Campaign News

From today's Times

Andrews is more proactive that Lautenberg, suggesting his own solutions for health coverage and other major problems. Lautenberg remains in "us vs. them" mode ready to pounce on Republicans who supposedly would make life miserable for New Jersey. Important, perhaps, except that Democrats now control the Senate and are likely to continue to do so.

Andrews is more likely to team up with both other Democrats and moderate Senate Republicans Pennsylvania's Arlen Specter and Maine's Olympia Snowe, to name two to actually get things done.

Read the whole editorials here.

Friends,

We're down to the final stretch of this unprecedented campaign and, with each passing day, the momentum for Rob Andrews grows.

Over the last few weeks, we've seen Senator Lautenberg run a campaign of distractions: dodging debates, refusing to release his tax returns, dismissing this election as a mere formality. Lautenberg is asking New Jersey for a free pass in this election, hoping the clock will just run out before Election Day. But Rob thinks the voters deserve better.  He's run a different campaign -- with detailed policy positions, Town Hall meetings across New Jersey, and a willingness to debate his opponents at anytime, in anyplace. It's no surprise why the Star-Ledger endorsed Rob Andrews, writing,

"Andrews...has a comprehensive vision of where the country should be going and can articulate detailed plans for getting there.  On any issue -- from health care, to withdrawing from Iraq, to meeting transportation needs, to dealing with soaring gas prices -- Andrews has well-thought-out proposals."

Debates on Thursday and Friday -- Tune in!
On Thursday and Friday, voters will get their first chance to hear Rob debate Frank Lautenberg. Make sure you tune in -- and forward this message to your friends and colleagues as a reminder.

On Thursday at 7:00 PM, tune your radio to 101.5 FM or visit http://www.nj1015.com and listen online to hear Rob Andrews and Frank Lautenberg square off in the first debate of this primary season. You'll hear from the candidates, questions from callers, and learn why it's so important that we send Rob Andrews to the Senate.

On Friday at 8:00 PM, tune to the New Jersey Network or visit http://www.njn.net/television/webcast to see Rob Andrews and Frank Lautenberg debate on television. Check with your local cable or satellite provider to find your local NJN station listing so you don't miss the only televised debate before Primary Day.

Our opponent agreed to these debates -- just days before the campaign ends -- in the hopes that no one would be watching. That's no way to run a campaign -- and no way for a Senator to act. The clock has run out on Senator Lautenberg's delaying tactics -- and, with your help on Tuesday, June 3rd -- we'll send Rob Andrews to represent Democrats in the battle for the U.S. Senate.
Thanks for all you do--

Mike Murphy
Campaign Chairman

Friends,

We're in the home stretch of this campaign -- and, thanks to your help, Rob's support is growing every day! We're working harder than ever to get everyone involved in the campaign. You can volunteer now to help Get-Out-The-Vote or donate online to help give our campaign all the resources we need for the final days.

Over the last few weeks, we've seen Senator Lautenberg run a campaign of distractions: avoiding the campaign trail, refusing to release his tax returns, hiding behind negative tv ads. We've had enough of these tactics and we're fighting back against Lautenberg's campaign of negatives with a new ad of our own:

Check out the new ad -- written by Rob's daughters, Jackie and Josie Andrews -- by clicking above or visiting http://www.robandrewsforchange.com/daughters. We're determined to spread Rob's message of change far and wide throughout New Jersey -- so send this email to your friends and colleagues and help send Rob Andrews to the U.S. Senate.

Yours,
Michael Murphy
Campaign Chairman

Philadelphia Inquirer Endorsement
Sunday, May 25, 2008

Longtime Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey was poised for an easy Democratic primary, until Rep. Rob Andrews jumped into the race at the last moment.

Where Lautenberg sees treachery, this Editorial Board sees healthy competition. Lautenberg doesn't own this seat. Incumbent or no, Andrews is a highly qualified candidate.

In 20 years in the House, Andrews has proved himself to be an independent voice for South Jersey. He has been a deficit hawk in a Congress that allowed the national debt to increase more than 60 percent, to $9.4 trillion, under President Bush. He led the fight to stop the Army from dumping remnants of VX nerve gas in the Delaware River.

However, Andrews has built a solid record in the House as a thoughtful legislator, and he would bring a fresh approach to the challenges facing New Jersey.

For the Democratic nomination for Senate, The Inquirer endorses ROBERT E. ANDREWS.

Star Ledger Endorsement
Sunday, May 25, 2008

It's a safe bet the candidate who wins the Democratic nomination for U.S. senator in the June 3 primary will win the general election next fall.

We believe Rep. Rob Andrews has made the case for replacing incumbent Frank Lautenberg, who is seeking a fifth term.

Lautenberg is 84. He's had four terms in the Senate and will be 90 by the time the next term ends.  While age alone is not a sufficient reason to back Andrews, who is 50, neither is longevity in Washington a sufficient reason to retain Lautenberg.

Eliminating the age factor, Andrews still is the better choice.  He has a comprehensive vision of where the country should be going and can articulate detailed plans for getting there.  On any issue -- from health care, to withdrawing from Iraq, to meeting transportation needs, to dealing with soaring gas prices -- Andrews has well-thought-out proposals.

Lautenberg, in an interview with the editorial board, was much less convincing. It wasn't his positions on the issues that were of concern but the lack of detail or depth in his discussion of those issues.  He said government has a role in guaranteeing opportunities for health coverage for all but confined himself to buzz words without much explanation.  He failed to get beyond bromides about how health care should be affordable and how there ought to be some sort of means test to determine eligibility.

Realistically, there is not much difference in the politics of the two men despite Lautenberg's efforts to paint Andrews as a Bush enabler.  Both have championed liberal Democratic causes -- abortion rights, embryonic stem cell research, gun control and the environment, to name a few.

Both get high ratings from groups usually associated with Democratic causes.  Andrews, however, has tempered his adherence to the party with a recognition of the important role that compromise can play in achieving results.  A step back from the polarization that grips Washington would be welcome.

http://www.nj.com/opinion/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1211690302261250.xml&coll=1