Now that Torricelli's out, what's next?

Story Tools

(CNN) -- Sen. Robert Torricelli, D-New Jersey, announced late Monday afternoon that he was leaving the U.S. Senate and abandoning his bid for re-election. Torricelli's withdrawal from the race could torpedo the Democratic Party's attempts to hold control of the Senate. With Torricelli no longer running, who will face Republican Doug Forrester in November for the New Jersey seat?

"Human Events" editor Terry Jeffrey and Democratic strategist Peter Fenn joined "Crossfire" hosts Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala to discuss how Torricelli's exit could affect the Democratic Party.

CARLSON: As of this morning [Monday], when we woke up and before we knew that Mr. Torricelli was leaving the race, we still knew all these facts about him (including) implications that he committed serious felonies. We don't know for certain that he did, but there's a lot of evidence that he did.

Why do Democrats defend him tirelessly? I really want to know.

FENN: I'll tell you. They didn't prosecute him. They refused to prosecute him. Let me just say this.

If they thought in New York that they could get him in court, prosecute him and convict him, they would have gone and done it. They dropped it. What we have here is a guy who did some bad stuff. I'm not sure it's legal or illegal. You know, clearly, he's not going to get prosecuted for it. But he's gone. He's off the political landscape in New Jersey.

CARLSON: Wait a minute; unless you're convicted you're defended by Democrats?

JEFFREY: I dare the Democrats on the Senate Ethics Committee to release Senator Torricelli's testimony so the entire country can decide whether they were covering up for perjury because they'd rather have a perjurer in the United States Senate than lose their majority.

CARLSON: Exactly.

JEFFREY: This guy may have committed perjury in a Senate committee.

FENN: When Dick Cheney releases the documents that the GAO wants, when this administration...

JEFFREY: I'm for releasing it. Release it.

FENN: Well I'm glad you are, but most of your people are not.

BEGALA: Three words: History. He's out. It's over. Let's move on.

The candidate for the Republican Party, let's talk about him. The candidate for the Republican Party is a guy named Forrester, which apparently is not his job -- it's his name. His job is some kind of way to overcharge for pharmaceutical drugs, as I understand it. Torricelli, today in his speech, described him to the state and it's pretty unfortunate and unflattering. You may need one of these tissues by the time you finish. This is what Torricelli on leaving had to say about his opponent.

Video clip of Torricelli: That a woman's right to choose was fundamental in the Constitution of the United States. That environmental protection was the fundamental issue that should unite all people in New Jersey. That gun control was essential to secure the safety of our citizens in their homes. Doug Forrester believes in none of that.

BEGALA: OK. He is your candidate. He has no issue now with Torricelli out. He's got no experience, no record, no clue, no chance, right?

JEFFREY: ... If the question is, do I agree with candidate Forrester on this and the issues, the answer is no. I disagree with him on a lot of the issues. But there is a bigger issue here.

The issue is whether the United States Senate, which is controlled by the Democrats, cares about the truth, cares about the rule of law, or whether they'd rather maintain their majority at the expense of promoting someone who very well may have committed perjury to them this year.

FENN: Well if he committed perjury, if he did all these terrible things that you said, shouldn't he be gone? Here's the key point: What we're talking about here is campaigning on the issues. And this is exactly what's going to happen now in New Jersey. It's not going to be in the gutter. It's going to be a campaign about the issues the American people care about.

Story Tools


Panel: Spy agencies in dark about threats

• White House calls pope inspiration for millions
• Lott delays vote on base closing nominee
• Former Clinton adviser Berger to plead guilty


CNN/Money: Security alert issued for 40 million credit cards

• Bin Laden deputy sends message
• U.S. House votes to keep U.N. dues
• Iran poll to go to run-off