New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg (D) may be carrying serious baggage in his bid for re-election given his documented positions and a recorded vote just two weeks after the arrest of several suspected terrorists. Add to that current NJ-generated national headlines calling even more attention to the need for better co-operation between local and federal law enforcement when it comes to illegal immigration and preventing potential acts of terrorism and murder and the mix could prove to be a disaster for the Senator's pending campaign.
If you follow the war on terror the last name Duka may ring a bell, though it has fallen off of the front pages for now. As per news reports at the time, despite many previous interactions with law enforcement, their having lived in sanctuary cities allowed several of the suspected terrorists to operate without raising any red flags for years. Yet, just two or so short weeks later, New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, who now intends to seek re-election, voted against the so-called Coleman Amendment, which called for better information sharing between federal and local law enforcement when it came to the immigration status of potential law breakers and would be terrorists.
Now, given this recent update on the horrendous Newark execution-style murders via Michelle Malkin, which notes how several of those suspects were also allowed to run free despite several previous encounters with law enforcement, Lautenberg's chicken giblet approach to federal immigration law enforcement might prove to be too much for voters to swallow as the old bird seeks re-election. Lautenberg has decided to run in 2008, despite having retired in 2000, only to take advantage of a last minute ballot name change to make a political comeback after Democrat Jim Torricelli dropped out due to corruption charges in 2002.
As is the case with many New Jersey Democrats, Lautenberg's only consistency here may be his reputation for being soft on crime both inside and outside the party - a weak and rather sad position which apparently extends all the way out to non-citizens, suspected terrorists and possible members of MS-13.
GOP presidential candidates are talking tough about sanctuary and immigration enforcement. Tom Tancredo urged victims’ families to consider suing Newark for negligence. Mitt Romney’s out with a new radio ad slamming sanctuary policies
The New jersey 'terrorist' arrests are arranged by law enforcement, federal. He wants to be on the intelligence committee.
Posted by: Acapt | Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 04:48 PM
The entire Lautenberg for "Torch" last-minute replacement was a gross miscarriage of election law to begin with. Were the Rep's to put up a good candidate, they'd actually probably have a shot at the seat, especially with a Giuliani at the top of the ticket. Well, one can hope. It's Robert Torricelli, btw. Nice post.
Posted by: Chris | Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 11:36 PM
I recall, fondly, that Bob Grant, one of the radio talk show pioneers, used to call the Senator, Senator Lousenberg.
Posted by: Fred Beloit | Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Trackbacked by The Thunder Run - Web Reconnaissance for 08/23/2007
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day...so check back often.
http://thunderrun.blogspot.com/2007/08/web-reconnaissance-for-08232007.html
Posted by: David M | Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 11:20 AM