Lautenberg (Likely Senile-NJ) says Booker may need a "spanking."

[Antonio the Sixth]

Instead, the one who'll get his ass kicked is Lautenberg.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I really don't get the Lautenberg hate around here. He's been a fairly good senator...nice business background too. Booker, on the other hand, is the typical political opportunist. I don't really like him at all, too Rahm Emanuel-ly for my tastes...

It's just that we need fresh blood and I don't want to run the risk of him being replaced by Christie.

I'm all for fresh political blood - sadly there isn't much of that in NJ - I just don't think Cory Booker is the guy though. Admittedly, he would be preferable to whoever Christie would appoint, but I still would prefer someone more in the Sherrod Brown, Elizabeth Warren mold. But clearly the voters want Booker (who is preferable to the rest of the choices that the NJ Democratic party has to offer, which is saying something) and if that holds true for the next two years he'll win. I don't think I'll ever like him though. It's just a visceral thing.

Of course it would be great if all D Senators were like Brown and Warren, but for God's sake let's be a bit realistic. Do you realize that's just not possible? I'm all for replacing moderate heroes and Blue Dogs with real progressives... but precisely, Booker will certainly be a reliable progressive vote.

[Antonio the Sixth]

We really should have mandatory retirement- no one above the age of 80 is allowed to run for public office.

Lautenberg has been a good senator and an even better front-man for the Democratic Party, but I think it really his time to go. He's too old for the job, and he knows it, and it's only a sense of possession of his seat that is keeping him there, and that's no reason whatsoever. If he has any decency, he will realize that the best thing for New Jersey, the Democratic Party, and the nation as a whole, is for him to step aside for the next generation as manifested in Cory Booker.

Also, he should know that, seeing the passing of Daniel Inoyue, not retiring leaves a big question open- what happens if he were to die in office. Presumably Christie would appoint another Republican. It's undoubtedly difficult to contemplate the consequences of your own demise, but a United States Senator he should be ready and able to approach those sort of party matters. The right thing for him to do would be to step aside with his dignity intact rather than having to be dragged out like this.

So the "new Simfan" is all about parroting the forum consensus? What a waste of bandwidth.