A cheer for my NJ senator!

[ProSense]

05/12/06 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom
Lautenberg will run again in 2008
BY RAJU CHEBIUM
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON -- Frank Lautenberg says he's got the energy, enthusiasm and experience for a fifth U.S. Senate term, and says he'll run in 2008, at age 84.

The Paterson native and World War II veteran said he hated retirement when he tried it before. He says he can't imagine not having an office to go to, a busy schedule to keep, and politics and policy to shape. Besides, he says, he has unfinished business - protecting New Jersey from future terrorists, continuing to improve the health of children and the environment, and expanding the nation's transportation network.

"I am not at all reluctant to take on another term. I still go skiing. I don't jog any more, but I walk a lot of places at a very fast pace; jogging is bad for your knees. So the energy level is good," New Jersey's senior senator told Gannett News Service, adding that his doctor pronounced him in excellent health during a routine physical Wednesday. "There is plenty of vigor and spice in this guy."

Democrats who've most openly expressed interest in serving in the Senate -- Rep. Rob Andrews, D-Haddon Heights, Rep. Steve Rothman, D-Fair Lawn, and Rep. Frank Pallone, D-Long Branch -- say they won't run if Lautenberg runs again. It's unlikely any other Democrat would have the stature to knock out Lautenberg, political observers say, giving the incumbent a strong shot at keeping his seat in a majority-Democratic state.

Snip...

Lautenberg earned media prominence this year by blocking an Arab company's bid to take over some cargo-terminal operations in Newark, New York, Philadelphia and three other U.S. ports. He has remained one of the GOP's most vocal critics since he returned four years ago; he nabbed headlines in 2004 by ridiculing Vice President Cheney as a "chickenhawk" for belittling Democratic challenger John Kerry's Vietnam War record.

more...

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060512/UPDATES01/605120378/1005/NEWS01

[globalvillage]

1. Wow.

He doesn't seem that old.

I hope that says more about him than about me.

[karynnj]

2. I LOVE Lautenberg!!!

He does seem to have had more fun in a bad Senate than anyone. I think he and the older gentleman were absolutely incredible when he spoke against Bush's Social Security plans.

[MonteLukast]

3. I can't resist a guy who...

...works a tough job and LOVES it. :D

[WildEyedLiberal]

4. "I don't jog anymore, but I walk at a very fast pace"

:rofl:

TOO CUTE!

Go Lautenberg! Give 'em hell till you're 100! (And maybe beyond!)

[ProSense]

9. Sound's like a headline!

Lautenberg, 82, doesn't jog, but he's raring to run again
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060513/NEWS/605130397/1001/rss


LOL!

[wisteria]

5. He is not one of my Senators, but I wish he was. I just love this guy. n/t

[TayTay]

6. I agree. He is a sweetie!

I wish the Dems had more just like him. He is 84 years young and going strong. What a role model!

[sandnsea]

7. 84! Wow!!

I wish I were that spry at my age! I'm glad to hear he's running again, he's definitely seems to be one of the good guys.

But, uhm, something is clearly wrong with that article. We all know the smear boaters were never challenged, it couldn't be possible that Lautenberg called Cheney a chickenhawk over JK's war record. hehe.

Maybe we need to hire that researcher!

[_dynamicdems]

8. He's awesome! I didn't know he was 84.

Good for him. He's a terrific senator. Certainly a fighting Dem...even at 84.

[Inuca]

10. Glad to hear it!

I voted for him last time, will no longer be able to do so since I moved out of NJ, but I am very glad to hear he will run again, he seems to be very active and effective (and I do not mean "for his age").

[jenndar]

11. Oh, I'm so happy!

I'm already crushed about Leahy. This is great news.