous for New Jersey.

Start here, with this link:

http://www.forrester2002.com/news/display_release.cfm?ID=184

Then you can go to:

http://www.forrester2002.com/news/display_release.cfm?ID=188

and then follow that up with:

http://www.forrester2002.com/news/display_release.cfm?ID=189

and:

http://www.forrester2002.com/news/display_release.cfm?ID=193

Those communications products all went out last week. Forrester has kept up the pressure on Lautenberg -- yesterday, he campaigned in Ridgewood with John McCain and once again focused on Lautenberg's weak record on national security.

See this article in today's Bergen Record:

http://www.forrester2002.com/news/display_article.cfm?ID=557

11 posted on 10/16/2002 2:16:19 PM PDT by Son of Soprano
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To: Naspino
Everyone should start broadcasting democratic party plans for Lautenberg to resign as soon as he's elected and have the Democratic governor of New Jersey APPOINT Torricelli to serve in his place. Remember Lautenberg doesn't WANT to be a senator.

You are correct. Forrester should point out, repeatedly, that he will complete the term for which he is elected. Even if Lautenberg makes a similar promise who would believe him?

12 posted on 10/19/2002 9:49:32 AM PDT by John Galt's cousin
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To: WomanofStandard
It's a tough record to run on

He ran, and won with it 3 times in the past.

13 posted on 10/19/2002 10:25:13 AM PDT by monkeyshine
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To: Son of Soprano
Great info! Thanks so much. We need to see a lot of TV ads though. Most dem voters get all their "impressions" and "info" on the canidates via the boob tube. The only ad I've seen for Forrester thus far is one of Tom Kean endorsing him. The other side already has attack ads out attacking his anit-gun law stance. (Like more gun laws would help when they don't even enforce the ton of gun laws already on the books!) Forrester has to get his boxing gloves on and fight on the TV campaign!
14 posted on 10/19/2002 9:46:57 PM PDT by WomanofStandard
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To: John Galt's cousin
You are correct. Forrester should point out, repeatedly, that he will complete the term for which he is elected. Even if Lautenberg makes a similar promise who would believe him?

Yes! This would be a good thing to do AND I think he should do an add which features ads or portions of commericals from Lautenberg's first campaign when he, as a young man running for office, waged a vicious campaign against the encumbant at the time who was a 72yr. old woman. (Her name escapes me right now!) The main thrust of his campaign against her was that she was TOO OLD to serve as senator. That would be a great approach I think since Lautenberg has already resigned and indicated he is not interested in serving any longer, previous to the DemLords drafting him for this assignment AND because he is now 78 yrs. old himself. I am NOT saying that Forrester should ever say Lautenberg is too old at all, but rather, imply or say outrightly how hypocritical the man is.

15 posted on 10/19/2002 9:54:26 PM PDT by WomanofStandard
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