With their respective primary victories yesterday, Steve
Lonegan will face off against Cory Booker in the special senatorial election
next month. This contest will have more drama than a Tennessee Williams’ play.
I can’t wait to see the fur start flying.
Does Lonegan, the former mayor of Bogota, have a chance
against the charismatic, Hollywood crowd pleasing mayor of Newark. Ostensibly,
no. But given the “perfect storm” sequence of events leading up to this
election, well it could be very interesting.
The election is on October 16, three short weeks before a lackluster
gubernatorial election that so far has failed to generate a numerical value on
the excitement scale. Low turnout, just like in the primary, could also be a
factor. Also, Mr. Booker offended some of the party faithful by openly
challenging the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg for his senate seat before the
ailing, World War II veteran decided on his intentions. At the time, Sen. Lautenberg
said Booker “should be spanked” for his insolence but I think he had a more
substantial punishment in mind. The Lautenberg family supported Congressman
Frank Pallone in the primary. So there very well could be a faction within his
own party whose support will be tepid at best. The protocol in political blood
letting has always been for the next man or woman of good standing in line to
step up for a chance to run for higher office when the opportunity presented
itself. Booker could be seen as an upstart line jumper who could do with a bit
of comeuppance.
Then, of course, there is his record of achievement during
his six years in office. In describing that record, I’m reminded of an Abraham
Lincoln quote. “It’s about as thin as the broth made from the shadow of a
starving crow.” He has faced criticism from all fronts especially from the
members of the Newark City Council.
Lonegan will face his share of detractors defending his
conservative agenda -- that’s for sure--but can he sling enough stones to fell
the newest Democrat darling?
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