Lautenberg and Andrews in Morris County for Menendez

[karynnj]

and local Democrats.

Before Lautenberg spoke to the crowd, I did hear him answer someone else's question on the torture bill. He did say it was a tough decision, but he voted for it because these guys have been held for 5 years and need to be tried. He also said that the Geneva Convention was left untouched and that some of the most horrendus methods of torture were rejected. He thinks it will be found unconstitutional because of Habeus Corpus. (He said they will get a statement on his Senate web site) The Morris County Democratic Record was covering it, so they might have his position on this.
(Caveat: This is from memory - and I could have missed something.)

He also said they were in DC until late yesterday while they voted the port security bill. Apparently Peter King had reneged on a promise to open the bill to amendments. He says the bill as is doesn't deal with the danger in the Port of Newark.

Lautenberg made a great speech supporting Menendez. He said he will be working every day until the election. He countered the Republican accusations against Menendez and said that Kean's father wouldn't have got in the gutter like this.

He spoke of Republican Chicken hawks and the need to get back control of the Senate.

Congressman Andrews spoke as well and urged people to do all they could in the hopes that we can take the Senate. He listed seats we might win and asked people to consider that Menendez could be the Number 51 in the Democratic caucus. I had never seen or heard Andrews before - although it's little to base an opinion on he was very good.

[latebloomer]

1. His argument makes no sense

He wants the Guantanamo detainees to be tried, therefore he votes for a bill that makes it legal to lock up countless more people without trial?

Sorry, that makes no sense. Is he getting senile?

[karynnj]

2. I'm just trying to report what he said

I would have preferred both of my Senators to have essentially given Kerry's 5 minute condemnation of the bill. He was sharp as anything in his support of Menendez and speaking of Democratic values. He really is incredible, which made the vote more mystifying.

Kennedy's amendment which specically eliminated certain practices was defeated - which to me implies that some of these may be allowed. (a Kerry amendment that Reid didn't allow would have required that Congress get a report on techniques used - that this was not in the original bill means there is also no oversight.) Allowing torture should be suficient reason to reject it.

That removing Habeus Corpus is likely unconstitutional seems to be a reason to vote against it not for it.

I asked about whether his web site would put up the response and he said it would and then spoke of the how they were in session until late at night on the port security bill. It would likely be better to wait until that is done - as I wrote that about 2 hrs or so after hearing it, from memory - and as I said, I could have missed something. My husband thought he may have voted that way to give Menendez cover - but on a bill with the moral issues of this one, I still am in shock that 65 of our 100 Senators could vote for it.

Although Kerry's full written speech made a great case against the bill, the fact that he was given only 5 minutes led to a very very powerful speech on the floor. I really have a hard time accepting that 12 Democrats and almost all Republicans could ignore the issues he raised. I also regret not contacting my Senators, because I trusted they would vote against it.

(Here's a youtube link to Kerry's speech)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK9V7qyC8lY

[FogerRox]

3. Was that the Bar-ba-que on Sat. in Morris cnty? I missed it

Tom Wyka was at the party, as well as some of his staffers, Morris Freeholder candidates too.

[karynnj]

4. Yes it was in Parsippany

Wyka gave a very nice speech. (as did Andrews and Lautenberg)