The Impending New Jersey Switcheroo [Jack M.]

Well, the "Torricelli option" appears to be picking up steam, as Democratic Candidate/Subject of a Federal Criminal Investigation (funny how often those words appear together) "Honest" Bob Menendez continues to watch his electoral viability slowly implode against the irresistable political force that is Tom Kean, Jr.

OK. I admit it. "Irresistable political force" may be overstating it. How about, "apparently ethical, at least by Jersey standards". Better?

In any event, whispers of the withdrawl of the legalistically-challenged Mr. Menendez have made it into the New York Observer today. It will be interesting to see how much traction this notion gets in coming days. Especially as National Dems begin to see their chances for a Senate majority becoming ever slimmer.

The most revealing passage in the article, to me, was the following:

The '02 switch worked because in Mr. Lautenberg, a very well-known and reasonably well-liked retiree, Democrats had a serviceable replacement in the wings. This time they have a rock star: one Richard J. Codey, who left office in January, kicking and screaming, as perhaps the most personally popular chief executive in the state's history. But look at us, getting ahead of ourselves. No Democrat is going to abandon Mr. Menendez—unless his poll numbers drop. And even then, there’ll be no “switcheroo� unless Mr. Menendez, like Mr. Torricelli before him, falls on his sword. Jersey Democrats, for now, aren’t holding their breath. As one put it: Mr. Torricelli’s ego couldn’t stand losing an election; Mr. Menendez’s, apparently, can.

Emphasis added.

Inspiring, isn't it. Because, really, political parties shouldn't care if their nominees appear to be corrupt, or even if they are found guilty, so long as their poll numbers stay high. I mean, why would anyone think that would create an unhealthy cynicism about the political process?

At least Edwin Edwards (former Democratic Governor of Louisiana, and convicted felon himself) is finally getting his due as a visionary leader. When he ran against David Duke in 1991, Edwards supporters proudly displayed bumper stickers reading "Vote for the Crook: It's Important".

And in that singular, and exceptional, case it was.

It appears that, 15 years later, New Jersey Democrats couldn't agree more.

posted by Ace at 02:40 PM

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