At 88 years old his record is basically complete.

Well, according to Wiki:

"In 2007, Lautenberg proposed the "Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2007", designed to deny weapons purchases by persons that the government has placed on the terrorist watchlist."

Which almost anyone would say is part of a long and distinguished record.

Well, almost anyone except the NRA, of course.....

In any case, Senator Lautenberg has served long and well. But I think Cory Booker would be a welcome breath of fresh air in an institution that sorely needs some. He's smart, he's energetic, and he and Chris Christie have shown on more than one occasion that they not only know what "bipartisanship" means, they're actually not afraid to practice it. Seems like a win/win to me.

Well, it should be interesting. I also do not know much about Lautenberg probably because he works quietly behind the scenes as JoAnne pointed out. I have no problem with legislators serving well into their senior years any more than people working because they want to. But if Lautenberg is 88 now, he'll be 90 in 2014 and 96 before his term would end; seems about time to retire and watch the flowers grow for awhile before landing underneath them.

I have actually become quite fond of Cory Booker on the Sunday Morning programs as being a voice of reason. That and he's easy on the eyes!

Layton-3733410

That and he's easy on the eyes!

getting misty eyed are you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPOlakkBlj8

Lautenberg should indicate that he will not run in 2014. I would rather have him support Booker, who has shown himself capable of the job. Than be replaced in office by the Republican governor.

That is very grim on my part.

I've had the pleasure of meeting both men - I worked for Senator Lautenberg when he ran ADP and have met Cory Booker at a few political functions. The Senator is still a sharp guy, but I think he needs to retire and let Booker take the reins now. There is no Republican in the state that can beat him.

I think Cory Booker is going to be a great VP under Hillary and a great Prez when she's done.

I cant beleive the redheaded know it all actually admits thier is something shes not an expert on.

Just had to argue about something.

We all know what an idiot Booker is....this just proves it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_rY8ZUbrnU

I loved the powerful civil rights speech Booker gave in response to Christie's unethical veto of marriage equality and his incredibly stupid suggestion that it would be a great idea for the majority to vote on the civil rights of a minority. Christie also ignorantly said that blacks in the south would have supported that idea. This is a great video and appears that Booker gave it off-the-cuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Z7tl7Vy8U

As a black man Booker appears to understand civil rights from a standpoint that an obese privileged white guy like Christie never will.

I also like how Booker risked his life to rescue his neighbor from a major fire in her house.

lautenberg would lose to any republican supported by Christy ./.to keep the seat the dems must run Booker

Pat,

I would ♥ to see Lawrence O'Donnell run in the special election! He would cream Mr. Pink!

PS: I'm cool with Barney holding the seat until then. I did not know about his work in MS until you brought it up this morning.

I can't imagine a gay man being accepted by the good ol boys down there..

Interesting tidbit about Gov. Patrick.

The MA open seat was bound to be a big story simply because of Elizabeth Warren's win and Scott Brown's loss; lots of good stuff for the media to chew on. Who knows, maybe Gov Patrict will realize that this temporary appointment is far more important than most because the Senate has huge financial issues to solve on the front end of the session whereas usually the first few months of a new Congress are pretty tame. Barney Frank knows the financial side and wouldn't just be a seat-holder who votes for whatever. The other names suggested may be qualified but they have no legislative experience. I hope Patrick does pick Barney Frank; he'd do a great job.

Feisty, happy Friday.

I love our governor, I love Barney Frank, l love Lawrence O'Donnell's program --

What to do?!

My money is on Gov. Patrick nixing this idea. Just a hunch. But there is no reason for anyone to get angry if he chooses to go a different route. He has his reasons. I sure am going to hate to see him end his 2 terms as governor. Such a class act.

Barney Frank gone, John Kerry gone, Ted K. gone.

Elizabeth Warren and Lawrence O'Donnell - the new kids in town.

Jody's post this morning on Barney Frank was terrific. Hopefully she can sway Gov. Patrick, together with the signed petitions.

All my Democratic co-workers are talking about Lawrence O'Donnell's "take" on this seat. Everybody is having both a chuckle and immense consideration over Barney Frank.

Lawrence O'Donnell would make a terrific senator even temporary. Laughed when he said he'd have to live in his brother's basement (like Mitt did) and his brother is a republican.

Thanks, Pat. I really did not know about Barney Frank being a Freedom Rider until Lawrence mentioned it the other night.

Jody, I know. People here are having quite a chuckle over Lawrence. We all just love his program.

Same question over and over - WHERE in Dorchesta did he live? No one knows....

I like Rachel's show but I love Lawrence's. His rewrites are a thing of beauty.

Jody, I think Lawrence's program is on too late, but I always stay up because of his Rewrite's. So educational and no nonsense. I do wish they would put him on earlier though.

Martin Bashir should as well be on prime time.

I'd love to see Rachel Maddow run for any seat! She is one of our finest Americans!

Martin Bashir should as well be on prime time.

They should give him Ed's slot... IMHO! lol

I like Rachel's show but I love Lawrence's. His rewrites are a thing of beauty.

I couldn't of said it better, Jody!

Ahh, yes, that eastern time. I had that problem when I lived in San Diego. There aren't enough hours in the evening for MSNBC. I'd also like to see Martin Bashir at night, and Ezra Klein.

pat @ 2.3 -- sounds like you need to get a room! couple of queen size beds should do.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

I would ♥ to see Lawrence O'Donnell

I love Lawrence O'Donnell. I think he is very intelligent and a good person.

Pat Boston MA.

Same question over and over - WHERE in Dorchesta did he live? No one knows....

looks like he grew up on Grayson Street, two blocks from St. Brendan’s Church

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! Whoops that was 1966. Don't you think it is time for you to dust under your bed?

blackcatwhitecat: LoL!

What can I say Pat but never buy a house from a Republican ... their closets are never cleaned out.

Russians? That is your level of thought? Terrific. Being a communist has nothing to do with Russia... and, well, look at your current events if you really want to stay on that path. My point was more her lies and constant deceit to the american people. But you keep on with your charged up nonsense for emotion over truth.

BCWC . . .

What can I say Pat but never buy a house from a Republican ... their closets are never cleaned out.

Nor are the windows ever cleaned. God forbid they'd see the world as it actually is!

Gofigureit

Commies are dying by the truckload. In the US you can count them on your fingers and toes ... but hey, if fear is your thing who am I to stand in your way. Be vigilant though, they may rise from the dead with the second coming as is Red Dawn ... gooks to kill, yay.

Communism is always associated with the Soviet Union in simple minds. Fascism is always associated with Hitler in simple minds. And the list goes on. That is how people think, and why they easily dismiss the truth.

And the truth is? Oh, that we are being overrun with fascists and communists. I forgot.

Wow! GoFigureit sounds like you should live up to your name. I am trying to go figure why you made such a pointless and idiotic posting. Now, go turn off Fox "News", take a few deep breaths, and go read a book or do something useful with your head other than use it as a depository for a hat. Your lack of insight is, while representative of your cohort, nevertheless disturbing. Go figure it out and come back when you have something worthwhile to contribute.

Homophobia has turned that thorn into a 2 by 4 of considerable length.

Johntho, exactly.

I agree. Best of luck to Cory Booker, who has the potential to go far nationally. A good guy.

billybob -

So, did you just read the headline, or did you actually listen to what he said? Here's your chance - it'll take less than four minutes of your time:

http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/05/booker-walks-back-nauseating-comments-124038.html

Now if you - or Politico - want to call that "walking back", then be my guest. What I hear is somebody clarifying - and if anything reiterating - his original comments about the level of discourse to which our political campaigns have sunk. He doesn't apologize in any way, and he doesn't try to weasel out of it. And yes, he was referring to both sides, so obviously, some Democrats were going to get ticked off. If Cory Booker does decide on a career in national politics, he'll probably have to be more careful about what he says.....which I find sad.

But come on - if a Republican had said that, he'd have gotten just as much flack from his own side. As a matter of fact, Chris Christie was attacked pretty heavily by many Republicans for daring to simply say that the President was doing a good job after Hurricane Sandy. Is that what you call being "tolerant of those with dissenting views"? Did you somehow miss how Mitt Romney had to pretty much re-invent himself from scratch in order to "move forward in the party" and get the GOP nomination?

Like I said, I find it sad that a politician these days has to be constantly on the defensive about everything he thinks or says. But to suggest that it only applies to those in the Democratic party is ludicrous.

joanne -- yes, he walked back regardless of how you choose to believe. i did not say it was not true of republicans just asking about booker -- the way things are these days you get elected to the senate and it is your seat for life -- kennedy and byrd being prime recent examples -- so if he gets elected will he vote his conscience or the party's?

and lest we forget what the democrat party did to lieberman when he had the audacity to disagree

billybob -

You said - and I quote - "it is unfortunate that the democrat party today is so intolerant of those with dissenting views".

When I mean both parties, I usually say the words "both parties".

so you agree that the democrat party is intolerant?

i see you want to change the conversation rather than comment about career senators or the disgusting action taken against lieberman

have a nice weekend

I'm the one changing the conversation? All I did was repeat the comment that you started it with!

But, whatever.....look, I think we could both agree that there are people in both parties (see how easy that is to say?) who are intolerant of those with dissenting beliefs. Geez, all you have to do is spend five minutes on this board to realize that!

As for career senators, I'd like to believe that Cory Booker would be the rare exception in both parties (see? I did it again!) who would put his conscience ahead of his party. One of my own Senators, Bob Casey, happens to be one of those exceptions. He's Catholic and makes no secret of the fact that he's anti-abortion, and that's the way he votes, party be damned. He's also a staunch supporter of President Obama. And I have no problem with that. If I expect Republicans to not rigidly adhere to the party line all the time, then I pretty much have to allow Democrats to do the same thing, don't I?

But, you want to talk about Joe Lieberman? Fine - just how "tolerant" is a party supposed to be of someone who runs for Vice-President on their ticket, then changes to an Independent, then actively campaigns for the guy running against their candidate as Lieberman did for McCain? How "tolerant" was Lieberman of the party that propelled him to that position in the first place? If Paul Ryan turns around and campaigns for Hillary in 2016, I can't wait to see how "tolerant" the GOP will be!

But I guess in your mind, that means I'm changing the conversation again. Yeah, okay.....but come on, just try saying it once......"both parties". It's really pretty easy!

P.S. - I'm working both days again this weekend after putting in about 55 hours already, so you'll have to have a nice one for both of us. See you Monday!

Non of us who post here are leaders ... we just hope to improve the dance. The bitch is the music. To pun, the score leans to the Left.

Woo-hoo!!! The Jen Psaki conspiracy theorists are back! Is that you, Dean Moriarty? We've missed your wacky comedic stylings here sooooo much..... :)

You think Feisty is president Obama's traveling press secretary, Jen Psaki? LOL You have absolutely no idea how wrong you are. On second thought, "please proceed, trouble 1954."

We are being led by a group of amateurs, truly.

Yes, you are........by the GOP. Glad you are finally seeing the light. Come on over to the good side! We welcome diversity in our mix!

trouble1954

The Republican Party would do well with more of you.

I hope the Lautenberg family know about this. I mean, half dead, not a very nice thing to say about a man who served honorably for many years.

There are bigger issues to fry ... the Republican Party is half dead.

Agreee. But Cory could beat Christie head-to-head. Cory is brilliant and severs the Nation better from the Senate.