A Torching Farewell.(ISSUES & INSIGHTS)(EDITORIALS)

Politics: New Jersey Democrats fouled up when they chose Sen. Robert Torricelli as their candidate. They got caught, and now they want to change the rules.

Torricelli's supporters, Democratic voters and party bosses knew their candidate was tainted when they nominated him for re-election. Now that he's out of the race, they should have to live with their decision. The law provides no out for a party whose candidate is losing in the 11th hour.

But like they did in Florida two years ago, Democratic leaders are refusing to recognize the law.

Torricelli was trailing by 13 points in the polls when he withdrew. With his ethics problems building, that margin was likely to grow. Fiercely defended by Democratic colleagues as recently as last week, by Monday he had become a liability. Under pressure from party leaders, he ended his political career in an emotional farewell address.

But the tears weren't his alone. The withdrawal leaves his party without a U.S. Senate candidate when New Jersey voters go to the polls this fall, jeopardizing Democrats' single-seat Senate majority.

Things would have been different had Torricelli pulled out during the summer when he was "severely admonished" by the Senate for taking gifts from a man sent to prison for making illegal donations to the senator. Democrats could have named a competitive substitute. New Jersey law allows parties to ...