I heartily endorse the reelection of Senator Frank Lautenberg

Throughout the rhetorical buzz over the last few days of opponents popping up hither and yon to challenge Senator Frank Lautenberg, one thing remains quite clear: Frank Lautenberg is the best candidate the Democrats can put up these year for Senate, period.

Former State Democratic Chair Tom Byrne. Congressman Rob Andrews. Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello. Good folks all. But they should stay put, and get behind Senator Frank Lautenberg, and here’s why:

He is solidly pro-choice. Supports gun control. He has been a chief critic of the Bush administration on national security issues. He opposes the war in Iraq. He has been very involved in various anti-smoking legislation, anti-alcohol legislation as well as airline safety legislation, and is probably best known for being involved with, and authoring some of, the legislation that banned smoking from most commercial airline flights. His name is also associated with the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban, which prohibits any persons convicted of misdemeanor or felonious domestic violence from possessing firearms or ammunition.

I have had the experience of working with Lautenberg on many occasions. He is vibrant, has a great sense of humor and a great sense of people. And no one can doubt his dedication to New Jersey: he has been both the senior Senator and junior Senator twice.

New Jersey could not ask for a better advocate.