Lautenberg suggests 'spanking' Booker over Senate bid
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who might face a 2014 primary challenge from Newark Mayor Cory Booker, said his fellow Democrat is "entitled" to run if he chooses to but suggested that he had to give a "spanking" to his potential rival for so openly coveting his seat.
Lautenberg suggests 'spanking' Booker over Senate bid
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who might face a 2014 primary challenge from Newark Mayor Cory Booker, said his fellow Democrat is "entitled" to run if he chooses to but suggested that he had to give a "spanking" to his potential rival for so openly coveting his seat.
Booker has already formed a 2014 campaign committee, prompting anonymous Lautenberg aides to rip the mayor to Politico, accusing him of being "disrespectful." I asked Lautenberg about that characterization this afternoon.
"I have four children, I love each one of them. I can't tell you that one of them wasn't occasionally disrespectful, so I gave them a spanking and everything was OK," Lautenberg said with a smile in his first public comments since Booker announced he was considering a run for Senate.
Lautenberg, who turns 89 on Wednesday, would not say if he intends to run for another six-year term in 2014.
"I've got a lot of work to do yet, serious things and we pride ourselves (in) my office and my team (on) getting things done. That's the focus. I'm not thinking about the politics right now," Lautenberg said.
He would not give a timetable for when he might make up his mind.
Booker has said he is mulling a run, but has not committed to challenging Lautenberg. He dodged questions on the issue Sunday night at the New Jersey State Society inaugural gala.
Booker might have competition for the job, Lautenberg said.
"He's entitled to do it," Lautenberg said of a possible Booker candidacy. "He'll have to stand on his record and I'm sure he won't be a lone soldier out there drooling at the mouth and wanting this cushy job that we have here."
Lautenberg had been absent from Washington for several weeks, missing votes on the fiscal cliff and Sandy relief. He said he had a case of the flu that turned into "a severe case of bronchitis."
On Tuesday he was walking with a cane, but said he didn't need it.
"It adds cachet," he joked.
Doesn't Booker know he needs the permission of his democratic overlords before he steps out of line. Democratic Party, the party of the people as long as the people know their place.— junethe4th- I hate Lautenberg with a passion and would welcome Cory Booker over him any day (although I would of course prefer a conservative first and foremost)— jeanpennie
- I wish all these old farts would know when it is time to step aside. It's hard for these pigs at the trough to give up the power.— BillyBob369
cory booker has gotten too big for his britches. lautenberg will beat him by 10 pts in the primary— hannibal barca- Frank Lautenberg died six years ago, he just forgot to lie down.— CiceroSpuriousDeodatusTheSecond
- Gimme a break this man is 89 years old! Time to walk away gracefully. I don't think New Jersey wants their Senator dying in office of old age like the brilliant voters of South Carolina (Thurmond age 100) and West Virginia (Byrd age 92).
Too bad Lautenberg is a Democrat. He's old enough to be president of the 'Young Republicans Club'.— wokmaster - Blatantly racist.— Mr. Smith
- If they can put age limits on the POPE, then there should be age limits on members of Congress. Not that old people are bad people, but once past a certain age, an individual and his loyal staff, are out of touch with the vast majority they represent.— phillytransplant
they make judges retire at 70, this dude is 89? he failed to vote on Sandy relief bill that largely affects his own state? No way should he be even dreaming about re election. give it up man- Lautenberg is the one being disrespectful, esp to the people of NJ for basically being a do-nothing and stealing a check. Any chance he trained Bob Casey Jr on how to hide and be useless? Move on old man and let somebody with a little energy and some ideas take over. BTW, the call to DYFS is being made for the admitted abuse (spanking) of your kids.— TomM
- I think ol' Frank is a racist. Where are Jesse and Al?— Wiseman6
- What is it with Dems? They hold a seat for so long it becomes THEIR seat? See MA and the "Kennedy seat".
I think Booker would do well to check the "Lautenberg seat" before he "sits" in it...— Wiseman6 
Comment removed.- No one in NJ should ever vote democrat as long as this sick minded senile old creep is a part of the Dem party. He is a one sided vindictive Law maker that they listen to. He shoulda been gone 25 years ago.— Vom Brunhaus
- Hit the pike crabby.— Cardinal Fang
Jonathan Tamari is the Inquirer’s correspondent in Washington, where he follows the Philadelphia area’s interests and representatives. Tamari comes to D.C. after two years as a beat writer reporting on the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFL (where, a political source once told him, there are at least rules against hitting below the knees). He previously wrote about politics and government from Trenton, reporting on the characters and color of New Jersey state government.Jersey born and bred, Tamari now lives in the capital city, where he is looking for stories, places to run, soccer bars and good meals.
Reach him at jtamari@phillynews.com.
Follow Jonathan on Twitter: @JonathanTamari.
