Lautenberg, Booker spar over NRA press conference on Twitter

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Newark mayor Cory Booker has said he wants 88-year-old New Jersey senator Frank Lautenberg’s “blessing” to run for his seat should he retire in 2014.

But if there back and forth over the controversial post-Sandy Hook Elementary shooting press conference of NRA leader Wayne LaPierre is any indication, the relationship between the NJ Democrats may be less than cordial.

Lautenberg, one of the Senate’s most outspoken gun control advocates, expressed his outrage via Twitter when LaPierre recommended that all schools should have armed guards in the wake of the tragedy in Newtown Connecticut.

“#NRA leadership’s drive to fill our schools w/ more deadly guns & ammo is wildly out of touch w/ responsible gun owners & American public,” Lautenberg tweeted.

Booker’s response to LaPierre was surprisingly more measured for a liberal Democrat.

“Can’t agree with much NRA head is saying right now BUT yes, I agree lets improve fed background checks for those mentally unfit to buy guns,” he tweeted.

This drew a strong rebuke from his potential 2014 primary opponent, Sen, Lautenberg.

“Let me be clear: #NRA leadership is out of line & out of touch. Nothing they spew should be validated. 1.usa.gov/T6ee1X,” he said.