After Bradley and others turn the position down, retired 78-year-old Senator Frank Lautenberg gets the Torricelli slot. Considering the court battle, the internecine Democratic feuding, and Lautenberg’s resounding mediocrity, I’d say the GOP have just picked up a seat. Hopefully the Dems can make it up elsewhere.
Category: The Senate
No MJ for Bradley.
As many expected, Bill Bradley has removed himself from contention for the Torricelli slot. That’s a shame, but I guess he did retire for a reason.
Hey, wait a minute…
“The result of our attack [on Saddam] would be his using the very weapons we are trying to deter.” TNR profiles Senator Carl Levin, a lonely Democratic voice in the battle over Iraq.
Assist to Dollar Bill?
According to several sources, Torricelli has dropped out of the New Jersey race, complicating a Senate situation already fraught with peril for the Democrats. Could this pave the way for Bill Bradley‘s return to the political scene? Let’s hope so. To be honest, even Lautenberg, who’s pretty mediocre, would be an improvement over the Torch. Update: He’s officially out…no word yet on who’s in.
Mr. Washington’s Congress.
In a show of commitment to NYC a year after the attacks, Congress convenes once again in Federal Hall, just as it did in the days of Washington. To my mind, this is one of the classier displays churned out by the 9-11 memorial industry this week.
Erskine v. Liddy.
Former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles tests the West Wing theory of politicking in the NC Senate race.
Rescue attempts.
While Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan tries to assuage the market (something Dubya is seemingly incapable of), the Senate and House pass measures to stifle corporate malfeasance (and the stock market free-fall), thanks to a Republican “deathbed conversion.”
What it Might Mean.
Congressional Quarterly analyzes the possible impact of McCain-Feingold.
Do as I Say, Not as I Do.
Dubya calls for the end of a corporate loophole he himself profited from back in his Harken days. Meanwhile, this being an election year (and since I’m sure their profiles aren’t doing so hot right now), the Senate voted unanimously on several measures to curtail corporate malfeasance, a number of which go further than Dubya desired.
Death and taxes.
In related news, Daschle opens debate on the estate tax. Sounds like the plan is to raise the exemption so high that the GOP are forced to admit they’re backing the repeal solely for the benefit of their multimillionaire masters. Smart play, particularly in an election year.