Conjecture
What I want to know is, which Democrat was given the thankless — but vital — job of reading Torricelli the riot act, and what, exactly, did they tell him?
At this level of politics, people don’t quit of their own free will. Goldwater had to tell Nixon to resign. LBJ had to stare disaster in the face in Vietnam and New Hampshire before electing not to run for re-election. Not even the Battle of Nations was enough to deter Napoleon. He still required Waterloo and exile in St. Helena before he was really, truly done.
Big offices — big egos. They do not go quietly into that good night. So who delivered the news to the Torch, and how was it delivered?
We may never know, but my guess on who is Bill Clinton. As to how? I’m not sure I want to know. It couldn’t have been a pretty scene.
Maybe they just used that same “Waste Disposal Contractor” that the Torch used to go shopping for milk with.
We already know Clinton got Cuomo to drop out, even saying the words “for the good of the party” which of course broke the needle on the Hypocrisy Meter.
This morning Rush did are great imitation of Clinton telling Torch to get lost. “Either your signature or your brains will be on this resignation by 5 o’clock Torch.” That’s the way they do it in New Jersey.
Of course, at the congressional level, there are more options. Interesting how some major embarassments to the Democratic Party (Condit, McKinney) found themselves redistricted into tough (and ultimately losing) primary battles. Coincidence? (J-E-W-S?)
But if you want a Senator out, you have to give him a little shove…
From what I gather, seriously, Clinton and his button man McAullife stopped by.
They, in effect, said that they would have either Torch’s signature or his brains on a resignation.
We’ll be making fun of his withdrawal speech for days…
“I will not be responsible for the loss of the Senate…”
You already have, pal. And your Senate Dems confirmed it with the slap on the wrist. It’s the cover-up, etc.
Chances are, it was Clinton. The torch apologized to Clinton in his speech.
Either way, there isn’t anything else to read into this than bad news for Democrats.
If you think Toricelli is dirt, wait until we see who Jim McGreevey selects to take his place. McGreevey is the lowest of the low. I knew that turd when he was the Mayor of Woodbridge. He wants to be President and said so then. Nothing scarier than a guy who wants to be president THAT badly. It first brought us Nixon, and then Clinton.
Bill Clinton. And, with pleasure. Since the GOVENOR will APPOINT a DEMOCRAT … not enough days left for a substitute for the Torch to run. (Sign off was 48 days. 36 days to go.) BE REALLY FUNNY IF BILL CLINTON STEPS INTO THE TORCH’S SHOES! Talk about a face off at the Supremes! HA!
In Torch’s speech (remember Clinton’s speech that evening from the Roosevelt Room) you could see shades of that trait that politicians have, the “I can get out of any jam” belief.
Dems were inspired by Clinton’s ability to keep bouncin’ along…two problems: a) most people aren’t Clinton, and b) they aren’t President.
Torch spewed a lot of rhetoric about America, his love of service, blah blah etc. Amazing that someone who claims to be that honorable couldn’t figure out he shouldn’t be taking grandfather clocks, TV’s, etc.
What a jackass.
Bill Clinton would never give anyone bad news personally. What is in it for Bill?
Well, duh…the answer to your next three questions is “money, money, and money.”
Good comparison. There’s more common ground among politicians of all stripes than they would like to recognize.
At least we now have the internet to keep an eye on them…
According to tomorrow’s Washington Post, Clinton was one of those giving “Torch” advice
“Torricelli said he spent much of last night and today talking to state and national party officials, including Gov. James E. McGreevy, Sen. Jon S. Corzine (D-N.J.) and former president Bill Clinton. Sources who have talked to Torricelli said that he raised the issue and made the decision himself; he did not feel pressured by party officials, they added.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22574-2002Sep30.html
Alright, Torricelli quits – sounds like he didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of beating his Republican opponent. But what I don’t get is all this talk of replacing him.
The gig is up. The clock has ticked and the time expired. This is something RT should have done two weeks ago if he was looking to have someone slip in behind him.
It sounds like we’re in for some distractive litigation here even if the perfect leftist candidate were to step forward and choose to run in RT’s place.
L
Not to scare the crap outta anyone or anything, but noticed in The Corner at National Review a mention that a (former) Judge has said on Fox that if Billy boy makes his move to the Garden State by Monday, he could be eligible for the Dem ticket to ‘pick up the torch’….
Arrrgh! Barf, Hurl, Hack, Gag….
Rasputin! Its frikkin Rasputin!
I’m not going to bet on the NJ State Supreme Court actually enforcing the ballot time restriction. After all, “strict constructionism” isn’t a judicial philosophy regarded highly by Democrats, and obviously what the restriction meant was that Republicans and other lower life forms had to make the schedule, not Democrats.
Sigh… I can see it so clearly.
The NJ Supreme Court will say, “Yeah, that’s what the law says, but what the law means is, um, whatever the Democrats say, iss all good. Peace out.”
The GOP appeals to the SCOTUS. The SCOTUS says New Jersey has to actually follow its laws.
Toricelli stays on the ballot. The GOP wins.
We spend the next two (six?) years hearing how the Supreme Court “stole the Senate”…
Many comments mention Clinton replacing the Torch. Now, I can understand why Bill would want to become Senator (perks of office, anyone ?) But why would Hillary want her former side kick to come back to Washington DC and steal her media time ?
No one, but no one, could have predicted that the Torch would actually drop out of the race. If you had told me this as late as Sunday, I would have laughed at it. Therefore this BS about “Forrester asked him to resign and got his wish and now he’s complaining” is really weak. Forrester never imagined he would go through it. Nor did Forrester ever say he would go against New Jersey law. If the Dems succeed in getting a replacement and he wins, they can look forward to six years of that Democrat being called “the illegitimate senator from New Jersey” as payback from Republicans.
A cynical,albiet possible,scenario. Clinton sets up N.J.residence – Toricelli resigns – McGreevey appoints Billy boy to vacated seat – quezzy stomachs dominate electorate.
Couple of things reported on the local news. Tommy Daschle, who was stumping for Toricelli last week was a big pressure man on this one. Seems no one ever told him not to stump for the person you’re forcing out.
And on the whole drop-out-one and drop-in-another issue, NJ state law says 51 (?) days before an election there shall be no new entries. BUT, there was some reporting on republicans doing this last year. So it cuts both ways in Jersey.
Here’s a scenario we can imagine. Let’s say that the Republicans (and the rule of law) prevail in a court action challenging the late-date attempt at replacement. Torricelli’s name stays on the ballot. Then, he wins the election, just as the late governor of Missouri, Mel Carnahan, did in 2000. (The Torch is merely politically dead.) The Torch announced he’s going, so he goes. Democratic NJ Gov. James McGreevey appoints his Democratic replacement after election day.
Or, this variation: Say the Republicans fail to block replacement. Even if the courts (some articles are saying it’s the state Attorney General) allow a candidate replacement now, after the deadline, look to former Sen. Frank Lautenberg to be the stealth, short-term stand-in. Why would Reps. Andrews or Menendez want to give up their safe re-election (presuming sensibly, of course, that you can’t run simultaneously for the Senate and House, at least outside of Florida)? The House is in play, too. Say, not beyond the realm of possibility, that Lautenberg wins. Then, the 78 year-old Lautenberg can step down once he’s Senator-elect (or even some time into the beginning of his term) and make way for the actual gubernatorial appointment.
Whatever, it will be interesting to watch the Democratic maneuvers and arguments.
And on the whole drop-out-one and drop-in-another issue, NJ state law says 51 (?) days before an election there shall be no new entries. BUT, there was some reporting on republicans doing this last year. So it cuts both ways in Jersey.
Sorry, you can’t just do that. You need to provide us a link, or at least a name in order to get anyone to believe your allegation.