Sen. Frank Lautenberg dead at 89

[Seeking Serenity]

Source: North Jersey.com

Sen. Frank Lautenberg died this morning of viral pneumonia at age 89, his office said.

The oldest member of the Senate, Lautenberg had struggled with health problems since late last year, when he missed several weeks of votes because of what he said was flu and bronchitis.

The death of Lautenberg, a Democrat who was the longest-serving senator in New Jersey history, creates a vacancy that Governor Christie, a Republican, will fill.

Lautenberg returned to Washington in February and announced he would not seek re-election in 2014, but hoped to complete a series of accomplishments before his term ended. He had a breakthrough last month on one of them, a bill to overhaul the law that regulates chemicals used in household products, when a bipartisan compromise bill was unveiled.

Read more: http://www.northjersey.com/news/national/US_Sen_Frank_Lautenberg_dies_at_xx.html

---

Gov. Chris Christie will appoint replacement.

[shawn703]

1. Link

http://www.northjersey.com/news/national/US_Sen_Frank_Lautenberg_dies_at_xx.html

[Seeking Serenity]

2. Thank you (n/t)

[mountain grammy]

3. My sympathies to the family

Now, the question is, seeing the obstruction of Republicans when NJ needed help after Sandy, who will Christie appoint?

[Seeking Serenity]

4. $20 says he appoints either a conservative Democrat

or a liberal Republican. and either one will royally upset the GOP.

[mountain grammy]

7. Hell, I'd pay $100 to see a "liberal Republican." No such animal exists on the planet.

[RC]

29. And anymore there are damn few Liberal Democrats in office.

[mountain grammy]

34. Sad but true.. but at least they're not batshit crazy and have some interest in governing.

[freshwest]

62. Hope you are correct!

[Mr. David]

5. Himself.

That's my latest guess.

He knows he is not going to win the governorship and he can delay his exit from politics until early Jan 2015. By then, neither party will want him around.

[Pab Sungenis]

6. He'll wait until after tomorrow's primary

so the tea party candidate doesn't automatically get the nomination.

[Mr. David]

10. If Christie has some respect, he'll wait till after Lautenberg's buried.

By Jewish law, he has to be buried within the next 48 hours.

Not sure how religious he is, it will be done either today or tomorrow.

My grandmother-in-law passed away one morning in Brooklyn, was buried the same day in New Jersey.

[mountain grammy]

9. No way, he likes being governor.

[Pab Sungenis]

14. But he wants to be President more.

By appointing himself to the Senate he'll increase his exposure nationwide. And if he sits out the 2014 election he can just convert his entire re-election warchest into a Presidential campaign fund and not risk getting hurt in an election.

[BumRushDaShow]

19. He already burned rethug bridges

He would never make it through a rethug primary nor would the RW lunatic media allow him to have any positive exposure that would endear him to his own party.

I suggested he might stick Tom Kean, Jr in there (former governor Tom Kean's son). Jr. is around the same age as Cory Booker and since we know Cory is running in 2014, it might be an interesting match-up from their perspective with Kean as an incumbent...

[7962]

30. I dont know about that, who the hell else are they gonna run?

You REALLY think Rand Paul or Paul Ryan or JEB! can win the whole thing? I dont.

[BumRushDaShow]

39. As long as the cowards allow the RW lunatic media to define who they are

they will continue to push the lunatic fringe candidates and will encourage previously sane members to join the loon parade. They are still in denial about who pulls their strings.

[mountain grammy]

23. I'm sure he thinks he's the only one who can really do the job,

but I would be shocked if he gave up the governorship. After all, he thinks the same thing about that job. Maybe he'll figure out a way to do both.. He's big enough for both jobs. Sorry, bad joke.

[BumRushDaShow]

45. He can have the bird in the hand (governorship)

by not trying to get 2 in the bush (Senator and President) and missing both in the long term.

I.e., re-elected as governor, he would be guaranteed a job until 2017, with an option to leave and run in 2016 if he wanted. But if he left the governorship now, he would have to re-run for the full term in 2014 and win it if he wanted to stay in the seat & spotlight through at least 2016, when he could run for President. And the 2014 attempt would be a rumble of mega proportions against Cory Booker that he could lose (rendering him idle for 2 years, and with Menendez not up until 2018, which may be why they keep throwing turds at Menendez to steal that seat).

[SheilaT]

46. If he wants to be President, he's better off remaining as Governor, because

historically when one candidate is a Governor and the other a Senator, the Governor wins. Every time, I think, but I haven't researched it too closely, just going on my memory of the past 10 or so election cycles.

[Beacool]

13. I disagree.

He'll win reelection handily. Unfortunately for Buono and the party, he's quite popular in the state.

[Kahuna]

18. Christie is polling over 60% for reelection. I don't know where you get

your facts from.

[premium]

31. I don't know where you get that he won't win re-election,

he's quite popular in NJ among Dems and Repubs.

http://www.salon.com/2013/06/03/dem_donors_give_big_to_chris_christie/

Buono has been consistently trailing Christie by at least 20 points, while Christie has enjoyed strong approval ratings, most recently in the 70 percent range, since Hurricane Sandy.

Christie is going to win re-election hands down.

[LaydeeBug]

35. Funny this.

and bullshit

[freshwest]

63. I thought he was very popular in N.J. since Sandy. What happened?

[Grins]

26. Sohail Mohammed!!!!

Just for the sheer fun of watching Reich-wing heads explode, he should appoint Sohail Mohammed, the Muslim lawyer he nominated to the Superior Court in 2011. Pass the popcorn!!!!

[mountain grammy]

28. Oh pluleeeese! Fox News would go off like a bomb.

[freshwest]

81. I am sooo ready for that! Bring it on!

[illegaloperation]

42. What's the law for Christie's appointment?

Will his appointment be able to serve out the rest of Lautenberg's term or will there be a special election?

[Beacool]

8. He was my senator.

I didn't hear anything earlier this morning on my way to work. Wow, I'm shocked. I know that he was elderly and had health issues, but I didn't expect him to die in office.

He was a good representative of our state and will be missed.

My condolences to his family and other loved ones.

[Kahuna]

11. So proud that this great American was my senator.

I loved him to pieces. Rip, senator. Job well done.

[sinkingfeeling]

12. R.I.P Senator.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

15. My father and brother lived in Jersey and my brother just called and told me that he is upset

at Lautenberg's passing.

[BumRushDaShow]

16. R.I.P.

To a dedicated civil servant. He continued to shuttle down to D.C. for important votes, even while sick.

Looks like an R is going to go in there for sure.

Was just checking some folks and I wouldn't be surprised if Christie stuck Tom Kean's son (Jr) in there... His name hasn't really come up anywhere lately but this is a rare opportunity for NJ to get a quintessential East coast rethug in - at least until next year's general election when the people decide.

He ran in 2006 for Senate and spent much of his political career filling out other people's terms.

[RedSpartan]

17. Proud he was my Senator.

Last edited Mon Jun 3, 2013, 05:56 PM - Edit history (1)

Will always remember his "Chickenhawk" speech on the Senate floor during the Iraq War, complete with a picture of an actual "chicken" in military dress:



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=167x179

I wrote him thanking him for it, and received a personal reply some time later (he was a busy man, after all). One of my best friends worked for him for a couple years, everything from driver to intern coordinator. (One of his best stories was having to drive Frank, Joe Leiberman and Ted Kennedy to the airport in the same car -- they were 30 minutes away and had to be there in 15. They made it.)

Rest in peace.

[alp227]

72. Video on CSPAN

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/appearance/595991038

Goes on near 18 minutes including attacks on the "Mission Accomplished" speech! I'm trying to copy this to YouTube since it's not yet on YouTube.

[RedSpartan]

76. Thanks so much for posting!

I looked for the video in vain. So happy you found it! It's well worth watching -- Frank was a WWII vet who did not suffer chickenhawks gladly. A life well-lived. May he rest in peace.

[alp227]

78. I've posted both chickenhawk speeches by the senator on my YouTube channel now.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017122915

[freshwest]

80. Thanks alp for doing that. His sentiments should be remembered. It still holds true.

In the videos in your V & MM thread, he mentions Cleland and Kerry being maligned by those who love making profits off of war, but refuse to take the risks. They attack those who know the true cost of war because it might cut into their profits. This is what people must know to stop the warmongers.

[DainBramaged]

20. Goodbye my friend

[onehandle]

21. So it's on in New Jersey. Hopefully the real-life Dick Tracy character, will screw up.

Appoint someone that will make it look very, very political.

We need something to get the base to the polls in 2014.


Peace, Senator.

[marble falls]

22. Wished he had been mine. I got Cruz. My condolences to you and regrets for me and the rest of...

thenation.

[Beacool]

44. And our condolences to you.

Cruz is nefarious.

[Robbins]

24. Sad news

Always said when another dem dies.

Even worse this means Republicans just picked up a seat.Christie will appoint a Republican.Hopefully a Dem can beat him come
2014 but It will be another to join In fillerbusters against Obama and the democrats.

[Kahuna]

27. Corey Booker will run, and will in all likelihood win. nt

[Le Taz Hot]

65. I just looked him up.

Is he as liberal as he looks?

[Kahuna]

68. He's an ass-kisser. nt

[Le Taz Hot]

75. Oh, good,

'cause what we need in the Senate are more Dinos.

[graham4anything]

25. My condolences to my Senator, Frank Lautenberg

Bravo to a great career in public service

and for his passing and to his family.

It's the end of an era.

(and special thanks to the Senator, for when New Jersey needed him a few years back, he re-answered the call and came out
of retirement to serve the people.

[freshwest]

64. Sorry he is gone. And I thought it very honorable of him to return to the fray.

[premium]

32. Another great man passes on.

R.I.P. Senator Lautenberg.

[laserhaas]

33. Gov (bribe your ex USAG boss) Chris Christie picking a replacement of Sen Lautenberg

is like having Nixon or Romney picking Spiro Agnew

to be FBI, Director, USAG or head of IRS - doing so from VP chair (with pardon pen placed in hand of POTUS)

http://www.smcm.edu/democracy/_assets/_documents/agnewpaper.pdf

We are screwed - in the interim; by Chris (bribe em) Christie...

[a la izquierda]

36. Godspeed Senator.

He was my senator for most of my life in NJ.

[livetohike]

37. Rest in Peace Senator

My sympathy to the family and all who knew Senator Lautenberg.

[LiberalEsto]

38. Rest in peace, Senator Lautenberg

He was a fairly solid liberal. I voted for him back when we still lived in NJ.

[alp227]

40. Just heard about this on npr. At his age with his health he wouldn't serve his full last term.

And this website is for The Record based in Hackensack/Bergen County, NJ.

Senate official statement: http://www.lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=342962

Unfortunately the comments section on the Record website is a right wing PARTY.

thanks to him, convicted domestic abusers can't own firearms. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_Violence_Offender_Gun_Ban

In airplanes you don't gave to breathe others' smoke because of a law he created.

Also he was the first sales rep for Automatic Data Processing and later CEO of the very familiar payroll processor.

RIP to a great senator, entrepreneur, and veteran.

[hrmjustin]

41. So sorry to hear this! May he rest in peace!

[kestrel91316]

43. Lovely. Now we'll get a RW fanatic in there thanks to Christie.

[DonCoquixote]

47. One of the last of a dying breed

And he will be missed; a democrat that acted like a democrat.

[rhett o rick]

48. Cant governor Christie appoint himself? nm

[former9thward]

49. Yes he can.

But he won't because he wants to run for President. Much better to run for president as a re-elected governor of a blue state than run as a junior senator.

[kelliekat44]

50. Regrets to the family. Maybe he should have retired before the election. Now we get a GOP in the

Senate.

[KT2000]

51. His bill about chemicals

was a huge step forward - in the face of some of the most powerful corporations who do not want this to pass.

I so hope someone else picks this up and moves on it.

RIP Senator

[nradisic]

52. Oh no!

That is so sad...I voted for Senator Lautenberg a number of times already and couldn't be prouder to call him "My Senator!".

His legislative knowledge, experience and mere presence in the Senate will be sorely missed.

Godspeed Senator

[Blue State Bandit]

53. If Christie appoints a credible Dem, he get's my vote.

I've been tossing about the idea of splitting my ticket for a while now. Christie is the hands down favorite in NJ and I want my vote to send a message loud enough to shock the Republican party into cleaving off their more radical elements. If Christie appoints anyone to his left (and especially if it's Cory Booker), it would justify my preferred action and hopefully cause Republican heads to explode.... just as many reading this might.

RIP Senator Lautenberg.

[totodeinhere]

55. If he appoints a Democrat such as Booker he can kiss his 2016 presidential aspirations

goodbye. That is unless he left the GOP and ran as an independent but he would also face long odds under that scenario.

[Blue State Bandit]

70. There will be enough time to suss that out...

via polling before the primaries. But in light of the massive bump he got in the face of the GOP's Obama-Derangement flare-up from Sandy, I have to disagree.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

59. When GOP senators died in Dem-controlled states

I recall the Democratic governors appointing Republicans to the seat out of respect to the dead.

Will Christie do the same for Democratic seat?

[name not needed]

84. Chris Christie doing something out of respect

[Ter]

87. No they did not

At least in my adult lifetime, the Governor always picks from his party. As much as I would love him to pick Corey Booker, I wouldn't hold it against him one bit if he picked a Republican.

[awoke_in_2003]

54. Let's not kid ourselves, folks...

he will appoint a republican. His high fiving the president doesn't change what he is.

[Jim Lane]

56. Uncertainty about the term of Christie's appointee

Apparently it's clear that Christie can call a special election, preceded by a primary. In that event, his appointee would serve until the special election; the winner of the special election would finish Lautenberg's term; and, beginning in January 2015, the seat would be filled by the winner of the regular election in November 2014.

There's some indication, however, that there might be an attempt to argue that the special election isn't mandatory. On this view, Christie's appointee would serve until the November 2014 election. The winner of that election would complete the last couple months of Lautenberg's term and then begin his or her own full term in January.

Possibilities recapped here: "Death of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg sets up political choices for Christie".

[dbackjon]

57. It seems that Democrats die in states where Republican Governors have the choice of party

to appoint.

Republicans die in states where law specifies that you can't change parties with appointments.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

58. He was the Senate's last WWII vet

and while he took office too late to vote against it, he was highly opposed to Dubya's Iraq disaster

[davidpdx]

82. That is so sad

Not only the fact that he died, but he was the last WWII vet. That generation is disappearing fast. My grandfather was a WWII vet and died 3 years ago. It won't be long before we lose vets from Korea and Vietnam as well.

It is also sad that at least temporarily we will lose a seat in the Senate as it will shift 54-46 (including the 2 independents). By the time you subtract the Blue Dogs it means we barely hold control. Goodbye filibuster reform (not that it was going to pass anyway), screw students keeping student loan rates down, and immigration is dead as a door-nail.

[Bossy Monkey]

60. RIP. PS: Hey Chris! Here's your chance to show how much you love The Boss! n/t

[freshwest]

61. RIP to a good man who served so long. Concerned who Christie puts in and the election to come. n/t.

[Tx4obama]

66. R.I.P.

Updated list of current U.S. Senators by AGE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_United_States_Senators_by_age

As of June 3, 2013....
22 senators are in their 70s, 35 are in their 60s, 30 are in their 50s, 11 are in their 40s, and 1 is in his 30s.


List by 'seniority': http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_United_States_Senators_by_seniority#Current_seniority_list

[Tx4obama]

67. Statement by President Obama

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 03, 2013

Statement by the President on the Passing of Senator Lautenberg

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Frank Lautenberg, a proud New Jerseyan who lived America’s promise as a citizen, and fought to keep that promise alive as a senator.

The son of working-class immigrants, Frank joined the Army during World War II, went to college on the GI Bill, and co-founded one of America’s most successful companies. First elected to the Senate in 1982, he improved the lives of countless Americans with his commitment to our nation’s health and safety, from improving our public transportation to protecting citizens from gun violence to ensuring that members of our military and their families get the care they deserve. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to Bonnie, the Lautenberg family, and the people of New Jersey, whom Frank served so well.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/06/03/statement-president-passing-senator-lautenberg

[proverbialwisdom]

83. Thank you for the post. nt

[Tx4obama]

69. Statement by Senate Majority Leader Senator Reid

Washington, D.C.— Nevada Senator Harry Reid issued the following statement after New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg passed away at age 89.

“I am deeply saddened at the loss of my friend, Frank Lautenberg. I can think of no better example of an American success story than Frank’s life. The son of Russian and Polish immigrants, a World War II veteran, and a successful businessman turned United States Senator, Frank’s parents arrived in the U.S. when they were young and Frank spent much of his childhood moving frequently around New Jersey with his working class family. He enlisted in the Army at age 18 to defend his country, and with his death there is no longer a World War II veteran serving in the United States Senate. After attending college on the G.I. Bill, Frank went on to co-found ADP, becoming one of the most successful businessmen in the country.”

“After succeeding in the business world, Frank decided to run for public office and won election to the Senate. As a Senator, Frank never compromised his principles and was a fierce advocate for the citizens of New Jersey. Millions of Americans are healthier and safer because of legislation he championed. Among his many accomplishments, he authored legislation that banned smoking on airplanes and raised the drinking age to twenty-one. Shaped by his own experience, Frank co-wrote the new GI Bill for 21st century veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. And he has fought for years to reduce gun violence in our neighborhoods, authoring the law that prevents domestic abusers from owning firearms. Last month, Frank returned to the Senate to vote on gun violence legislation, a cause he has worked on his entire career.”

“History will show that Frank is one of the most productive Senators in the history of America. My thoughts are with his family and his wife Bonnie during this difficult time.”

http://democrats.senate.gov/2013/06/03/reid-statement-on-the-passing-of-senator-frank-lautenberg/

[Hubert Flottz]

71. RIP senator.

He was a good man. Very sad day.

[glinda]

73. : > (

[UTUSN]

74. R#43 & K for a good Dem. n/t

[Demeter]

77. And what purpose did this fossil serve, hogging the office for so long?

He should have retired and let fresh blood in. they all should. Instead of going for a "personal best", do what the people and the nation need.

I don't mean arbitrary term limits. I mean bringing in the next generation while you can provide background/backstop support.

[hay rick]

79. If we had more fossils like Lautenberg we'd be better off.

He retired in 2000. He went back to the Senate in 2002 when he replaced Bob Torricelli on the ballot after Torricelli abandoned his scandal-plagued campaign. He saved the seat for the Democrats. He was a good Senator and will be missed.

[Mc Mike]

85. Senator Lautenberg on Cheney's Halliburton Stock Options

Cheney appeared on Meet the Press (9/03) to claim that he'd severed all financial ties to Halliburton, and wasn't benefitting from the no-bids, no-oversight, pass-through contracts his administration was awarding to Halliburton. When Halliburton was starting to get the first government contracts awarded after the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 9/05, Senator Lautenberg got together with the Congressional Research Service to expose the fact that Cheney was lying. He continued to receive and hold deferred comp stock options in Halliburton whose value had increased three thousand two hundred and eighty one percent, to $9.2 million dollars, because of all of the contracts he steered to Halliburton.

http://www.lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=254548



He was a great Senator and great American. He served our country well. He will be missed, and his death is a loss to be mourned.

[Demeter]

86. And what happened to Cheney?

Nothing?