2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumCory Booker gets his way
It looks like he just bullied an old man into retirement -- but it didn't have to be this messy
BY STEVE KORNACKI
Cory Booker has gotten his way, but there was never much doubt he would. The Newark mayor and national political celebrity made it known two months ago that he wanted Frank Lautenbergs Senate seat in 2014, and on Thursday the 89-year-old solon said publicly that he wont seek a sixth term next year.
And that should clear the way for Booker. Sure, therell be a few other New Jersey Democrats who test the waters in the days and weeks ahead, but the smart money says that they like Lautenberg will eventually swallow their pride and step out of Bookers way. And if they dont, hell be heavily favored to beat them in the primary. Republicans will come up with a candidate too, but the Garden State GOPs bench is thin and the state hasnt sent a Republican to the Senate since (the very liberal) Clifford Case in 1972. Booker, with his broad popularity and limitless treasury, figures to be a reliable caretaker of that Democratic winning streak.
But while New Jerseys 14 Senate race now feels like it will be a coronation for Booker, one that will mark his official transformation from municipal leader to D.C. player, the way he handled the past two months does raise questions about how hell hold up under the national spotlight.
Basically, he took what could and should have been a relatively smooth transition and made a very public mess of it. If you asked those who know Lautenberg, it was clear for some time that he wasnt going to seek another term in 14. Hed be 90 years old, hed faced cancer in 2010 and a stubborn illness in recent months, and hed essentially shut down his fundraising operation. He also knew that Booker was looking to move up, was not going to run for governor against Chris Christie in 2013, and would be well-positioned to beat (and humiliate) him in a 14 primary if it ever came to it; Lautenberg knew all of this without Booker ever opening his mouth and saying one word about 2014.
more
http://www.salon.com/2013/02/15/cory_booker_gets_his_way/
n2doc
(47,953 posts)Hurray, hurray! The Party Elite must be thrilled.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)such types are the stars of the democratic party these days.
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)this article has it backwards. It is bull.
the party hack is frank Pallone, whom because of this and menendez I will NEVER vote for.
Pallone is the big bosses candidate. Thanks but no thanks.
The party did NOT want Cory running for this.
Lautenberg wanted it handed to Pallone.
and the early bird catches the worm
and Lautenberg was not going to run. He made NO effort fundraising.
Politics is dirty game and Lautenberg never was not part of the game.
Everybody has an angle, and Pallone made his clear. Boo hoo to him.
My vote in the primary is FOR CORY.
(if Pallone is the nominee, of course in Nov. I would vote for him. But he won't be.
And my heart is really NOT breaking for this party boss candidate.
imho
tabbycat31
(6,336 posts)graham4anything
(11,464 posts)Lautenberg was making it obvious he was not running anyhow.
But he wanted Pallone not Cory.
Pallone should run for governor(though he would lose).
Ter
(4,281 posts)I think he's the next Democratic President.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)foundation.
'the next democratic president' = a sad day for the party
forestpath
(3,102 posts)Pisces
(5,604 posts)know why Dems love to eat their own. Booker is the best shot we have and he is a good politician. So sick of how
dems can't wait to tear our best down.
WI_DEM
(33,497 posts)SpartanDem
(4,533 posts)Remember when he threw the President under the bus on Meet the Press? You think that's going to sit well with Democratic primary voters? That's a campaign ad that writes itself.