To be fair, Bob Menendez probably did do both:
The Justice Department is preparing to bring criminal corruption charges against New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, alleging he used his Senate office to push the business interests of a Democratic donor and friend in exchange for gifts.
People briefed on the case say Attorney General Eric Holder has signed off on prosecutors’ request to proceed with charges, CNN has learned exclusively. An announcement could come within weeks. Prosecutors are under pressure in part because of the statute of limitation on some of the allegations.
…but everybody in This Thing Of Ours is gonna assume that Bob Menendez is really getting indicted because of his open fight with President Barack Obama over Iran, and not because he’s a corrupt suckweasel. Oh, I doubt that my opposite numbers are gonna admit it. But you can be sure that they’re all thinking it.
Hey, Lefties: remember when George W Bush was in office? You know, back before the executive branch started using the Justice Department to target its enemies? Those were the days, huh?
Moe Lane
So .. how’s the New Jersey Senator Replacement Program work again?
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Do they automatically go dust off Toricelli?
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Mew
Dig up the Laut!
I believe Corzine is tanned, rested, and ready.
And flush with stolen, er..lost…cash from hapless investors wondering why he’s not in jail.
Me: Hmmm, a corrupt Democrat Senator from New Jersey?
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Jack Nicholson: Is there another kind?
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Me: Well played Jack, well played.
Menendez is probably corrupt, and probably would’ve been indicted eventually, but I’m sure Holder’s signing off on this thing right now, is a way to punish Menendez and weaken his credibility. Hopefully Christie appoints a decent R to replace him, and then maybe we’ll get Keystone and Sanctions on Iran past Obama’s veto.
Does New Jersey let the governor appoint?
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Shouldn’t Christie – given his poll numbers – nominate .. himself?
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Mew
Yes, NJ lets The Gov appoint until the next election. Christie however decided to appoint an interim and then hold a special election for the Senate seat, and then placed said special election a couple of weeks before the gubernatorial.
He could’ve appointed an R to that seat who would’ve held it till 2014.
Also the R he did put there was completely useless. He was the special kind of stupid to come into the Senate during the Summer when nearly every one was saying how bad the Gang of 8 bill was, and he still voted for it.