(2002-10-23) — Supporters of New Jersey Senate candidate Douglas Forrester deny they’re trying to make age an issue in the campaign against former Senator Frank Lautenberg. The 78-year-old Lautenberg has entered the game like a relief pitcher following the withdrawal of Sen. Robert Torricelli.
“We’re not talking about Lautenberg’s age,” a Forrester news release stated. “We would never stoop to such feeble tactics. Lautenberg’s candidacy has been frail from the start. We have a hunch back at headquarters that this accusation is just the latest wrinkle in Democrat attempts to prop up his decrepit effort to regain the Senate.”
Mr. Lautenberg’s staff insists that the Forrester people are cleverly implying their man is too old for the job.
But the Forrester camp categorically denies it in the news release.
“What a shaky argument. Maybe Lautenberg’s heart just isn’t in it. He’s quavering between wanting to return to the Senate, and just buying the farm he’s always dreamed of and retiring.”