Well, there goes BMitch’s chance to expand his majority with The Outlawed Jersey Whale’s assistance.
Here’s hoping future generations look back upon the decision in McDonnell v. United States with the contempt it so richly deserves.
With a bump from Citizens United. GOP, you built this.
Sorry Krispy Kreme. No Senate seat for you! hahahahaha:)
Many believed he would appoint himself.
Yes, silver linings I suppose. I feel that Menendez crossed aisles once the DOJ began investigating him and reverted to the Hard Line Miami and Union City Demographic opposition to normalization with Cuba, I believe because of the DOJ investigation. Anyway, I suppose that in the swirling darkness in which we find ourselves, it is good that Christie does not get to appoint Trump’s choice as replacement for the duration of Menendez’s term.
Okay, back to hillary being that one failed.
Have to keep the dark side enthused.
It’s pretty clear that Menendez was engaged in pay-to-play corruption, if not outright quid pro quo bribery – and if I had to guess, I would guess it was the latter as well, it was just hard to convince (some) jurors that it met the new, tougher standard for proving bribery that is in place now due to the McDonnell decision.
So, I’m glad Chris Christie doesn’t get to appoint a replacement. But in the big picture, not much to celebrate here. Menendez is a crappy Democrat, and an embarrassment to the party. And the McDonnell decision, which made it much harder to prove bribery, is the gift that will keep on giving for corrupt politicians of both parties. Ugh.
My feeling is if they had convicted Menedez there wouldn’t be anyone left in Congress by the end of the year. The truth is he is a stone cold crook, but he isn’t alone. Lots of billionaires own their own pet Senators or Representatives. .
Who else do the Dems have? Surely there is a more inspiring/electable candidate the Dems can run for senator – perhaps the new Lt Gov Sheila Oliver?
Apparently from what I understand from cnn’s explanation…corruption is now impossible to prove…
But it is a story that isn’t about sexual misconduct… so there’s that.
Members of Congress are the people who can get things done, and the Kochs pay the best.
Juror Edward Norris said that 10 jurors wanted to acquit Menendez on all charges, while two held out for conviction. Norris said that after the prosecution rested, “in my gut I was like, ‘That’s it? That’s all they had?'”
I’m ready to place bets on a retrial, or lack thereof. Any prosecutor who goes forward with this needs to have his head examined. Even if there’s new legislation that redefines the “crime,” that won’t cut it, since it would be an ex post facto law.
It actually started as a story of sexual misconduct. Menendez is a single US Senator. He apparently has very much enjoyed the perks of his prestigious position. And I believe that a lot of the scrutiny into his relationship with Melgen began with a fake FOX or other Right Wing News Story (when he was solidly in the Liberal Democrat camp) that he had engaged in sexual relationships with an underaged minor prostitute while he was a guest of Dr. Melgen on vacation in the Dominican Republic. The prostitute who made the allegation was interviewed and video taped admitting that she was of adult age and that she had been put up to making the false claim. So, even this had it’s origins in a trumped up Right Wing Hit Job surrounding Menendez’s cozy relationship with Doctor Melgen. I believe the desired result followed though when his entire relationship with Melgen was investigated. By the Obama DOJ.
When 10 of 12 jurors favor acquittal on all charges, this isn’t a McDonnell situation at all. The criminalization of normal behavior - including taking-up the political cause of a friend - will ultimately be used by the right wing to silence their liberal critics. We had better not get on our high horses about charges of “crooked” politicians. After all, we know there was only one crooked politician in the 2016 presidential race, and that crooked politician now sits in the Oval Office.
Christie’s last day in office is January 16, 2018
- so barring a sudden death - Christie will not be able to F-up the NJ Senate picture
but there is a good chance that he will exercise undue influence to manipulate something else.
The sheer breadth and depth of our current political corruption is depressing and disgusting …
As predicted last week on these pages…This guy would skate…not bribes …just dear friends trading some little favors…how low can we go…how much can people endure as our long standing institutions are shredded by professional white collar criminal?
By “some” you mean 85% of the jury pool?
Tubby Tundra is such a media whore, he would relish the moment of appointing another sleaze ball to add to Mitch’s crew. If he ever gets a job in the spotlight it should be my 600 Pound Life. 