Democrat - Incumbent
Endorsed for U.S. Senate by
Council for a Livable World

IMPORTANT LATE BULLETIN!
Primary vote will be held on June 3.

Much to everyone's surprise, last month New Jersey Democratic Representative Rob Andrews announced his challenge to long-time incumbent Frank Lautenberg for the Democratic nomination for Senate.

The primary is June 3; we need to act quickly, hence this urgent message in support of Senator Lautenberg, a long-term ally of the Council for a Livable World and a committed supporter of arms control.

Senator Lautenberg has been a consistent and active ally of the Council during his many years in the Senate. He has had a record of 100% on Council issue positions over six times since 1984, as low as 75% only three times in 24 years. Senator Lautenberg's only differences with the Council have been rare votes for military spending important to New Jersey and his vote for the U.S.-India Nuclear Deal. His door has always been open to Council suggestions.

He has opposed nuclear bunker busters and John Bolton's nomination to be U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. and voted to cut missile defense funding and to increase funding for the United Nations. He has focused on protecting chemical plants and water supplies from terrorist attacks.

Congressman Andrews, however, has a spotty record in his votes on important Council issues. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, he has consistently promoted increases in military spending. Some of this can be explained by the fact that there are significant Lockheed Martin facilities in Congressman Andrews' district and he has worked to bring money and projects to those facilities. But he is also a consistent supporter of missile defense and space weapons. Last year, Andrews opposed amendments to cut missile defense and to bar an attack on Iran without prior Congressional approval.

Over the course of their careers, the contrast has been clear. Lautenberg averages an excellent 90% while Andrews has managed an average of only 50%. Lautenberg is a natural ally because he agrees with our basic philosophy.

The Newark Star Ledger reported that on the Iraq war:

"Andrews not only supported the invasion but was an author and vocal advocate of the war resolution, and attended the White House signing ceremony. In 2003, he said there was little doubt that there were chemical and biological weapons in Iraq, and predicted that the "evidence will become clear."

The Philadelphia Inquirer also reported that:

"[A]mong Democrats and Republicans alike, Andrews was one of the most passionate supporters of military action against Hussein.

He was one of a handful of Democrats on Capitol Hill who worked closely with the Bush administration to build support for the invasion.

He huddled with senior administration officials at the White House and, seeking to persuade fellow Democrats, worked the phones before the House vote authorizing Bush to use military force."

Andrews began distancing himself from President Bush's war policy in 2006 as he was being considered as a candidate for Senate to replace Jon Corzine, who was running for governor. In 2007 he voted for a measure to set a deadline for pulling American troops out.

While Lautenberg was not in office to vote on the war resolution, he said at the time that he would have voted for it. However, within a few months, he was leading the fight to hold President Bush accountable "for his deceit and deception on Iraq" and blasted Bush for his "Bring 'em on" comment. He voted against the Iraq Supplemental in October 2003 and was one of only 13 Senators to support the amendment offered in June 2006 by Sens. John Kerry and Russ Feingold to set a firm deadline for bringing the troops home.

On the financial front, Lautenberg had over $4 million in the bank as of March 31. Andrews had more than $2.5 million and is a proven fundraiser with an established base of support.

Andrews has been interested in becoming Governor or Senator for quite a while. In 1997, he ran for Governor of New Jersey but lost the Democratic primary by two percentage points (New Jersey gubernatorial elections are held in off years, so Andrews could run for Governor and still retain his House seat). Andrews hoped to be appointed by Governor Corzine to the vacated Senate seat in 2006, but the Governor appointed Sen. Robert Menendez instead.

Age will be a factor is this battle. Andrews is 50 while Lautenberg is 84. A quick poll produced by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (pro-Lautenberg) had Lautenberg ahead at this point 52% - 21%.

There are several Republican candidates, including a former Representative who ran and lost for Senate several years ago, but the winner of the Democratic primary is expected to win easily in November in this heavily Democratic state.

Senator Lautenberg grew up in Paterson, New Jersey, the son of an immigrant silk worker. After serving in the Army Signal Corps in World War II, he graduated from Columbia, then started a business that ultimately employed 30,000 people - a brilliant success story.

In 1982, spending his own money and emphasizing his business experience, he began his political career by beating professional politicians in the Democratic primary and a popular Republican in the general election. He was re-elected in 1988 and 1994 and retired in 2000, then returned to run again in 2002 when the incumbent suddenly withdrew weeks before the general election.

Council for a Livable World believes that it is important to re-elect New Jersey's Senator for his ability, his experience and his commitment to arms control. If you agree please make your check out to: