NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS LAUNCH WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN FOR JOE PISCOPO
Move Indicates Lack of Enthusiasm for Lautenberg, Insiders Say
New Jersey Democrats today launched an aggressive campaign to write in the name of former Saturday Night Live comedian/bodybuilder Joe Piscopo on the November ballot in the place of Senator Robert Torricelli, who bowed out of the race Monday.
The move to write in the Passaic-born Piscopo was taken by some to reflect a tepid reaction to the partys official choice to replace Torricelli, former Senator Frank Lautenberg.
Its safe to say that if the party rank and file were truly excited about Lautenberg, there wouldnt be all of this talk about Piscopo, said one leading Democratic pollster.
Mr. Piscopo, whose recent movie career has included such films as Captain Nuke and the Bomber Boys, said he was surprised when he received a call today telling him about the write-in bid.
My phone doesnt ring that much, Mr. Piscopo said.
Even as support builds for a Piscopo for Senate campaign, the comedians supporters face a stiff challenge from yet another group of renegade Democrats who are urging voters to write in the name of former New Jersey Nets star Jayson Williams.
The enthusiasm swirling around Mr. Williams struck many as yet another sign of a lack of enthusiasm for Mr. Lautenberg, since Mr. Williams is currently awaiting trial for killing a limo driver with a shotgun.
In Trenton, Governor James McGreevey attempted to nip both the Joe Piscopo and Jayson Williams candidacies in the bud.
It is time for all New Jersey Democrats to unite and pretend to be excited about Frank Lautenberg, Governor McGreevey said.
***Borowitz Reports****
Move Indicates Lack of Enthusiasm for Lautenberg, Insiders Say
New Jersey Democrats today launched an aggressive campaign to write in the name of former Saturday Night Live comedian/bodybuilder Joe Piscopo on the November ballot in the place of Senator Robert Torricelli, who bowed out of the race Monday.
The move to write in the Passaic-born Piscopo was taken by some to reflect a tepid reaction to the partys official choice to replace Torricelli, former Senator Frank Lautenberg.
Its safe to say that if the party rank and file were truly excited about Lautenberg, there wouldnt be all of this talk about Piscopo, said one leading Democratic pollster.
Mr. Piscopo, whose recent movie career has included such films as Captain Nuke and the Bomber Boys, said he was surprised when he received a call today telling him about the write-in bid.
My phone doesnt ring that much, Mr. Piscopo said.
Even as support builds for a Piscopo for Senate campaign, the comedians supporters face a stiff challenge from yet another group of renegade Democrats who are urging voters to write in the name of former New Jersey Nets star Jayson Williams.
The enthusiasm swirling around Mr. Williams struck many as yet another sign of a lack of enthusiasm for Mr. Lautenberg, since Mr. Williams is currently awaiting trial for killing a limo driver with a shotgun.
In Trenton, Governor James McGreevey attempted to nip both the Joe Piscopo and Jayson Williams candidacies in the bud.
It is time for all New Jersey Democrats to unite and pretend to be excited about Frank Lautenberg, Governor McGreevey said.
***Borowitz Reports****
