Speculation On 2006 New Jersey Senate Race

Patrick Ruffini weighs in on the 2006 New Jersey race to replace Jon Corzine in the Senate. We hope this implies Corzine will lose his bid to become Governor in 2005 and will then retire from “public service” when his term expires.

We don’t see Lisa Beamer or Debra Burlingame running for the Senate and we can’t imagine the boys of New Jersey being open to the idea of stepping aside. We don’t know enough about either woman to know if they would make a good Senator but, it is not possible to represent New Jersey any less effectively then Corzine and Lautenberg.

The Republican nominee for U.S. Senate needs to be someone who can capture and own this sentiment in 2006. State Sen. Tom Kean, Jr. and Rep. Mike Ferguson are certainly capable alternatives, but would they shake up the race? Would they bring a single-minded focus to the issue of defeating terrorism, which is the prime mover in New Jersey?

That's why the GOP might consider drafting Lisa Beamer or Debra Burlingame, who have proven to be two of the most poised and graceful representatives of the 9/11 families. Beamer is the widow of Flight 93 hero Todd Beamer, and the author of her own book Let's Roll! In a 2002 interview, she discussed the role her faith played in bringing her family through this wrenching period.