Is there an honest Democrat left alive?...
<<Probe chipping away at Torricelli's support
Friday, July 6, 2001
By CHARLES STILE
Trenton Bureau
The steady stream of news reports detailing a federal investigation into U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli's fundraising and personal finances has dramatically soured his standing among voters, a poll released Thursday shows.
For the first time since his 1996 election to the U.S. Senate, the Quinnipiac University poll found that more voters hold a negative impression of Torricelli than a positive one.
The survey of 851 registered voters found that 37 percent disapproved of the way Torricelli is handling his job compared to 35 percent who approve. The poll, conducted between June 27 and July 1, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percent.
The survey represents a near reversal of the survey findings from February, when the number of people who gave Torricelli high marks was more than double of those with a negative view.
But as news coverage of a U.S. Justice Department investigation of Torricelli's 1996 Senate campaign intensified in recent months, the Englewood Democrat's approval ratings have slid from 48 percent in February to 41 percent in May.
"The constant hammering is taking its toll on Sen. Torricelli," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac Poll.
Among the most prominent reports detailed allegations that Torricelli received Italian suits, a Rolex watch, cash, and other gifts from David Chang, a Cresskill commodities broker and contributor to Torricelli's campaign.
Chang has emerged as a key figure in the investigation that started five years ago by the Justice Department's Campaign Task Force and has since been shifted to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan.
Chang has already pleaded guilty to giving $53,000 in illegal donations to Torricelli's 1996 Senate campaign. Seven other people have also pleaded guilty to charges of illegally funneling contributions to the campaign.
Federal investigators have also pegged three former Torricelli staffers as targets of the investigation, although Torricelli has not been named as subject of the probe.
A Torricelli spokesman said he was not surprised by the poll numbers given the media attention, but contended that they will be forgotten once the federal investigation is completed and Torricelli is vindicated.
"I think the numbers will quickly, almost automatically reverse as soon as the investigation is closed and behind us," said Dale Leibach, a Torricelli spokesman. "What will matter at that point is the record Bob Torricelli has created in the Senate."
Other key New Jersey Democrats took a similar view Thursday. They said the poll is only a momentary reflection of a public mood, not a death sentence on his political career. They said he still has time to mount a vigorous defense of the allegations before the 2002 campaign when he is up for reelection.
"We're in the early stages of a play where only one side has had an opportunity to read its lines," said Orin Kramer, an Englewood businessman and a longtime Torricelli ally.
Others also said the poll is not likely to embolden other prominent Democrats to pressure Torricelli to step down or abandon his race next year. State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, a leading party fundraiser, said many Democrats expect Torricelli to wage all-out war to salvage his career if charges are officially leveled against him.
"Anybody who may be lurking in the wings already know this," Lesniak said. "They know that Bob Torricelli has the incredible ability to turn things around, especially when he has the opportunity to fight back."
Among the Democrats eyeing a possible run are U.S. Rep. Robert Menendez, D-Union City. Attempts to reach Menendez on Thursday were unsuccessful. Also touted as a possible replacement is U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-Monmouth.
But state Democratic Party Chairman Thomas Giblin said the cloud around Torricelli must be cleared up by November after the gubernatorial and legislative election are over.
"I think Senator Torricelli has the luxury of the summer months to try to remedy these issues that are before him," Giblin said. "He has a talented legal team . . . but 2002 is rapidly approaching and the way elections are in New Jersey these days, they are started a year in advance. The clock is ticking very quickly on this matter."
Leibach said he expects that the matter will be resolved before the end of the year.
Republicans are also jockeying for a chance to run against Torricelli. Among them are state Sen. William Gormley, R-Atlantic, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-Cumberland, Republican fundraiser Lewis Eisenberg, and former Gov. Thomas H. Kean.>> |
