Passing
the Torch
by Robert Yoho, Columnist and Senior Editor
"Eye on Conservatism"
.jpg)
Still
embroiled in the midst of a scandal that has eroded his once formidable lead,
Sen. Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.), nicknamed "The Torch", announced that he would
not seek re-election.
The senator’s tortured explanation for his decision failed to mention any possible wrongdoing on his part. There were no expressions of remorse. He also failed to acknowledge that he had done anything other than make some "mistakes."
In short, I found no credible reason for the senator to step down except for the fact that he thought he would lose the election. Why would a good and honorable man like Torricelli not continue his fight?
It was glaringly apparent that Torricelli’s greatest fear was no longer enjoying the power and prestige of his office. He also feared that the Democrats would lose their senate majority. There was absolutely no acknowledgement that he had betrayed the trust of the voters. Moreover, he chastised the people of New Jersey for their good sense in largely rejecting his candidacy. "When did we become such an unforgiving people?" he said.
Yes, New Jersey, it is your fault that ‘The Torch’ was put out!
Desperate to maintain their slim majority in the Senate, Democrats had counted on Torricelli to maintain his seat. His questionable activities, for which he was sternly admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee, led to Torricelli's decision to step down from the race.
The only problem was the law — the very thing that tripped up Torricelli from the very beginning. The senator’s decision to step down came several days too late to add someone else to the ballot. No problem for the Democrats! They would ignore the law. Moreover, they would do so with the aid and comfort of the buffoons on the state’s highest court.
Something definitely stinks in the Garden State! After all, rules are for losers!
In open defiance of New Jersey election law and in a move strangely reminiscent of the 2000 Florida election debacle, Democrats, aided by their henchmen on the state supreme court, are illegally trying to pass the torch to another liberal senatorial candidate, the fossilized former Sen. Frank Lautenberg.
For the sake of their election fortunes, the Democrats have chosen to ignore the law, change the rules, and deliberately thumb their nose at the system. Obviously, New Jersey is trying to live "down" to its well-deserved reputation for political dirty tricks. Their rogue judiciary is every bit as self-serving and contemptuous of the law as their robed counterparts in Florida.
Perhaps we should examine the facts. A man named David Chang, businessman, benefactor, and close associate of ‘The Torch’, is facing serious jail time while Democrats are pulling the senator’s fat from the fire. Chang was convicted of illegally contributing over $50,000 to Torricelli's 1996 campaign.
These facts are not in dispute: Torricelli did take gifts of a big-screen television, a CD player, and earrings, in direct violation of Senate rules. He did reward Chang’s generosity with a 1999 trip to South Korea, where the senator introduced him to the the prime minister and tried to assist the businessman in recovering money supposedly owed to him by the North Korean government.
Even the weak sisters of the Senate Ethics Committee criticized the senator for his "incongruities, inconsistencies, and conflicts." They also stated that the actions taken by Torricelli could have been of "potential benefit" to David Chang.
Facing the prospect of an unforeseen electoral defeat, Democrats decided that they would win at all costs.
In much the same way that they attempted to do in Florida's presidential election, Daschle and company decided that election laws should not stand in the way of their lust for power. They would win at all costs.
Torricelli is out of the race because he willingly chose to accept illegal gifts and skirted the law. Democrats are equally determined to break the law in order to get his name off the ballot.
By their actions, Democrats are exhibiting the same type of supreme arrogance and utter disregard for the law that ultimately extinguished the political fortunes of ‘The Torch.’ ***
© 2002 Robert Yoho
COPYRIGHT © 2002 BY THE AMERICAN PARTISAN. All writers retain rights to their work.
Home | About Us | Archives | Forums | Links | Resources | Submissions | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer