I have been expecting, at any moment, to see a Mudcatter so unhappy with the settlement of the last presidential election in the United States being settled by the courts, to post a protest about what is going on in New Jersey. Alas, no one has. How sad.

Every since Bush won the election due to a ruling by the Supreme Court of the U. S., there has been weeping and wailing on the Mudcat about the election being decided by the courts.

For non-citizens of the U. S., an explanation as to why this particular election in the United States is so important.

The United States Senate was controlled by the Republican Party when President Bush became president of the United States. Several months ago, a Senator, elected as a Republican, decided to declare himself an Independent. This threw the balance of power in the U. S. Senate from the Republicans to the Democrats. So, at the present, the Democrats (who represent the majority view on the Mudcat) controll the United States Senate by one vote. The defeat of a single Democratic Senator can change control of the U. S. Senate.

Robert Torricelli, a Democratic Senator in the United States Senate from New Jersey, got caught with his hand in the "cookie jar" during this session of the legislature. He was not prosecuted, but the supporter he was accused of taking bribes from, David Chang, was prosecuted, found guilty of giving bribes, and now is serving a prison sentence. The Senate Ethics Committee issued a serious reprimand to the Senator, but he was not charged. As an aside, it's difficult for me to understand how Chang could be prosecuted for giving bribes, but the Senator who received them only receives a reprimand. But that is beside the point of this thread.

Senator Torricelli ran for re-election to his seat in the Senate in the election that will be held in 35 days. Yesterday, with polls showing that he didn't have a chance in hell of winning over his Republican opponent, Torricelli withdrew from the election, and the Democratic party has filed a suit with the Supreme Court in New Jersey asking that they be allowed to name a new candidate. The new candidate would be appointed by the Democratic governor of the state.

Tonight, the governor named the Democratic's Party's chosen candidate. A former New Jersey Senator who resigned his seat in the 1980's.

The only problem is, New Jersey law states that a candidate cannot withdraw from the campaign less than 51 days from an election! They are now 36 days from election.

One would think that the solution is simple. The law says, "not less than 51 days," so obviously what the Democrats are proposing is illegal. But it is not so simple. Speculation is that the court, the majority of which is composed of Democratic Judges, will find a "loop-hole" that will allow the substitution.

If they do, that means that any candidate that is behind in a election, regardless of party, can withdraw, simply on the basis that the polls show they are going to lose, and a candidate can be substituted that he party feels has a better chance of being elected. Forget the fact that some people have already voted by mail, and that the ballots have already been printed with Torricelli listed as the Democratic candidate.

Now, non-U. S. Citizens might ask, what's the big deal? It's only a Senate seat! But that Senate seat COULD determine who is in the majority in the United States Senate. That is a big deal.

So. Those of you who decry the settlement of the U. S. presidency by the courts, how do you feel about the New Jersey courts trampling state law to decide the New Jersey election?

I know I don't have to remind you that with a Republican controlled senate, the Judges you don't want to see approved, will be, if there are vacancies on the Supreme Court, Bush will be able to appoint whoever he wishes (and at least two Judges have hinted at wanting to retire, both Arizonans)so it is an important election. I'll be interested in your comments.

DougR