Editorial: U.S. Senate

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, April, 2008

The decision by Camden County congressman Rob Andrews to challenge Sen. Frank Lautenberg in the Democratic primary is good for the party and for New Jersey voters - no matter who ultimately wins the election. The conventional wisdom in politics is that you don't take on an incumbent in your own party.

That kind of thinking appeals to party insiders, but it doesn't necessarily serve voters well. Competition is a good thing. Lautenberg's reelection campaign was beginning to look like a non-event. The Republicans have had difficulty fielding a marquee candidate to oppose Lautenberg in the fall. In a state controlled by Democrats, the June 3 primary could provide the major test for Lautenberg. Polls have shown that some voters are concerned about Lautenberg's age. He's 84, and...