Senator Lautenberg Hospitalized

New Jersey's 86-year-old Democrat Senator Frank Lautenberg was rushed to the hospital tonight after a fall.

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg was taken by ambulance tonight from his Cliffside Park home after suffering a fall, his spokesman said.

The 86-year-old Democrat was conscious when he was taken to the hospital "as a precautionary measure," said the spokesman, Caley Grey.

Grey said he did not know if Lautenberg had fallen inside the Bergen County condominium or whether he had suffered any injuries.

Lautenberg was elected to his fifth term in the Senate in 2008, defeating former U.S. Rep. Richard Zimmer with roughly 55 percent of the vote. He was thrust back into the political spotlight in recent months as his name became synonymous with two major political storylines in the state — the security breach at Newark Liberty International Airport and the Sean Goldman custody case.

Lautenberg would be 90 if he finished out his term. Maybe he ought to just retire so Republican Governor Chris Christie could name a replacement.