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

[hopper]

At 89 years old, Mr. Lautenberg needs to retire, pronto.

However, I agree that Cory should have waited for him to announce retiring out of respect for seniority and party affiliation.

Lautenberg wouldn't ever retire if he'd done that.

Some Democrats tried forcing Lautenberg out in 2008 -- Rep. Rob Andrews ran against him in the primary. But Frank stayed and fought, and won pretty easily after winning the support of the county chairs. Unfortunately for the incumbent, Booker doesn't even need to win county chairs over to win. And worse yet, Lautenberg is certainly far weaker now than he was six years ago.

But yes, the point is: Lautenberg doesn't want to go anywhere. He's an old man who doesn't want to retire ever, because he despised retirement when he tried it. If he drops out of the primary, it's because he thought the affair pointless without a possible path to victory. If he senses he can win, even if it's a relative longshot, I think the guy will pull the trigger and we'll have an ugly primary on our hands. The fact that Booker is applying pressure to get Lautenberg out is only going to make Lautenberg want to dig his heels in deeper.

Over all, though, it doesn't matter. Booker is at 51% in the latest Q-poll. Lautenberg, a statewide office holder since 1983, was only able to get 30%. Lautenberg is going to get annihilated.

No the 2015-2020 term will be Lautenberg's last term. Lautenberg has stated he doesn't want to run for office at age 94.

[hopper]

No the 2015-2020 term will be Lautenberg's last term. Lautenberg has stated he doesn't want to run for office at age 94.

Thurmond had several last terms.

Yeah but Launtenberg is not Strom Thurmond. Look how old Lautenberg is too. I mean he is going to be in the US Senate till he is 100 years old? I heavily doubt that.