Lautenberg Insists He is In for 2008

New Jersey: Octogenarian Democrat Frank Lautenberg insists he will be up for re-election in 2008:

But Lautenberg will have to spend a good chunk of 2007 raising money for his 2008 re-election bid. He isn't looking forward to the fundraising part, but he's up for the task.

"I intend to get this election job done with as much energy is required," he said. "The part I like the least is the part that goes with the chore of raising the money."

I'm still skeptical. Perhaps Lautenberg will be reinvigorated by a Democratic majority. And the Garden State has been a perennial tease to statewide Republicans in recent years. But Lautenberg's approvals are dangerously low (though, so were Sen. Menendez', and he beat back Kean Jr.'s challenge), he hates fundraising, and he is getting up there in years (though, in the Senate, 80 is the new 50, I guess). I still expect a retirement announcement next year - maybe late spring, early summer, while the Democratic Congresspeople continue to squirrel away federal campaign funds - but, for now, Lautenberg seems to be in. So, go Frank!