Republican Quits Senate Race in New Jersey

[brooklynite]

Source: New York Times

TRENTON — Ever since Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, who is 84, made it clear that he intended to seek re-election in November, the conventional wisdom had been that health would be a factor in the race.

On Wednesday, it was.

Anne Estabrook, a real estate developer whose wealth had made her appealing to New Jersey’s Republican establishment, abruptly dropped out of the race to challenge Mr. Lautenberg, a Democrat, saying that she had suffered a slight stroke earlier in the week.

The departure of Ms. Estabrook stunned the state’s political establishment, which had viewed her as the front-runner among the three candidates seeking the party’s nomination in the June primary.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/nyregion/06senate.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=lautenberg&st=nyt&oref=slogin

[ingac70]

1. So much for making health a factor! n/t

[DainBramaged]

2. So much for the Rethuglicans thinking they had a shot in NJ

Sorry for her bad luck but

Happy days are here again, we keep the seat.

:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :party: :party: :party: :party:

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Stunned republicans - a thing of beauty

Let's stun some more between now and Nov. 4th.

[happygoluckytoyou]

4. BETTER A DEAD DEMOCRAT THAN A LIVE REPUBLICAN

[DainBramaged]

5. Excuse us???

[hatrack]

6. Speaking as a Missourian, damn straight!

:toast:

[Angleae]

12. Wern't you the people that

told Ashcroft you would rather have the dead guy?

[DainBramaged]

7. Bump for active Senators with a pulse

[DainBramaged]

8. Rebump for live Senators

:bounce:

[Divine Discontent]

9. bless her in her medical crisis, that's terrible.

and a prayer for Sen. Laut...

looks good for us!

[Supersedeas]

13. a speedy recovery for her and best wishes to Laut too

[maddogesq]

10. Lautenberg: The essence of class and way cool.

I don't know why, but when I hear him speak I am reminded of the late actor Jason Robards. I say that as a compliment to the man...maybe everyone on earth has a double.

[bumblebee1]

11. Hell Yeah.

I especially loved the slap down he gave to Senate Rethugs when they were bashing John Kerry on the floor of the Senate.